Apple'south products aren't known for being easy to repair - in fact you could charge Apple tree of making them hard to repair by gluing and soldering components into place and using special security fixtures which brand them difficult or impossible to remove.

In addition, the company has ever indicated that only authorised service providers should open a Mac and perform repairs and upgrades. Changing a broken iPhone screen at home, or replacing a MacBook battery, isn't considered safe for consumers. In fact, only businesses with an Apple-certified technician are supposed to perform repairs on Apple products.

With no selection just to pay for an expensive repair or buy a new Mac, iPad or iPhone, consumers ofttimes choose to supersede their Apple product. The problem is that, according to the Right to Repair website, over 53 million tonnes of electronic waste is produced each year, and only a fraction of this is recycled.

Added to this, the fact that Apple stops supporting software updates for diverse products after a number of years, and the availability of parts for servicing becomes more than deficient the older the product gets, means that the lifespan of Apple tree products isn't every bit long as it could be. For more data read: How long do Macs final?

Apple is by no means the merely electronics company guilty of making difficult to fix products that end up being thrown abroad before their time, but information technology can certainly do its part by improving the repairability of its products, and making repairs easier and cheaper.

Whether yous are an environmentally conscious person looking for a new product that will have a adept few years ahead of it earlier information technology becomes landfill, or someone who doesn't want to exist landed with an expensive or difficult to repair device, we accept details of just how repairable Apple'due south products are. And if you are looking to get an Apple product repaired we likewise accept advice for you.

Get Apple products repaired

Tin can I repair my Apple product?

People do attempt repairs and upgrades at home, just they take chances damaging their machines - and will void their warranty.

If you did want to try a repair or upgrade at dwelling y'all'd need to arm yourself with a range of specialised tools, including heat pads to loosen the agglutinative that holds the display in place. You'd also need to become hold of the right spare parts. Read: Best Mac and iPhone tools for repairs and upgrades.

Apple sends genuine Apple parts to authorised service providers, and, since August 2022 for iPhone and August 2022 for Mac, independent repair businesses tin can besides get access to 18-carat parts. But as a consumer you won't be able to get hold of these parts. In the by iPhones have shown error letters if non-Apple parts are used, then this isn't an issue you can ignore.

Despite this we have a guide to upgrading the components inside a Mac, and i of our colleagues on TechAdvisor did once replace an iPhone screen, simply these aren't things nosotros would recommend unless you lot are really really confident tinkering with electronics.

For the boilerplate person we'd recommend making an appointment at an Apple Store or seeking an Apple Authorised Service Provider to behave out the repair for you. We'll hash out who to practice that next.

How do I get my Apple tree products repaired?

The next question is where can you go to go Apple products repaired. The obvious reply is Apple, but that's not your only choice. We'll run through your options below:

Apple offers you 3 unlike ways to get a production repaired, you can:

  1. Visit an Apple Store.
  2. Send your production to Apple.
  3. Use an Apple Authorised Service Provider.

Click the links above to leap to those instructions.

The latter option might be best if yous don't have an Apple Shop nearby and don't want to be without your Mac, iPhone or other Apple tree product while it'south being stock-still.

Some people might be wondering if they can merely walk into an Apple tree Store for a repair. Unfortunately that's non an option - even when stores aren't shut due to Coronavirus. We do explain how to make an Apple Store appointment at the Genius Bar in a separate article, but we'll summarise the steps below.

Earlier you brainstorm we recommend that you check to encounter if the product qualifies for a free repair. Nosotros have a separate articles virtually the diverse repair schemes and recalls.

  • Read Mac and MacBook recalls and repair programs to find out if your Mac is included in a recall?
  • And have a await at iPhone and iPad production recalls & gratuitous repair programmes for details of those recalls.

If your Mac, iPhone or iPad is included in 1 of these recalls or repair programs you may be able to get information technology repaired for free. Its a adept idea to check earlier y'all adjust a repair, not just to furnish yourself with the noesis of what should be on offer to you, but also considering if you don't go to an Apple Shop or an Apple tree Authorised repair shop then you lot won't be able to take advantage of the free repair.

We have a number of articles that offering communication about getting Apple tree products repaired. Read:

  • How to get a Mac repaired
  • How to get a broken iPhone fixed or replaced
  • How to fix a croaky iPhone screen
  • How to dry out a moisture h2o damaged iPhone
  • How to repair a broken Apple Lookout man

How to book a repair with Apple

  1. Go to Apple tree'due south website.
  2. Enter your Apple ID and countersign.
  3. Choose your production.
  4. Click Start a Service asking.
  5. Chose the topic that all-time represents your problem - for instance, if your Mac won't turn on choose Startup or Power.
  6. You'll eventually exist offered the options to talk to Apple Support, Conversation, or Bring in to Repair. The latter option will let you to brand an appointment at a Genius Bar. Click on that option.
  7. Enter your Apple ID and password over again if required.
  8. Enter your serial number (or if you lot are lucky y'all may exist able to choose your bodily Mac, if information technology's associated with your account). Click on the correct model.
  9. The side by side screen will ask you to Bring in for Repair. You volition exist able to search for your closest Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (which in our instance is an iStore).

How to transport a production to Apple for repair

If y'all'd prefer not to go to a shop then Apple will transport you a box you tin can use to transport it to an Apple Repair Centre. You need to ship information technology within 30 days.

You can arrange shipping your device to an Apple Repair Center either over the phone or online. Apple says this service is available for most Apple products. Information technology seems that most Macs are exempt (at least in the United kingdom), but Apple Watches, iPhones, and iPads can exist posted in, for example.

  1. Go to Apple's repair website.
  2. Click Kickoff a repair request.
  3. Choose the production you wish to send to Apple (or enter your serial number if the production isn't listed).
  4. Cull ane of the options, e.g. Set Upward Online or Express Replacement (which might be an option for y'all if you have AppleCare+).

Does Apple repair or replace?

If y'all take AppleCare+ you lot can take advantage of the Express Replacement Service that is available for some Apple tree products. In this case Apple tree will send you a replacement production before your damaged or not-working product is returned to them (you take ten days or you will pay the full toll of the replacement). At that place may exist an boosted fee and you only go to apply this feature of AppleCare+ for the starting time two instances of adventitious harm. Read: Is AppleCare+ worth it. We also compare AppleCare+ to normal insurance.

How long practise Apple repairs take?

If you lot are able to take your Apple production to an Apple tree Store or an Apple Service Provider they might exist able to set information technology at that place for y'all, depending on whether they have the equipment.

However, some problems may be more complex and crave being sent on to an Apple Repair Centre, in which instance it should take from half dozen-8 days.

Apple tree advises that iPhone repairs have between 6-8 days if you lot ship your iPhone to an Apple Repair Center, for example.

How much do Apple tree repairs toll?

The cost of Apple tree repairs depends on a number of factors. Generally battery and screen replacements are cheaper than other replacements. And if you have AppleCare+ you may be able to go your Apple tree production fixed for zilch or just a small fee - and a replacement product almost immediately.

How much does an iPhone repair cost?

iPhone screen repair

Starts at £136.44/$129 for an iPhone half dozen, rising to £316.44/$329 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max (in one case it is out of warranty). You can see all the prices hither. If you have AppleCare+ the repair is free for the first two incidences, just yous need to pay £25 for any additional screen repairs.

iPhone battery repair

Starts at £49/$49 for iPhone SE, 6, 6s, seven, 8 and the 2nd generation iPhone SE handsets. Battery repair for the iPhone X, XS, SR, 11 and 12 serial iPhones is £69/$69. If your iPhone is notwithstanding in the 1 yr warranty period, or yous take AppleCare+ the repair is free. More information here.

Other damage could cost as much as £566.44/$599 if your iPhone is out of warranty. More here.

How much does an iPad repair cost

iPad screen repair

Unfortunately Apple doesn't offer the same kind of service for replacing iPad screens as it does for replacing iPhone screens. If your iPad screen is accidentally broken, you accept the option of replacing your iPad for an out-of-warranty fee. AppleCare+ does include accidental damage protection, but in that location may exist an excess fee.

An out of warranty fee to replace an iPad stretches from £206.44/$199 to £616.44/$649. More information here.

iPad battery repair

A battery replacement on all eligible iPad models cost £99/$99 (or is gratuitous if its in warranty or yous have AppleCare+)

How much does an Apple Sentry repair cost

Apple Lookout screen repair

As with the iPad, if your Apple Sentinel screen gets damaged, you lot have the pick to service your Apple tree Lookout man for a fee. AppleCare+ gives you accidental damage protection where you lot may exist subject to an excess fee.

An out of warranty fee to supplant an Apple Sentry stretches from £156.44 to £476.44/$499. More information hither (Actually the cost could be a lot higher than that, if you had the original Apple Lookout man Edition, which cost £eight,000/$ten,000 new, the out-of-warranty service fee is £two,600.44/$two,800.

Apple tree Watch battery repair

If your Apple Picket bombardment holds less than 80 per cent of its original battery capacity and information technology'southward covered by AppleCare+, you lot volition get Apple Watch battery service for no boosted charge.

If your watch is out of warranty then the battery service fee is £82.44/$79. More information hither.

How much does an Mac repair cost

If your Mac is however in warranty, or you lot take AppleCare+ your repair volition be costless. The price of a repair will vary depending on the nature of the trouble.

Mac battery repair

Apple will repair the battery in MacBook laptops, prices range from £129/$129 to £199/$199. Check this folio for details.

For instance, a 16in MacBook Pro Bombardment replacement costs £199.

Mac screen repair

The price of a screen repair depends on whether you have AppleCare+ comprehend. If you purchase AppleCare+ for Mac so for three years from your AppleCare+ buy date y'all will take comprehend for two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee which is £79/$99 for screen damage and £229/$299 for other damage. More hither.

Can I get my Apple product repaired somewhere else?

Yous could apply an contained repair store but be aware that they cannot provide repairs covered by Apple tree's warranty or AppleCare plans.

If you would prefer to use an Apple Authorised Service Provider you can locate 1 here.

Apple has this link to information well-nigh Apple-certified repairs of the iPhone.

In 2022 Apple extended a scheme that allows small-scale independent shops to legitimately fix iPhones. At present these workshops can too ready Macs.

Does Apple do gratis repairs?

If your product is within warranty - which is one year from the point of sale (even if you were purchasing a refurbished Apple production) - and goes wrong you lot can get Apple to fix information technology for complimentary.

Other reasons that might help you get a free repair is if your product has been recalled or qualifies in a repair program. Every bit we mentioned before, we have a divide articles nearly the diverse repair schemes and recalls. Read: MacBook recalls and repair programs - is your Mac included? and Apple product recalls & free repair programmes for iPhone & iPad.

How easy to repair are Apple tree products?

When y'all are choosing a new Apple product you would be wise to take into account how likely information technology is to get cleaved and how piece of cake it will be to repair. One of the main killers of smartphones these days are batteries, some other is the ease at which nosotros break the screens - despite all the technical advances of the glass used in the manufacture of smartphones.

Apple has improved the repairability of the iPhone in terms of the screen and battery, simply what of its other products? Replacing a screen on an iPad is not as simple as on an iPhone, for instance, and the price is a lot higher.

Hopefully that will change. The Eu backed Right to Repair movement and is aiming to put in place laws that will make information technology compulsory for new devices to exist easier to repair due. Hopefully leading manufacturers to build products with removable and replaceable parts.

As a upshot of this campaign, French legislation has already forced Apple to label products to testify a repairability score. The result of the changes should lead to more reparable products with extended lifespans so that they are less likely to end up in landfill early.

Apple - and other companies - at present take to indicate a 'repairability alphabetize on products. Read more about why Apple tree's been forced to reveal repairability of products in France.

The repairbility of a product should be part of the determination when choosing a new product to buy, and thanks to the French legislation Apple is now being forced to reveal this information.

The company includes a repairability score for many of the products it sells on its French Apple tree Shop.

Apple's scores are based on the post-obit:

  1. Admission to documentation.
  2. Disassembly (how piece of cake it is, what tools are required, etc).
  3. Availability of spare parts.
  4. Cost of spare parts (compared to ownership new).
  5. Access to software updates, free technical support and the power to reset the software.

Apple isn't the simply one revealing how like shooting fish in a barrel (or hard) it is to repair Apple products. iFixit is famous for offering guides to the repairability of various Apple products where they highlight the bug that might pb you to needing a repair in the first identify - for instance, the smashable glass on the front end and back of the iPhone. Luckily the glass front of the iPhone is pretty elementary and relatively inexpensive to repair, but replacing the glass back could be an expensive job.

Another thing to bear in mind is that at that place comes a fourth dimension in every Apple products life when information technology becomes Obsolete or Vintage. These are terms that Apple uses to describe products once they oasis't been sold for more than five or eight years. Once a product is vintage Apple will merely repair information technology if information technology has the parts (and then at a cost, obviouly). Once a product is Obsolete then there is no possibility that Apple will repair it.

With Apple tree adding the 2022 MacBook to the vintage list the listing of unsupported products is growing. Read more hither: How long practice Macs last?

How easy to repair is the iPhone?

Wondering what is the easiest iPhone to repair? Unfortunately the iPhone isn't getting any easier to repair, although the two things nearly probable to need repair - the screen and the bombardment - are easy enough to admission (although even those aren't repairs you could perform at abode).

However, since launch of the iPhone XS and XR, repair companies and domicile fixers have found that it is no longer possible to change the battery without finalising the change using System Configuration, an online tool Apple tree makes available to its own stores and authorised repair companies.

iPhone 12 series repairability

iFixit gives the iPhone 12 series a score of vi/ten for repairability. In favour of the 2022 range of iPhones is the easy access for screen and battery replacement and the fact that near components are modular. The principal criticism is the drinking glass dorsum - the problem beingness that if the back glass breaks, it is necessary to remove every component and replace the entire chassis. iFixit reports that the replacement of the screen and photographic camera of the iPhone 12 series must be activated via the System Configuration app - which once more counts our dwelling house-fixers.

Apple's ain scoring (which you can see on the French version of its website) sees the iPhone 12 serial awarded 6/10.

iPhone SE 2022 repairability

iFixit hasn't scored the iPhone SE 2022, but Apple has - in that case it gets vi.2/10.

iPhone 11 repairability

iFixit also gave the iPhone xi series 6/10 for like reasons to the iPhone 12 series, noting that replacing the battery had been simplified, but once more criticising the fact that the rear glass tin can simply be fully replaced with a complete housing swap.

Apple's scoring sees the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro getting 4.6/10, while the iPhone eleven Pro Max gets 4.5/ten.

iPhone XR repairability

The iPhone XR gets the same score of 6/x from iFixit, with the the ease of replacing the screen and battery highlighted, and the same problem with replacing the glass back highlighted.

Apple gives the XR four.5/x.

iPhone XS series repairability

The iPhone XS is the same, gaining a score of half-dozen/10 from iFixit for the same reasons. Apple gives the XS Max iv.5/10, and the XS iv.7/x.

iPhone X repairability

The iPhone Ten was also given half dozen/10 past iFixit who noted the accessibility for display and battery repairs, but criticised "Fussy cables tie unrelated components together into complex assemblies - expensive and troublesome to replace". Apple gives the iPhone 10 4.8/x on the French Apple Store.

iPhone eight repairability

The iPhone 8 was given 6/10, with the drinking glass back being highlighted as a potential problem. Apple gives both the eight and viii Plus vi.6/10.

iPhone vii repairability

The iPhone 7 - introduced back in 2022 - marked the last time an iPhone got a score of 7/ten from iFixit. Here the improvements offered by the solid state dwelling push was noted as a point in favour, because the old mechanical push button was a common point of failure in older models. Apple tree gives the iPhone 7 6.six/10 while the seven Plus gets 6.vii/10.

How like shooting fish in a barrel to repair is the Mac?

Looking for a new Mac and wondering what is the easiest Mac to repair? The trouble with many Mac laptops is the fact that Apple uses a lot of glue and solder to stick components downwardly. By soldering or gluing components into place Apple tree makes admission to faulty components impossible. Aside from meaning you might non take been able to get a broken MacBook Air repaired, this isn't slap-up news for the environment as Macs that can't exist stock-still generally finish upwardly in landfill.

Just every bit with the iPhones, Apple is now revealing the repairability scores for some of its Macs. iFixit as well offers this data for some Macs.

MacBook Air repairability

iFixit hasn't yet given the M1 Macs a rating. Apple tree however has: the M1 MacBook Air gets 6.five/10, which is the same score as it awards the 2022 MacBook Air.

The 2022 MacBook Air gets three/10 from iFixit. Here the criticism is the keyboard beingness integrated into the top case, making replacement difficult and expensive (a particular outcome given the keyboard problems of the 2022-2020 MacBook Airs). These laptops are also held back by the fact that storage and RAM is soldered on. In the Air's favour, iFixit does note that the ports, fan, speaker and some other components are straightforward to access.

iFixit also noted that Apple made changes to the layout of the components inside the early 2022 MacBook Air to make servicing and repair easier.

However, the old pattern of the pre-2017 MacBook Air actually had a meliorate score awarded by Apple tree - 7/10.

MacBook Pro repairability

The M1 MacBook Pro gets v.six/x from Apple, while the older 2022 2.0GHz model gets half dozen.3/10.

To get an idea of how that might translate to iFixit's scores, the 2022 13in MacBook Pro (the entry-level model, but the repairability nigh likely applies to all models) was given a score of 2/10 by iFixit. The negatives they notation include Apple'due south apply of Proprietary pentalobe screws, the glued in battery, and the soldered-down RAM.

The 2/ten score is a slight improvement on the 2022 model at least: hither iFixit criticises the fact that the processor, RAM, and flash retentivity are soldered to the logic lath and the keyboard, battery, and speakers are glued together. The Touch ID push is also highlighted due to information technology being paired with the T2 chip. Apple tree awards the 2022 13in MacBook Pro a score of 5.half-dozen/10, while the 2022 model scored 6.2/10.

According to iFixit the 16in MacBook Pro is non one to recommend. They give it just 1/x for repairability, noting that the processor, RAM, and flash retentiveness are all soldered to the logic lath, making replacement hard. They likewise note that glue and/or rivets secure the keyboard, battery, speakers, and Touch Bar, so those repairs would likewise be difficult. Likewise the Affect ID sensor is the power switch and locked to the logic board and paired with the T2 fleck, which would make repairs of that component difficult.

The older 15in MacBook Pro was no amend, also scoring 1/ten, for substantially the aforementioned reasons equally the 16in model. Apple tree awards the 16in MacBook Pro 6.iii/10.

iMac repairability

As for desktops, the 2022 27in iMac gets 4/10 from iFixit. Hither the criticism is the fact that Apple makes it and so difficult to remove the screen to admission the components - and information technology;'southward difficult to return it to the state yous started. Once yous are inside, the exposed ability supply is a business organisation. And altering the internal storage is impossible. Apple hasn't rated these models yet.

The iMac Pro gets iii/10. Here the criticisms are that fundamental components are buried behind the logic board, requiring a lot of disassembly for admission, the loss of the external RAM admission hatch - a characteristic of other 27in iMac models - ways RAM is a more difficult upgrade, and the GPU is soldered in identify. Apple hasn't rated these models yet.

Mac mini repairability

The 2022 Mac mini got a repairability score of 6/ten from iFixit. Here the criticisms were that the CPU and storage are both soldered to the logic board and non user-upgradeable and the fact that If any of the many ports is damaged or worn, the unabridged logic lath volition need replacing. In its favour the Mac mini components aren't held in place with adhesive and RAM can be easily upgraded. Apple tree hasn't rated these models all the same.

How like shooting fish in a barrel to repair is the iPad?

It's disappointing really that the iPad isn't as like shooting fish in a barrel to repair as the iPhone. In fact the difficulty of replacing the screen and the battery are emphasised by the fact that both these repairs are relatively easy on the iPhone. Nosotros remember it'due south fourth dimension Apple made the iPad easier to prepare.

What is the easiest iPad to repair?

The iPad from 2022 gets a repairability score of 2/10 from iFixit. Here the criticisms are the barrier of very strong adhesive making getting inside nigh impossible, and the overuse of adhesive one time you exercise get within. The Lightning port - noted every bit a "common point of failure" is unfortunately difficult to replace because information technology is soldered to the logic board.

The iPad Air from 2022 besides scores 2/10 from iFixit. Here the battery replacement is at least noted as being possible but they complain that information technology is "unnecessarily difficult". Once again, there is also much adhesive holding parts and cables in place. The lightning port is difficult to supplant because its soldered to the logic board. But at least other components are modular and can therefore exist replaced independently (one time you get inside).

The 2022 iPad mini is similar. It scores 2/x with iFixit noting how hard battery replacement is, and how there is adhesive holding downwardly parts and cables. They also note that removing the dwelling push is difficult and a necessary office of brandish replacement if you wish to continue Touch ID functionality.

The 2022 iPad Pro does get a slightly better score - 3/10. Here the criticism is once more all the glue that Apple uses inside the instance. Just at least here the bombardment is secured with easy-to-remove tabs. Another point in its favour is the USB-C port which is modular and can exist independently replaced.

How like shooting fish in a barrel to repair is the Apple Sentry?

Like the iPhone the Apple tree Watch screen is likely to be the thing that breaks, although, dissimilar the iPhone we aren't so likely to driblet our Apple Watches. Only simply how like shooting fish in a barrel is it to set an Apple Watch?

What is the easiest Apple Watch to repair?

The Apple Watch Series 6 gets a repairability score of 6/10 from iFixit. The screen and bombardment are reasonably straightforward to supersede. The main complaint is that many of the component cables are mounted straight to the S6 and crave skilled microsoldering if they are damaged.

The Series 5 also scores six/10 for the same reasons.

The Serial 4 and iii scored 6/ten only in both cases there was the additional criticism that the "resin-encased S4 system makes almost lath-level repairs impossible."

iFixit hasn't all the same scored the repairability of the Apple tree Watch SE.

And so to wrap up, Apple products aren't piece of cake or cheap to fix. Apple tree has made information technology easier to replace the screen and battery in the iPhone, which is a bonus, but given that they are the things most likely to go wrong, an essential bonus. We promise that the new European union legislation coming in will hateful that Apple tree and other companies are more focused on the repairability of their products, extending their lifespans.