Even a few years ago, Apple products raised concerns among repairability advocates. The situation has improved as the iPhone maker continues to push its self-repair service. The service, called Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair, allows consumers to test products for optimal parts functionality and identify parts that may need repair without assistance from Apple or an independent repair provider. And after a successful launch in the US, the programme has reached Europe. The programme shows that Apple is taking necessary steps.

Equally interesting is that Apple has published a new whitepaper — Longevity, by Design — which explains “the company’s principles for designing for longevity”. The company says that later this year, it will extend more software features to third-party iPhone components.

“The ability to repair a device and access repair services are important considerations when designing long-lasting products,” Apple SVP of hardware engineering John Ternus says in the study. “However, optimising for repairability alone may not yield the best outcome for our customers or the environment.”

Self Service Repair programme now supports 42 Apple products (now includes MacBook Air models powered by M3) and is available in 32 European countries, including the UK, France and Germany. It now supports iPhone, Mac and Studio Display models. Apple said it plans to expand the service to Canada in 2025.

The Cupertino HQ-ed company first launched the self-service programme in 2022, offering customers access to manuals, legitimate Apple parts and tools used by Apple to allow them to repair their own devices.

If you go through the whitepaper, there is something interesting: Battery metrics are also coming to third-party batteries. The paper reads: “Currently, battery health metrics such as maximum capacity and cycle count are not presented to consumers whose devices have third-party batteries. This is because the accuracy of these metrics cannot be verified by Apple. In fact, an Apple internal analysis has found that some third-party batteries sold as new are actually secondhand, with battery health metrics manipulated to appear as new. In an effort to improve support for third-party batteries, starting later in 2024, Apple will display battery health metrics with a notification stating that Apple cannot verify the information presented.”

“While Apple is committed to providing safe and affordable repair options, designing and building long-lasting products remains the top priority,” Apple has said. “The best type of repair for customers and the planet is one that is never needed.”