Apple has announced a new repair programme, offering customers additional options for the most common out-of-warranty iPhone repairs.
Apple will provide more independent repair businesses – large or small – with the same genuine parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics as its Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs).
The programme is first launching in the US, with plans to expand to other countries.
“To better meet our customers’ needs, we’re making it easier for independent providers across the US to tap into the same resources as our Apple Authorized Service Provider network,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
To better meet our customers’ needs, we’re making it easier for independent providers across the US to tap into the same resources as our Apple Authorized Service Provider network
“When a repair is needed, a customer should have confidence the repair is done right. We believe the safest and most reliable repair is one handled by a trained technician using genuine parts that have been properly engineered and rigorously tested.”
The new independent repair provider programme aims to complement Apple’s continued investment in its growing global network of over 5,000 AASPs that help millions of people with both in- and out-of-warranty service for all Apple products.
There is no cost to join Apple’s independent repair programme, but to qualify, businesses need to have an Apple-certified technician who can perform the repairs.
Over the past year, Apple has launched a successful pilot with 20 independent repair businesses in North America, Europe and Asia who are currently offering genuine parts for repairs.
Recent researchby The Royal Society of Chemistry found that 51% of UK households have at least one unused electronic device – such as mobile phones, computers, smart TVs, MP3 players or e-readers – and 45% have up to five.
Of these 82% have no plans to recycle or sell on their devices after they fall out of use.
