Update April 28, 2022: This article originally misquoted the price for an in-store iPhone 12 display repair. This repair currently costs $279, not $365 as initially stated.
Apple is finally rolling out self-service repair, the DIY repair parts program they promised last November. Starting today, US fixers can buy iPhone 12, 13, and SE 3 parts and tools from Apple. Parts are available for the battery, bottom speaker, camera, display, SIM tray, and taptic engine. Over the next year, the program will extend to M1 MacBooks and from there to Europe, with other products and markets on the horizon. It is unclear whether Apple will eventually support older iPhone models like iFixit does.
We were cautiously optimistic about the program in November. Anything that enables more people to do repairs is great news! And there’s a lot to be excited about in the details Apple announced today: seven years of parts availability, retail sales of tools that only official Apple techs could get before, and free step-by-step visual repair manuals available for everyone on Apple’s site. But as the doors open on this new venue, we’re underwhelmed, and settling back into our usual skepticism.
The biggest problem? Apple is doubling down on their parts pairing strategy, enabling only very limited, serial number-authorized repairs. You cannot purchase key parts without a serial number or IMEI. If you use an aftermarket part, there’s an “unable to verify” warning waiting for you. This strategy hamstrings third-party repair with feature loss and scare tactics and could dramatically limit options for recyclers and refurbishers, short-circuiting the circular economy.
As of today, you can buy an official Apple iPhone 12 screen and install it yourself, on your own device, with no fuss. Until now, DIY repairs relied on keeping the Face ID speaker and sensor assembly intact, then very carefully moving it to your new screen, and finally ignoring some gentle warnings. If your assembly was damaged or defective, you were out of luck. The new program will solve that problem—assuming you’ve bought an official Apple part.
To check out with that part, however, you’ve got to put in your phone’s serial number or IMEI. And when you’re done installing the part, you need to pair it with the phone you indicated in your purchase, via over-the-air configurator software Apple says they will make available through their parts store. Requiring parts pairing essentially puts an expiration date on iPhones. When a refurbisher gets a functioning phone with no parts support, there will be no way for them to fully restore a product that needs a display replacement—even if they have an original Apple display from another phone. That’s why it was important to us that the parts we are selling for Google, HTC Vive, Motorola, Samsung, and Valve do not require a serial number to purchase or use software to pair the part to the device.
We are really happy to see Apple making repair manuals available for everyone for free online. Like, seriously happy. Like, we’ve-been-asking-for-this-for-twenty-years happy. They’re selling their own proprietary repair tools to the public, too, again for the very first time. You can buy official Apple battery presses and display adhesive removal devices—or even, to our surprise, rent those devices. For $49, you can rent the full complement of tools required for an Apple-approved DIY iPhone repair (that’s 79 pounds of tools, in two heavy-duty cases!). It feels a little like renting a Boston Dynamics robot just to change the oil on your car. The manuals are written with these heavy-duty tools in mind, even though it’s hard to imagine that most DIY fixers would want to go through the expense or hassle of acquiring this much equipment. Luckily, fixers have been proving themselves very capable of iPhone repair with a simpler set of tools for a while now.
We’re also glad that Apple promises seven years of iPhone part availability, in addition to ten years of MacBook batteries (granted, seven years of support was already required by law in California). Changing batteries should be considered basic maintenance, and ten years of battery availability should be the industry minimum.
Prices remain consistent with the Independent Repair Provider Program, essentially letting DIY fixers buy parts at a sort of “wholesale.” (Not quite enough to satisfy businesses hoping for true wholesale, but we’ve got you, if that’s what you’re looking for.) An official Apple iPhone 12 battery will run you 6% of the cost of a new phone, and a screen about 33%. And that’s given a core return, meaning Apple gets your old screen. That’s good news for e-waste, and good news for Apple—they get to refurbish the screen for reuse.
Apple’s iPhone 12 displays are $269.95, and you get $33.60 back when you return the screen. Renting the tools from Apple adds another $49, making the total repair $285.35. This repair in an Apple store is $279 (which means the DIY repair with tool rental is actually more expensive than an in-store repair!). iFixit sells this part for $249.95 for an OLED display or $199.95 for an aftermarket LCD—with a kit that includes the tools. iFixit’s parts prices drop dramatically over time—for reference, our iPhone 11 screen repair kit, including tools, is $124.99.
While it’s a great step for repair, and a change of course for the mighty Apple, the program doesn’t do what Right to Repair legislation around the world aims to do. A true right to repair will give independent repair shops a chance to compete in the repair marketplace, bringing down the cost of repairs for everyone. Unfortunately, this program expands the freedom to repair with one hand, while locking the door with the other. Integrating a serial number check into their checkout process is a dire omen and could allow Apple the power to block even more repairs in the future. Building the technology to provision individual repairs easily sets Apple up as the gateway to approve—or deny—any repairs in the future, with parts from any source.
We’d love to be able to champion Apple’s DIY repair program unequivocally. It’s surely better than not having a DIY repair option at all. But it’s not the unqualified win for repair enthusiasts that Apple’s marketers would have you believe. At least Apple is getting some of their homework done in advance. Manufacturers know the right to repair is coming—we’ll get the rest of their assignments in due time.
28 comentários
Apple is not putting any restrictions on the program, as you claim. They have to do this "pairing" as well. It is not new and it is not geared toward hurting anyone. It simply means that the parts need to be paired to the phone in order to work correctly. This has been the norm at Apple for several years.
Joseph - Responder
It does make it impossible however to scavenge parts from other devices. This has been a common practice in repair shops when new parts were either not available, or not cost effective. This is apparently the approach used by refurbishes, and in fact there was a recent story on the NBC today show showing exactly this - taking two of the same model LCD TV, one with a smashed display and another with other problems and making one working TV from the 2. This saved e-waste from going into landfill.
Similarly, a shop could have 2 iPhones, one with a smashed display but otherwise working. That phones logic board, camera, battery, and other components could otherwise be used by the shop for parts for multiple other repairs. While one could argue the parts are "used,' they are no more used than a refurbished replacement phone. The shop can then make cost effective repairs.
Preventing these component swaps doesn't really enhance security as may be claimed. It does enhance repair or full device replacement revenues.
Arthur Goldberg -
In my opinion, it's less that it exists, it's more that so much of this is reliant on being given Apple's permission. The current documentation on the site indicates you need to chat in or call Apple to initiate System Configuration. So they are still keeping a very closed mindset regarding this part of the process. It's still 100% in their control. Which in my opinion is the antithesis of right to repair. They are saying you can. In theory. But ultimately, they still hold all the keys.
Alisha C -
You're absolutely right that this parts pairing strategy isn't new, Joseph. We hoped, though, that Apple would take the self-repair program as an opportunity to take a leaf out of Google's book and provide a free online tool that lets repairers and refurbishers restore part functionality. Instead, they went the other direction, integrating a parts pairing step into their checkout. We're waiting on the delivery of our own Self Repair parts to confirm that the IMEI you input at checkout must match the IMEI you input into the configurator tool, but we've heard that will likely be the case. If it is, that practice will dramatically limit the potential for consumers or independent shops (that aren't IRPs/AASPs) to stock parts. Regardless, it makes it impossible to make third-party parts fully functional (which we don't love but wouldn't be the craziest overreach of manufacturer power) or, more importantly, to swap OEM parts between devices, which is hugely important for repair and refurbishment.
Elizabeth Chamberlain -
Also, +1 to all of Arthur & Alisha's points.
Elizabeth Chamberlain -
Using the IMEI/sn is also a great way to make sure you’ve got the right part.
jonathanbruck - Responder
Curious where the $365 price point for the iPhone 12 display repair came from? From what I can tell iPhone 12 displays run $279 for an in store replacement at Apple. So the 269.95 for the display is only a marginal price decrease. Which would mean, if you include the price of tools, the self repair option is actually more expensive than bringing it to a store for repair. Even if you return the defective part to Apple for the $30 credit. I had such high hopes for this program. But I am being met with what I ultimately expected from Apple.
Alisha C - Responder
Oops, thank you for the correction, Alisha! I've updated the post with the correct display replacement cost—and your point about the self-repair option being even more expensive.
Elizabeth Chamberlain -
I think this is a great step forward for iPhones (12/13) for shops like myself and the customer. I had 2 customers this past week asking for 13 Pro screen repair and I had to decline stating that any screen, authentic or not, will have error messages and will lose certain functions on the phone. And both were willing to pay $400 for the repair. The OLED original screen sells for $300 on a trusted website, now include the labor. But after discussing what features they will lose and have “error” codes popping up, then what is the point in the repair? But with this new repair center- we order the part specifically from the service center, provide imei, contact customer support to set up/configure the software on the new screen to work 100% properly as it should, and that’s it? That’s fine with me! Whatever the part costs, and whatever steps as a repair store needs to take to get the phone working properly- gets rolled on to the customer and labor should be added accordingly.
Luis C - Responder
Thanks for this comment, Luis. Your point about how hard it is to secure business when you have to warn customers about the lost features and "error" codes is super important. It's awesome that Apple finally provides an option for stores like yours—an option that doesn't require becoming an IRP/AASP! But it is unfortunate that after the parts availability period, only lost feature/error code repairs will be possible.
Elizabeth Chamberlain -
Used to be a fan of Apple. Not so now. They seem so greedy.
Jon Fowler - Responder
Scavenging electrical parts is such a bad idea. From one device that may have had a short or electrical surge damaging all parts. Even though the part appears functional it may malfunction. It makes sense to preserve a standard of functional repair and reputation.
Roundabout - Responder
On the other hand, scavenged parts have usually made it through the most dangerous part of the "bathtub curve" failure of new parts. 2-3% of OEM parts fail out of the gate—compared to 0.05% failure for pre-owned hardware.
Elizabeth Chamberlain -
The camera parts from them are really affordable with the return credit, so that's nice to see. Even on the flagship pro max, less than $100 for the 3 camera assembly. Curiously they don't have the front facing camera available yet. I wonder if they will ever sell housings for phone swaps to address back glass damage. That's a big issue with the new iPhones.
jacob - Responder
for back glass they will introduce rear system like what authorized store has been doing now
chaustark97 -
Where I can get the programed tools for the screen? Do you sell it or is it somewhere else?
Michael Rodriguez - Responder
Just tried to download the repair manual for my iPhone 12 Pro Max. Clicked on Apple's link for the manual and got a "We're sorry. We can't find the article you're looking for." Really?!?
Conrad H Blickenstorfer - Responder
Well, that's not helpful! Here is our collection of iPhone 12 Pro Max Repair guides.
Amber Taus -
If they price the parts outrageously, they can say they are helping but really avoiding it.
bill - Responder
What about Macs? Particularly, batteries. Today any seller of Mac laptop batteries can only offer a battery lifetime that is tiny compared to original Apple batteries. I would like to get a replacement battery that has a comparable lifetime to the original Apple battery.
Paul Plummer - Responder
iPhone 12 display replacement only cost $279 in store, not $365. See here
Vlad Ursus - Responder
Good catch, Vlad! Thanks for the correction (and the source). I've made that update to the post.
Elizabeth Chamberlain -
I place greater trust on the security of apple devices than any other device or cloud service providers. Ensuring a genuine apple part i believe is essential to prevent malicious hacks that can be introduced by third party parts.
powhwee - Responder
Apple has been sticking it to their customers for years now, and this is really just more of the same. Nothing they make is so special that I would not buy an Android or PC device in its place and be happy I did.
Michael S Cohn - Responder
Sadly, there is more to this than just the repair part! Our friends over at iPad Rehab (Jessa Jones) discovered the step needed to serialize the display forces you to give Apple and its partners access to your phone till you stop using it! Check out Apple's Self Repair: These conditions should be ILLEGAL!
Dan - Responder
The company has finally now accepted that consumers should be allowed to repair their own Apple kit, including the very latest and most complex devices. Apple's previous resistance has been widely seen as both greedy, and inconsistent with the company's environmental stance.
Kumar - Responder
This program is a complete joke. Apple is simply doing this song and dance to ease the pressure from the right to repair advocates. The "security reasons" for not allowing a screen replacement without a popup displaying the unknown part warning, as well as the fact a genuine used part (batteries, screens....) can not even be installed without invoking this same warning, should in and of itself point to the fact this program is a sham. The fact a devices IMEI and/or serial number needs to be entered at time of part order is an unrealistic way to run a repair shop. Parts need to be on hand for installation at a moments notice, this process alone makes the whole 3rd party repair program useless!
Apple needs to stop trying to squeeze out 3rd party repair shops, but it's been this way for over 10 years, so I don't expect it to actually change in a meaningful way anytime soon.
Chadwick McCollister - Responder
Hi, it seems to me that people only have iPhones from Apple. Nothing about laptops etc. I believe that most technically atp people can follow a set of instructions and do a good job of repairing anything. J D Kelly
Joseph Kelly - Responder