Apple is finally launching its self-service repair initiative after announcing it last year. The company will make spare parts for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and the third-gen iPhone SE available initially only to customers in the US. The store will offer more than 200 individual parts and tools for the three devices, including manuals, displays, batteries and cameras. 

Parts will be available through the company’s Self Service Repair Store and will include tool rental kits allowing users who don’t want to buy tools to rent them for seven days costing $49. Plans to extend the program to other countries and include other devices like Macs are underway later this year. 

According to Apple, the process will start with the customer first reviewing the repair manual for their product and then ordering the parts and tools required. Prices will be the same as those available to Apple’s network of authorised repair providers. Customers will also receive credit when returning a replaced part for recycling on certain repairs. 

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Self-repair finally comes to Apple

However, the program’s release isn’t to say that Apple wants everyone to start repairing their own iPhones. While nothing is stopping confident enough users from ripping apart their devices and fixing them on their own, Apple does caution users that the majority of customers who don’t have experience dealing with electronics should still refer to the authorised repair network. 

Apple isn’t alone in launching a DIY repair program for its customers. Google and Samsung have announced partnerships with iFixit to make repairs easy for customers by selling spare parts. Valve is also trying to do something similar with its Steam Deck. 

The change is especially drastic for Apple as the company is infamous for making it difficult to repair devices. However, years of pressure from repair activists and regulators for manufacturers to make their devices more accessible to repair finally seems to have won.

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