During Tuesday’s right-to-repair event in the White House, Apple announced the expansion of its Self-Service Repair and Independent Repair Provider programs nationwide.
This move will help independent repair shops by providing them with the necessary tools and documentation for repairing Apple devices.
Apple backs the Right to Repair Act across the US
As a part of the move, Apple will provide the required tools, parts, and other documentation to independent repair shops and consumers to fix iPhones and Macs across the US. This will enable them to fix their Apple device on their own. The move will also help increase the longevity of Apple’s products.
Apple’s Independent Repair Provider program has been running since 2019. However, the company does not provide shops with diagnostic tools, which could make troubleshooting difficult.
Under California’s Right to Repair Act, the company has to make these tools available to all independent shops. The Cupertino giant plans to follow the same model nationwide, reports Reuters.
During the White House event, Brian Naumann, Apple’s VP for service and operations, said, “We intend to honor California’s new repair provisions across the United States. Apple also believes that consumers and businesses would benefit from a national law that balances repairability with product integrity, usability, and physical safety.”
Apple backed California’s Right to Repair Act in August this year, surprising almost everyone. The company had fought and opposed the bill in other states for years.
There are still issues to address
Apple’s Self-Service Repair Program allows customers to rent tools for fixing their iPhones or MacBooks. However, the program is often criticized for the high price of replacement components. Plus, Apple shipping 70 pounds of tools does not help things either.
President Biden wants to help make it easier for consumers to repair their devices. While many companies offer replacement parts, they make things notoriously tricky for consumers to dissuade them from taking the self-repair route. This is why the White House on Tuesday urged Congress to pass legislation protecting the right to repair.
