iOS 11.3 and iPhone 8/8+: Aftermarket Display Compatibility

EDIT 4/25/18: After the iOS 11.3.1 update that was released yesterday by Apple, our technicians went to work testing Mobile Defenders' iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ screen assemblies for changes in compatibility.

The iOS 11.3.1 update has fixed touch function issues with the iPhone 8 series in both aftermarket and OEM display assemblies.

All OEM and aftermarket display assemblies will function without issue when an original home button is installed, regardless of when it was purchased. Keep in mind that OEM screen displays were not found to have issues with iOS 11.3.

EDIT 4/18/18: After the initial issue with iOS 11.3, the Mobile Defenders team worked hard to ensure that all of our aftermarket stock was and is 11.3 compatible. We have also taken the extra time to make sure that all of our screen lines are 11.4 Beta compatible so that your repair experiences will be hassle-free. Please note that OEM refurbished display assemblies have remained unaffected by the iOS update. Rest assured knowing that any PrimeParts assemblies you have purchased will function under 11.3 and 11.4 Beta.

After the release of the iOS 11.4.2 beta update, we have confirmed that our aftermarket screens are still functional. However, repairs across the industry regardless of supplier are encountering issues with the ambient light sensors. Ambient light sensors in the iPhone 8, 8+, and X are not functioning after repairs are performed. This is an industry-wide issue that our techs are currently looking into.

On March 29, Apple released iOS 11.3 in an attempt to address a few bugs that users had been experiencing. Since the update, repair shops have found that some Aftermarket display assemblies don’t work on iPhone 8 or 8+ phones that have been upgraded to iOS 11.3.

The Problem

It isn’t uncommon for iOS updates to change the way that Aftermarket display assemblies function on iPhones. In time, the industry always works out a solution and repairs return to normal.

Right now, digitizers on iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ display assemblies haven’t been working for phones running iOS 11.3. Unlike refurbished parts, Aftermarket display assemblies use a custom Touch and Display Integration (TDDI) solution. This TDDI is what’s clashing with the iOS update.

Mobile Defenders’ CEO, Jordan Notenbaum, came in to the office late Friday night to hand test how our screen lines respond to the 11.3 update. You can view the video, which was originally livestreamed from his personal Facebook, below.

Jordan found that refurbished display assemblies like our PrimeParts line have no issue with the 11.3 update. However, all Aftermarket display assemblies struggle with updated iPhone 8 and iPhone 8+ phones. PrimeParts, MDSelect, and MDBasic iPhones 6, 6+, 6S, 6S+, 7, and 7+ are not affected.

The Solution

This issue is affecting stores across the world right now. Mobile Defenders has worked with our suppliers to update our TDDI firmware. As soon as we discovered the issue, we contacted our factories who shipped replacement screens (that are compatible with the new iOS) within a handful of hours. This will allow our Aftermarket display assemblies to function normally, even on iPhone 8 and 8+ phones running iOS 11.3. All old stock will be getting the TDDI firmware update soon. If you have any old i8 and i8+ parts that are not updated, please return them and we will issue an immediate replacement or store credit.