Apple limits repair options both in and out of their stores
When the only option for repair is the “manufacturer authorized” shop, that presents a lot of challenges. These authorized repair providers might be a long distance away, or be severely limited in the repair options they will provide. For example, Apple told Congress last fall that they offer only four varieties of repairs in-store for their phones — battery, screen, camera and speaker replacements.
Apple, like Samsung, LG and others, doesn’t make spare parts, service diagrams or diagnostic software available to third parties either, all of which limits repair options.
Working with iFixit.com, U.S. PIRG Education Fund surveyed independent technicians, and 302 phone repair technicians responded. Ninety-six percent of respondents fix screens, 95 percent fix batteries, 78 percent fix charging ports, 49 percent fix water damage, and 54 percent offer board-level repairs to customers (29 percent offer these in-store, and an additional 25 percent subcontracts out board-level work).