Apple’s latest devices, Mac Pro to the 2018 MacBook Pro, feature the company’s custom T2 chip that alongside other components, has a mass storage controller, including a dedicated AES engine for encryption. MacRumors has reportedly obtained an internal Apple report, as per which, the company is using its own diagnostic software that effectively blocks certain third-party repairs for the aforementioned devices that use the new chip. Any such devices that undergo unauthorised repairs are said to be rendered inoperable as the repair would be deemed incomplete if the said software is not used. However, iFixit has tested the claims made by the alleged documents by replacing the display and logic boards of the latest 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro to find that the laptop is working fine. iFixit says that even if there is a restriction that impairs devices that undergo third-party repairs, it has not been activated yet.
MacRumors says that the as per the document, this diagnostics software prevents third-party repairs of parts on the 2018 MacBook Pro that includes the display, Touch ID, keyboard, battery, logic board, trackpad, and speakers. Meanwhile, the software is said to be required when repairs are made to the logic board and flash storage of the iMac Pro. Not running the diagnostic software after any of these parts are replaced/repaired will “result in an inoperative system and an incomplete repair, according to Apple's directive to service providers.”
The proprietary Apple diagnostic software is said to be available internally, only at Apple Authorized Service Providers and Apple stores, thus eliminating any chance of third-party repairs. In a separate report, Motherboard claims Apple’s diagnostic software can only function when it’s connected to the company’s cloud-based Global Service Exchange (GSX) server and requires a valid Apple login to be accessed.
As mentioned, iFixit did test this claim and it seems that even if there is such software in place to thwart users from getting their devices repaired by third-party centres, it has not yet been activated.