For reference, this is what Apple said they would do last November:
> Available first for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, and soon to be followed by Mac computers featuring M1 chips, Self Service Repair will be available early next year in the US and expand to additional countries throughout 2022.
> The initial phase of the program will focus on the most commonly serviced modules, such as the iPhone display, battery, and camera. The ability for additional repairs will be available later next year.
My iPhone 8 Plus battery capacity has dropped to 76%. Too bad they don't support older devices. Going to Apple care and waiting hours to get battery replaced is too much hassle. I guess I should give the iFixit battery kit a chance.
Are the iPhone 12 and 13 so bad that Apple has decided to cater to only these device, rather than the older models that are more likely to need servicing and parts?
Something interesting is that it seems that you are paying a "deposit" on replacement batteries, which is refunded when you return your old battery. After this return credit, the cost of replacement batteries is about the same as iFixit and scam Amazon sellers.
Edit: Other parts also have a return credit... camera, display, etc.
They only sell parts for phones that are probably still under warranty or Apple Care+ coverage. They don't sell parts for any models that actually need reliable sources for parts.
'Oldest' model supported is the iPhone 12. Very limited set of parts. Requires a device serial number.
Clearly being done very reluctantly. May be beneficial to those with a habit of dropping phones and smashing their screen, but the real problem is the slightly older phones becoming e-waste due to a degraded battery or parts like buttons wearing out.
(But we've got bigger worries with degraded batteries leading to e-waste, with Chevrolet discontinuing support for a 5yr-old EV (Chevy Spark) setting an example that others seem likely to follow. No battery replacements for your EV! Buy a new one! We're heading for a world where so-called 'green' EVs are barely repairable and thrown on the scrapheap as soon as the battery degrades)
They have to start somewhere. This is somewhere. Sure, they could do better, but if this turns into just a thing that they do for all new phones they release then it'll be great. Hopefully they will keep having availability of parts and tools even after software and security updates end for given devices.
I would imagine they don't know what demand for this will be like, and parts for older devices are probably not in production at this point - so they probably don't have inventory to support a lot more than what they expected to service through their traditional processes.
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While not self-service, I'll note they've expanded service lifespans on the Mac side for repair in recent years. They'd previously guaranteed service would be available for 5 years (from end of new production of the model - which could be a while later than you purchased yours. The mid-2012 13" MBP is still less than 5 years from end of production.), but it was a hard cutoff after that. 5 years and 1 month? Nothing.
Now it's up to 7 years if the parts are available (10 years for batteries on some models), and anecdotally we've had a few repaired in that age range without issue.
That direction suggests to me that in the long run you're likely to see similar things on their "self-service repair" side.
Chances are they don’t have parts for older models. That’s what “Just in time” manufacturing is about, and Apple is fairly good at that.
Also, if they had them, chances are you would find the parts too expensive. They would either have to keep a production line running for low quantities of products, build a new one specialized for small production runs, or stock parts for years.
Both have significant costs.
For example, let’s suppose they decide to stock parts, and plan perfectly, so that all parts can be sold over a period of 10 years. On average, that’s five years between spending money on producing the part and getting money back on selling it. That likely warrants at least a 25% price increase.
Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a business for offering electronic parts in the long-term (old timer cars are a different case, as many parts can be made almost by hand, and customers are willing to pay good money for them)
Doesn't look like Apple's going to release AST 2 or an equivalent, instead requiring users to contact Apple Support to get the pairing done.
> A System Configuration step may be required at the end of your repair. System Configuration is a postrepair software tool that 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.
I thought it was a bit sketchy too and spoke to their support agent about it. It seems this site is run by a partner, SPOT or Service Parts or Tools. Their privacy policy lists servicepartsortools.com as a domain but visiting the domain shows a standard parked domain page. The domain is owned by CTDI[0] which does seem more legitimate. The response I got from the support agent after pressing the issue was:
"Apple has partnered with CTDI for the SSR store and the fulfillment of related parts and tools. CTDI will utilize its SPOT subsidiary, including SPOT customer service agents, in support of SSR store customers."
It makes sense that Apple would offload this to someone else, but I agree it's a rather jarring experience.
As stated on Apple’s Self-Service support page (https://support.apple.com/self-service-repair):
“The online store is operated by a third-party provider authorized by Apple to sell genuine Apple parts and tools.”
Seems similar to Apple’s trade-in program. The trade-in website is operated by a third-party and (in my experience) notoriously ‘un-Apple’.
In my experience this is on purpose by third party Apple sellers, to avoid any confusion about them being Apple. It's also definitely not a marketing-driven website, but rather a website that aims to be easy to navigate, lightweight and effective.
Clearly a lazy contract job. The "contact us" page is hilarious, who thinks these giant stock images are a good thing on any website? https://www.selfservicerepair.com/support
Yeah, it is so bad that you can't even use the simple "it is made by a third party" excuse, especially considering how much control Apple usually exerts over things like this. In this case I'm pretty sure the directive from Apple was specifically to make the site as bland and un-Apple as possible.
> I find it… curious that the Self Service [0] website of famously brand-conscious Apple is dog-ugly, generic, and has no Apple branding whatsoever.
That's exactly why it is the way it is.
You do not want a brand associated with the highest quality and seamless integration to be associated with self-repair kits. Even under the best of circumstances, with the best of expertise, one must expect self-repair kits sold to the mass market to fail 5%? 10%? of the time?
Given Apple's culture and anti-"everything this pretends to fix" I wonder if this yet another one of those things to serve as a talking point for Senate hearings but in reality they'll sell you some parts at 80% of the price of a new iPhone... ( that old gag ).
Honestly, when I was first reading I scoffed: $49 for "tool rental"?!
Then I dug further and saw that the tools include an entire set of color coded force specific torque drivers, all of the proper fixtures disassembly and re-assembly, etc all shipped in a Pelican style case.
IMHO, this squarely puts this type of repair in the hands of the DIY enthusiast. Maybe not cost competitive for fixing a single device but great for doing your own and helping out friends, family, and neighbors for the week you have the kit.
What a joke. They're only offering parts for iPhone 12/13/SE and the prices are the same as Apple's own repair service.
So I can pay Apple $329 to fix my broken screen, or I can pay ~$311 + shipping to do the repair myself (actually I can't because they're not selling parts for my broken XS Max on this site).
Maybe the only good thing about this is that they're selling equipment that might be valuable for third-party repair shops, like the "heated display removal fixture". Although I'm pretty sure better alternatives exist.
Nuts it looks like the camera parts list doesn't include the external lens glass or bezels. I recently cracked mine and had to resort to ifixit... was hoping Apple would provide an official solution.
Absolutely incredible. Being able to order a legitimate new OEM iPhone display is an absolute gamechanger for self repair. I've replaced countless screens for myself over the years, and it is literally impossible to get a genuine OEM digitizer without cannibalizing another phone.
Not only that but it doesn't even say it is by Apple or official in any way on the site. It says "for Apple Products" as if it was not affiliated and even the contact info is a different company.
It looks like they made it appear as sketchy as possible.
Louis Rossmann, who has been outspoken about Apple's repair hostility and is a right-to-repair advocate, has released a video where he goes over his take on this site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agG108sxkyo
It's a pretty good take, and points out some key criticisms: lack of parts for common repairs, lack of support for older devices, and, of course, no schematics.
interesting... but when I try to click the link in the article, https://www.selfservicerepair.com, I got a 403 forbidden error... Is it cause I is in Europe (in my best Ali-G voice [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_G]) or did someone borke the site already? [Update] If I use Cloudflare WARP, I can get in, so either my IP is blocked, or they don't like me coming from Europe...
I was surprised that big, heavy repair equipment like the "display press" and "Heated Display Removal Fixture" sell for only ~$250. You would think these are $1000+ items.
[+] [-] stetrain|3 years ago|reply
> Available first for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, and soon to be followed by Mac computers featuring M1 chips, Self Service Repair will be available early next year in the US and expand to additional countries throughout 2022.
> The initial phase of the program will focus on the most commonly serviced modules, such as the iPhone display, battery, and camera. The ability for additional repairs will be available later next year.
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-...
[+] [-] alvatech|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] webmobdev|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TheKnack|3 years ago|reply
Edit: Other parts also have a return credit... camera, display, etc.
[+] [-] dcdc123|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bluescrn|3 years ago|reply
Clearly being done very reluctantly. May be beneficial to those with a habit of dropping phones and smashing their screen, but the real problem is the slightly older phones becoming e-waste due to a degraded battery or parts like buttons wearing out.
(But we've got bigger worries with degraded batteries leading to e-waste, with Chevrolet discontinuing support for a 5yr-old EV (Chevy Spark) setting an example that others seem likely to follow. No battery replacements for your EV! Buy a new one! We're heading for a world where so-called 'green' EVs are barely repairable and thrown on the scrapheap as soon as the battery degrades)
[+] [-] bradfa|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] volkl48|3 years ago|reply
I would imagine they don't know what demand for this will be like, and parts for older devices are probably not in production at this point - so they probably don't have inventory to support a lot more than what they expected to service through their traditional processes.
------------
While not self-service, I'll note they've expanded service lifespans on the Mac side for repair in recent years. They'd previously guaranteed service would be available for 5 years (from end of new production of the model - which could be a while later than you purchased yours. The mid-2012 13" MBP is still less than 5 years from end of production.), but it was a hard cutoff after that. 5 years and 1 month? Nothing.
Now it's up to 7 years if the parts are available (10 years for batteries on some models), and anecdotally we've had a few repaired in that age range without issue.
That direction suggests to me that in the long run you're likely to see similar things on their "self-service repair" side.
[+] [-] Someone|3 years ago|reply
Also, if they had them, chances are you would find the parts too expensive. They would either have to keep a production line running for low quantities of products, build a new one specialized for small production runs, or stock parts for years.
Both have significant costs.
For example, let’s suppose they decide to stock parts, and plan perfectly, so that all parts can be sold over a period of 10 years. On average, that’s five years between spending money on producing the part and getting money back on selling it. That likely warrants at least a 25% price increase.
Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s a business for offering electronic parts in the long-term (old timer cars are a different case, as many parts can be made almost by hand, and customers are willing to pay good money for them)
[+] [-] TillE|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Aaron2222|3 years ago|reply
> A System Configuration step may be required at the end of your repair. System Configuration is a postrepair software tool that 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.
(From https://support.apple.com/self-service-repair)
[+] [-] dlivingston|3 years ago|reply
[0]: https://www.selfservicerepair.com/home
[+] [-] shrew|3 years ago|reply
"Apple has partnered with CTDI for the SSR store and the fulfillment of related parts and tools. CTDI will utilize its SPOT subsidiary, including SPOT customer service agents, in support of SSR store customers."
It makes sense that Apple would offload this to someone else, but I agree it's a rather jarring experience.
[0] https://www.ctdi.com
[+] [-] mttjj|3 years ago|reply
Seems similar to Apple’s trade-in program. The trade-in website is operated by a third-party and (in my experience) notoriously ‘un-Apple’.
[+] [-] camillomiller|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vanilla_nut|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] paxys|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TillE|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] xyst|3 years ago|reply
looks okay to me.
I'm buying parts, not partying with friends or looking at it for long periods of time. As long as the part buying experience is gucci, then I am okay.
[+] [-] addcn|3 years ago|reply
That's exactly why it is the way it is.
You do not want a brand associated with the highest quality and seamless integration to be associated with self-repair kits. Even under the best of circumstances, with the best of expertise, one must expect self-repair kits sold to the mass market to fail 5%? 10%? of the time?
[+] [-] quasarj|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] chrisseaton|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gordon_freeman|3 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] LeoPanthera|3 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] thebeardisred|3 years ago|reply
Then I dug further and saw that the tools include an entire set of color coded force specific torque drivers, all of the proper fixtures disassembly and re-assembly, etc all shipped in a Pelican style case.
IMHO, this squarely puts this type of repair in the hands of the DIY enthusiast. Maybe not cost competitive for fixing a single device but great for doing your own and helping out friends, family, and neighbors for the week you have the kit.
[+] [-] easton|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bogwog|3 years ago|reply
So I can pay Apple $329 to fix my broken screen, or I can pay ~$311 + shipping to do the repair myself (actually I can't because they're not selling parts for my broken XS Max on this site).
Maybe the only good thing about this is that they're selling equipment that might be valuable for third-party repair shops, like the "heated display removal fixture". Although I'm pretty sure better alternatives exist.
[+] [-] quartz|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] billfor|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wafriedemann|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ramesh31|3 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] gjsman-1000|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] e-clinton|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kevincox|3 years ago|reply
It looks like they made it appear as sketchy as possible.
[+] [-] amlozano|3 years ago|reply
It's a pretty good take, and points out some key criticisms: lack of parts for common repairs, lack of support for older devices, and, of course, no schematics.
[+] [-] isaacimagine|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tiernano|3 years ago|reply
[+] [-] soco|3 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] supernova87a|3 years ago|reply