Apple has been fighting the Right to Repair movement for some time. In May we posted a report titled "Apple's Lobby Group Interferes in Canadian Politics by getting a Right-to-Repair Bill Defeated." Then in June we reported that Apple partnered with Best Buy in the U.S. for expanded repair service. While Apple isn't willing to provide individual customers with access to Apple iPhone parts, they are expanding their network of repair shops that they're willing to partner with to fix iPhones out of warranty. Parts resellers and distributors are not eligible for this program.

Apple's Independent Repair Provider Program

Today Apple introduced an "Independent Repair Provider Program" which is designed for companies interested in offering out-of-warranty repair service for iPhones. Qualifying companies can gain access to Apple genuine parts, tools, training, service guides, diagnostics and resources to perform a variety out-of-warranty iPhone repairs, such as iPhone display and battery replacements.

Participating service companies using iPhone genuine parts are required to have Apple-certified technicians perform the repairs.

Becoming certified to repair Apple products requires passing exams through an online Authorized Testing Center. Certifications are updated on a per product basis annually.

Detailed information about Apple Certifications preparatory courses and exams can be found here.

Disclaimers

Apple states that they will not consider applications that do not meet the program requirements.

Meeting program requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Apple reserves the right to reject any application without comment.

Apple will not consider applicants that use Apple trademark terms as part of any company name or web pages unless such use complies with the Apple Trademark Terms.

For more details on Apple's program, read the full notice published here.

In March of this year, California became the 20th U.S. State to pass a Right to Repair law. The famed iFixit company noted in their March 2019 report on this subject:

"Last year’s bill was proposed to California law at large, while this year’s bill is an amendment to California’s effective Lemon Law, a.k.a. the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Unique to the state of California, this law requires companies to provide a repair option. It’s been effective at making sure that you can get your six-year-old MacBook Pro fixed by Apple in California—a service that Apple refuses to perform across the border in Arizona. But manufacturers found a loophole in the law allowing them to monopolize repair rather than providing parts to the repair provider of the consumer’s choice. This bill closes that loophole."

While Apple continues to work on solutions that they can control in an attempt to work around the Right to Repair laws, today's introduction to their new repair program is at least progress on the issue … though still favoring U.S. customers.

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