Apple Launches Self Service Repair, Allowing Users to Fix Their Gadgets

Woman repairing an iPhone.
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple has announced a Self Service Repair initiative today that will allow users to fix some of their own devices. It's a landmark victory for the right to repair. The service, set to debut next year, will first begin by allowing users to repair smartphones from its iPhone 12 and 13 lineup, with Mac computers featuring M1 chips soon to follow. This service signals a massive shift from Apple, a company resistant to having its products repaired outside of one of its stores or authorized repair shops.

The Self Service Repair will chiefly focus on repairing batteries, displays, and camera issues at first. Apple will introduce more complex repairs to the service later on in 2022. The store offers over 200 individual parts and tools, most of which are used to repair Apple smartphones.

You'll have to refer to Apple’s Repair Manual before contacting the company for an order of  "genuine parts and tools" from its Self Service Repair Online Store. Then you ship the used parts to Apple, which will then give you a credit toward your purchase. The service will also be available for Apple products no longer under warranty.

Apple details that its new service is meant for "individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices," and advises most of its customers to continue using professional repair services.

According to Apple, the Independent Repair Provider program has over 2,800 Independent Repair Providers and more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers.

This news comes as the Right to Repair movement continues to pressure companies that make hardware, appliances and other goods to make it easier to repair and continue using them for longer. In theory, it also means less e-waste, as easy repairs mean people will keep their electronics longer.

In October, Microsoft agreed to study and facilitate independent repair of its devices,  including Surface and Xbox,  which was considered a big win. Apple getting on board with concrete answer is an even bigger win. Some laptop manufacturers, like Dell, HP and Lenovo, already offer manuals on their websites, though parts and tools are harder to come by. The startup Framework's Laptop is built around this kind of replacement, though we're still waiting to see new generation parts released.

Both individual U.S. states and the federal government have been considering different implementations of Right to Repair legislation, which may still come. But for now, Apple allowing for user repairs is a big deal for those who are comfortable doing it themselves.
 

Isaac Rouse
Staff Writer

Isaac Rouse is a staff writer at Tom's Hardware. He reviews laptops and various gaming peripherals.

  • ezst036
    As the walled-garden company controlling every aspect they can possibly get their hands on, this is extremely out of the norm for Apple. The popularity of Right to Repair in an age where money printing is driving the cost of everything through the roof, their phone lines must have been being melted by callers desperate for help.

    It's kind of a simple math problem. Each Apple store has so many geniuses, multiply that times how many users call daily and an ever extending wait time, and it all ends up here. When you simply don't have the man power, the option of deputizing your own customer base starts to make a whole lot of dollars and cents.

    I applaud Apple for doing the non-Apple thing for a change. Hopefully this is a permanent development and not just for a few years here.
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    The Self Service Repair will chiefly focus on repairing batteries, displays, and camera issues at first. Apple will introduce more complex repairs to the service later on in 2022. The store offers over 200 individual parts and tools, most of which are used to repair Apple smartphones.


    You'll have to refer to Apple’s Repair Manual before contacting the company for an order of "genuine parts and tools" from its Self Service Repair Online Store. Then you ship the used parts to Apple, which will then give you a credit toward your purchase. The service will also be available for Apple products no longer under warranty.


    Apple details that its new service is meant for "individual technicians with he knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices," and advises most of its customers to continue using professional repair services.
    This is how apple has been operating for years now, here is a video of rossmann talking about it years ago.
    Nothing has changed so how is this news??
    XBI41YY52CwView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBI41YY52CwrwgpTDluufYView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgpTDluufY
    Reply
  • TJ Hooker
    TerryLaze said:
    This is how apple has been operating for years now, here is a video of rossmann talking about it years ago.
    Nothing has changed so how is this news??
    XBI41YY52CwView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBI41YY52CwrwgpTDluufYView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwgpTDluufY
    The programs discussed in those videos apply to repair shops, either AASPs or independents. This new program applies to end users.
    Reply
  • TerryLaze
    TJ Hooker said:
    The programs discussed in those videos apply to repair shops, either AASPs or independents. This new program applies to end users.
    But only if the end user is an experienced (apple) repair person...same difference.
    Apple details that its new service is meant for "individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices,"
    Reply
  • Mario Rossi
    TerryLaze said:
    But only if the end user is an experienced (apple) repair person...same difference.
    It sounds more like a recommendation than a requirement. I don't believe by "experienced person" they mean Apple-authorized. It can be a friend or a (non-Apple authorized) paid service. They are simply avoiding responsibility for damage arising from this kind of repairs. Bottom line, they need the program to work to prevent or delay legislation, as it could be even more onerous. Other brands need to follow suit, of course.

    If I'm not daydreaming and the program is successful, I could even consider buying my first Apple product (after 40+ years).
    Reply
  • samopa
    Apple is willing to allow their users to fix their gadget because Apple know that most of their zealot don't have required knowledge to do so or find a place/person that can do so. ;)
    Reply
  • korekan
    i kinda confused someone/ a team in big tech company has made the "apple authorized service only" introduced before.
    how on earth you can provide "authorized service only" while you have billions device out there.
    thats 1 problem that already make it almost impossible.
    Reply
  • david germain
    Dont be under any illusions this is a trap. They will find a few people who have burnt down a building or been seriously injured. then they will go back to congress and say 'see we said it was dangerous, the government need to stop this'. And Apple lobby will once again be top dog.
    Reply