Apple has launched a self-service repair program in Europe, expanding the program beyond the U.S. region for the first time.
Customers in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom can now purchase original Apple parts and access repair manuals through the Apple Self-Service Repair Store. Apple says customers who wish to complete repairs on their own will be able to perform many of the most common repairs for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series, as well as Mac laptops with Apple Silicon.
To make repairs, customers will first need to review the repair manual for their product and the Apple support website for specific repairs. After that, they can order the parts and tools they need from the self-service repair store and begin the repair. Apple says all tools and parts available in the store have undergone “extensive testing to ensure the highest quality, safety and reliability.
While customers must order the parts needed to make repairs, Apple will also provide a $49 kit that includes all the basic tools needed to make repairs for customers. Customers can use the rental kit for one week before it needs to be sent back to Apple and shipped free of charge. This rental program provides flexibility for customers who do not want to fully own and purchase the tools and only make one repair.
The program is part of Apple’s effort to “further expand repair coverage,” but Apple also cautions that the “vast majority” of customers should still visit a professional repair facility, such as an Apple Retail Store, to ensure their device is repaired safely and reliably. In the past three years, Apple has expanded its repair network to include more than 3,000 independent repairers and more than 5,000 authorized service providers worldwide.
