It begins in the US and should be extended over time to other countries: Apple announced on Thursday, in future, independent repair shops to allow access to original iPhone spare parts.
The participating workshops can also purchase special tools and repair instructions from Apple. The prerequisite for this is that the technicians from whom the repairs are to be carried out take part in an appropriate training and undergo an online examination. The size of the repair operation does not matter.
The new program is only about post-warranty repairs. In the most common cases, this is the replacement of a broken display or the battery. Warranty claims will continue to be handled by Apple itself or the network of authorized service providers. But they wanted to give customers more choices for quality repairs, Apple said.
The independent repairers can use both spare parts directly from Apple and those from other manufacturers, which are often cheaper. However, you must make that transparent to your customers. In addition, Apple wants to have the removed components back when they are replaced by original parts. This should ensure reuse or better recycling.
Apple training takes 40 hours and costs nothing
The move is a significant change for Apple. So far, only the approximately 5,000 authorized service providers had access to original parts. Repairs elsewhere could cause problems. For example, iPhone users received an error message when their iPhone battery was replaced by an unauthorized workshop. Apple said it was important that safe batteries would be installed competently. After battery repairs in independent workshops participating in the new program, the error message will no longer appear.
For the independent workshops, original parts should cost as much as for authorized service providers. The certification of technicians with a 40-hour training course is free, says Apple. At the same time, the company made it clear that it suggests the use of original components. "We believe that the safest and most reliable repair is a repair done by a trained technician using original parts that have been properly designed and rigorously tested," said Jeff Williams, the operational business executive.
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iFixit analysis: This is in the iPhone XS MaxApple has been repeatedly criticized for the fact that devices of the group are often difficult to repair, for example, because parts are attached with adhesive. The iFixit website, which specializes in repair manuals, criticized the fact that the current iPhone XS requires removing all components and replacing the entire frame in order to replace the glass plate on the back of the device. Apple basically explains that the company wants to build durable devices.
The topic got more impetus this year as several US states are considering laws for a "right to repair." Such laws could oblige manufacturers to provide spare parts, repair information and diagnostic tools, as well as tools for everyone, rather than only to companies they certify. Also in California, where Apple has its seat, such a law is discussed.