Having the Face ID fail on your iPhone is set to become a repairable fault rather than a situation where a replacement iPhone is the only option.
As MacRumors reports, an internal memo reveals that Apple is making available a TrueDepth Camera service part, which can be used by Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers to replace the module in an iPhone. The service part contains all the necessary components for both Face ID and the front-facing camera. This is significant because until now, the whole iPhone would need replacing.
The repair can be carried out on the iPhone XS and newer models. The memo points out that this will help reduce the carbon footprint of its Apple’s products, but customers are surely going to be happy simply in the knowledge they get to keep their iPhone.
It’s unclear exactly when the TrueDepth Camera service part will become available, but it may not be usable to solve all faults. Apple is updating the Service Toolkit diagnostic tool so that it informs technicians when the module can be replaced or if a whole device replacement is necessary. And of course, new training will be required to learn how to replace the module. In the meantime, try not to break Face ID.
