Apple Launches Self Service Repair Program for iPhone

[theluggage]

It's only $69 to replace the 12's screen, so by the time you also rent the tools it's cheaper to have apple do it. https://support.apple.com/iphone/repair/service/battery-power

...just like it's cheaper to take your car to a professional mechanic when the gearbox needs changing, if it's only going to be a one off. That was true even before manufacturers started playing dirty tricks with proprietary engine management systems. If you're an enthusiast who enjoys fixing cars then maybe it's worth your while paying a ton of money to buy all the tools and dig an inspection pit in your garage.

I get the impression that these kits - particularly the tool rental - are a bit of lip service to the "right to repair" movement. A more interesting question is how much it costs to buy these tools - or lease them long-term - so serious hobbyists and small repair shops can offer a repair service.

If people really want the right to repair phones and tablets without needing more than a screwdriver then they'll probably have to put up with somewhat thicker and heavier phones - maybe not unreasonably so, but you're at the mercy of the herd who will head for the glued-together model that's 30% thinner, leaving the chunky repairable version as an expensive niche product. The consequences of ultra-miniaturisation often mean that you really need a custom jig or similar to efficiently & reliably work on the device. Even with batteries, making a user-removable battery means extra weight and space for the clips/connectors/hinges/whatever plus an extra layer of rigid protection for the battery to protect it when not inside the device. One reason glue is used is that it takes up less space than screws...

There's less excuse with Macs - certainly any Mac bigger than a Macbook Air - that simply don't need to be so thin, and Apple do seem to be rolling back from the absurdities of the 2016 MBPs there. Aside from the fact that so much of the functionality is built into the SoC and other components that need to be surface-mounted on the mainboard, the newer Macs seem to be pretty straightforward when it comes to replacing breakable bits like ports, displays, batteries, fans etc. - even SSDs on the Studio - once Apple starts selling the parts.

 

[Reggaenald]

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.

I see nothing wrong with that honestly. If someone is going to break their phone, they’re gonna do that. Their fault if they thought they could do it, really. Apple provides documentation and tools, if that doesn’t deter bloody amateurs or give them everything they need and they try to get through with it and end up breaking stuff, I’m not one to fake sympathy.
For people like me and others here, too, this is great. I’ve played enough with iPhones and feel confident and capable enough and am certainly going to take advantage of such an offering, first party parts from Apple directly? Incredible.
If Apple makes more money from people that don’t know what they are doing, good for them.

 

[Reggaenald]

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.

Looking at iFixit documentation it doesn’t appear that recent iPhones are much different from older ones.
The new MacBooks however certainly are.

 

[rgwebb]

I cannot express emphatically enough how much I dislike this art style.

 

[Reggaenald]

I'd say replacing screens and batteries is beyond the comfort zone of >90% of the population, and yes I've replaced screens and batteries in iPhones before.

It’s probably beyond the comfort zone of >90% of the population to use their iPhone without a case, too. These people obviously won’t benefit from such a program hence it’s not for them.

 

[vertsix]

I don't usually post here on MacRumors anymore, had to come in to react to this news.

This is fantastic! As a strong RtR advocate, Apple has done some great steps here. Prices are competitive with the rest of the industry, they rent out the whole toolkit if needed, and the parts are - of course - genuine. And better yet, they pay for the part return shipping!

The biggest plus is the repair manuals! They look great, and although exaggerated in some steps, they are still very good.

Props to Apple!

 

[a104375]

A more interesting question is how much it costs to buy these tools - or lease them long-term - so serious hobbyists and small repair shops can offer a repair service.

All the tools for the 12 Pro came to $1,085.66 obviously some are useable across device, but for example the "Heated Display Pocket" is unique to each size phone so you would need multiple of them to repair each size phone. The 6.1" Heated Display Pocket is $108

 

[MindYourMind]

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

I applaud Apple’s self-repair program. I remember the years I rode a motorcycle. Many motorcyclists I knew only liked to ride, others however, like myself, also liked to service and repair their motorcycle themselves. But why is more choices always better? I beg to differ. Does more choices always means more quality of life? Does it always make us more happy? As far as I can see, wanting to have more choices results from having choices, hence getting more choices only strengthens the desire to have more choices, it doesn’t get us more happy every moment of the day, regardless of the choices we have.

 

[NayborAxi]

I have to give it to apple they did something good for the people and didn't have to wait until they were forced by congress to act. I like the fact that they provided the repair manual so you could at least try to get the parts cheaper if you want and save something.

 

[dwaite]

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.

It isn't an Apple website at all, it is run by the partner program.

 

[redpandadev]

No lightning port replacement??

This is no surprise. Lightning port replacement has never been offered as a repair by Apple. To do so requires accurate - and very small - soldering - a skill that Apple does not trust it's own technicians or AASPs with.

 

[_Spinn_]

Glad to see that this is finally out. While I'm very comfortable building and fixing computers I think I will leave my iPhone repairs to the professionals. I don't trust myself to not break some of the tiny components.

 

[theluggage]

All the tools for the 12 Pro came to $1,085.66 obviously some are useable across device, but for example the "Heated Display Pocket" is unique to each size phone so you would need multiple of them to repair each size phone. The 6.1" Heated Display Pocket is $108

So, hardly a casual purchase (heck you could buy six Mac Pro wheels for that ), but not really surprising for specialist tools.

The catch is the apparent inability to use third party or salvaged components.

 

[dannyyankou]

Screen replacement for iPhone 12 Pro Max is a bit high. Actually not far off than Apple doing it for you without Applecare.

 

[maxoakland]

That’s great news. I hope they expand this consistently

 

[BigBlur]

Would be more worth it to allow them to replace the battery for you. It's only $89, and the parts are $70. I would easily pay the $19 for peace of mind, and not to mention saving a lot of time.

It's also worth mentioning that some items have a credit if you send the replaced part back. So for the iPhone 13, you could replace the battery yourself for $47 (or $45 if you get the other kit). I'd still send it in for peace of mind...but if it were an older device, I'd probably do it myself.

 

[Thebrochure]

What in the world is that thing in that photo? Is that suppose to be a human being? lol

 

[maxoakland]

What in the world is that thing in that photo? Is that suppose to be a human being? lol

It’s a pretty common style of illustration. I like it. It’s a little different

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Would be more worth it to allow them to replace the battery for you. It's only $89, and the parts are $70. I would easily pay the $19 for peace of mind, and not to mention saving a lot of time.

You didn't include the credit if you return the old battery.

 

[shmob]

You didn't include the credit if you return the old battery.

Yeah I didn’t see that part. Not a bad deal in that case, but mostly if it’s an older phone, as someone else said earlier. For my iPhone 12 Pro I would probably still rather Apple do it than do it myself. If I’m already spending some money.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Yeah I didn’t see that part. Not a bad deal in that case, but mostly if it’s an older phone, as someone else said earlier. For my iPhone 12 Pro I would probably still rather Apple do it than do it myself. If I’m already spending some money.

Sure, or the 3rd party repairer guy that has a heap of 5* reviews (like the guy I go to whenever anyone in my family needs a new battery or screen). Except now he can actually source genuine batteries and screens.

The real power of this program (that doesn't exist yet, and maybe never will), will be when anyone (aka 3rd party repairers) can source parts such as the proprietary custom chips that Apple uses throughout their products that do the same thing as cheap off the shelf chips that are generically available. Of course, the Apple parts will likely be $35 instead of the $0.50 that the generic part costs.

 

[bababooie]

cost to repair battery with tool rental:

Tool Rental Authorization (excl. tax)​

$ 1,100.00 (refundable when tools are returned)​

Order Total (excl. tax)​

$ 1,220.13 ​

120.13 is battery and fee for tool rental, rest is deposit​

 

[svish]

Glad to hear the self repair program is now open. Now would like to see it expand outside US. Might take some time since Apple mentions Europe as ‘later this year’. Other regions might launch much later.

 

[Tim Cook's Pool Boy]

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

Because everyone uses and charges their phones differently than you.

 

[heinzdembowski]

This is so ridiculous. Insane prices, ugly website.
It's a great tactic from Apple to be saying that they care about right to repair when they really don't.
Let's see if they'll put proper screw heads in the iPhone 14.