FACT BRIEF

Has Apple relaxed some of its ‘right to repair’ rules amid increasing political scrutiny?

Sunday, March 7, 2021

By Lauralei Singsank

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YES

In 2019, Apple loosened restrictions on independent repair shops, providing some authorized establishments with limited parts and training so they could work on certain Apple-approved iPhone repairs. In mid-2020, the company announced that it would expand its independent repair program (which includes 140 member businesses) to allow Mac computer repairs. Apple also expanded an authorized service program that includes retailers like Best Buy who pay for membership.

Right-to-repair advocates in the U.S. and Europe have criticized Apple’s relatively restrictive policy as anti-competitive. In a 2019 hearing, a House antitrust committee member asked if Apple’s policy was just a way to “extend its monopoly.” In 2020 the committee published internal Apple emails indicating that the company remains conflicted over whether it should make repair manuals public and parts more readily available.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Apple: Options for safe, reliable repairs

The Verge: Apple’s independent repair program expands to Macs

US House of Representatives: Judiciary subcommittee questions for Apple corporate law vice president, 2019

The Verge: Apple was conflicted over right-to-repair stance, emails show

Apple: Repair terms and conditions

New York Times: Fix, or toss? The ‘right to repair’ movement gains ground

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