Apple will sell and rent M1 Mac laptop repair parts and tools.
Apple will begin providing repair manuals, parts, and tools to US customers tomorrow so that they can repair their own M1-based MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. M2-based Macs will not be supported at that time, but Apple has stated that the programme will be expanded to include more Mac models “later this year.”
In April, Apple launched its Self Service Repair Store, which included repair manuals as well as the ability to order tools and parts for the iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 lineup, and the latest iPhone SE.
According to Apple’s announcement, the store will begin offering the same services to M1 MacBook Air and Pro owners as of tomorrow, including the same parts made available to Apple Stores and authorised repair providers.
“Self Service Repair for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro offers more than a dozen different repair types for each model, including the display, top case with battery, and trackpad,” Apple said.
In addition to selling MacBook parts and repair tools, Apple’s repair store will rent out repair kits for $49.
Furthermore, Apple will accept unwanted parts from M1 MacBooks for refurbishment and recycling, with customers receiving credit “in many cases,” according to the tech giant.
Today, Apple also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the iPhone self-service repair programme to customers in Europe later this year, with additional geographies to follow.
Apple’s expansion of the programme demonstrates greater acceptance of repairability from a company that has long been opposed to self-repairs. It comes as the industry experiences increased demand and even legislation pertaining to the right to repair. However, right-to-repair advocates such as iFixit have criticised Apple’s programme for requiring a serial number, which could make it difficult to use aftermarket parts.