SAN FRANCISCO - Apple has said it will allow people to fix gadgets they buy from the Silicon Valley giant in a concession seen as a victory for right-to- repair advocates.
The iPhone and Mac computer maker has always restricted repairs to technicians at Genius bars in its shops or authorized service centers, where device owners often meet with long waits and costly tabs.
We never thought we'd see the day, according to a tweet from iFixit, which says it offers repair guides for a range of devices.
There are some catch, but we were thrilled to see Apple admit that everyone is enough of a genius to fix an iPhone. Apple's new Self Service Repair program will start in the US, and will offer to sell tools and parts to people who want to work on damaged iPhone 12 or 13 model phones.
It will focus initially on parts that are more susceptible to damage, such as screens, batteries and cameras.
The Silicon Valley-based company said the program will be rolled out in other countries during the course of next year and expanded to include Mac computers.
Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams said in a release that he believes that if a repair is needed, our customers will have more choice when it comes to access to Apple Genuine parts.
In the past three years, Apple has doubled the number of service locations with access to Apple Genuine parts, tools, and training, and now we're providing an option for those who wish to complete their own repairs. The move comes after Apple faces criticism over its tight control of its ecosystem from iPhone hardware to apps allowed on handsets.
Laws enshrining a right by people to be able to repair things they buy have gained a lot of momentum across the US and federal level.