Last year, Apple decided to relax the rules around repairing iPhones ever so slightly by launching an independent repair program. A year on, and the program is being expanded to include Mac repairs.

As Reuters reports, Mac sales have grown considerably over the last, coronavirus-influenced quarter, with Apple reporting 21.6 percent growth. The move to allow third-parties to repair Mac hardware will certainly help meet demand with so many more Macs installed in homes while aiding consumers who don't live close to an Apple Store.

"When a device needs repairs, we want people to have access to a safe and reliable solution — this latest expansion joins the thousands of repair locations we've added over the past year," Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We're looking forward to bringing that convenient and trustworthy repair experience to our Mac users."

As TechCrunch points out, the timing of this announcement hasn't gone unnoticed. Apple is part of the ongoing antitrust investigation by the House Committee on the Judiciary, which includes looking at consumer rights with regards to having the right to repair their devices. By running an independent repair program Apple can claim it's supporting such efforts, but at the same time the company has repeatedly lobbied against Right to Repair legislation.

It's also important to remember how restrictive the independent repair program is. It's free to sign up, but companies will be assessed by Apple to see if they meet several requirements before being allowed to offer repair services. All parts must also be sourced from Apple, meaning prices will remain set at whatever Apple decides to charge. Earlier this year, Vice reported on the contract independent repair shops have to sign to join the program, which includes unannounced audits and inspections by Apple. Inspections can lead to fines, and if a company leaves the program Apple reserves the right to continue inspections for up to five years afterwards.

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