Think you can fix your own iPhone? Apple says ok – good luck – here’s the parts and tools!

I don’t know about you, but if my iPhone is broken, smashed or whatever the case may be, I’m doing one of two things. Taking it to an Apple store, or if its a bit older, sending it to Max Hawker. But, if you’ve got surgeon like stability in your hands and a solid DIY mantra, Apple today announced Self Service Repair.

Yep, fix it yourself! Apple say if you’re “comfortable with completing” your own repairs, then you can get access to Apple genuine parts and tools.

It’s like Toyota offering Parts direct, to stop you going to Repco.

The parts will be available for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 first, to be followed by Macs with M1 chips.

It’s launching in the US first early in the new year, no word on just when it will come to Australia.

“Creating greater access to Apple genuine parts gives our customers even more choice if a repair is needed,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “In the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to Apple genuine parts, tools, and training, and now we’re providing an option for those who wish to complete their own repairs.”

There are reports this is in response to some drama from green groups at the Apple shareholder level, but whatever the case, if you’re that way inclined – the future is DIY.

It works by guiding you through the process. You review the repair manual, if you think you’re up for it you order the parts and tools using an Apple Self Service Repair Online Store.

If you return use parts for recycling you’ll also get a credit.

For me, it seems unlikely many people will go to this effort, instead, it ensures Apple is publicly making parts available so the negativity of their closed ecosystem can be responded to.

Whatever the case, part of me wants to give it a crack – right? But the other part knows full well that I’d stuff it up, just like any DIY project:). This is why we have experts.