Apple’s Self Service Repair program first launched for iPhone back in 2021, after the company did a u-turn on the right to repair. It expanded to MacBooks in 2023, and from tomorrow will be available for iPad too.
Support will be limited to relatively limited models. Apple has also recently launched a Genuine Parts Distributor program, which allows any repair business to order components directly from the company …
Apple initially limited access to repair manuals and spare parts to Apple Authorized Service Providers and Independent Repair Providers. Customers who wanted to carry out their own repairs, as well as independent repair shops too small to qualify, were out of luck.
After lobbying against right to repair legislation for several years, Apple changed its mind in the face of a growing number of state laws and pressure by the FTC, opening up access to manuals, parts, and tools – initially for the iPhone 12 and 13.
As of tomorrow, the program expands to a number of iPad models.
Beginning tomorrow, with support for iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Pro (M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16), the launch features components including displays, batteries, cameras, and external charging ports. Today’s announcement joins the expansion of other Apple repair services that further enable customers and independent repair providers to complete out-of-warranty repairs, including new details about the Genuine Parts Distributor program.
The company says this latest expansion brings the total number of supported Apple products to 65, and the number of countries in the program to 33.
Apple said that Canada would be joining the program sometime in the summer.
The company also highlighted its recently-launched Genuine Parts Distributor program.
This broadens access to businesses that do not have a direct service relationship with Apple, fulfilling a need in the repair marketplace while providing customers with more options.
Through Genuine Parts Distributor, independent mobile repair professionals can order genuine Apple service parts and components via third-party distributors, including MobileSentrix in the U.S., and MobileSentrix and Mobileparts.shop in Europe. Genuine Parts Distributor offers a wide range of Apple parts for iPhone repairs, including displays, batteries, and charging ports, with iPad parts coming tomorrow. Repair providers interested in learning more can visit the program page.
Apple said it was excited to expand self-service repair.
“At Apple, our goal is to create the world’s greatest products that last as long as possible,” said Brian Naumann, Apple’s vice president of AppleCare. “With today’s announcement, we’re excited to expand our repair services to more customers, enabling them to further extend the life of their products — all without compromising safety, security, or privacy.”
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Photo: iFixit
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