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If you’ve recently managed to break your new iPhone 14, MacBook, or MacBook Pro and don’t want to send it in for repair, Apple has some good news — it’s adding some of the latest models in those categories. is expanding its self service repair to ,
Starting June 21, you can get the same genuine Apple parts, tools, and equipment used by Apple Authorized Stores to help you fix any model in the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro lineup, as well as the Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) And will be able to get the manual. ) and the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023). It is also now possible to do-it-yourself TrueDepth camera and top speaker repairs for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.
Each of these Apple products will have a list of “orderable parts,” which you can find by looking up the relevant repair manual in Apple’s online support section. These tell you what parts are available for self-repair – then it’s just a matter of getting the right parts from a self-service repair store and following the directions.
Fortunately, Apple has streamlined the last part of its self-repair process as well. Previously, you had to approach a self-service repair store to initiate what’s called ‘system configuration’ for some repairs like the display, battery, and camera. The software checks to make sure that you have completed the repair correctly and that everything is working properly.
But Apple says you can now do it yourself without contacting a store. Instead, you can now start System Configuration by putting your device into Diagnostics mode and following the onscreen instructions.
That said, Apple doesn’t recommend its self-service repairs for most people. It states that “for the vast majority of users who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional authorized repair provider with certified technicians that uses genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get repair.” most reliable method”. In other words, tinker at your own risk.
handle with care
The expansion of Apple’s self-service repairs to the UK and Europe comes just a day after Samsung announced it will help save Galaxy phones and Galaxy Books.
But while they’re a positive development for the planet and for those who like to tinker with electronics, these services remain relatively niche offerings, thanks to their drawbacks.
First, not all components can be self-repaired and, in Apple’s case, you’ll need to rent a repair kit, which must then be returned to Apple. Depending on what you’re trying to fix, repair can also be complicated, time-consuming, and isn’t always cheaper than taking your broken phone or laptop to an authorized repair store.
Furthermore, these self-repair services are largely irrelevant if you’re covered by the likes of AppleCare Plus or Samsung Care Plus, as it will be much cheaper to use your protection plan instead.
Still, until Apple makes an equivalent to the modular Fairphone 4, this is the closest thing we’ll get to repairing our own iPhones — and it’s now possible over several generations, from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 14.
