Apple Expanding Device Repair Programs for Consumers and Independent Shops

[MacRumors]

Apple is expanding its Self-Service Repair and Independent Repair Provider programs and will make parts, tools, and documentation needed for product repairs available to repair shops and consumers nationwide.

The news was announced by the White House as part of an event focused on right to repair policies, and was shared by Reuters. Apple has not yet made a formal announcement, but more information is expected later today.

The White House is aiming for a nationwide right to repair law, which Apple is endorsing. Apple recently supported right to repair legislation in California because California's bill requires all repair parts to come from Apple. Third-party components must be disclosed by non-authorized repair shops.

Apple has been offering a self-service repair program for consumers since 2022, providing genuine repair manuals, parts, and tools through its Self-Service Repair Store. At the current time, Apple offers repair kits and parts for iPhones, Mac notebooks, Mac desktops, and Apple displays.

Apple also offers a similar repair program for some independent repair shops, allowing them to source genuine parts to repair out-of-warranty Apple devices.

Apple's Self-Service Repair Program is often more expensive than taking a device to an Apple retail location or Authorized Service Provider for repair, but it is a option for those who want to conduct their own repairs. Independent Repair Provider Program participants have also complained about Apple's invasive contracts and high component prices.

Article Link: Apple Expanding Device Repair Programs for Consumers and Independent Shops

 

[marzbarz]

wait until we complain about the next thing

 

[Veinticinco]

"Apple's Self-Service Repair Program is often more expensive than taking a device to an Apple retail location or Authorized Service Provider for repair".

 

[abatabia]

Can’t wait for Rossman’s vid in this.

 

[Jay Tee]

As long as their using genuine Apple parts, and maintain a quality of repair, I’m all for it.

Steve will be rolling in his grave, though.

 

[eicca]

"Apple's Self-Service Repair Program is often more expensive than taking a device to an Apple retail location or Authorized Service Provider for repair".

This is called monetizing an individual’s intelligence and skill, plain and simple and crooked.

 

[MayaUser]

Can’t wait for Rossman’s vid in this.

He will cry for something for sure

 

[GMShadow]

This is called monetizing an individual’s intelligence and skill, plain and simple and crooked.

Most of these shops use cut-rate parts (or 'genuine' parts of dubious origins) while still charging a fat margin. They're just mad this won't let them do that.

 

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He will cry for something for sure

He is not crying. The only thing Apple needs to do is to give access to parts and ****ing schematics and people will figure it out from there. What Apple will do is make it look like they trying to change/help whatever, but do so in a way that will make it hard anyway with a ******** of red tape.

 

[brownpaw]

Great. I live in a small town and the nearest Apple Store is ~4 hours away, and the nearest authorized service center (Best Buy) is 1.5 hours away. Would love to have more options at smaller local shops come out of this.

 

[HiVolt]

Most of these shops use cut-rate parts (or 'genuine' parts of dubious origins) while still charging a fat margin. They're just mad this won't let them do that.

It's no different than taking your car to an independent repair shop, and choosing the quality and price of the parts.

 

[Blackstick]

Speaking as a former Mac Genius, the average person doesn't have the dexterity or the patience to work inside an iPhone. They'll cause damage to their device which Apple will charge them to repair properly, assuming they don't deny service entirely.

This is more a "thanks for the bull elephant you got me as a gift, not sure how I'm gonna handle it."

 

[GMShadow]

It's no different than taking your car to an independent repair shop, and choosing the quality and price of the parts.

How many auto repair shops use stolen parts?

 

[d5aqoëp]

He will cry for something for sure

Hey your shirt’s button is lost. But your shirt company wants you to pay them 1 million $ for them to ship you a portable factory in which you can place your shirt. The button will only be stitched if the serial number printed on it is verified by the shirt company. Then you need to ship back their $ 1 million mini factory for them to release your $$.

 

[rhegyi]

Ok -- Charge you more for the parts and you #$@%@#% up the repair...or you could take it to Apple and have them do it with a warranty??? Plus tell me why the White House has to be involved in this???? Another meaningless dog and pony show and of course Apple bends over and kisses up to them... Gee, doesn't our army of lobbyists spread enough $$$ around DC???? For sure Steve wouldn't be for this....

 

[crawfish963]

How many auto repair shops use stolen parts?

Stolen !== counterfeit

 

[HiVolt]

How many auto repair shops use stolen parts?

so you automatically declare any small phone repair shop use stolen parts?

And have you heard of chop shops? it's exactly what you describe.

Apple refused to provide affordable parts for decades, because they wanted to be the only repair facility. it shouldn't be like this.

 

[vegetassj4]

I tried to follow the instructions to repair the band on my Apple Watch, but gave up on page 3,521.

 

[Jhonjhon236]

Speaking as a former Mac Genius, the average person doesn't have the dexterity or the patience to work inside an iPhone. They'll cause damage to their device which Apple will charge them to repair properly, assuming they don't deny service entirely.

This is more a "thanks for the bull elephant you got me as a gift, not sure how I'm gonna handle it."

So just because some people may not have the expertise to work on their devices which they bought, that means that the people who can work on them shouldn’t have the ability too?

 

[oofio2461]

Apple's next skit at the event is probably going to this. Tim was the only person who actually loved the Mother Nature Skit!

 

[eicca]

Most of these shops use cut-rate parts (or 'genuine' parts of dubious origins) while still charging a fat margin. They're just mad this won't let them do that.

No, Apple is charging you extra for the privilege of being smarter than their employees, effectively nullifying your pursuit of skill and knowledge.

 

[120FPS]

I think originally there was a huge amount of theft going on with Apple products and I think Apple tried to sort the problem out by locking everything down with parts and repair but I think it would probably be in Apple’s interest to open things up again and create a healthy repair system for consumers and smaller repair shops. I don’t think theft has decreased much with these choices and it is probably at the same level again now, if not higher as parts are stripped.

There are always those who will want the fastest newest thing, but for a lot of people they are slowing down, their requirements may not be very high and they want something to last. Now if they just made the storage on the Mac socketed and user upgradable with no limits I would be very happy and can finally buy a Mac again.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Ok -- Charge you more for the parts and you #$@%@#% up the repair...or you could take it to Apple and have them do it with a warranty??? Plus tell me why the White House has to be involved in this???? Another meaningless dog and pony show and of course Apple bends over and kisses up to them... Gee, doesn't our army of lobbyists spread enough $$$ around DC???? For sure Steve wouldn't be for this....

Me: "I'd like to have the battery changed in my iPhone please"
Apple Store: "No."

That's one reason I welcome it.

 

[Lakersfan74]

I went to an independent repair shop they told me it was an Apple battery for $49 and itlasted a few months. I replaced that one at Best Buy and it lasted until I got my 12.
I would rather go authorized when it is something is simple as a battery. I haven’t had anything done other than batteries so far but I’m only on my third phone.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

I went to an independent repair shop they told me it was an Apple battery for $49 and itlasted a few months. I replaced that one at Best Buy and it lasted until I got my 12.
I would rather go authorized when it is something is simple as a battery. I haven’t had anything done other than batteries so far but I’m only on my third phone.

I got the runaround from Best Buy for weeks. They shared a single technician between 3 stores in the area, and after multiple failed appointments they told me they were required to hold on to it for a week while they ordered the part, because Apple doesn't allow them to have an inventory of batteries.