Apple's Self-Service Repair Store Finally Launches

For the first time ever, Apple is selling official replacement parts for its iPhones. 

The company's Self Service Repair Store launched(Opens in a new window) today in the US, and offers over 200 individual parts and tools capable of repairing the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and third-gen iPhone SE. 

“Later this year the program will also include manuals, parts, and tools to perform repairs on Mac computers with Apple silicon,” the company adds. 

Apple is recommending interested users first visit the Self Service Repair support page(Opens in a new window), and read the manual for the iPhone they’re looking to repair. They can then go to the Self Service Repair Store(Opens in a new window) to buy the necessary parts and tools. 

The replacement parts can get pricey. But for some repairs, Apple will offer you a credit, lowering the total cost of the service, if you return the replaced iPhone part for recycling. 

For example, Apple is charging $311.95 for a replacement screen for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which includes the security screws and display adhesive. But the cost can go down to $278.35 if you send Apple the old screen. That said, the prices on the Self Service Repair Store do seem to be higher than what third parties like iFixit(Opens in a new window) charge.  

To help cut down on the costs of the DIY repairs, Apple says it "will offer tool rental kits for $49, so that customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair still have access to these professional repair tools." The weeklong rental kits will be shipped to customers for free.  

All the replacement parts and tools at the Repair Store are identical to those at Apple's authorized repair centers, it says. The tools "are custom designed to help provide the best repairs for Apple products, and are engineered to withstand the rigors of high-volume, professional repair operations where safety and reliability are the utmost priority,” it says.

If you do use Apple’s repair service, you will need to send the IMEI number to the iPhone you want to fix. The company also asks you type in the ID of the repair manual “to indicate that you’ve read the manual in its entirety and agree that you have the knowledge, experience, and necessary tools to perform the intended repair.”

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According to Apple, "a System Configuration step may be required at the end of your repair, [which] completes the repair for genuine Apple parts. The repair manual will indicate if System Configuration is required. You will need to contact the Self Service Repair Store support team by chat or phone to initiate System Configuration."

The company launches the store as the Right to Repair movement has gained momentum in the US, resulting in the White House calling for a crackdown on repair restrictions for consumer electronics. Apple plans on expanding the Self Service Repair Store to additional countries, including in Europe, later this year. 

Of course, not everyone may be interested in a DIY repair. Apple notes: “for the vast majority of customers who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair." The company also offers its own Apple-certified repair service(Opens in a new window) online.