Next year, for the first time, the tech giant will open an online site where owners of Apple hardware can order genuine Apple parts to repair their iPhones and other devices.

The self-service repair program unveiled by Apple will allow customers to perform their own repairs using genuine Apple parts and tools. The program will be available early next year in the United States before expanding to other countries in 2022. Initially, Apple will offer parts, tools and manuals to iPhone 12 owners and of iPhone 13. In particular, Apple will provide parts to repair the screen, the battery and the camera of these smartphones. The Californian manufacturer will allow owners of these mobiles to carry out repairs on other functions of the iPhone later in the year. for Mac computers with M1 chips. “Broader access to genuine Apple parts will provide even more repair options for our hardware,” said Jeff Williams, COO of Apple, in a blog post. “Over the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service centers with access to genuine Apple parts, tools and training, and we now offer an additional option for those who wish to perform these repairs themselves” Until now, access to genuine Apple parts, tools and manuals was restricted to some 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers (CSAAs) and 2,800 independent repair providers. "This is very big news, because Apple has always been adamant on this point in saying that the manufacturer (or certain authorized companies) is the only one with the skills to repair Apple products," said Jack Gold, president. and Principal Analyst at J. Gold Associates, via email. “This bias was unjustifiable, because there is no shortage of excellent independent technicians capable of repairing these products,” added the analyst. "Except that attitude made it difficult for independents because they didn't have access to genuine Apple replacement parts and they mostly used third-party parts," he added. Apple takes ahead of upcoming legislation Just as motorists often choose a local mechanic over a more expensive authorized dealership to repair their vehicles, owners of Apple devices often turn to independent technicians, cheaper, but not always offering original parts (OEM), to repair their equipment. "However, times have changed, and there is strong pressure from consumers and governments for right to repair - not just for smartphones, but on all kinds of tech products, vehicles..." Jack wrote. Gold. “Apple feels the tide is turning and is trying to get ahead of legislation that many states are preparing, and some countries may need to make this repair option mandatory. It's Apple's way of saying the company is on the consumer side,” he added. relative to the market “or at premium rates,” Gold said. "There's also nothing to say that Apple is willing to set a fair price for its genuine parts when it sells them direct to the consumer, and that Apple won't charge lower all-inclusive pricing at its service centers for make it more attractive and recover the majority of the repairs. That all remains to be seen,” Gold added. Parts and e-commerce site iFixit called Apple's announcement huge news for everyone, “but we at iFixit are especially excited.” The company recalls on its site that “it all started in 2003 for iFixit, when co-founder Kyle Wiens tried to repair his iBook and couldn't find a service manual available”. Adding that "if Apple performs next year, it will be the first time the California manufacturer has delivered iPhone repair manuals." On his Twitter page, the iFixit co-founder wrote, "Apple would like consumers to believe that it took its own initiative to authorize repairs, except that in reality, that decision only comes 'after the intervention of regulatory authorities on three continents, dozens of legislative proposals and investor suggestions. It all ended up rocking Apple.” Awaiting Apple Pricing Apple's new online parts store will offer more than 200 parts and tools,which will allow customers to perform the most common repairs on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Consumers will be able to use an online manual to identify the part(s) they need. "Finally, while this is a major potential win for consumers and independent businesses, it is too early to say with certainty that Apple's policies and pricing will be attractive and that this program will not remain just an advantage over paper," Jack Gold said. "We need more details from Apple on this."