Apple today introduced a self-service repair program that will allow customers to perform their own repairs using genuine Apple parts and tools. The program will be available early next year in the United States and will expand to other countries throughout 2022.
Apple will start offering parts, tools, and manuals to individual iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 owners starting next year. Customers will be able to use parts to repair the cell phone screen, battery, and camera to get started. The ability to perform repairs on additional iPhone features will be available later this year.
The iPhone program will soon be followed by a similar program for Mac computers with M1 chips, according to Apple.
"Creating better access to genuine Apple parts gives our customers even more options if service is required," Apple COO Jeff Williams said in a blog post. “Over the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to genuine Apple parts, tools and training, and now we have an option for those looking to do their own repairs. "
Until now, access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and manuals has been restricted to approximately 5.000 Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) and 2.800 independent repair providers.
"This is a GREAT DEAL because Apple has insisted over the years that only they (or certain licensed companies) are good enough to repair Apple products," said Jack Gold, president and senior analyst at J. Gold. Associates, via email. . in response to questions from Computerworld.
“It was always silly, or of course, because there are so many great independent repair technicians out there,” Gold wrote. "But that made things difficult for the independents, since original Apple repair parts were not available to these independents and they mostly used third-party parts."
Just as consumers often choose a local mechanic over a more expensive, authorized dealer for auto repair cars, Apple device owners often turned to independent repair technicians, which were cheaper but no longer available. they were available. ). .
“But times have changed and consumers and governments have been very insistent on the right to repair, not just smartphones, but all kinds of technology and cars etc.,” Gold wrote. “So I think Apple sees the writing on the wall and is trying to get ahead of possible legislation coming up in many states, and some countries, that would impose it. It's a way for them to say, “Look, we're on the consumer side. "
It is not yet known whether Apple will sell its original Apple repair tools and parts at "competitive market" prices or at certain Apple premium rates, Gold said.
"It's also unclear if they'll price parts at a fair level when selling direct to consumer, and won't charge lower overhead rates at their own facility to drive most repairs anyway." It all remains to be seen,” Gold added.
Parts and e-commerce site iFixit called Apple's announcement great news for everyone, "but we're particularly excited about iFixit."
“We started in 2003, when co-founder Kyle Wiens tried to fix his iBook but got stuck with a service manual. If Apple continues next year, this will be the first time the company has released repair manuals for the iPhone,” the company wrote on its website.
On his Twitter page, Wiens wrote that Apple would like people to believe that it made its decision to authorize repairs on its own, but that only came after regulatory involvement on three continents, dozens of bills and proposals. of investors.
"Apple blinked," Wiens wrote.
Apple's new online parts store will feature more than 200 individual parts and tools, allowing customers to perform the most common repairs on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Consumers will be able to use an online manual to determine what spare parts need.
"Summary: While this is a potential big win for consumers and independent businesses, it's too early to say for sure that Apple's policies and pricing will be attractive and not make one," Gold said. "More details are needed from Apple on this."
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