A leaked internal Apple memo is providing more details on where to get repair manuals and who will be providing parts for Apple's recently announced self-service repair program. The program, which was announced last week, will let users repair their iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 starting next year. Apple also said that they'd begin offering parts for Macs with M1 soon after that. The program is slated to launch sometime next year in the United States, with a broader launch in more countries in 2022.
The program has seen praise from repair shops and general consumers as Apple has been known to serialize specific hardware components and software lock parts. This prevented anyone who wasn't Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider from repairing their own devices. Thankfully, the new program aims to make this easier for those with the technical chops and who are willing to fix their own iPhone 12, iPhone 13 or M1 Mac.
According to a leaked internal memo obtained by MacRumors, Apple will be offering the service manuals through its usual Apple Support site. The note also indicates that an unspecified third party will operate Apple's online parts store. This makes sense as it would be easier for Apple not to deal with shipping and receiving parts to and from customers. MacRumors indicates that Apple already has a similar system set up for Apple Authorized Service Providers. It wouldn't be surprising if Apple decided to use the same backend system for both programs.
Waiting On The Next Steps
Apple has been relatively vague on details when it comes to the self-service repair program. So far, Apple says that it will be focusing on iPhone display, battery and camera repairs with "additional repairs" for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and M1 Mac coming next year. It's unclear at this time what additional repairs Apple will be offering down the line.
It'll be interesting to see if older iPhones or Intel Macs ever get added to the self-repair program or if those devices will forever require a professional repair. Of course, there are other devices such as Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods and more that Apple didn't mention in its original announcement. So these devices will require the user to get a professional repair regardless of the new program. Only time will tell if this will only be an iPhone and Apple Silicon Mac program or if Apple truly does care about the right to repair and expands it to more devices. Regardless, this is a step in the right direction.
Source: MacRumors