Apple enthusiasts will now be able to service their smartphones at home since the Cupertino company announced plans for rolling out a "Self Service Repair" that will be available starting next year in the US and expand to other countries later on. The tech giant will provide parts, tools, and manuals for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 first, followed by macs with M1 chips.
The Self Service Repair program is designed for individual technicians with the knowledge and experience who will now join more than 5,000 Apple Authorised Service Providers (AASPs) and 2,800 Independent Repair Providers. The focus of this program will initially be on the iPhone display, battery, and camera, offering more than 200 individual parts and tools. Additional repairs will be available later in 2022.
The recommended process starts with the user consulting the Repair Manual and then placing an order for the certified Apple parts and tools using the Apple Self Service Repair Online Store. The company promised to offer credit toward their purchase for customers who return their used parts for recycling after the repair.
"Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed. In the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to Apple genuine parts, tools, and training, and now we’re providing an option for those who wish to complete their own repairs," said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
This program is intended for technicians that know their way around electronic devices and want to do their own repairs on their devices. Yet, for the majority of Apple customers, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the best way to approach servicing.