Apple’s “You Fix-it”
We have noted a number of times that there has been considerable pressure on Apple to allow users and ‘unauthorized’ repair shops to repair Apple products, with Apple agreeing last year to give in to those demands. As of yesterday users and just about anyone can download free repair manuals for a wide variety of Apple products, along with the ability to order tools and parts for such repairs. We looked at one of the manuals (iPhone 13 Pro Max) to see if Apple was really being ‘user-friendly’ or if this was just a ploy to make things look so difficult that users would wind up at an authorized Apple repair unit, but we were pleasantly surprised at how comprehensive the manual was as to how to perform various repair functions.
There are some caveats, particularly the investment one musty make in tools, and by tools we mean Apple tools, as there are a considerable number of tools that are proprietary or are bundled with certain parts and most of the repairs are classified on general categories, such as ‘battery’, ‘camera’, ‘display’, ‘bottom speaker’, ‘SIM Tray”, and ‘Haptic Engine’ for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but Apple does give a few price options that let users choose certain parts rather than re-buy the same tools for each repair. As an example the full screen replacement bundle for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which includes all tools, screws, and replacement adhesives for $311.96, while the same package without the screws and adhesive sell for $2.00 less, and Apple also gives a $33.60 credit if you return the broken screen for recycling. Apple does allow renting a full tool kit to make a repair, but each model has its own kit, so unless you are fixing two phones of the same model, you cannot share the tool rental.
The parts provided by Apple are not cheap, which means unauthorized repair shops should give the option of using only Apple replacement parts or substitutes when possible, but at least such shops won’t be experimenting on your device when the attempt to repair it, given the availability of manuals. All in, it seems that Apple has at least made an attempt to fulfill its promise to open the Apple product repair kimono and has begun to make it possible for some non-authorized product repairs, but given the cost of DIY Apple parts is the same as the cost using an authorized Apple Service Center unless you return the defective part, which means all products under warranty will still go to Apple for repair and many out-of-warranty units will do the same. Right now Apple only offers parts for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, with other products and older models expected to follow.
There are some caveats, particularly the investment one musty make in tools, and by tools we mean Apple tools, as there are a considerable number of tools that are proprietary or are bundled with certain parts and most of the repairs are classified on general categories, such as ‘battery’, ‘camera’, ‘display’, ‘bottom speaker’, ‘SIM Tray”, and ‘Haptic Engine’ for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but Apple does give a few price options that let users choose certain parts rather than re-buy the same tools for each repair. As an example the full screen replacement bundle for the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which includes all tools, screws, and replacement adhesives for $311.96, while the same package without the screws and adhesive sell for $2.00 less, and Apple also gives a $33.60 credit if you return the broken screen for recycling. Apple does allow renting a full tool kit to make a repair, but each model has its own kit, so unless you are fixing two phones of the same model, you cannot share the tool rental.
The parts provided by Apple are not cheap, which means unauthorized repair shops should give the option of using only Apple replacement parts or substitutes when possible, but at least such shops won’t be experimenting on your device when the attempt to repair it, given the availability of manuals. All in, it seems that Apple has at least made an attempt to fulfill its promise to open the Apple product repair kimono and has begun to make it possible for some non-authorized product repairs, but given the cost of DIY Apple parts is the same as the cost using an authorized Apple Service Center unless you return the defective part, which means all products under warranty will still go to Apple for repair and many out-of-warranty units will do the same. Right now Apple only offers parts for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, with other products and older models expected to follow.
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