Apple's Repair Laws: Who Benefits?

Apple has been accused of breaking right-to-repair laws by opposing legislation that would make it easier for people to repair their electronic equipment. The company has historically lobbied against right-to-repair bills, keeping repair instructions from customers and contributing to a disposable device cycle. However, in a surprising turn of events, Apple publicly endorsed the Right to Repair bill in California, though critics argue that this support was not reflected in its product design. Apple has also launched a Self Service Repair program and made parts, tools, and documents available to customers, but some advocates argue that this does not go far enough and that Apple is merely responding to increasing pressure.

Apple's stance on the Right to Repair bill in California

Apple has historically been a critic of the Right to Repair movement, lobbying against it and keeping repair instructions out of the hands of its customers. However, in a surprising move, the company has recently expressed support for California's Right to Repair bill, SB 244. This bill requires companies to provide customers and independent repair shops with the tools, parts, and manuals needed to fix electronic devices and appliances. Apple's support for this bill marks a significant shift in its stance, as it has previously denied the benefits of such legislation for consumer choice, safety, and environmental protection.

Apple's endorsement of the Right to Repair bill in California is a result of either changing public opinion or a genuine change of heart. This support is particularly noteworthy given Apple's history of lobbying against similar legislation. Apple spent $9,360,000 on lobbying in 2022 alone. The company's stance carries weight and could pave the way for more Right to Repair legislation across the country, leading to broader access to repair materials.

While Apple has expressed support for California's Right to Repair bill, it continues to argue against certain aspects of the movement. For example, Apple testified against a bill in Oregon that aimed to ban the practice of parts pairing, which can prevent customers from repairing devices with aftermarket parts. Apple's senior manager for the secure design team, John Perry, stated that parts pairing ensures device security while making repairs easier.

Apple has also launched its own repair programs, such as the Independent Repair Program (IRP) in 2019 and the Self Service Repair program in 2022, which aim to provide more access to parts and repair information. However, these programs have been criticised for their inconveniences and limitations, such as device-specific parts and parts-pairing requirements.

Overall, Apple's support for California's Right to Repair bill is a positive step towards increasing access to repair materials and reducing the waste associated with disposable devices. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that consumers have true freedom and flexibility when it comes to repairing their devices.

Apple's opposition to Right to Repair bills in other states

Apple has historically opposed Right to Repair bills in various states, including New York and California. However, in a surprising move, the company publicly endorsed California's SB 244, a right-to-repair bill that would make it easier for the public to access the spare parts, tools, and repair documentation needed to fix devices.

Despite this endorsement, Apple was spotted lobbying against a similar bill in Oregon, SB 1596, which targets the practice of parts pairing. Parts pairing is a restriction imposed by companies like Apple that can prevent customers from repairing a device with aftermarket parts. Apple requires users, in some cases, to "pair" replacement parts to their devices using Apple's System Configuration tool. If the part isn't verified as an Apple product, customers will receive notifications saying the part isn't genuine, and certain features may not work.

John Perry, Apple's senior manager for the secure design team, testified that the bill's stance on parts pairing "will undermine the security, safety, and privacy of Oregonians by forcing device manufacturers to allow the use of parts of unknown origin and consumer devices."

Apple's opposition to the Oregon bill highlights the company's desire to maintain control over the repair process and its concerns about the security and safety of devices repaired with aftermarket parts.

Parts pairing and its impact on independent repairs

Parts pairing is a practice used by smartphone and electronic product manufacturers to control who can perform certain types of repairs. It is enabled by the serialisation of spare parts, where some parts have a unique serial number that is paired by the manufacturer to an individual unit of a device using software. If these parts need to be replaced during a repair, they may not be accepted or may lose functionality unless they are remotely paired to the device again by the manufacturer. This creates a barrier to independent and self-repair.

For example, let's say you have an iPhone and your battery is getting old. Your friend has a phone of the same model with a shattered screen and malfunctioning buttons, so they give you their old phone so you can harvest the battery. You swap the batteries, but when you turn on your phone, you see a notification that says "Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple battery." This notification persists even after you dismiss it, and you lose access to features like battery health information.

Parts pairing can also impact other types of devices, such as the Xbox One console, which launched with its disk reader paired to its motherboard as a piracy prevention measure. This means that if your Xbox One optical disk drive breaks, you cannot simply replace it with another disk drive; you need to source both a functional disk drive and its paired motherboard, which is not easy to do as Microsoft does not sell replacement parts.

The practice of parts pairing has been criticised as a way for manufacturers to control the repair process and funnel consumers towards their own repair services or towards purchasing new devices. It can also create anxiety for consumers, who may see warning messages about non-genuine parts or experience reduced functionality after a repair. This can lead to a loss of trust in independent repair businesses and an increase in electronic waste.

To address the issue of parts pairing, some have called for legislation that would require manufacturers to provide all the parts, tools, and information needed for repairs, as well as enforce existing rules against "tying", which prevents corporations from tying the use of one product to the purchase of additional products or services. At the European level, an Ecodesign regulation for smartphones is currently being discussed, which includes a provision on part pairing.

In response to criticism, Apple has created an "independent repair provider" program that allows independent repairers to access genuine spare parts and tools to deal with part pairing. However, this program has been criticised for its limited repairs, unannounced audits, mandatory sharing of customer information, and other downsides. Apple has also launched a Self Service Repair program that offers new options for customers who want to conduct DIY repairs, but this program has also been criticised for its limitations and complexities.

Apple's Self Service Repair program and its limitations

Apple's Self Service Repair program is intended for individuals with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices. The program provides access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and repair manuals to perform out-of-warranty repairs on iPhone and Mac devices. The program was launched in the United States in April 2022 and has since expanded to additional countries, including Europe.

To initiate the Self Service Repair process, customers must first review the repair manual for their specific Apple product. The manual outlines the steps required, as well as the parts, tools, and materials needed for the repair. After familiarizing themselves with the process, customers can proceed to order the necessary parts and tools from the Apple Self Service Repair Store. Apple offers tool rental kits for $49, providing access to professional-grade tools for customers who do not wish to purchase them outright.

While the Self Service Repair program has expanded access to repairs, it is important to note that it is targeted at experienced individuals. For the majority of customers who lack expertise in repairing electronic devices, Apple recommends visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts.

One limitation of the program is the requirement for device-specific parts, which can restrict individuals from repairing their own devices. Additionally, Apple's "parts-pairing" scheme, where the software must approve repairs, has been criticized for reducing the functionality of devices with aftermarket parts. This practice has been targeted by right-to-repair legislation, such as Oregon's SB 1596 bill, which aims to prohibit companies from inhibiting independent repairs through parts pairing.

Apple's Self Service Repair program is a step towards expanding access to repairs, but it is essential to recognize that it may not cater to all customers' needs or address all limitations imposed by Apple's repair policies.

The role of legislation in addressing parts pairing and repair restrictions

The "right to repair" movement advocates for consumers' ability to repair their devices without facing legal or technical barriers. This movement has gained momentum in recent years, with at least 40 states in the United States introducing some form of right-to-repair legislation. While Apple has historically lobbied against such legislation, the company recently endorsed a right-to-repair bill in California. However, Apple has also been spotted lobbying against a similar bill in Oregon, which aims to ban the practice of parts pairing.

Parts pairing is a restriction imposed by companies like Apple that prevents customers from repairing their devices with aftermarket parts. In some cases, Apple requires users to "pair" replacement parts like batteries and screens to their devices using Apple's System Configuration tool. If the part isn't verified as an Apple product, customers will receive notifications that the part isn't genuine, and certain features may not work.

The Oregon bill, known as SB 1596, would require companies to provide the documentation, tools, and parts needed by customers and independent repair shops to fix broken products. It also targets parts pairing, prohibiting manufacturers from using this practice to prevent the use of replacement components or to reduce device functionality.

Legislation plays a crucial role in addressing parts pairing and repair restrictions by granting individuals and independent repair shops the legal right to access service information, replacement parts, and software tools. It ensures that consumers can purchase genuine replacement parts at fair market prices and grants the ability to bypass software locks that prevent repairs. Additionally, legislation can enforce existing rules against "tying," which prevents companies from tying the use of one product to the purchase of additional products or services.

The right-to-repair movement is driven by the benefits of affordability, sustainability, and the availability of critical supplies. It aims to reduce electronic waste and promote a more circular economy. By addressing parts pairing and repair restrictions, legislation supports these goals and ensures that consumers have the freedom to choose how and where to repair their devices.

Frequently asked questions