Apple Launches Self Service Repair Program for iPhone

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced it has launched its self-service repair program for the iPhone. Announced late last year, the program will let iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE users conduct certain repairs at home in the United States, with plans to launch in Europe later this year.

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Apple says that genuine repair manuals and Apple parts and tools will be available in a new Self Service Repair Store. In the store, customers will have access to over 200 individual parts and tools. At first, the store will include tools only for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups and the third-generation iPhone SE. Apple says it plans to expand the store with tools, manuals, and parts for Macs with Apple silicon chips later this year.

To conduct a repair, customers will first need to review the repair manual for their product and the specific repair on Apple's support website. After, they'll be able to order the required parts and tools from the Self Service Repair Store and begin the repair. All the tools and parts offered in the store undergo "extensive testing to ensure the highest quality, safety, and reliability," Apple says.

While customers must order the parts needed for the repair, Apple will provide a $49 kit that includes all the essential tools required to conduct repairs for customers. The rental kit will be available to customers for one week before they're needed to be sent back to Apple and are shipped free of charge. This rental option offers flexibility to customers who may not want to fully own and purchase tools for just a single repair.

The program is part of Apple's efforts to "further expand access to repairs," according to the company. Still, Apple cautions that the "vast majority" of customers should still visit a professional repair provider, such as an Apple Store, to ensure their devices are repaired safely and reliably. Over the last three years, Apple has expanded its repair network, including over 3,000 Independent Repair Providers and more than 5,000 authorized service providers worldwide.

Article Link: Apple Launches Self Service Repair Program for iPhone

 

[Jimmy_Banks]

Good timing, my iPhone 12 needs a new battery.

 

[eilavid]

had a look around the site and the prices seem fair? the batteries cost the same as various other aftermarket sites

 

[jumpcutking]

It seems the cost of the repair seem on par with the cost of a repair in the Apple Store - which is odd because your repairing it yourself. It’s interesting.

I checked the 13 pro max display.

 

[chineseguy38]

That's why they aren't genius at Apple retail stores. Cut cost.

 

[alpi123]

Parts such as Battery and Display require "System Configuration Tool". It's said you need to contact them after the repair to be able to remove the warnings iOS gives.


(also no international shipping as of right now, which sucks, as much as them only providing parts for the 12 and 13 models)

 

[ouimetnick]

Seems silly to offer self service on the newest devices first, you know the devices less likely to need to be serviced/fixed. An iPhone XS or 11 is more likely to need a new battery than a 2 month old SE or 6 month old 13.

No lightning port replacement??

 

[bababooie]

my 12 pro battery is at 60% too

 

[david-miller]

its good they offer some credit for returning the replaced part, brings the cost down a large amount

 

[AppleTO]

The “Heated Display Removal Fixture” is quite the device. I imagine people who do a lot of phone repairs will want that.

 

[DFBwin]

How comes people need new batteries for iPhone 12? My 11 pro still has 92% of maximum capacity. Still going strong all day long.

 

[nfl46]

I’m actually surprised to see the prices are reasonable. Lol.

 

[Populus]

This is great news!

I’m so glad I just purchased an iPhone 13 mini, now I know I will be able to change the battery and repair it by myself!

This are also great news for the environment. Being able to repair our devices and use them for many, many years, generating less e-waste.

 

[one more]

I would much rather bring it to Apple or one of their ISPs than attempt to repair any of their small and superglued stuff myself. Besides, should anything go wrong during a self-repair, we will end up spending a double amount of time and money anyway. Not really worth it, IMO.

 

[AppleTO]

Now how about a self repair program for Macs… haha… ?…

 

[one more]

This is great news!

I’m so glad I just purchased an iPhone 13 mini, now I know I will be able to change the battery and repair it by myself!

This are also great news for the environment. Being able to repair our devices and use them for many, many years, generating less e-waste.

Agreed on the environment, less e-waste, etc., yet your iPhone 13 mini is not exactly an old Nokia phone where we could just remove the back cover and slide the batteries in and out. All the modern iPhones have really tight spaces and glue and rubber bits to make them more water-friendly. You will need very sharp eyes, steady hands and some patients to pull it off.

 

[one more]

Now how about a self repair program for Macs… haha… ?…

I remember upgrading RAM and swapping a battery on my white 2006 MacBook, happy days! ??

 

[ignatius345]

How comes people need new batteries for iPhone 12? My 11 pro still has 92% of maximum capacity. Still going strong all day long.

The 12 has been out for about a year and a half. Someone using it intensively that whole time could easily have put enough cycles on the battery to warrant replacement.

 

[4jasontv]

How comes people need new batteries for iPhone 12? My 11 pro still has 92% of maximum capacity. Still going strong all day long.

My 12 mini is at 84%. Still goes strong all day.

 

[JosephAW]

Apple Care Plus replaced my iPhone 11 Pro Max display for free. The 12 & 13 are glued together, that would be even more difficult even with the heater. Better stick with Apple Care.

I see what they are doing, Apple is hoping people will break their devices and have to buy a new one thus making Apple even more money.

 

[fwmireault]

I would much rather bring it to Apple or one of their ISPs than attempt to repair any of their small and superglued stuff myself. Besides, should anything go wrong during a self-repair, we will end up spending a double amount of time and money anyway. Not really worth it, IMO.

The self-repair movement is all about giving choice to people. You prefer to bring it to Apple Store? Good for you, but many people here can perform a repair themselves and save a decent amount of money.

I myself don't think I'll never use this program, but I can only see this as a good step in the right direction, because it gives more choices to the customer, and more choices is always better

 

[spyguy10709]

I actually can't believe Apple of all companies would launch "selfservicerepair.com" looking like... that. It doesn't even look like a dated Apple website, it doesn't look like an Apple website at all.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Seems silly to offer self service on the newest devices first, you know the devices less likely to need to be serviced/fixed. An iPhone XS or 11 is more likely to need a new battery than a 2 month old SE or 6 month old 13.

Agreed but I think it makes sense that this happened since the newer devices were probably designed with this program in mind. It will probably take more time to engineer ways to make the XS or 11 user repairable without special equipment, if they manage it at all since it's so much more glued down and hard to open.

 

[thadoggfather]

The wavy, weird arm in that photo always reminds me of the poorly done AI renderings of original models in GTA The Trilogy Definitive Edition:

 

[spyguy10709]

had a look around the site and the prices seem fair? the batteries cost the same as various other aftermarket sites

I wouldn't say that, personally. Things like displays still seem to be... expensive. Especially for, say, iPhone SE3