(Credit: Apple)
Parts pairing may still be a big issue, but Apple's support of DIY home repairs is improving. Starting today, Apple is expanding its self-service repair program to cover the iPhone 15 lineup, and adding support in 24 more European countries.
Apple is also releasing a new diagnostic tool to assist with testing devices. It's intended for "users with the knowledge and expertise to repair Apple devices" and serves the same function as the diagnostic tool that Apple Authorized Service Providers and Independent Repair Providers use.
You can access it from the web, though you'll need to do that from a second working device. You start by placing your iPhone or Mac in diagnostics mode and then providing its serial number. The web tool will then walk you through tests, from testing cameras to touch-screen issues.
The good news is Apple is also expanding what devices you can repair. While initially, the company only supported DIY repairs for a few iPhones, that list is growing. You can now fix the new iPhone 15 series, a plus given that it's supposed to be easier to repair.
While the first batch of DIY repair Mac options only covered the 2020 and 2021 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M1 chips, Apple expanded that to the M2 lineup. You can now repair the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro, the 15-inch MacBook Air, Mac mini, Mac Pro, and the Mac Studio.
Apple also expanded the number of countries to which it offers self-service repairs, bringing the total to 33 and covering 24 languages.
Apple now provides self-service repair to 35 devices. But even with Apple's help, don't expect every repair to be easy. As iFixit has previously explained, while the iPhone is improving, parts pairing continues to be a problem. MacBooks often require complex repairs, involving removing a dozen parts just to replace the battery. Still, it's a step in the right direction.