Testing Out Apple's Self Repair Program With an iPhone 12 Mini Battery Fix

[trusso]

Stop being disingenuous. You ar won't getting a battery press and a display press for less than $50.

I don’t think I’m being disingenuous. I said “functionally similar” meaning that they accomplish the same ends. And iFixit makes good stuff, even though the exorbitant price tag on the Apple-sponsored tools might make you think otherwise. You don’t actually require a display press to remove the display. If anyone is being disingenuous here, it’s Apple.

 

[xpaulso]

Just checked out the iPhone 13 Pro Max Repair Guide. It's very high quality. Much better an an ifixit guide. (And most of iFixit guides are quite good for reverse engineered guides) But Apples guide is really well detailed, the photos are very detailed with lots of checks and balances. Lots of details on what to expect and how to deal with likely issues a long the way.

 

[calmelb]

It seems as though everyone thinks you have to get the apple tools to do this. You don’t have to, if you want a hairdryer, a screwdriver, and a rolling pin to replace parts then you can. You can also get the proper parts if you want (or buy them from China/ ifixit/ etc). The parts are available and you can buy them if you want

 

[filchermcurr]

I think this seems like a lot of fun!

But enh. My time is honestly pretty worthless, so it doesn't bother me to unpack a bunch of equipment and play around.

 

[Ray@12]

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.

Don’t be dumb. A display press is for new adhesive. Lol and there’s a specific battery press which is actually been around for a long time and necessary.

 

[Ray@12]

Apple's "Self Service Repair" is such a joke. Makes it look good when they launch a program like this but still being expensive and returning the toolbox once you're done.

How is it expensive lol? Do you research first.

 

[Htsi]

No one forces you to use their tools. I like how the program is set up. It is a start. I am more looking forward to the local repair shops using these tools or even Apple starting to offer smaller repairs like the speaker/Taptic etc for similar prices. Win Win.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

Makes no sense why Apple came up with this program. Who is the target market?

People that enjoy complaining, and those that think repairing an iPhone will be like repairing a stereo from the 70s.

 

[JosephAW]

Thank you for creating this video to stop any amateur from trying to work on their phones and save them tons of headaches and money.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

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.

Yes you do there is adhesive.

 

[4jasontv]

Collectors are sad to see no Apple branded pelican case.

 

[drumcat]

Proof that you can't win as a company when it's on the back end.

They provide everything but the technician, and somehow people are still upset. Why? Because people have this idea that somehow tiny little things should be easier to part-replace than their 1983 Jeep CJ-5.

It's just not realistic.

 

[Flood4]

How are you going to reattach the display properly after applying adhesive?

Not that difficult, I did it on a Xr. And on a 6s. And on a iPad.

 

[madmaxmedia]

I expect these are the exact same tools and processes a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Center use.

As such, they're designed for trained service professionals, not your average consumer. And that is why your average consumer would stay far away from this and use a Genius Bar or AASC - which I am sure is what Apple wants.

I think the people criticizing Apple for purposely making this expensive or complicated don’t understand what’s involved.

If you are an iFixit type of person, you’re buying a $10 replacement battery from eBay and doing the replacement yourself anyway with tools you already own, so this Apple solution is moot. But it’s a solutey buyer beware, if you rip a ribbon cable or God forbid a ribbon cable connector then that’s your problem.

If you’re not handy, Apples service is already a pretty good deal. If you don’t want to pay Apple the $50 or $70, then you DIY it.

I used to DIY but personally stopped doing it myself when iPhones started getting water resistance capability, because sealing the phone when re-assembling is technique dependent. I just decided I didn’t want the risk of messing that up.

 

[Flood4]

What I like is it seems that we are now able to get official screen, and official battery.

Those are not hard to change, even without those 79 lbs tools.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

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?

People who don’t live near an Apple Store.

 

[hcherry]

Cost structure certainly seems more suited to those doing multiple repairs rather than one-offs.

 

[CWallace]

For those commenting on how "over-kill" this program's tools are, I would not be surprised if this was just a way for Apple to get the regulators off their backs. And by offering the same tools that they use themselves and they require their Authorized Service Providers to use, they can legitimately say "look, we've claimed these repairs are not simple and require specialized tools to guarantee success and that is why we have not recommended non-trained people perform these repairs. But you twisted our arms, so here you go. God speed."

As others have noted, for those who feel confident in their repair skills, one can get scavenged parts from non-official sources (like eBay or AliExpress) and then use the iFixIt guides and non-Apple tools to do the repairs themselves at well-below what the Official Apple Certified Repair Program process charges.

 

[darcyf]

Patient: I insist I do my own brain surgery at home!

Hospital: … fine. We’ll send you a kit.

Congrats, folks. You won?

 

[dandy1117]

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 am so confused by this comment. What is the cost of a "properly weighted roller" and an electric heating blanket? Assuming you don't have these imprecise tools, why wouldn't the average DIYer prefer to rent precision tools for a single-use repair from Apple for $49?

It seems to me that Apple's self repair solution is more DIYer-friendly at a very reasonable price,

 

[JPack]

I am so confused by this comment. What is the cost of a "properly weighted roller" and an electric heating blanket? Assuming you don't have these imprecise tools, why wouldn't the average DIYer prefer to rent precision tools for a single-use repair from Apple for $49?

It seems to me that Apple's self repair solution is more DIYer-friendly at a very reasonable price,

Because it comes in two boxes weighing 79 lbs. If you damage the tools, UPS loses them, or a porch pirate gets lucky, you're out $1,300.

There is simply no need for Apple to ship a 20 lbs display heater when an electric heating blanket will do. There is no need for a 30 lbs display press when Apple can ship a 5 lb weighted roller.

 

[dandy1117]

Because it comes in two boxes weighing 79 lbs. If you damage the tools, UPS loses them, or a porch pirate gets lucky, you're out $1,300.

There is simply no need for Apple to ship a 20 lbs display heater when an electric heating blanket will do. There is no need for a 30 lbs display press when Apple can ship a 5 lb weighted roller.

You’re not required to use Apples toolkit for the repair. So if you want to assume the risk of damaging your expensive phone with a KMart blanket and Home Depot roller, so be it.

But I assume that most DIYers would make a different risk assessment and rent Apple’s precision toolkit.

Fortunately, there is consumer choice in the matter.

 

[JPack]

You’re not required to use Apples toolkit for the repair. So if you want to assume the risk of damaging your expensive phone with a KMart blanket and Home Depot roller, so be it.

But I assume that most DIYers would make a different risk assessment and rent Apple’s precision toolkit.

Fortunately, there is consumer choice in the matter.

Why would you need to go to Kmart?

There's an entire industry in China focused on repair tools. It's the same place where Apple bought these tools from. The heating blankets and pads are far better for casual use.

 

[dysamoria]

If you're "the opposite of a handyman"... I mean.. this isn't for you. ?

"Overall, for the layperson, it's probably better to take your phone to a professional for repair rather than attempting to fix it yourself. This is especially true of repairs for things like the battery and the display, which are generally cheaper to have Apple replace."

That's good advice, and I would hope that this is how it's being presented by Apple.

I have a tremor. My hands shake. Being my own technician is a PITA, and I've only done it because I can't afford otherwise (and tech support has literally been my primary employment since 2001, so, it's supposed to be my thing... ugh). The smaller the tech, the more irritating the work. The parts in these things are small and fiddly. I think I would rather pay Apple to do this kind of service for me, for my own sanity.

I am absolutely supportive of this being something that's open to people who want to do it themselves, and definitely should be made much more available to third-party service centers, but there should be a good amount of info up front that tells non-tech people what is involved.

Thanks for showing it.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I expect these are the exact same tools and processes a Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Center use.

As such, they're designed for trained service professionals, not your average consumer. And that is why your average consumer would stay far away from this and use a Genius Bar or AASC - which I am sure is what Apple wants.

Bingo.

This is meant for professionals, not your typical consumer (regardless of Apple, or iPhone consumer ANY typical consumer).

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.

lol. No Apple didn’t make this cumbersome. They made it to fit their specifications to ensure if instructions followed to the letter it does NOT void your warranty.

more specifically is the typical consumer THINKS this is easy because they watched an iFixit video. Most of these typical iPhone or Apple consumers like our host here in the video of this article has NEVER opened up an iPhone. Pretty sad really.

I feel if you’ve had practice opening up an iPhone 4/4S all the way to an iPhone 7 then you have a sense of patience, care and have very good or good enough fine motor skills in your hands. Those users that have only seldomly opened up an iPhone, if failed would most likely NOT post on these boards of their mess-up/mistakes/major screwups they’d just walk into their closest Apple store for AC+

Like why do you think AC+ exists for? Apple KNOWS the typical consumer, after all that’s EXACTLY why the iPhone was created and exists today:
Typical consumer doesn’t want to fool around with all kinds of settings just to get a personal device to suit their needs or work how they expect it do.
Typical consumer wants to just ‘take it, and go’ just like a toddler would. Take a look at any IG video of babies dancing you’ll find a few that recently learned how to walk and dance able to swipe through videos to get the song they want to dance do. Heck 7yrs ago UPS made a video of toddlers hitting that tempting BUY button on the App Store or Amazon store by toddlers.