Apple launches Self Service Repair in the US, covering iPhone SE and iPhone 12 and 13 lineups, with plans to expand to Europe and add M1 Macs by the end of 2022
The tech giant says it's offering repair manuals online, along with giving everyday people the chance to buy parts and tools to repair devices themselves.
The launch establishes the initial scope for a program that related coverage later shows expanding to newer iPhones, M2 Macs and additional countries and adding diagnostic access in Europe.
First-order effects
US owners of iPhone SE, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models gain an official route to obtain repair manuals, parts and tools rather than relying solely on Apple-performed repair.
Apple begins running Self Service Repair as a customer-support channel while committing to extend it to Europe and M1 Macs.
Second-order effects
Adding M1 Macs extends Apple's parts, tools and manual model beyond iPhones, making repair support relevant across more of its hardware lineup.
The Europe roadmap turns a US launch into a repeatable regional support operation, requiring Apple to carry the program's official repair resources into additional markets.
If this rollout pattern persists, Apple’s official repair program becomes a durable layer of device support across product generations and geographies rather than a one-time concession for selected iPhones.
The trend: Device makers are broadening official self-repair from limited parts access toward multi-device, multi-market repair ecosystems with manuals and diagnostics.
Apple has posted iPhone service manuals online, and that is a huge step. Kudos to them for getting this done. https://support.apple.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Self Service Battery Bundle for iPhone 13 Pro costs $71 ... compared to only $69 to send your phone off to Apple and get them to do it for you https://9to5mac.com/...
Boo: “Requiring parts pairing essentially puts an expiration date on iPhones ... there will be no way for [repairers] to fully restore a product that needs a display replacement—even if they have an original Apple display from another phone.” https://www.ifixit.com/...
Apple's $49 tool rental kit will let just about anyone get their hands on some pretty intense devices. Particularly when it comes to display replacement. Better read the manual, folks. https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
Apple does say that you may get a partial refund credit when you return the old components for recycling so this may make the numbers work better — but details unclear on credit amounts etc
iPhone 12/13 now. M1 Macs next — “Apple's Self Service Repair now available “Genuine Apple parts and tools can now be purchased by US customers” https://www.apple.com/... Whitepaper: https://support.apple.com/... https://twitter.com/...