Apple Announces Self-Service Repair Program for Service Manuals, Tools, and Official Parts

Apple has announced the launch of an official self-service repair program, as it faces increasing pressure over its treatment of third-party repairers, which will see parts, tools, and service manuals for its products supplied to anyone who requests them.

The popularity of Apple's mobile products, in particular the iPhone range, have put the company at the heart of the right-to-repair movement — but not on the side of "right." Apple has been criticized for making its products hard to repair, from specialized screw heads to masses of glue — and disabling features when seemingly-unrelated components are replaced. The company has also been accused of locking third-party repairers out of using recycled or compatible parts during repairs.

In short, Apple could use a win on this front — and it appears to have found the way it's going to change the story: The impending launch of the Apple Self-Service Repair program, which will give individuals access to the same official parts, tools, and service manuals as the company's authorized repairers.

"Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed," claims Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, of the program. "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 program, which will launch early next year in the US before expanding abroad, will initially cover repairs for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 families; these will be followed by M1-based Mac systems. In all cases, individuals interested in carrying out their own repairs — "individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices," Apple says - will be given a repair manual for their product, then have the opportunity to order genuine parts and tools from the Apple Self Service Repair Online Store.

One key piece of information missing from Apple's announcement: Pricing. Uncertified third-party repairers often make use of refurbished, recycled, or compatible parts in order to reduce the cost compared to out-of-warranty service at an authorized Apple repairer; if Apple is truly keen to discourage this market, it would do well to price its official parts accordingly — rather than bump up the cost as a means of encouraging users to pick up a brand-new device instead.

Apple has not yet stated when the program will go live, except to say it will launch early next year in US and expand internationally throughout 2022.