Apple has been doing a pilot program over the past year with 20 independent repair businesses in North America, Europe and Asia who are currently offering genuine parts for repairs for the new ‘independent repair program’. Now, Apple is officially launching the new independent repair provider program that allows more independent repair shops to buy ‘genuine Apple parts’ and offer repair options for out-of-warranty iPhones and other Apple products.
With this new repair program, small and large independent repair businesses will get the same genuine parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics as its Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs). Apple says that the new repair program complements Apple’s continued investment in its growing global network of over 5,000 AASPs.
Apple is not charging a fee from businesses who opt-in to the independent repair program and businesses need to have an Apple-certified technician who can perform the repairs in order to qualify for the repair program and the process for certification is simple and free of charge. Qualifying repair businesses will receive Apple-genuine parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics at the same cost as AASPs.
The program is launching in the US and is also expected to expand to other countries.
Commenting on the launch, Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer said:
To better meet our customers’ needs, we’re making it easier for independent providers across the US to tap into the same resources as our Apple Authorized Service Provider network. When a repair is needed, a customer should have confidence the repair is done right. We believe the safest and most reliable repair is one handled by a trained technician using genuine parts that have been properly engineered and rigorously tested.