New Legislation Aims to Make it Easier for Customers, Indie Shops to Repair iPhones

[Sedulous]

Agreed. The AirPods are a great example and the iPad Pro which uses a fairly large amount of adhesive for the batteries. It makes these products very difficult to repair versus just replacing it as a whole.

The AirPods would likely be next to nearly impossible to repair, being it would likely be costly in labor just to disassemble the alleged issue and replace the device would be more efficient.

I know iFixit mentioned the difficulty of the repair with iPad Pro and the AirPods with the adhesive used.

Yeah, point taken. At some point a device is essentially a "consumable" and rarely worth repairing. However, the cost to Apple to offer circuit schematics is negligible and presumably could make parts available. Whether anyone ever would bother to spend $100 on parts/labor to fix a $150 device doesn't matter. Apple has parts they could sell if requested and obviously Apple makes a circuit schematic. I guess it would contribute to supply chain complexity, then again, nobody is saying Apple has to sell parts at cost either.

 

[MH01]

Agreed. The AirPods are a great example and the iPad Pro which uses a fairly large amount of adhesive for the batteries. It makes these products very difficult to repair versus just replacing it as a whole.

The AirPods would likely be next to nearly impossible to repair, being it would likely be costly in labor just to disassemble the alleged issue and replace the device would be more efficient.

I know iFixit mentioned the difficulty of the repair with iPad Pro and the AirPods with the adhesive used.

Apple offers screen and battery replacements, these services should be able to be performed by a qualified repair centre with original parts , note I did not say authorised, that is a model for $$$

AirPods I agree with you.

 

[44267547]

Apple offers screen and battery replacements, these services should be able to be performed by a qualified repair centre with original parts , note I did not say authorised, that is a model for $$$

AirPods I agree with you.

I agree that qualified repair centers should be able to repair the faulty part. I guess my point was the difficulty in repairing these parts. It's far less hardware and more adhesive which makes it more difficult to replace that specific part. The level of difficulty seems to be getting higher.

 

[supercoolmanchu]

I appreciate sceptcism. My fender came with a circuit schematic (for both the amp and foot switch). Even Fender posts their documentation and actively asks customers to post legacy documentation. I have not bought other amps new so maybe have a look... you may be surprised.

Not sure why you are so sceptical about doing smc level logic board repair. But sure, nobody but Apple can do them.

There's nothing Apple can do to stop you repairing anything. But there's no compelling legal argument for them to sell your parts, and there's zero reason to honor warranties for repairs done outside of their guidelines.

It's just a little fishy when a guy who claims to save thousands on expensive Mac repairs by merely soldering out a $2 cap, is pining for laws to compel above and beyond corporate assistance. Hint: start a repair business in this easy market niche of non-warranty Apple repair work.

 

[Sedulous]

Nope, totally true. Pay attention, I said last year's Fender lineup. The overwhelming majority of the market, Marshall, Soldano, Boogie, Roland and Fender... all authorized service only.

Kemper is a much of an amp as the iPhone is a phone. It amplifies a guitar output level, screws with the signal and powers speakers, that's all a guitar amp is. Exactly the same as anything Line 6.

Just because some hippy burnout with a soldering iron can't suss out some ICs, that doesn't change the nature of the product.

Anyways... this law has zero chance, the liability baked into existing manufacrurer's warranties is pretty well established legally from a variety of vectors. There's no reasonable legal angle that would compel manufacturers to facilitate this scheme. So... stillborn.

I am really not getting your point. Are you saying that warranties would be forced to honor damage caused by tinkering? That isn't what this law is about. It about providing documentation and parts... not warranties. Of course a company can enforce restrictions for warranty coverage. That still should not prevent you from being able to get documentation or parts (particularly AFTER the warranty expires).

 

[Substance90]

If what you need is indy repair shops, then clearly an Apple device is not for you. Sometimes somethings in life are not for you. You talk with your wallet. You can march over to some other store and buy and Android device. It's that simple. You have options of which Apple is one.

Did you even read his post? I've had exactly the same experiences with repairs to my iPhone 5. I was denied free service under the battery replacement program because the edges of the aluminum frame were chuffed. They wanted almost 200€ to replace the case before they replace the battery for "free".

Then I got a battery for 45€ and replaced it myself (it's ridiculously easy on the iPhone 5).

Similar story when I broke my screen...

 

[Sedulous]

There's nothing Apple can do to stop you repairing anything. But there's no compelling legal argument for them to sell your parts, and there's zero reason to honor warranties for repairs done outside of their guidelines.

It's just a little fishy when a guy who claims to save thousands on expensive Mac repairs by merely soldering out a $2 cap, is pining for laws to compel above and beyond corporate assistance. Hint: start a repair business in this easy market niche of non-warranty Apple repair work.

Yeah, I am planning worldwide domination by doing logic board repairs. Look, nobody is saying Apple would have to honor uncertified repair work. As it is, Apple has refused repairs due to cosmetic damage. However it still is the owner's choice. You'd have to be crazy to have repairs done by a third party while under warranty. But that year passes quickly... and people are finding fewer reasons to need to upgrade (MBP late 2016... no thanks).

Here is the damn 2.5V 330µF capacitor that aroused so much of your suspicion. And yes, this single stupid part prevented the entire computer from powering on (it sits in a circuit that kicks "up" the power when power state changes).

 

[diipii]

You should at least be able to swap motherboards, RAM, hard drives, sockets, switches, batteries, track pads, screens etc and so repair by replacement. I recently swapped RAM and put in an SSD on an ageing Macbook. It was transformed and saved me the cash for a new one which I wouldn't have bought anyway preferring a PC laptop that I could fix.

 

[MH01]

There's nothing Apple can do to stop you repairing anything. But there's no compelling legal argument for them to sell your parts, and there's zero reason to honor warranties for repairs done outside of their guidelines.

Your second sentence answers the first sentence .
[doublepost=1485507448][/doublepost]

Yeah, I am planning worldwide domination by doing logic board repairs. Look, nobody is saying Apple would have to honor uncertified repair work. As it is, Apple has refused repairs due to cosmetic damage. However it still is the owner's choice. You'd have to be crazy to have repairs done by a third party while under warranty. But that year passes quickly... and people are finding fewer reasons to need to upgrade (MBP late 2016... no thanks).

Here is the damn 2.5V 330µF capacitor that aroused so much of your suspicion. And yes, this single stupid part prevented the entire computer from powering on (it sits in a circuit that kicks "up" the power when power state changes).
View attachment 685784

My fan connector on my 2012 Mac mini server broke off , took it to apple , complete logic board replacement .....for a solder job. Cost me £75 pounds to solder back on ....nothing wrong with 99.8% of the Mac mini. What a waste to just chuck a logic board and CPU cause of a fan connector.

People on these boards would be happy to throw out an engine in an apple car cause a spark plug went .

I don't understand why people don't get the concept that electionics are repairable . I've had numerous motherboards repaired cause only one component failed and a simple fix did not mean I had to throw out a £400
+ MB.

 

[Kebabselector]

Maybe if Apple stood by the quality of their products and offered a decent warranty in the first place then it wouldn't be an issue.

 

[dilbert99]

You can't repair what wasn't designed to be repaired. If Apple is bent on glueing their devices shut, no amount of legislation can work around this.

There are so many fanboys in this thread showing their true colours.

This is about making parts and circuit diagrams available. So are you saying you can't replace a button, battery or screen in an apple devices? My trips to Apple beg to differ.

What people also forget is that this applies to devices other than iPhones including laptops and desktops.
[doublepost=1485509063][/doublepost]

This is completely stupid. If you want to repair your phone, by another brand. If I by ultraHD oled TV panel that is 1/2 inch thick, I don't expect to be able to POP the back open and tinker with it.

Also if my memory serves me, you couldn't really fix your Motorolla Star Tac either.

No, just your thinking.

If you want to hear someone rant at Apples tactics listen to Louis - https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup
[doublepost=1485509310][/doublepost]

Apple has a process for being certified to do repairs. People need to follow the process for becoming an authorized to do repairs. That's for the consumers own safety. The problem is already solved.

For safety? Its a phone, people have been repairing cars for years and Ford doesn't train independents to fix cars.

 

[AdonisSMU]

There are so many fanboys in this thread showing their true colours.

This is about making parts and circuit diagrams available. So are you saying you can't replace a button, battery or screen in an apple devices? My trips to Apple beg to differ.

What people also forget is that this applies to devices other than iPhones including laptops and desktops.
[doublepost=1485509063][/doublepost]

No, just your thinking.

If you want to hear someone rant at Apples tactics listen to Louis - https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup
[doublepost=1485509310][/doublepost]

For safety? Its a phone, people have been repairing cars for years and Ford doesn't train independents to fix cars.

Maybe if they did you wouldn't see mechanics on courtTV because something they "fixed" wasn't fixed every other day.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

Awwww....poor Apple. Cry me a river.

I don't believe Apple was/is crying though.

 

[dilbert99]

Maybe if they did you wouldn't see mechanics on courtTV because something they "fixed" wasn't fixed every other day.

I never said you didn't get shonky repair people, but usually on those programs its not about what they do fix, but rather charging you for work they didn't do.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

A

Maybe if they did you wouldn't see mechanics on courtTV because something they "fixed" wasn't fixed every other day.

Apparently Dilbert[o] has never heard of or visited ifixit before ‍♂️

 

[Robert.Walter]

Next they will mandate that surface mount components be accidental tool impact resistant, all screws be the same to prevent midi stalks and the connectors be able to withstand gorilla-like tugs.

I remember even back in the 70's and 80's, electric electronic devices already had labels stating "No User Servicable Components Inside".

 

[lolkthxbai]

For electronic devices? Hmm that's pretty vague... I don't agree with this bill. Manufacturers shouldn't be forced to sell their OEM parts if they don't want to. I take similar issue with the thought that Apple should allow third-party apps to be sold on the AppStore. It's their AppStore, their parts. I think Apple has done enough to reduce waste with it's Apple Renew program. Devices don't need to be thrown in the trash, people are just ignorant or lazy. Beyond Apple's program there's other county and state recycling programs. As for the counterfeit parts, they'll always exist because some people will always want a better deal. You really think that if Apple were forced to sell their parts, they'd sell them for less than what it costs to repair at their stores? If bet they'd sell it at he same price because when I had my display replaced I was never charged for labor in my quote or my receipt, just the part. What a bunch of cry babies...

 

[nt5672]

Those are all choices a user should be able to make. If a repair requires special tools, the user decides if it's worth it to buy the special tools and attempt the repair.

Yes, this. One thing the government should do, and I don't think there is a lot of things it should do, is to make sure people have the right to own and use (read that as fix) products the way they want to. This whole idea that Apple has the right to determine what one can and cannot do with their phone has become crazy. Its monopolistic and it needs to end.

 

[Rogifan]

Yes, this. One thing the government should do, and I don't think there is a lot of things it should do, is to make sure people have the right to own and use (read that as fix) products the way they want to. This whole idea that Apple has the right to determine what one can and cannot do with their phone has become crazy. Its monopolistic and it needs to end.

No one is forced to buy an iPhone. Don't like it buy something else. There are plenty of smartphone choices and no one has a right to use iOS software.

 

[Appleaker]

This is fantastic news.
I can only imagine that those who are complaining about this are paranoid about repairing their device and not Apple. They must have a lot of money to spare. Or they think that repairability will harm the form factor. The truth is that it wont, for example on the new MacBook Pros, Apple could have made the SSD and even RAM upgradeable without changing the form factor. But in terms of repair, they could make the battery easier to repair in all devices.

 

[butterburger cookybutter]

For example, my 17" MBP died. Apple quoted me nearly $1000 to repair. I managed to get board and circuit schematics and traced the problem to a tiny surface mounted capacitor. It literally cost me $0.25 to replace it.

Apple wanted $601.14 for the screen assembly + $79 labor + tax. Ok, the price was not an issue -- but here is the catch: That Apple store as well as the TEN other stores in the city DID NOT CARRY THE PART.
…
called a local independent repair shop, and found out that THEY STOCKED THE PART in their store and could install it in LESS THAN A DAY for under $500.

Cool stories, bros.

My story relating to Apple documentation is not nearly as good as yours. I had an iMac. (Just "iMac": original 1998 233 MHz Rev A.) Its CD-ROM drive could read pressed CDs, struggled to read CD-R, and could not read CD-RW. I also had a later iMac Rev C or D, which read CD-RW perfectly well. I wanted information about these drives: which drive models did Apple select, which models or revisions were built into which PCs.

You see: while almost all "slimline" or "laptop" or "SFF" optical drives were built to same 12,7mm formfactor, each manufacturer laid out their faceplates differently. Activity indicator light, eject button, and manual eject pinhole were in different positions per-maker. So only a handful of drives were perfect-fit replacements, could use iMac tray faceplate. Not like like those slot-loading SATA optical drives in MacBook lines, which operator never sees, there are at least one or two dozen suitable replacements.

Pretty much every optical drive which Apple integrated in New World machines is listed in document "opticaldrivesmatrix.pdf" "Optical - Zip Matrix". Guess what: this document is Apple Confidential (Do Not Distribute). It does not contain any dangerous secrets, and if it were leaked, it would hardly cause financial loss.

So a customer is made aware of fitting replacement drives? Good for customer, good for planet. Armed with such powerful knowledge, one can seek replacements from local repair shops in their scrap "donor" piles, from electro-trash-cycling collections, and elsewhere. That allows reuse of what parts already exist, and it means less pollution from shipping new parts.



I know Apple dislikes censorship; this is good. If Apple were a government which does censor, does limit speech and expression, then I bet you they would ban phrase:
Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
I will chant this until I die.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Seems like political grandstanding to me. There are already 3rd party parts for the most replacable items such as the glass, touch sensor, battery. I know phone repair shops are a dime a dozen near me and seemingly every mall with an Apple Store also has a 3rd party repair kiosk.

Even with this legislation, OEM parts are still going to be expensive. Ever priced out a motherboard for a discontinued MBP? But hey, if states want to open up OEM parts to 3rd parties let them have at it. I don't think it will be an advantage to consumers and might even be a disadvantage as not all shops have the same competency for more complicated repairs or might insist they can do a type of repair than even Apple doesn't bother with doing.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

"Wow, making a law that lets me get original parts as a person with the skill to install them in my device instead of having to buy fake Chinese clone parts? Stupid law."
-MacRumors Forum Idiots


It would be really nice if I could buy iPhone and MacBook batteries directly from Apple instead of having to go to the Apple Store to pay $100 and wait for them to do it or have them reject it because I put a second hard drive in it.

And then people say "Have fun voiding your warranty!!!" as if everyone owns devices under 3 years old or hasn't had water damage occur to them. I can still go and spend over $1000 on a 2013 MacBook and not be eligible for AppleCare on it. I may want to fix it if something breaks.

 

[citi]

And that is just a load of crap, disproven by the millions of iPhone users who get Indy screen replacements every year.

Using your logic there's no need for this new legislation.

 

[alexgowers]

So how's that working out for the car industry? When was the last time you trusted the parts your car repair man put on your vehicle? Did you end up at an authorised dealer or some random?

Sorry but I prefer to see repairability as a hinderence to good design and manufacturing.