Until earlier today, Apple didn’t allow any third-party repairs as is known to be orthodox when it comes to these third-party repairs. A few weeks ago, a report stating that Apple could disable a few features on an iPhone which is undergone battery replacement via third-party repair center while repairs and replacements at Apple authorized service center are pretty expensive such that a screen repair on iPhone XS will cost you at least 1/3rd of what you paid for the device to buy in the first place. But Apple is running an “Independent Repair Provider Program” that will bring joy in your mood for sure.
As per the ongoing program, Apple will allow third-party businesses to repairs iPhones that have gone out-of-warranty and will provide all the necessary Apple-certified parts, tools and online training that will bring the technicians under Apple-certified technicians.
The program is only available in North America at the moment although it will soon spread across Europe and Asia among other continents. Note that the nature of repair you can ask a third-party service center certified by Apple is limited to a few issues such as screen repair, front or back glass panels, and so on which means you can still check with an independent repair provider and it will undoubtedly bring down the repair cost exponentially.
According to Apple, any business applying for the certification must meet its requirements including as established business in a commercial zone and not a residential zone. All the documents related to the business must be ready for review by the Cupertino-based company when a business applies for the certification and will be provided with all the professional tools and training as well as authentic service guides and parts among other accessories will be provided subject to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that the company must get the independent repair provider to sign in order to be certified.
All the parts will be available at reseller’s rate and the technicians will have to abide by Apple certifications for technicians which is an upgrade and held annually. This will provide iPhone users with a wider range of options to pick rather than walking into an authorized service center only to realize that they have to pay a hefty bill to get their phones repaired.
