Guide · iPhone parts and Settings warnings
“Unknown Part” on your iPhone,
explained properly.
Since iOS 15, iPhones check whether a screen, battery or camera is paired to the phone and show a note in Settings when it isn’t. Here is which models show it, when a genuine part clears it, and why it doesn’t affect how the phone works.
✓ Cosmetic — no effect on performance·✓ Cleared by genuine parts on 12 and newer·✓ Never affects your warranty with us
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4,000+Devices repaired
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12-monthWarranty
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5.0Google rating
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Apple-trained& certified
What it is
A pairing check, not a fault
Apple pairs certain parts — the display, the battery and the rear camera — to the phone’s logic board at the factory. When a part is replaced, iOS checks whether the new one is paired. If it isn’t, Settings shows a note such as “Unknown Part” or “Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple display” under Settings → General → About. It also appears as a notification for a few days after the repair.
It is a label. The screen still works, True Tone can be restored on genuine panels, the battery still charges and reports health, the camera still shoots. It does not slow the phone, block updates, or affect its value to us when you sell.
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iPhone X, XR, XS and 11 series
Shows the note for a replaced screen or battery with ANY part — genuine Apple included. Apple has not provided calibration for these generations, so nothing removes it. Cosmetic only.
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iPhone 12 and newer — genuine part
A genuine Apple screen or battery is calibrated to the phone after fitting. No note in Settings, True Tone and (on Pro models) ProMotion restored, battery health reported normally.
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iPhone 12 and newer — aftermarket part
A quality aftermarket screen or battery shows the note. It works normally; the note is the only difference, and it is why the aftermarket price is lower.
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Cameras
A replaced rear camera can show as a non-genuine part on all models. Photos, focus and stabilisation are unaffected once tested; the note is cosmetic.
What it means for a repair
Choosing between genuine and aftermarket
On iPhone 12 and newer you have a real choice: a genuine Apple part clears the note and restores every feature exactly; a quality aftermarket part costs less and works the same day to day, with the note in Settings. On iPhone X to 11 the note appears either way, so the aftermarket part is usually the sensible choice unless you specifically want an Apple panel.
Either way, every repair we do carries a 12-month warranty (budget LCD screens: 3 months), and the note never affects that warranty or what we pay when you sell the phone.
Buying refurbished
Why a Grade A phone can still show it
A refurbished iPhone may have had a screen or battery replaced during refurbishment. Our Grade A phones use genuine Apple parts only; on iPhone 12 and newer those are calibrated and show nothing. On X to 11, even a genuine part shows the note — so a Grade A iPhone 11 with the note is exactly as described. Grade B and C may use quality aftermarket parts, stated on the listing. All are fully tested and covered by the warranty.
FAQ
Common questions
No. It means the part is not paired to the board, which on iPhone X to 11 is true of every replacement part, genuine or not. Quality of the repair is about the part, the fitting, the seal and the testing — none of which the note measures.
On iPhone 12 and newer, yes, by fitting a genuine Apple part and calibrating it — which we do. On iPhone X, XR, XS and 11 there is no calibration available, so no.
Face ID is unaffected by a screen replacement done properly. True Tone is restored on genuine panels and on many aftermarket panels; we tell you which for your model. Battery health reports normally on iPhone 12 and newer with a genuine battery; aftermarket batteries on older models may show the note in place of a percentage, but still charge and last as they should.
No. We price on model, storage, condition and faults. A working replacement part with the note is a working part.