You’ll soon be able to fix your own iPhone, Apple says. Here’s how it’ll work
iPhone users who are “comfortable” doing home repairs will be able to fix their own devices starting next year, the company announced in a news release Nov. 17.
Apple announced a “Self Service Repair” program Wednesday that will allow customers to be sent parts, tools and instructions to fix products.
These do-it-yourself fixes will focus on iPhone 12 and 13 displays, batteries and cameras at first, before expanding to more areas later in 2022. Self repairs on Mac computers will follow even later next year, the release said.
The program will offer more options for iPhone users to maintain and repair their phones, the release said.
“Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed,” Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, said in the release.
This is a vast difference from the philosophy Apple has had previously on repairs outside of verified Apple retailers. The announcement follows growing pressure from shareholders, groups and activists lobbying for users to be able to repair their own devices, and this announcement was “no coincidence,” The Verge reported.
“This is a huge milestone for the Right to Repair. One of the most visible opponents to repair access is reversing course, and Apple’s move shows that what repair advocates have been asking for was always possible,” Nathan Proctor, the head of the Right to Repair Campaign, told Vice.
Users who wish to participate will first need to read their product’s manual to see if they want to fix their phone themselves.
Then, the release said they will place an order for whatever Apple parts and tools they need from an online store. Once they send their damaged parts back, they will receive credit toward their purchase of the new parts.
The store will include around 200 parts and tools for iPhones 12 and 13.
Selling parts and tools for repairs to customers is something very few cellphone companies do, Vice reported.
Still, the company urges those who are not comfortable with performing their own repairs to visit an Apple Store for help.
“For the vast majority of customers, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair,” the release said.
This story was originally published November 17, 2021 at 5:31 PM.
