Apple to Launch Self-Service Repair Program in Early 2022

To be quite frank this was an unexpected update or perhaps we could simply say it’s as an early Christmas present from Apple. The company announced Wednesday that it has created a self-service repair program that will allow customers to repair their own devices using genuine Apple parts and tools because for Apple fans, the process of repairing iPhones, iPads, and Macs typically involves transporting them to an Apple store — or an approved third-party repair shop.

This means that Apple will soon start selling selected parts to customers that will allow them to fix their phones at home and will also be offering up online repair manuals (text, not video), accessible through the new Apple Self Service Repair Online Store. Customers join more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) and 2,800 Independent Repair Providers who have access to these parts, tools, and manuals

The company will begin with display, battery, and camera repairs for iPhone 12 and 13, and then M1 chips for Macs. Pricing for the parts and tools hasn’t been announced. Apple says customers can receive a recycling credit for returning their used part after completing a repair.

COO Jeff Williams said in a release tied to the announcement: “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.”

The change also helps to further entrench Apple in the repair process. The company already has a program to sell “genuine” parts to third-party repair shops, and today’s announcement makes it all the more likely customers will buy full-priced parts from Apple — parts that won’t trip off iPhone systems that try to prevent the use of components that weren’t bought from Apple — rather than looking for aftermarket options in the limited circumstances where that might be possible.

This is a huge shift from Apple as the tech giant has long resisted “any repairs happening outside of its own stores,” and the company will begin allowing self-repairs in U.S. stores early in 2022, and will roll out the program globally shortly after, though its clearly still encouraging users to bring their devices in for repair at a licensed shop when circumstances allow (particularly in the case of those covered by AppleCare+), but for the many who’d rather take matters into their own hands, this is a nice a step.