Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
iOS 17.5 beta 4 introduces a new Repair State feature that allows users to keep Find My enabled when sending an iPhone in for repairs. This feature is currently in beta, so there is a possibility it won’t be included in the stable release later this month. We recommend iOS beta users not to enable the Repair State feature on their iPhones since there is currently no way to turn it off.
Apple has traditionally required users to disable Find My before sending their iPhones for repairs to prevent theft and verify ownership. However, this practice comes with risks as iPhones could potentially be stolen in transit. To address these concerns, Apple is developing a new Repair State feature for the latest iPhones.
The iOS 17.5 beta 4 includes the Repair State feature in the Find My app on iPhones. This feature is exclusive to iOS and cannot be used on the latest iPadOS and macOS betas. With Repair State, users can prove ownership of their iPhone without disabling Find My, allowing them to continue monitoring their device’s location during repair. Enabling Repair State requires the user’s Apple ID and password to prevent unauthorized access.
While Stolen Device Protection was introduced in iOS 17.3 to prevent changes to sensitive settings for an hour, Repair State is not affected by this delay. This allows users to proceed with repairs immediately without waiting.
The final version of iOS 17.5 is expected to be released in two weeks, but Apple could choose to remove the Repair State feature before then. Users interested in trying out the new features can install the latest beta build through the iPhone’s Settings app. Have a tip? Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com. You can choose to remain anonymous or receive credit for your information.