KEY POINTS
  • Apple will start letting consumers complete some of their technology repairs at home, the iPhone maker said Wednesday.
  • Through Self Service Repair, customers can ask for access to Apple parts and tools, starting early next year in the U.S.
  • The move appears to be a big win for "right-to-repair" advocates.

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iPhone 13 Pro

Apple announced a new self-service repair program on Wednesday that will let customers buy parts to fix their own iPhones or Macs. The program will first allow iPhone owners to replace their screen, battery or camera, with more parts coming later.

The move appears to be a big win for "right-to-repair" advocates and is an about-face for Apple. Repair shops and lobbyists who support repair reform have called on lawmakers to implement a variety of rules that would allow for increased access to manuals and official parts. But Apple has lobbied against allowing customers to fix their own products over the years, specifically citing concerns with safety or performance issues from third-party parts. It also sells a subscription AppleCare+ service for its products that offers consumers repairs at a lower cost than non-subscribers.

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