Apple announces Self Service Repair; consumers can now get parts and tools to fix their own iPhones

Apple customers will be able to repair the battery, display, and camera on their iPhone

Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer (COO), says, “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.”

According to Apple, “By designing products for durability, longevity, and increased repairability, customers enjoy a long-lasting product that holds its value for years. Apple also offers years of software updates to introduce new features and functionality.”

Apple customers will get tools and parts from the Apple Self Service Repair Online Store

Customers should review the repair manual to make sure that they feel comfortable safely performing a repair. If that is the case, the consumer will order the necessary parts and tools using the Apple Self Service Repair Online Store. Customers who return the old part that they replaced for recycling will receive a credit that can be used toward their purchase of parts and tools.

The company has 5,500 global Apple Authorized Service Providers that are set up to help customers repair all Apple devices whether they are covered or no longer covered by the warranty.

Apple was pressured to make this move by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) investigation into tech manufacturers’ use of restrictions to who can repair its products and when. An example is Apple’s use of a microcontroller chip that needed to be included with a replacement display in order for Face ID to work. In other words, Apple tried to force customers to use authorized repair shops by threatening to stop Face ID from working.

Apple is no longer using Face ID as leverage to get iPhone screen repairs done at certain repair shops

But back in July, the FTC made it clear that Apple cannot use Face ID as leverage and the regulatory agency said, “While unlawful repair restrictions have generally not been an enforcement priority for the Commission for a number of years, the Commission has determined that it will devote more enforcement resources to combat these practices.”

The FTC added that “the Commission (in 2019) uncovered evidence that manufacturers and sellers may, without reasonable justification, be restricting competition for repair services in numerous ways, including: imposing physical restrictions (e.g., the use of adhesives); limiting the availability of parts, manuals, diagnostic software, and tools to manufacturers’ authorized repair networks.”

And today, as we pointed out, Apple introduced Self Service Repair.