For years, fixing a broken screen meant taking the device to an authorized dealer and paying an exorbitant fee. Manufacturers intentionally locked down their hardware.
The legislative pressure
Grassroots movements successfully pushed ‘Right to Repair’ bills across multiple jurisdictions in the US and EU. The threat of strict legislation forced hardware giants to change their policies.
The parts store pivot
Companies that previously claimed user repairs were dangerous are now selling official repair kits directly to consumers. It is a massive reversal driven entirely by legal compliance.
The software locks remain
While physical parts are easier to get, manufacturers still use ‘parts pairing’—where a new component must be authenticated via software to function fully. The physical battle is won; the software battle begins.