Newer iPhones check whether a replaced screen, battery or camera is a genuine Apple part (the battery from iPhone XR and XS onwards, the screen from iPhone 11 onwards). If the iPhone can’t verify the part, it shows an “Important Message” alert and marks it as an “Unknown Part” under Settings → General → About. The phone keeps working normally – the message is for information only. What it affects depends on which part it is.
When the message appears
- After the screen, battery or camera has been replaced with a part the iPhone can’t verify as a genuine Apple part.
- After a genuine part has been fitted that wasn’t paired with that particular phone.
- On a used iPhone that had a part replaced by a previous owner.
The alert on the lock screen and in notifications disappears after a few days, but it stays in Settings under parts and service history.
What changes
- Battery: the iPhone won’t show battery health (maximum capacity) under Settings → Battery. Charging and battery life aren’t affected.
- Screen: True Tone, which adjusts colours to the ambient light, may be missing. Touch, brightness and the picture all work.
- Camera: it works, but on some models you may notice a difference in image quality or focusing, depending on the quality of the part.
- Face ID isn’t part of the screen or the battery. We don’t touch it during a standard screen or battery replacement.
Can it be fixed?
Genuine Apple parts can be paired on newer versions of iOS using Repair Assistant, which appears under Settings → General → About after a part has been replaced. Once the part is paired, the message disappears and features such as battery health or True Tone are restored.
Compatible parts can’t be paired, so the message stays. They are, however, much cheaper – the choice is yours.
Choosing a part at FIXERS
For every iPhone model, our repair price list shows which screen and battery options we offer: an original part, a refurbished original or a compatible part, each with its own price. Before the replacement, we’ll tell you whether the option you’ve chosen will trigger the message. We explain the differences between the options in our guides How much does a phone screen replacement cost and How much does a phone battery replacement cost.
FAQs
Is an iPhone showing the “Unknown Part” message faulty?
No. The message simply means the iPhone hasn’t verified the part as a genuine Apple part. The phone works normally.
Will the message affect selling the phone?
Buyers will see it in Settings. So if you’re planning to sell the phone, an original or refurbished original part is worth it.
Will the message disappear after an iOS update?
No. With compatible parts, it stays even after an update. Genuine Apple parts can be paired using Repair Assistant.
Does this affect older iPhones too?
iPhones older than the XR and XS don’t check parts in this way and don’t show the message. The screen alert appears from iPhone 11 onwards.