repairs

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on repairs:

Apple now offers parts and tools needed to fix your own iPhone

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Apple Self Service Program for customer repairs
Apple's Self Service Program is a major change to the company's repair policy.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone Self Service Program that Apple announced last fall launched Wednesday. It provides customers with the parts and tools they need to repair their own handsets. And it marks a major shift in the company’s approach to hardware fixes.

The program is for individuals, not small businesses.

Apple opens the door to indie repair shops around the world

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It’ll soon be easier to find reliable iPhone, iPad or Mac repairs.
Indie repair shops around the globe get access to genuine Apple parts and training
Photo: Apple

The Apple Independent Repair Provider program will soon be available in nearly every country where Apple products are sold, making it easier for users to find a reliable place to get their smartphone, laptop or other device fixed.

The program gives repair providers of all sizes access to genuine Apple parts, tools, repair manuals and diagnostics to fix iPhones, Macs and other devices.

Product repairs stuck in limbo as most Apple Stores remain closed indefinitely

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Got an Apple product repair stuck in a shuttered Apple Store? It's safe.
Got an Apple product repair stuck in a shuttered Apple Store? It's safe.
Photo: Brad Gibson/Cult of Mac

Repaired devices that customers couldn’t pick up before Apple Stores closed will remain piled up for some time due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Many Mac and iPhone owners now find themselves between a rock and a hard place, according to various reports and social media posts.

Apple’s independent repair program makes it easier to get iPhones serviced

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independent repair program
Apple is throwing a bone to third-party repairers.
Photo: Apple

Apple is making it easier for independent repair shops to service out-of-warranty iPhones. It’s doing this by providing them with parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics previously available only to Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs).

The program has initially launched in the U.S. However, Apple says that there are plans to expand this to roll it out to additional countries in the future.

Apple claims scary iPhone battery warning is for customer safety

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iPhone batteries
Be careful on who you let replace your iPhone battery.
Photo: iFixIt

Apple confirmed it added a new “feature” to iPhones last year that displays an ominous warning when users get their battery replaced by an unauthorized service provider.

The iPhone-maker drew heavy criticism from right-to-repair advocates last week when the news of the new battery warnings surfaced. Facing claims that it is trying to funnel customers toward more expensive battery repairs, Apple has finally come out with a statement insisting that the change was made with the safety of customers in mind, but not everyone’s buying it.

Apple wants iPhone users to shun third-party battery replacements

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iPhone XR battery life is the best of any iPhone on the market.
You'll need to get your iPhone battery replacement carried out by one of Apple's chosen repairers.
Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac

Apple has long been trying to push users to shun third-party repairers and go through Apple for device repairs. Now it’s activated a previously dormant software lock on iPhone to try and crack down on battery replacements by third-party repairers.

That’s even the case if they’re replacing your battery with an official Apple battery.

Apple products have a repair shop problem in India

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple has to rely on third-party repair shops in the country.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has another potential problem in India: the sub-par repair options available for its products.

According to a new report, Apple’s authorized repair shops in the country are disappointing to say the least. That’s especially bad for a company which is well known for providing some of the best customer service around.

Apple won’t repair your ‘obsolete’ iPhone 5 any more

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iPhone 5 1
The iPhone 5 was one of the best iPhones Apple ever built.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 5 may be 6 years old at this point, but for many Apple fans this remains one of the greatest iPhone models ever built, and a genuine classic.

Sadly, there’s a bit of bad (if predictable) news from Apple: According to the company’s latest update of “vintage” and “obsolete” devices, the iPhone 5 is now considered too old for Apple repairs.

Mac software locks will hit third-party repair shops

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Repair shop
New rules affect Macs with the T2 chip.
Photo: Streetpho/Flickr CC

In the event that your 2018 MacBook Pro or iMac Pro runs into problems outside warranty, would you try and save money by going to third-party repair shop? If so, Apple seemingly has some bad news for you.

According to a new report, Apple has introduced new software locks that will brick these machines if they’re operated on by anyone not using Apple’s proprietary diagnostic software. Failing to do so will, “result in an inoperative system and an incomplete repair.”

Is Apple Guilty of Planned Obsolescence?

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apple_pentalobular_screws1.jpg
To prevent users from opening their devices, Apple is switching to a new tamper-proof screw. It's planned obsolescence, says one critic.

Apple’s increasing use of tamper-resistant screws is a form of planned obsolescence, says one critic.

As previously reported, Apple is using proprietary five-point security screws in the iPhone 4 and new MacBooks Airs. The special screws were first used in the 2009 MacBook Pro to stop users from replacing the battery.

The screws are unique to Apple and serve one purpose only: to keep users out.

The plan, says iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens, is to force customers to upgrade their gadgets sooner than necessary. They also make them reliant on Apple for expensive repairs and upgrades.

“It’s a form of planned obsolescence,” says Wiens. “General Motors invented planned obsolescence in the 1920s. Apple is doing the same thing.”

Apple Revises Policy On Liquid Damage To iPods

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Apple-ipod-water-damage

The new MacBook Air has the highest number of liquid contact indicators, or LCIs, of any Apple product yet… little stickers that tell a Genius if it’s okay to deny you service on your broken gadget because you dropped it in the drink.

LCIs have always been troubling, since they tend to trigger by humidity alone, making Apple gadgets a risky investment for those who live in the tropics. Apple’s actually been sued about false LCI reports, so the fact that the new Air had so many of them was particularly worrisome: it seemed like Apple was just chomping at the bit to deny you service on the notoriously hard-to-service Air.

However, things may not be as clearly conspiratorial as that.