In the second beta of iOS 14.4 distributed to developers and public testers this week, MacRumors contributor Steve Moser discovered code indicating that Apple will present a new warning on iPhones that have had their cameras repaired or replaced with replacement components instead of genuine Apple components.
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“We were unable to verify that this iPhone has a genuine Apple camera,” the message will read. As with a similar warning for non-original iPhone screens, the message will likely appear in the Settings app under General> About as needed, and the warning may also appear as a notification on the lock screen for a short time.
The warning similar to the Apple screen does not affect the ability to use the iPhone or the screen in any way, so this will likely be the case with the camera-related warning as well, but it is yet to be seen. Apple also displays a similar message for non-original iPhone batteries that similarly does not affect device usage other than disabling a battery health feature that displays the maximum remaining battery capacity.
The non-original camera message is likely to direct users to a future Apple support document emphasizing the importance of iPhone repairs being completed by trained and authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts, including Apple, Apple authorized service providers and those who are part of the independent Apple Repair Program provider.
Last year, the iFixit repair website reported that authorized technicians are required to run Apple’s cloud-based system setup application to complete camera and screen repairs on all iPhone 12 models, citing internal documentation from Apple. Failure to complete this step can result in camera problems or loss of response in a short period of time, according to the iFixit test.