Updated: Apple’s Expanded Self-Service Repair Kits – What’s New and What You Need to Know

Introduction

Starting April 27th, 2022, US iPhone owners can also buy replacement parts and tools directly from Apple. Apple says the program is a way to “provide easy access to genuine Apple parts and supplies for local iPhone repair,” but limits customers’ repair and refurbishing options.

Apple has been notorious for keeping its repair process secret and even using components that only they have the tools for.

While many companies have figured out ways around Apple’s antics, it hasn’t always been easy. (Gophermods has been repairing iPhones for twelve years).

Now, Apple has made a 180-degree turn as the news recently broke that they would be renting out DIY repair kits for people to use at home.

While it sounds like a win for the consumer, it may not be as positive as it looks on the surface. We’ll look at just what goes into these repair kits and the pros and cons of Apple’s newest product.

Apple has expanded its self-service repair program, following its recent update on June 20, 2023. The program now includes the iPhone 14 lineup, 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip, and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips.

What is the Self-Repair Program?

Seven years of parts availability, retail sales of tools that only official Apple techs could get before, repair kits and free step-by-step visual repair manuals available for everyone on Apple’s sit. US fixers can buy iPhone 12, 13, 14 and SE 3 parts and tools from Apple.

These kits will only work for iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and SE 3rd Gen (2022) models, and are not intended to be used for AppleCare repairs.

These kits cost $49, including shipping and all the tools needed to repair your phone yourself – parts are sold separately. Apple has also created a self-service repair page which they highly recommend users visit before ordering the parts and attempting the repair themselves.

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 + sales tax for an iPhone 12 display repair.

This repair in an Apple store is $279 + sales tax (which means the DIY repair with tool rental is actually more expensive than an in-store repair!).

Slip, make a mistake?

Apple says too bad. In their Terms & Conditions:

All self service repair products are sold “as is” and “with all faults” and all sales are final.

So if you damage your iPhone, make a mistake, lose a screw, or otherwise have a palm to forehead moment. You’re out the cost of the parts, and not eligible to return it:

Apple will not accept under this return policy any returned product that has been installed, used, tried, or is missing the factory/original packaging under any conditions.

Why Did Apple Do It?

Apple’s official reasoning behind offering the repair kits after years of pressure from Right to Repair advocates is that they felt it was their responsibility to the customers and the environment to provide access to safe, reliable, and secure repairs.

While there may be an ounce of truth to that, it is more likely that they were feeling the pressure from groups who have been pressing for the right to repair their own devices.

As it turns out, it may be another winning revenue stream for Apple as well, since the cost of the rental kit is only one way they will make money from this endeavor.

The Pros and Cons

The new program certainly has many benefits compared to Apple’s long-running stringent repair policy, but there are also many disadvantages that should be considered before renting your repair kits.

A significant change in Apple’s self-service repair program is the post-repair System Configuration process. Rolled out in June 2023. After a repair, users can now authenticate genuine Apple parts, update firmware, and calibrate parts by running the System Configuration. This process is completed by placing the device into Diagnostics Mode and following the on-screen prompts. It’s a big step towards independence for users – they no longer need to contact the program’s support team to verify that the parts are genuine and working properly. For repairs involving biometric authentication, such as Touch ID or Face ID, this process also links the biometric sensors to the Secure Enclave on the logic board to ensure device security and customer privacy.