iPhone owners in the UK can now opt to repair their devices from the comfort of their own homes. Apple has just revealed that its Self Service Repair is now launching in Britain with it offering customers the chance to fix issues, such as broken screens, without taking a trip to their local store. This useful service was actually first announced all the way back in April but, at launch, it was only available to users in the USA.
Thankfully, that’s all changed with those in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden now able to purchase genuine Apple parts and fit them themselves.
Along with getting the correct bits and pieces needed to fix a device, this service also offers the specific tools to get the job done as well as manuals to help guide owners through each step of a repair. There’s a total of 200 different parts that can be purchased with Apple also offering the option to rent the tools needed to fix things up.
The parts included in the programme are the same ones — at the same price — as those available to Apple’s network of authorised repair providers but you won’t pay for the technician’s time which makes things cheaper.
To start the Self Service Repair process, a customer will first review the repair manual for the product they want to repair by visiting support.apple.com/self-service-repair. Then, they can visit the Apple Self Service Repair Store and order the necessary parts and tools.
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Apple says that its new Self Service Repair is part of its efforts to further expand access to repairs and increase the repairability of products over time.
There’s no word on full UK pricing just yet but in the US a battery repair is around $70 (£55) whilst a new screen will set you back $267 (£210).
Customers can also send replaced parts back for refurbishment and recycling, and in many cases receive a credit off their purchase by doing so.
This is the first time that Apple has ever allowed users to mend their own devices. Until now, replacing a screen or battery has always needed to be done by an authorised firm which not only means a trip into town but also higher prices.
Along with the iPhone, the tech giant is also promising to make other parts available for devices that use the new M1 chip.
“We believe the best technology for our customers and for the planet is technology that lasts, which is why we design our products to be durable and rarely require maintenance or repair,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
“But when a repair is needed, we want customers to have many options for safe, reliable, and secure repair. That’s why we’re excited to launch Self Service Repair in Europe, giving our customers direct access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and manuals.”
