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After seeing the video, no thanks for me doing all of that. That is not simple at all.
 
Quality tools are often expensive. The fact that third parties can acquire these tools and offer alternative services to the apple store is what really matters. This is delicate work, and really shouldn't be done by a total amateur. The built in battery has always been a compromise which is why apple does that job for cost. That being said I support anyones effort to repair their own devices. Ironically cheaper version of these tools will show up soon enough via cheap Chinese copies.
 
In case people are wondering, all these tools are 100% off the shelf products. These tools are widely available and seen in many repair shops in China and probably across Asia.

For example, the display press that Apple sends is this one:

User-Manual-4915529_Page_01.jpg


 
It’s all irrelevant to me as I never break my screens or glass back and rarely keep the same iPhone long enough to need a battery replacement,and if I did,I’d rather just take it to the Apple Store and let the professionals do it rather than go through all that hassle.
 
Now we know why it took so long to launch this program.

Apple has designed this program to be so cumbersome, hardly anyone would want to do it themselves. The message is clear, pay the Apple Store to do it. The program seems to be a way to get regulators off Apple's backs.

The risk of losing $1,300 because Apple forces you to order 79 lbs of tools for a battery change is ridiculous. You do not need a display press to replace the battery.
Um no.

This is what you need to use to actually do the job properly. Properly being to return the device to original condition and original IP rating etc.

What the dude does down the phone shop or on iFixit is not a proper job.

The economics of self repair are being made transparent here. They don’t make sense and never have done. Better consumer protection, warranties and insurance are how the average (and business!) users should be protecting their investments.
 
Yes as a former Apple FRS and Apple Authorized ARA at Best Buy, that is the proper toolset for repair.

Maybe if customers see what's involved in the repair, they will give a little more respect to the technicians.

Yup. After all the whining Apple will now provide the proper tools and parts. And after seeing what is required to do the repair *properly* the moan-n-whines continue.

Too funny.
 
Now we know why it took so long to launch this program.

Apple has designed this program to be so cumbersome, hardly anyone would want to do it themselves. The message is clear, pay the Apple Store to do it. The program seems to be a way to get regulators off Apple's backs.

The risk of losing $1,300 because Apple forces you to order 79 lbs of tools for a battery change is ridiculous. You do not need a display press to replace the battery.
I don't think its ridiculous at all. Apple is just giving you the tools to do the job the exact same way that they do. They aren't taking any shortcuts, they aren't going to to half-ass it. They are loaning you all of the tools and all of the stuff needed to do it their way, which is not the cheapest DIY way.
 
This is the craziest thing I've ever seen. I think Apple is laughing at us right now... "well you wanted self repair... enjoy boys and girls!"

I can see the conversations at dinner now: "Hey honey, I spent $95 to get a $1300 loaner of a 75lb repair lab that is currently on the kitchen counter, all to replace my iPhone battery... it's awesome!" and then the reply... "can't you get that fixed at the mall Apple store for $69 while you eat an Auntie Anne's pretzel?"
 
I thought the right-to-repair movement was more so that non-Apple independent repair shops could fix stuff using official Apple tools and parts. It would thus be nice to see an article about a repair that costs a lot more from Apple than what Apple charges just for the parts alone (not including the tools). If there are some, that would make it cost-effective for independents to do this. If the parts alone are always going to cost nearly the same as what Apple would charge for the whole repair, then it seems a bit of a joke.
 
Um no.

This is what you need to use to actually do the job properly. Properly being to return the device to original condition and original IP rating etc.

What the dude does down the phone shop or on iFixit is not a proper job.

The economics of self repair are being made transparent here. They don’t make sense and never have done. Better consumer protection, warranties and insurance are how the average (and business!) users should be protecting their investments.

These are durable, high-yield tools intended for high-volume professional repair shops.

You do not need a display press when a properly weighted roller will do the job. You do not need a 20 lb display heater when an electric heated blanket will do the job. The only reason these tools exist is for repair shops, not DIY.

None of these tools are even designed or manufactured by Apple. They are designed and manufactured by third-party companies for repair shops because Apple has no official tools available.
 
I’ve done a number iPhone repairs in the past (as well as other electronics) using iFixit’s guides, and I’ve never needed those tools that Apple has to ship. Sure, that may be the “proper” way to do it by Apple’s book, but to be sending these 70 pounds of tools to the average Joe to fix his phone in this way is frankly insane.
 
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I'm curious how well Apple inspects these tools when they are returned. For instance, what if I rent one of these kits and the person before me broke one of the tools? Are they going to take my word that it didn't work up front or am I going to be hit with $1000 charge?
 
This is literally the exact same process for a genius tech in the Apple Store. Every thing in these kits is obviously available to them in their repair room.

People wanted to do it at home. Apple provided you the necessary tools to do so. Now it seems to hard?
 
I don’t think this is exactly what the EU meant by user friendly right to repair. This is actually quite ridiculous. It’s like Apple was like ok let’s make it as inconvenient as possible, so people still take it to the store

This actually shows that the iPhone is a pretty S ? design when it comes to repairs. However, nothing beats having to replace the keyboard and the housing just to replace a battery in the MacBook Pro. Environmental my ?
 
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I'd like to see what the process for replacing the actual screen would be. Something surprising to learn though was that it only costs $69 for the newer iPhones to replace the battery. Honestly, that's an amazing price! As someone who used to replace the batteries and the screens myself on all the older iPhones, $69 for an apple brand battery and a technician to do it for you is a great price. Can't say the same for a new screen but knock on wood it's been a while since I cracked one of those.

I've been telling people this for years...Apple's prices for screen and battery replacement are very reasonable. You might be able to get it slightly cheaper from a third-party but you won't get genuine Apple parts, and for batteries and screens that's important.
 
I don’t think this is exactly what the EU meant by user friendly right to repair. This is actually quite ridiculous. It’s like Apple was like ok let’s make it as inconvenient as possible, so people still take it to the store

This actually shows that the iPhone is a pretty S ? design when it comes to repairs. However, nothing beats having to replace the keyboard and the housing just to replace a battery in the MacBook Pro. Environmental my ?

Is it? The screen comes off and you have access to every component. How else would it be designed?

And I think it's partly that Apple wanted to make it as inconvenient as possible, but also that these are the tools required to do a proper repair. If you want to do a half-assed job you can buy a suction cup and some screwdrivers and have at it.
 
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This is literally the exact same process for a genius tech in the Apple Store. Every thing in these kits is obviously available to them in their repair room.

People wanted to do it at home. Apple provided you the necessary tools to do so. Now it seems to hard?

No one asked for the exact same process and tools.

It's like shipping a Rotary Lift to the customer when a floor jack would have done the same. Sure, the car dealership uses a lift for speed, but it doesn't mean the customer needs the same tool to do the job.

The display press is literally a roller mounted in a 2-inch metal frame for durability and hundreds of daily applications. You do not need a 2-inch frame for DIY.

SPOA10-1.jpg
 
To everyone saying this is 'over complicated' (or words to that effect)...

Apple have to cover themselves and make the process as robust and fool proof as possible. Yes, you could heat up the display with an electric blanket (which I don't have by the way, so would have to purchase, Apple are not going to send out heated blankets in their repair kits...) but what if it doesn't quite work properly and you crack the screen taking it off - is that then Apple's fault?? Yes you could use a 'properly weighted roller' but again, what if you apply too much pressure whilst doing it and break the screen - Apple's fault??

If Apple had sent out a typical iFixit kit, people would be complaining its too simplistic... If you want to repair it yourself, Apple are not going to advise you do it in the cheapest/simplest way possible, it just leaves them wide open for complaints/suing when things inevitably go wrong with that approach...
 
This seems like too much work and hassle. I rather go to the Apple store and have them take a look at my iPhone. I honestly don't think this self repair program is worth it.

Makes no sense why Apple came up with this program. Who is the target market?
Government entities who keep breathing down Apple's neck to "give us a solution". So yeah, here's a solution. It sucks on an individual user basis, but that's what the entities are demanding.
 
I've done these repairs with out issue following iFixit's guides. I've swapped out an iPhone 11 Pro Max back shell, that involved removing pretty much everything (battery, logic board, camera, front camera, Taptic Engine, etc.) Did it on an ESD safe mat with a hair dryer to soften up the adhesive. Probably would have been nice to have the screen press for when I reapplied new display adhesive.

I would just order the part in question from Apple and maybe skip out on the fixtures. I have my own tools unlike Dan so it's not really an issue.
 
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