Right To Repair - Repair Not Recycle.
Mantra, ethos, motto or a way of life - The Apple Geek has been built upon using technology until its feesable impossible to use any more - but saying that with how light weight Linux distributions are these days Apple Computers which are 10+ years old can run the newest versions of Linux and still receive security updates.
Repairing your old phone isn’t only cool if you do it yourself or for a family member, it’s incredibly green and good for the environment.
As I write some of this blog post COP26 in Glasgow is in full swing, its climate action week in the UK and to further spur on the next stage of ‘The Apple Geek’ I’ve just completed a battery swap and screen change on an iPhone 8 for a friend, the device will live on not sit in a draw broke or find its way in to land fill.
iOS 15 was released in October 2021 with support for iPhone 6S and newer, this device was released in September 2015 - 6 years old and still supported by Apple, to repair screen damage or a dead battery on these devices is relatively cheap and easy, if you have one in the draw doing nothing think about getting it going again and using it or passing on to a child to use - with no glass back compared to newer models they’re pretty tough, and it’s the last iPhone with an headphone jack (thats a plus point you’ll see if you like Audio)
A few weeks after COP26 and apple have announced its DIY Service Repair Service, a user with a iPhone 12 or 13 - newer MacBook can download the how to guides from its site, order the parts need via a portal and conduct the repair themselves.
Whilst its great to see Apple taking this view, hopefully more devices will last longer and less energy will be used in creating new devices - the consumer culture just needs to catch up.
This still leaves seven generations and about 20 versions of iPhone still receiving the newest iOS versions, which will need repairs in the future to keep them going and serviceable.
This is where turning to the folks at iFixit comes in to play, their repair guides are second to none, the tools and spare parts they offer really make the job a breeze and bring a defunct device back to life.
Even an old iPhone 6 is capable of connecting to AirPods - combine this with AirChord and an old vinyl player you can listen to analog music on your digital Bluetooth speakers whilst pretty much doing anything (whilst in range)
Devices around the iOS 13 mark still have access to HomeKit - and can be used as simple wall based controllers allowing guests or other family members to control the home.
In the coming months I’ll put together a list of jobs old devices can do or be put to work doing without risking data security not running the most up to date iOS version, you’ll be surprised.
