Apple has changed its previous negative attitude towards the struggle of owners of their electronic products for the so-called “right to repair.”
The top management of the largest computer and mobile phone manufacturer announced that it will soon begin selling over 200 replacement parts for its products and sending out instructions describing how to use them for home repairs. Until now, the repair of such “gadgets” was possible only in Apple branded stores or in repair shops.
The company plans to start a program called Self Service Repair in 2022 with iPhones 12 and 13 – first in the US, then in the UK and other countries. Their owners will be able to replace the display, battery and camera themselves – first with parts made by Apple, and later with parts from other companies. Then the program will include Mac laptops with M1 chips.
In its press release, Apple warns that this service is not intended for ordinary consumers of their products, but only “for technically trained individuals with experience in repairing electronic devices.” Before ordering, the customer should look through the official catalog of the spare parts available from the company. Those customers who return defective parts for recycling will be given credit to purchase other company products. “Home Repair” does not void the product warranty, according to the press release.
Apple has long been criticized for technological gimmicks that make it impossible for other companies to repair its electronics. Parts of the product were coded as belonging to one specific product, and the software would lock up if the part to be replaced – such as a cracked phone screen – was purchased from another company (for a possibly lower price).
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