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Apple's iPhone Self Service Repair Program: Everything to Know
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Ifixit method cannot validade/add cell phone parts in Apple system to be fully working condition as oem
The very last line of the article says the program is coming to Macs in the future.
The one thing that really irritates me about this article and the video about the MacRumors Guy's experience with the program is that they never make it clear that using Apple's Tools and repair guides is OPTIONAL!
OPTIONAL. You don't *have* to use Apple's tools or manuals. You can buy only the parts and then use whatever tools and guides you want to do the repair.
You can order the parts you need from Apple and you're not required to purchase or rent the tools. Yes, if you want to use Apple's repair instructions those are going to be written for their tools. They can't possibly write instructions for every possible tool out there, so they're going to allow people to access the same tools the Genius Bar uses and follow those procedures. But you do not have to do that.
There is NOTHING stopping you from buying the parts from Apple, and then buying the tools from say, iFixit, and following iFixit's repair guide. There's also nothing stopping you from buying non-OEM parts and then using Apple's tools and repair procedures to install them either, though I can't imagine anyone wanting to do that.
So now people have a choice. They can still go to an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Repair Center and get their phone repaired, they can still go to an independent repair center and get their phone repaired with non-OEM parts (and potentially non Apple-sanctioned tools), but now those independent repair centers can buy Apple's tools and use Apple's repair procedures to carry out repairs, with or without using Apple OEM parts, I might add. They can buy non-OEM parts and tools from somewhere else and follow any guide they want, or they can buy OEM parts from Apple and use any tools and follow any guide they want, or they can buy OEM parts from Apple and use their tools and procedures.
If you want to maintain characteristics such as water resistance, etc, then following Apple's procedures are recommended. I wouldn't be surprised if other people used Apple's repair guides as a basis to produce their own guides and provide tools comparable to Apple that cost less.
Good point. I had that issue with a battery.
Id rather make an appointment at the store then pay relatively the same amount to do it myself if I had to use apple genuine parts.
Spot-on. People conveniently and intentionally ignore the aspect of Apple's tools being optional, allowing for posting a good whine.
Or try taking care of them and don’t break them in the first place!
Optional for a enthusiast / mechanical engineer / electrician but not for the COWBOY who doesnt know how to fix irobot ?
If you amateur Apple kit is vital for you for sure!
All of these BS rental fees are to justify their ridiculous service charges. You can buy a battery for any iPhone ever made for less than $10.
Well done by Apple.
Shuts up those that complain about the proprietarism of Apple repair, becuase if you really want to spend your time, money and effort for a feeling of accomplishment, you can.
But it's complicated, inefficient, more costly, logistically a nightmare, compared to the existing (and far better than the way they were even 5 years ago) options.
Of course, people will just move onto the next gripe or thing they feel entitled to demanding.
Shuts up those that complain about the proprietarism of Apple repair, becuase if you really want to spend your time, money and effort for a feeling of accomplishment, you can.
But it's complicated, inefficient, more costly, logistically a nightmare, compared to the existing (and far better than the way they were even 5 years ago) options.
Of course, people will just move onto the next gripe or thing they feel entitled to demanding.
The other thing people aren't factoring in - if you do the repair yourself, and you get something wrong, and your phone doesn't work properly afterwards (or, say, it isn't properly water resistant), that's entirely on you. If you take it to Apple to replace the battery, and they break something, then they have to cover the cost to repair that. The $69 (in the US) is buying you not only the repair, but also essentially an insurance policy that the repair will be done properly. (Also, when figuring the battery cost and refund, if you're going down to the penny like that, you'll need to figure in the shipping charges - if you take your phone to the Apple Store, then the only thing besides the $69 is the taxes.)
(Edit: a typo and the last sentence ended with "shipping cost" when what I meant was "taxes" - bad brain.)
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You can do it without their tools and they won't stop you from doing that. Also you can skip the new screws and reuse the old ones; you can tight them not to the correct torque; and heck you can even skip the screen adhesive altogether.
As long as you are happy, who cares what you do with your stuff.
It's just pretty petty to complain about things which you fail to understand all the details, like how some people want to maintain the same IP rating after repairing their phone. Which reminds me of morons who fail to understand the appeal of 27 inch 5K displays and think they are smarter than everyone else.
As long as you are happy, who cares what you do with your stuff.
It's just pretty petty to complain about things which you fail to understand all the details, like how some people want to maintain the same IP rating after repairing their phone. Which reminds me of morons who fail to understand the appeal of 27 inch 5K displays and think they are smarter than everyone else.
Daily complaining about a company, product, or person is the only way some people can have a tiny rush of power, experience happiness, and feel good about themselves.
Being able to order even simple parts like this is an improvement. Taptic Engines and cameras etc is wonderful. Being able to rent repair jigs - this is amazing.
Point to a single other company who makes any type of products that will send you a $1k+ loaner repair jig.
- GE or LG or other white goods makers? Nope, for your fridge, washer/dryer, etc the best you can hope for is to be able to buy one of a limited set of original OEM parts — no jigs for removing/installing doors, drums, etc
- Tesla or any American or Japanese or European carmaker? Nope, for wrenches that fit engine fittings, hoists, jackstands etc — you’re on your own.
- Home repair? Sure, call US steel and tell them you’ve got rebar in your poured concrete roof and that you need to rent a lift, jackhammer and oxyacetylene torch from them to repair some rusted steel that’s causing your concrete to swell and crack. 😶
Yeah, decided it was a GREAT idea to take my iPhone 6S to my local Best Buy and have THEM replace the battery... except, they CAN'T! Nope... the oldest phone they'll fix is an iPhone 8! So, off to Apple it is... assuming THEY'll do it. Either that or just hunker down and buy a new iPhone SE 2022 from Verizon. I do like that home button soooo much!
You would rather they send you the tools at your expense, with a requirement that you return them at your expense? Seriously, the shipping alone justifies the rental fee.
If you want to do the repair correctly, then it's pretty obvious that you need the tools to do so--and even then you need to be courageous, bold, and daring--and more than a little bit mechanically inclined. For my taste, I'd rather just pay AAPL to do it right the first time, especially after seeing what's involved. There just is not enough cost saving to make undertaking a self-repair worth the time and risk.
And that may have been AAPL's point in putting together this program, but it's hard to argue with the underlying fact that this is not a simple plug-and-play repair that anyone can and should attempt. And if AAPL took it upon themselves to hit the cowboys who want to try this upside the head before they destroy their $1000 phone, then I can't fault them.
If you still think you can do it yourself without renting the tools (after seeing this video), then have at it. The rest of us will just pay AAPL to do it.
The big plus of this program is that reputable independent shops can now buy the tools to do repairs properly, along with Apple-certified parts. And that is a potential blessing for those of us who live in rural areas hours away from an Apple Store and who do not want to be without our iPhone for days shipping it to AAPL and waiting to get it back.
How much time exactly does it take?
Most of the world doesn't have an Apple Store nearby and my last experience with Apple's mail in service was unpleasant to say the least - I ordered a watch band that didn't fit, and it was a nightmare - for example they gave me time/day when the courier would pick up my old part and the courier didn't show up as scheduled. They came on a different day when I wasn't there, and Apple called me a few days later to re-schedule. And no I couldn't take it to a depot.
In the end, after three months, Apple just gave me a refund.
I broke my iPhone display a year ago, I have AppleCare+ but I won't risk potentially not having my phone for months. So instead, I'm just waiting until I travel to some city that has an Apple Store. I actually did a few months ago, but it was a busy trip so I didn't end up repairing my phone as planned.
As for this not being worth the money, my other alternative is to just buy a new iPhone for over a thousand dollars. And chances are I'll do that, buy a new phone before AppleCare+ runs out, then do Apple's mail in repair for my current phone before selling it in "as new" refurbished condition.
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Apple Stores are literally littered everywhere you go in North America, Europe, pan-Australia, East Asia and SE Asia. Where do you live?
New Zealand mate, no Apple stores, tons of little independent repair shops to cater for those ‘I held it wrong’ moments