Apple Inc said on Wednesday it will begin selling replacement parts and tools to the public for the first time to perform its own repairs on certain iPhones and Mac computers.
The self-service repair program comes after years of pressure from consumer groups, prompting Apple to provide more access to repair manuals and genuine parts.
In 2019, Apple started a program where independent repair shops can purchase their parts, tools, and manuals. Apple says there are currently 2,800 independent stores in its program in addition to 5,000 in-person authorized repair providers.
Under the self-service program, Apple customers will be able to purchase those parts directly to perform their own repairs after reading the manual. Apple says the online store will start with about 200 parts and tools aimed at fixing the most common problems with the screen, battery, and camera on iPhone 12 and 13 models.
The program will eventually expand to Mac computers using Apple’s M1 chip and later to less common fixes. Customers will be offered the same prices for parts and tools as independent repair shops and can return their used parts to Apple upon completion of the repair for a discount. price.
Apple says the program will begin early next year in the United States and expand to more countries later in the year.
(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
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