Are you going to be repairing your own Apple devices?

Apple has the unenviable task of always being under the spotlight. It’s just one of the things that comes with being a company like Apple. (Though, some other large companies seem to avoid the same microscopes. But that’s a different topic for a different day.) So, it isn’t surprising in the slightest that the company gets some major pushback for the public statements it makes — especially when it about faces on the matter at some point down the road.

Apple's marketing illustration for the Self Service Repair program
Image credit: Apple

We can all rail against Apple as much as we want, depending on the topic. The company is not infallible by any means. But what still gets me to this day is that the people who run the company, who make the decisions, are apparently not supposed to –or are even allowed to– change their minds on something. It’s as if at any point any executive makes a statement about Apple or its policies or viewpoints or plans, if the company does something different then, well, Apple’s the worst.

The truth is, it’s not really that black or white. I think what really gets to some people is Apple’s rather abrupt, matter-of-fact nature of making those comments. Because, yes, sometimes (most of the time?) it really does sound like Apple’s just putting its foot down and that’s that. There doesn’t really feel like there’s much wiggle room, if any at all.

Basically, the same way that Apple talked about right to repair/self-repair is the same way Apple talks about sideloading apps. It just never felt like it was going to be something Apple supported in any meaningful way. And yet, here we are with 2021 about to close out, and in early 2022 we’re going to get an official self-repair option from Apple.

Does that mean there’s a chance for sideloading on iOS? Who knows!

What Apple does, says, changes its mind about, or whatever else isn’t really the point here. But, rather, what that change of viewpoint actually means to you, the consumer. The owner of these Apple devices that, starting in 2022, will be able to order parts from Apple directly to handle at-home self-repair tasks. There is a lot of back-and-forth out there right now, from people who love this new shift in Apple’s perspective on the matter, and to those who feel like it’s an empty gesture. Something that, sure, makes some people happy, but ultimately doesn’t really matter because “no one” is going to actually do anything with it.

I don’t necessarily subscribe to that train of thought, though. I absolutely do know quite a few people out there who will, if needed, take their iPhone apart on their own to replace a display or switch out a battery. Especially when the alternative is to take your phone to someone else to fix, which can take hours or, worse, days. And when the Mac lineup is supported by Apple’s self-repair option? Even better — for the folks brave enough to go through the process, of course.

Me? Well, knock on wood, I don’t really ever think about any of this stuff because I don’t break a lot of my stuff. Or it doesn’t get broken, I should say. I’m probably jinxing myself, but, honestly, even when the self-repair kits are available and even if it really is just a 10 minute process, I’m still not going to repair the device(s) myself. I will absolutely leave that up to someone who knows what they are doing. I can follow instructions as well as the next buy, but, when it comes to taking apart and putting back together something like an iPhone or a Mac? I’m absolutely okay leaving that up to someone else, even if it means I’m without my device for a set period of time.

I am very curious to hear what you all think about Apple’s new self-repair effort. Do you think it’s the right thing to do for the company, even if it ultimately doesn’t impact a huge number of Apple device owners? Will you be undertaking any self repairs when you get the chance, or will you leave it up to the Apple Store reps and/or third-party authorized shops?