Apple has officially launched its self-service repair store, which offers manuals and components to iPhone owners who want to conduct their own repairs.
More than 200 specific parts and tools, including iPhone screws, cameras, batteries, screens, SIM card trays, and more, are available for the first time in the online shop, giving customers and third-party fixit companies access to genuine Apple components. Apple (AAPL) users previously had to rely on the company’s in-house repair service or approved repair outposts to get their devices fixed.
Components for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE (3rd generation) are available for purchase.
For the time being, the store is only available in the United States, but the company has stated that it will spread to other nations later this year. By the end of the year, it also intends to offer manuals, components, and equipment for doing repairs on some Mac systems.
The store opened on Wednesday after activists for the “right to repair” campaign pressed lawmakers and tech firms for years to allow people to repair their own devices. President Joe Biden signed an executive order in July asking the Federal Trade Commission to issue guidelines requiring businesses to allow customers to do their own repairs. The FTC then agreed unanimously to increase enforcement of repair limits.
The limits, according to FTC Chair Lina Khan, “can significantly raise costs for consumers, stifle innovation, close off business opportunity for independent repair shops, create unnecessary electronic waste, delay timely repairs, and undermine resiliency.” she said at the time.
The parts, which range from $0.20 screws to a $312 iPhone 12 Pro Max display set, will be available through Apple’s current network of approved repair dealers, according to Apple. Customers who return parts for recycling will receive a credit, according to the company.
Samsung unveiled a similar service last month, beginning this summer, that will allow users of some of its premium Galaxy cellphones to fix their own gadgets.
Apple and Samsung have been chastised for employing strategies that make it more difficult for independent repair shops to gain access to devices, such as utilising non-removable memory or batteries, or sealing devices with special glue. According to the corporations, this is done to ensure that the items are fixed properly by approved repair providers.
Despite the fact that Apple is allowing customers access to its components, it nevertheless advises people without repair skills to seek professional help.
“For the vast majority of customers who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair,” Apple stated in a statement.
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