Apple announces Self Service Repair, a program starting next year that will publish repair manuals, let customers buy parts and tools, and more

The tech giant says it will publish repair manuals and allow everyday customers to buy the same parts and tools certified technicians and repair shops use.

CNET 2021-11-18 Ian Sherr

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple had already opened genuine iPhone parts to independent repair businesses through its 2019 independent-repair program. Self Service Repair extends that access model to device owners, pairing parts and tools with the manuals needed to use them.

Related coverage frames the move as a response to repair-policy pressure and records a subsequent US rollout for recent iPhone models, making the announcement a shift from business-only repair access toward a consumer channel.

First-order effects

Customers gain a direct route to Apple repair documentation, genuine parts and specialized tools rather than relying solely on certified technicians or repair shops.
Apple expands its repair-support obligations from supplying authorized and independent businesses to supporting consumers who undertake repairs themselves.

Second-order effects

Independent repair businesses lose some exclusivity over access to genuine iPhone components, while retaining the advantage of labor, diagnosis and repair experience.
Apple’s consumer-access model raises the competitive and policy stakes for other device makers whose repair ecosystems remain more tightly controlled.

Third-order effects

If manufacturers follow Apple’s lead, repair access increasingly becomes a product-lifecycle feature rather than a service channel reserved for authorized networks.
The program gives regulators and repair advocates a concrete benchmark: manuals, parts and tools available to owners, not only to repair businesses.

The trend: Consumer electronics repair is moving from manufacturer-controlled service networks toward broader access to official parts, tools and documentation.

Discussion

@fredericjacobs Frederic Jacobs on x
Apple customers who are comfortable with completing their own repairs can get access to Apple genuine parts and tools. Initially for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, and soon to be followed by Mac computers featuring M1 chips. https://www.apple.com/...
@dcseifert Dan Seifert on x
activism works! https://www.theverge.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Apple is announcing Self Service Repair today, a way to fix your iPhone 12 or 13 at home. You'll be able to replace the iPhone's display, battery, and camera using parts from Apple at first, with other options (and M1 Mac support) coming later https://www.theverge.com/... https:/…
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
I distinctly remember Apple lobbyists telling California lawmakers this would lead to huge safety and security risks. Wonder what changed? #RightToRepair is breaking through. https://twitter.com/...
@dlberes @dlberes on x
Full announcement from Apple To my eyes, this is a full 180 from the company's long-held stance against Right to Repair. I'm eager to go deeper, but at first glance, hard not to applaud this move from a company that does more than most to set the standard https://www.apple.com/..…
@snubs Shannon Morse on x
This is a step in the right direction for #righttorepair I feel like this was on our radar several months ago so it's good to see official news about it! https://www.apple.com/...
@benedictevans Benedict Evans on x
Apple jumps ahead of the regulatory narrative in a way it hasn't with the App Store
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
“Apple today announced Self Service Repair, which will allow customers who are comfortable with completing their own repairs access to Apple genuine parts and tools” https://www.apple.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
The question now is what about third party repair shops? Can they be considered “consumers” and get this info from Apple now without being an authorized repair center? https://www.wsj.com/...
@every_daydad Gary on x
Heck yes! I've been harping about right to repair for awhile now, glad to see that apple has heard our voices. It looks like it's starting small but will ramp up over time.💪 https://www.apple.com/...
@psythor James O'Malley on x
Holy cow, would never have expected them to do this. I guess they're getting ahead of regulators making them do it. https://twitter.com/...
@maxwinebach Max Weinbach on x
Apple: making repairability a feature https://www.apple.com/...
@counternotions Kontra on x
THEN: Apple product unboxing videos NOW: Apple product self-repair videos LATER: Apple repairing self-repaired product videos https://t.co/PbX4Xjbhs5
@masonpelt Mason Pelt on x
I give it a few months before we all realize that Apple is limiting users access to parts, tools, and manuals to such an extent that this is a functionally non-existent program. https://twitter.com/...
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
Ok, now this is something! Apple's new Self Service Repair will give consumers access to parts, tools and information needed to do repairs on their own. https://www.apple.com/...
@martinsfp Martin Sfp Bryant on x
This is 🤯 https://www.apple.com/...
@alexhern Alex Hern on x
Noiceeeee https://t.co/xYpGBaZ7Wx
@jamesliamcook James Cook on x
Apple just announced a consumer repair scheme: “Apple today announced Self Service Repair, which will allow customers who are comfortable with completing their own repairs access to Apple genuine parts and tools” https://www.apple.com/...
Vox Rebecca Heilweil on x
Apple will finally let you fix your own devices — sort of
@kwiens Kyle Wiens on x
Let me share my life's story and why Apple's repair announcement is a big deal to me. Way back in 2003, I was trying to fix my clamshell iBook and googled for the service manual. All I found was sites that had been removed because of a DMCA takedown. /thread
@kwiens Kyle Wiens on x
Apple is releasing repair information and parts to consumers. https://www.ifixit.com/... This is huge—what we've been working towards for nearly 20 years.
@ifixit @ifixit on x
We never thought we'd see the day: Apple will offer parts, tools, and software to DIY fixers starting next year. There are some catches, but we're thrilled to see Apple admit what we've always known: Everyone's enough of a Genius to fix an iPhone: https://www.ifixit.com/... https…
@repaircoalition @repaircoalition on x
Big cave by Apple, but the devil is in the details. This is far off the requirements of #righttorepair but proves that legislators are on the right track making similar requirements more broadly. https://twitter.com/...
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
I distinctly remember Apple lobbyists telling California lawmakers this would lead to huge safety and security risks. Wonder what changed? #RightToRepair is breaking through. https://twitter.com/...
@backlon Dieter Bohn on x
This is huge and I never thought I would see the day. Apple will sell parts for repairing phones directly to individuals It's also telling that Apple will concede to regulatory pressure on repair but is fighting tooth and nail on App Store fees. https://www.theverge.com/...
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
I have spent an large amount of my life over the last few years fending off lobbyists claiming that if consumers were given parts, tools and manuals, the sky would fall. Massive security and safety risks. Apple just undermined all of that. 2/
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
There is a story here about Apple, what this means for next steps on Right to Repair and more. But this is, to me, also a story about a campaign done RIGHT. 3/
@stellafudge Stella on x
How will they get around the part serialization process thats currently locked away behind either AppleConnect credentials, or a specialty provisioned AppleID in order to use https://diagnostics.apple.com/? What about the requirement for RepairCal/ASU (standalone apps for seriali…
@kcimc Kyle McDonald on x
apple is going to start supporting DIY device repair, likely due to a request by activist shareholders. makes me really happy, as someone still using an iPhone from 2015. https://twitter.com/...
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
@uspirg It's been kind of a tough year to believe that we can make a better world, together. In other words, it's been a tough year to see that we can use democracy to solve our problems. But I also see signs of hope. 8/
@donie Donie O'Sullivan on x
What's next? Including chargers with $1,000 phones? https://twitter.com/...
@viticci Federico Viticci on x
hopefully they'll release the manual for “putting a USB-C port on your iPhone” too https://twitter.com/...
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
Apple just flipped the entire #RightToRepair movement on its head. Great work! 👏 https://twitter.com/...
@stellafudge Stella on x
I totally do believe that regular people can easily do these repairs if they had the necessary tools and stuff, especially since the training is made to be dead simple, to the point of actually being kind of bad, but that's another story.
@jonyiveparody @jonyiveparody on x
“Everyone's enough of a Genius to fix an iPhone.” #Apple #iPhone [pic: Tim Cook laughing]
@stewartbrand Stewart Brand on x
Great thread from Kyle Wiens re Apple, manuals, and the triumph of iFixit https://twitter.com/...
@nproctor Nathan Proctor on x
We got the fact right. We organized them. We built a network in support. @iFixit documented the exact repair restrictions and helped drive consumers to understand what they were looking at. 4/
@lukemiani Luke Miani on x
One of the most unexpected things I've ever seen... I'm sure parts will be pricey. Also wondering if it'll allow you to purchase whatever parts you want or lock it down to the device you own. e.g. can you buy a 512gb board for your 256gb Mac? https://www.apple.com/...
@anildash Anil Dash on x
Apple almost certainly yielded on the repair issue due to shareholder pressure, but across the industry, no one person has done more to advocate for right to repair than Kyle. https://twitter.com/... And no company has fought harder than @iFixit, which makes excellent products.
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on x
Good on Apple for (a) realizing legislation was going to make them do this anyways and they look much better doing it “voluntarily,” (b) actually making it seem like they *do* care about the environment and it isn't just marketing fodder. https://www.apple.com/...
@alexlindsay @alexlindsay on x
@Ihnatko Apple's shift was a genius move though it's not exactly what some were hoping for. Apple essentially flooded their market by going direct to consumer. This great for Consumers, great for Apple, great for Authorized repair... not good for non-authorized who have been comm…
@stellafudge Stella on x
Apple Self-Service Repair Thread! Looots of interesting nuance, thoughts, and questions from an actual AASP technicians perspective. While overall, I think this is heading in the right direction, there's still a ton of stuff people not in the field are going to overlook
@themadstone Maddie Stone on x
Apple would like you to think that its big new repair announcement was entirely its decision made on its terms. But the truth is this follows years of pressure — including a shareholder resolution that today represented a key deadline for :https://www.theverge.com/...
@timsweeneyepic Tim Sweeney on x
@msitarzewski @Apple Opening up to user repairs is a great move!
@lukemiani Luke Miani on x
With this whole self service repair thing I guess it makes sense why apple brought back those battery pull tabs in the new MacBooks, eh @iFixit?
@russellbrandom Russell Brandom on x
Some great background on today's Apple repair news from @themadstone — the company was facing potential SEC action on a shareholder resolution focused on the right to repair, and today was a key deadline in the case. https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@kwiens Kyle Wiens on x
Change doesn't come from a vacuum. Regulatory involvement in three continents, dozens of proposed bills, investor proposals, and Apple blinked. Great scoop on the shareholder activism side of it from @themadstone https://twitter.com/...
@can @can on x
As someone who's generally pro-market, this had nothing to do with the free market doing its thing. https://twitter.com/...
@shiraovide Shira Ovide on x
“just as taking your car to a dealer for servicing isn't the cheapest option, going to an Apple store also wasn't the most cost-effective.” @bxchen on Apple giving indy shops and home fix-it types a shot at fixing our gadgets. https://www.nytimes.com/...
@stellafudge Stella on x
Will customers be required to purchase the Heated Display Removal Fixture(pictured) for the roughly 250usd it costs, along with the $100ish model-specific heated device holder? It's a requirement for AASP/Apple Stores/Repair Depots to own one, use one, and keep it updated. https:…
@normative Julian Sanchez on x
Great thread. Recalling that time like 12 years ago when I trucked out to a Virginia Apple store to see if they could fix an old iPod. They told me I should trade it in and buy a newer one. I trucked all the way back, spent 10m getting the case open, & fixed it in 30 seconds. htt…
@thisisnoahevans Noah Evans on x
Apple introducing Self Service Repair - where customers purchase their own parts to repair iPhones - could be an indication of an improving supply chain & parts situation. Apple must be confident that, by early 2022, they will have enough parts sell & to make enough devices.
@tim_stevens Tim Stevens on x
Apple charges $19 for a piece of cloth to clean your phone. How much do you think they're going to charge for a screwdriver or pry tool to repair it? https://twitter.com/...
@snazzyq Quinn Nelson on x
Also, this is interesting because it directly flies in the face of Apple previously stating their anti-repair stance was a safety and security issue. This was and has always been about money.
@mattophobia Matt Collins on x
This is genuinely excellent news - most tech companies tend to follow Apple and this could lead to a significant shift in the industry. Will have to see how far they go with it though. https://twitter.com/...
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
You mean government intervention precipitated a positive new direction for Apple? Hmm... 🙂 https://www.apple.com/...
@rdrv3 David Ruddock on x
Apple's self-service repair program for the iPhone is pretty much spiking the football in the end zone. More than that, it's going to redistribute the aftermarket service landscape. Apple is effectively saying gray market repair is an industry it can't police.
@rdrv3 David Ruddock on x
Now the real question: Will the tail wag the dog here? Will the existence of this program start informing future iPhone design decisions in order to make the product simpler to repair? I mean I doubt it, but that would be cool!
@fightfortheftr @fightfortheftr on x
Weaponization of copyright law is one of the ways Apple enforces its monopoly, and right-to-repair is a huge step forward. https://www.theverge.com/...
@aperzanowski Aaron Perzanowski on x
It's amazing what a motivator a meaningful threat of regulation can be. https://www.apple.com/...
@ihnatko Andy Ihnatko on x
Terrific news! Apple's first step toward making parts and tools available to the repair community is pro-customer and pro-environment. Apple's heavy-handed stance against it was way out of sync with their cultivated pro-consumer, pro-environment persona. https://www.ifixit.com/..…
@weeabob @weeabob on x
this is the literal last thing i would ever expect from apple, kudos https://twitter.com/...
@siracusa John Siracusa on x
Apple makes one small move in the right direction: https://www.apple.com/... Joke option 1: Right to Beware (Be careful!) Joke option 2: Right to Despair (For when you accidentally break it while trying to fix it.)
@harrymccracken Harry McCracken on x
When I replaced the batteries on a couple of MacBooks a few years ago using third-party kits, I really felt like a renegade, if not a criminal. https://www.cnet.com/...
@jordannovet Jordan Novet on x
‘By controlling the parts marketplace, Apple can also decide when devices go obsolete.’ https://twitter.com/...
@matthewstoller Matt Stoller on x
And Apple expands the right to repair. This is a clear result of pressure from the Federal Trade Commission. Lina Khan delivers. https://www.apple.com/...
@jason_koebler Jason Koebler on x
There's still work to be done but this is a major policy shift that clearly seems to be a response to pressure from right to repair movement and Biden executive order. For years Apple said this was impossible, now they're doing it
@jason_koebler Jason Koebler on x
WOW, Apple is selling repair parts to the general public and making repair guides public. Major, major news and a huge reversal from current policies: https://www.vice.com/...
@iancutress @iancutress on x
The main caveat is that you can't harvest other devices for parts - all repairs have to use new parts from the apple repair storefront, and the storefront has the apple tax built right in https://twitter.com/...
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
After seeing Apple add ports back to the MacBook Pro and offer genuine tools/parts for DIY repairs in 1 month [short video: “I ain't never ever seen you act like this before..."]
@asymco Horace Dediu on x
Apple will sell iPhone and Mac spare parts to end users. The online store will start with about 200 parts and tools for displays, batteries and cameras on iPhone 12 and 13.
@higgyc Chris Higgins on x
60% of uk high street shops in shambles right now https://twitter.com/...
@dlberes @dlberes on x
For years, Apple and associated trade organizations have forcefully lobbied against Right to Repair... But support for Right to Repair laws has been bipartisan and become more widespread recently. The FTC unanimously voted this year to enforce Right to Repair laws

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