Apple has announced a new Self Service Repair program, allowing customers within its ecosystem to perform their own repairs on their devices.
Beginning early next year, Apple will start selling tools, parts, and instructions to customers brave enough to fix a phone from the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 line. Supported repairs include replacing the display, battery, or camera with more repair options coming later in the year. Apple also plans to roll out products for those looking to self-repair an M1-powered Mac down the road as well, though you can still have these services done at an Apple store or third-party repair shop as well.
While Apple will begin offering a DIY repair option for those looking to fix their Apple device themselves, the tech giant notes in a recent press release that the program aims for individuals "with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices." It also encouraged "a mast majority" of its customers to go to a professional either at an Apple store or third-party repair shop if they have an Apple device that is in need of repairs.
While this is a major win for those in support of the Right to Repair movement, there still remains an issue of voiding the device warranty when performing DIY repairs yourself. TechCrunch notes that making these repairs yourself will not nullify your warranty, but damaging your device while performing the self-repairs still poses an issue. IGN reached out to Apple to clarify whether accidental damage when performing a self-repair will void the warranty on a device.
Apple's Self Service Repair program will launch first in the US and then expand to other countries.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster
