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Apple Expanding Self-Service Repair Program to iPhone 14 Lineup and More Macs

Nice! I just used the program to replace the cracked display on my 14" 2021 MBP. I've done a few screen and battery swaps on family iPhones over the years, so I had some repair "experience".

The process wasn't too bad. I was able to even use my iFixit tools with no issue. My only complaint was that the repair manual was subpar in a few areas, so I had to use the iFixit guide to "fill in the blanks". They also make no mention that you will have distorted image on the new display until the system configuration is completed, so I spent a little time on unnecessary troubleshooting. Saved at least a couple hundred bucks doing it myself.
 
rzc16512 said:
Nice! I just used the program to replace the cracked display on my 14" 2021 MBP. I've done a few screen and battery swaps on family iPhones over the years, so I had some repair "experience".

The process wasn't too bad. I was able to even use my iFixit tools with no issue. My only complaint was that the repair manual was subpar in a few areas, so I had to use the iFixit guide to "fill in the blanks". They also make no mention that you will have distorted image on the new display until the system configuration is completed, so I spent a little time on unnecessary troubleshooting. Saved at least a couple hundred bucks doing it myself.
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That’s the issue I have, system configuration. Why does one need to call apple to have the configuration happen?

In the past one could replace a battery, screen, camera etc without having to perform configuration even with a genuine apple part.
 
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contacos said:
The EU already put a stop to glued and non easily removable batteries in electronic devices last week anyway. Will be interesting what that means for Apple a few years from now
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If you read the adopted text, Apple will probably confirm by providing the tools they already do.
 
Mac_tech said:
I wonder why we need glued in batteries to begin with.

I remember when batteries in MacBooks were screwed in and one just needs to unscrew it and pop the battery out.
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All the batteries we’ve replaced had some sort of “glue” that was removed by pulling tabs.
 
Mac_tech said:
I remember the days when you could upgrade the RAM, hard drive, and battery without authorization from Apple. One could purchase said parts anywhere and they would just work.

For my mid 2012 MacBook Pro, I paid $1,200 base model and upgraded when i needed to over the years. Now, I paid $4,000 for a 14" 2021 MacBook Pro which you can't upgrade so was forced to max out as much as I could without killing my bank.
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I remember those days as well. Fondly.
 
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lazyrighteye said:
Any expansion into self-service repair, is welcome.
But why stop there? How about self-service ram installation, battery swapping, hard drive replacement?

Honestly... I'd have to think unit sales would increase if users could get into The Ecosystem at baseline pricing, then upgrade internals as needed for far less than what Apple charges for one-time BTO. Maybe? IDK...
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Just to do the RAM swap would require a surface-mount workstation. Last I checked they were several thousand dollars. When I started doing electronic service we had discrete component and socketed chips. But as things got smaller it became impossible to service the boards with what we had in the shop. So we went to board swaps.iPhones are designed to be easily assembled. Service was not in consideration.
 
Mac_tech said:
That’s the issue I have, system configuration. Why does one need to call apple to have the configuration happen?

In the past one could replace a battery, screen, camera etc without having to perform configuration even with a genuine apple part.
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Because devices evolve and become more complex. There’s different display color profiles and screen calibrations, for example.

Similar uproar happened when BMW introduced their intelligent battery management system 20 years ago. the 12 volt battery is coded to the car's computer, so that it knows the type, capacity, and age of the battery - that way the alternator can more efficiently charge the battery. Laypeople / undereducated individuals couldn’t understand the rationale behind it, and slammed BMW as a result. Or another example - fuel injectors for modern BMW engines need to be coded to the car’s engine computer (DME), as flow rates differ for each individual injector due to manufacturing tolerances - again, allows for a more efficient design.

There’s all the “little things” that go into Apple hardware, which make total sense once one understands the rationale behind it. And if you don’t like it, then there’s always a PC with an uncalibrated, non-color accurate monitor for sale at Best-Buy…
 
Blackstick said:
All fun and games until ham-fisted amateurs destroy the inside of their Mac or iPhone and Apple consequently charges them out-of-warranty prices to address their repair mistakes or denies service entirely.

Macs are challenging to work on, iPhones being even smaller with tinier components and tolerances, are even less pleasant to work on.

I was a Mac Genius from 2007-2014... Apple was very harsh about unauthorized repairs then, and from what I hear from the few pals I still know working the stores, they're even less tolerant of unauthorized repairs or tampering these days.
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If it’s your device. It isn’t unauthorised or tampering.
 
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Wanted797 said:
If it’s your device. It isn’t unauthorised or tampering.
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Yes and no. I used to work maintaining medical devices (monitors, defibrillators, IV pumps). There were a few manufacturers that did not allow us to open their stuff. If we did, the company would no longer certify or repair the stuff. They felt that we couldn't repair them as well as they could. Unreasonable but their choice. We had the choice to buy their stuff or go to a different vendor.
 
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Crowbot said:
Yes and no. I used to work maintaining medical devices (monitors, defibrillators, IV pumps). There were a few manufacturers that did not allow us to open their stuff. If we did, the company would no longer certify or repair the stuff. They felt that we couldn't repair them as well as they could. Unreasonable but their choice. We had the choice to buy their stuff or go to a different vendor.
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FWIW, if "their" device fails because of your "repair" and a patient dies a MedMal lawyer could sue THEM because of YOUR "repair". They might win their suit, but they would gave to pay lawyers big bucks.
Simpler and cheaper to make sure the repair was done correctly.
 
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cmcbhi said:
FWIW, if "their" device fails because of your "repair" and a patient dies a MedMal lawyer could sue THEM because of YOUR "repair". They might win their suit, but they would gave to pay lawyers big bucks.
Simpler and cheaper to make sure the repair was done correctly.
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Certainly if we did an unauthorized repair we would have most of the liability in case of a failure. The vendor would probably be included in the suit but the judge would likely release them unless a design fault could be found. Usually, the manufacturer would give us training (with a certificate) on their stuff so we could repair it in-house. In those cases we pretty much took on all liability for our repairs. My hospital had insurance for me.
I used to repair doctor's stuff (small ultrasounds, ophthalmoscopes) but stopped when my $1M liability policy went from $100 a year to $1000. That was more than I made from the work.
 
Crowbot said:
Certainly if we did an unauthorized repair we would have most of the liability in case of a failure. The vendor would probably be included in the suit but the judge would likely release them unless a design fault could be found. Usually, the manufacturer would give us training (with a certificate) on their stuff so we could repair it in-house. In those cases we pretty much took on all liability for our repairs. My hospital had insurance for me.
I used to repair doctor's stuff (small ultrasounds, ophthalmoscopes) but stopped when my $1M liability policy went from $100 a year to $1000. That was more than I made from the work.
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As you said, when your liability policy rose……
But those manufacturers who didn’t allow you to open their instrume did so (probably) for liability reasons. Today, MedMal shysters file blanket suits and the manufacturer has the deepest pockets. If they could be nailed for an in-house repair, they would be. In any case, if named, they must pay their lawyers thousands just to get them off the case.
 
cmcbhi said:
As you said, when your liability policy rose……
But those manufacturers who didn’t allow you to open their instrume did so (probably) for liability reasons. Today, MedMal shysters file blanket suits and the manufacturer has the deepest pockets. If they could be nailed for an in-house repair, they would be. In any case, if named, they must pay their lawyers thousands just to get them off the case.
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Usually, when they restricted us from repairing it was just because they wanted the money for the repair. The latest model is the swap out, where we would send them back our box and they would send us a refurbished unit in return. So my 30 years of learning to troubleshoot went out the window.

My boss once questioned why I spent 2 hours repairing an IV pump when I could have sent it in for only $200. I tried to point out that that was several times what my 2 hours cost. He was unimpressed. It got to the point that we were shipping clerks (No dis to shipping clerks. I was one at one time.) so I retired early.
 
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Crowbot said:
Yes and no. I used to work maintaining medical devices (monitors, defibrillators, IV pumps). There were a few manufacturers that did not allow us to open their stuff. If we did, the company would no longer certify or repair the stuff. They felt that we couldn't repair them as well as they could. Unreasonable but their choice. We had the choice to buy their stuff or go to a different vendor.
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So you’re renting it from them.

I understand their right to void warranty if you repair something. But they shouldn’t actively try or prevent you from doing so if you bought the item.
 
Wanted797 said:
So you’re renting it from them.

I understand their right to void warranty if you repair something. But they shouldn’t actively try or prevent you from doing so if you bought the item.
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Well we owned them. We just couldn't get them fixed without the vendor. ;) With medical equipment, it's all about the liability. They didn't tell us we couldn't fix it, just that we would assume all liability. Nobody takes on liability if they don't have to. So the hospital paid.
 
Crowbot said:
Well we owned them. We just couldn't get them fixed without the vendor. ;) With medical equipment, it's all about the liability. They didn't tell us we couldn't fix it, just that we would assume all liability. Nobody takes on liability if they don't have to. So the hospital paid.
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Exactly what I said.
 
Crowbot said:
Well we owned them. We just couldn't get them fixed without the vendor. ;) With medical equipment, it's all about the liability. They didn't tell us we couldn't fix it, just that we would assume all liability. Nobody takes on liability if they don't have to. So the hospital paid.
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See I understand the vendors not backing 3rd party repairs. That’s just like voiding warranty.

That liability would be on the repair company.

It’s like getting car repairs.
 
Wanted797 said:
See I understand the vendors not backing 3rd party repairs. That’s just like voiding warranty.

That liability would be on the repair company.

It’s like getting car repairs.
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If we were factory trained then there was no problem. The companies made the money on parts. (And boy, did they make money). Most things were so simple, like ophthalmoscopes, that just having the degree was enough to qualify. Most companies were pretty ope to us doing the fix. Some were buttheads.
 
Does anyone know what the battery pull-tab adhesives are inside macbook pro 2019 and where I could purchase one?

Long story short, (I naively thought) my only option was to open and check the battery of my 5 month old mbp that stopped turning on (as I moved country and couldn't avail of my warranty at home) and I was advised I would need to pay $700 to fix in the country I'm currently residing.

During this very short process of me testing the battery inside, the adhesiveness of the black tab over the battery got weaker and so no longer sticks. I know opening the mac 'voids warranty', but I now can get it back to my home country (after a lot of effort) to send back to the reseller I purchased it from- as I want to try avail of said warranty. The only problem is I'm worried about that little black tab and how it is no longer sticking, giving away the fact I opened the back up.

Does anyone know if this is a major cause for concern re warranty and if so, how can I fix it:(

Big regrets now obviously for opening it at all but it felt like no other option at the time. Hindsight..

Thanks


(mine was stuck to this black covering when I received it from the reseller, so I'm only in need of that tiny tab)
363865775_3726702907570037_1940468122792052902_n.jpg
 
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