Apple to Allow Users to Fix Own iPhones
3 Min Read
Apple will finally allow users to fix their own broken iPhones, starting with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, but the scope will reportedly expand to include other devices.
-
Apple's iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple revealed Wednesday plans to allow customers to repair their own iPhones after a large-scale campaign pressuring the tech giant to ease restrictions on product repairing.
The Big Five member announced that it would also be offering instructions and selling spare parts for people to fix their devices in the comfort of their own homes as of next year.
Apple has been notorious for its strict rules when it comes to what iPhone owners are allowed to do to their devices, as those who had tried DIY fixing their iOS devices risked losing their warranties.
Self Service Repair, the name Apple gave the program, continues a turning point for the world's sixth-largest company, as it will see apple posting repair manuals on its website for iPhones.
Tools and manuals will be up on the Apple Self Service Repair Online Store, and the company revealed that customers who return their used parts for recycling after the repair will receive credit toward their purchase.
The early stages of the program will see the company focusing on selling components of the most commonly serviced modules, namely the display, battery, and camera. The ability for additional repairs will be available as of next year.
Apple also announced that the scope of its program would soon be expanded to include other iOS devices, such as Mac computers, but for now, it will only include iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.
"Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed," Apple said in a blog post.
Prices are said to be released with the launch of the program, but Apple assured that it would be charging the same prices it is charging Independent Repair Providers.
Apple only started selling parts, tools, and repair guides to independent repair providers as late as 2019 over the Right to Repair movements.
Pressure has also been coming from regulators in the UK and the EU, as they have passed legislation to force device manufacturers to provide their customers with spare parts.
Apple had alleged that its repair policies were in place for customer protection purposes and to ensure their products were properly repaired.
The company said the Self Service Repair program would only be available in the United States for the first phase but would include other countries as it develops.
