Late last year, Apple announced its Self Repair Program, which will give customers access to parts, tools and detailed repair manuals for Apple products. Launched in the US in April, the program offers iPhone 12, iPhone 12 repair parts and manual and iPhone SE 2022. Apple just updated its Self Repair Program with parts and repair manuals for all M1 MacBook models, including 13 inch MacBook Air and 12, 12 and 12 inch MacBook Pro models.
The service manual is long and shows you how to service the keyboard keycaps, display, replace the battery, replace the trackpad, and how to replace individual modular boards like MagSafe, Touch ID and USB-C components, which may wear out or fail over time.
Parts needed for various repairs are listed, available for purchase, and tools for the job can be found too. The manual will tell you which parts and tools may be required for repairs. Some parts like the keyboard cover are single-use, which means that if you remove a key cover from the keyboard, you can no longer use it and need to replace it with a new one. Keycaps are only available in full sets.
Whether you should buy the parts and repair it yourself or let Apple repair it depends on the repair itself and your confidence and your repair skill level. However, for the most common repairs like monitors, you won’t save much money if you don’t already have a full set of tools.
The Self Repair Program is a great option for anyone with a damaged iPhone or Mac to consider, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Repairs are at your own risk and you will be responsible for any other accidental damage that occurs while attempting to repair. You’ll also need to contact Apple after some repairs, as these parts may be serialized onto the logic board. Still – nice to see this option, nice to see an actual repair manual for a MacBook, so while it’s not a groundbreaking move, it’s a step in the right direction.
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