Apple's Self-Service Repair Program is now Accessible in the United States.

Initially, the iPhone 12 and 13 were Covered

Apple's DIY Phone Repair Service is beginning in the United States today, with spare parts for the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE available. Apple stated it wanted to sell over 200 "individual parts and tools" to users when it introduced its "Self Service Repair" project last year. For the time being, they're only available in the United States, but Apple hopes to expand the program to other countries as well as new devices later this year, such as Macs with M1 CPUs. Apple's Self-Service Repair Store sells replacement parts. Customers who do not wish to buy tools altogether will be able to rent tool rental kits for seven days for $49, according to the company's press release. Apple has traditionally limited the availability of genuine replacement components, thus this program represents a significant move for the company. While aftermarket parts are sometimes accessible, Apple's gadgets have occasionally displayed dire warning messages after being repaired with non-genuine parts. With Apple's Self Service Repair effort, anyone in the United States can buy a new part directly from the company, knowing that it will work as intended. Apple has previously stated that its DIY repair program is intended for "individual professionals with the skills and experience to fix electronic equipment," and that the "vast majority of customers" should still seek professional assistance. However, nothing prevents confident users from performing their own repairs, and Apple provides repair guides that can be viewed before purchasing parts. Apple claims that users would pay the same amount for parts as its existing authorized repair providers, and that in some situations, customers may receive a credit if they return a replaced part for recycling. According to TechCrunch, an iPhone 12 or 13 battery costs $69, with a potential credit of $24.15 if the part is returned. Displays for the comparable phones cost from $225.96 to $309.96, with a potential credit of $33.60. However, Apple's DIY price isn't significantly less expensive than hiring the firm to do the work for you, though it does get better once you include in the discount for sending in a changed part. Apple's request that buyers give their device's IMEI or serial number when purchasing a new part has also been criticized by repair experts iFixit. The rule has sparked concerns about what happens if a replacement part purchased with one phone's serial number is installed in a second, identical phone. "Incorporating a serial number check into their checkout process is a bad portent," writes iFixit's Elizabeth Chamberlain. "It could give Apple the power to refuse even more repairs in the future." Apple's Self Service Repair program follows on the heels of a slew of DIY repair announcements from rival smartphone makers. Both Google and Samsung have announced collaborations with iFixit to offer spare parts for their devices in recent months, while Valve is collaborating with the business to make DIY Steam Deck repairs easier. These measures come after years of pressure from repair campaigners and authorities to make electronics more repairable, in the hopes of preventing them from ending up in landfills. Last year, Apple came under increased pressure from activist shareholders to reconsider its stance on independent repairs.