If you use an aftermarket part, there’s an “unable to verify” warning waiting for you.
You cannot purchase key parts without a serial number or IMEI. The biggest problem? Apple is doubling down on their parts pairing strategy, enabling only very limited, serial number-authorized repairs. But as the doors open on this new venue, we’re underwhelmed, and settling back into our usual skepticism.
APPLE SERIAL NUMBER BATTERY REPLACEMENT MANUALS
Anything that enables more people to do repairs is great news! And there’s a lot to be excited about in the details Apple announced today: seven years of parts availability, retail sales of tools that only official Apple techs could get before, and free step-by-step visual repair manuals available for everyone on Apple’s site. We were cautiously optimistic about the program in November. It is unclear whether Apple will eventually support older iPhone models like iFixit does. Over the next year, the program will extend to M1 MacBooks and from there to Europe, with other products and markets on the horizon. Parts are available for the battery, bottom speaker, camera, display, SIM tray, and taptic engine. Starting today, US fixers can buy iPhone 12, 13, and SE 3 parts and tools from Apple. This repair currently costs $279, not $365 as initially stated.Īpple is finally rolling out self-service repair, the DIY repair parts program they promised last November. Update April 28, 2022: This article originally misquoted the price for an in-store iPhone 12 display repair.