Apple's products aren't known for existence easy to repair - in fact yous could accuse Apple of making them difficult to repair by gluing and soldering components into place and using special security fixtures which make them difficult or incommunicable to remove.

In add-on, the company has always indicated that only authorised service providers should open up a Mac and perform repairs and upgrades. Irresolute a broken iPhone screen at home, or replacing a MacBook bombardment, isn't considered safe for consumers. In fact, only businesses with an Apple tree-certified technician are supposed to perform repairs on Apple products.

With no choice just to pay for an expensive repair or buy a new Mac, iPad or iPhone, consumers oft choose to replace their Apple product. The trouble is that, according to the Right to Repair website, over 53 million tonnes of electronic waste is produced each twelvemonth, and but a fraction of this is recycled.

Added to this, the fact that Apple stops supporting software updates for various products subsequently a number of years, and the availability of parts for servicing becomes more deficient the older the production gets, means that the lifespan of Apple products isn't every bit long as information technology could be. For more data read: How long practise Macs last?

Apple tree is by no means the only electronics company guilty of making hard to fix products that end up being thrown away before their time, but it can certainly do its office past improving the repairability of its products, and making repairs easier and cheaper.

Whether you are an environmentally conscious person looking for a new production that volition have a skillful few years ahead of it before it becomes landfill, or someone who doesn't want to be landed with an expensive or difficult to repair device, we have details of but how repairable Apple's products are. And if you lot are looking to get an Apple product repaired we also accept advice for you.

Get Apple products repaired

Tin can I repair my Apple product?

People do attempt repairs and upgrades at home, but they chance dissentious their machines - and will void their warranty.

If y'all did desire to attempt a repair or upgrade at habitation y'all'd need to arm yourself with a range of specialised tools, including heat pads to loosen the adhesive that holds the display in place. You'd also need to go hold of the correct spare parts. Read: Best Mac and iPhone tools for repairs and upgrades.

Apple sends genuine Apple tree parts to authorised service providers, and, since August 2019 for iPhone and August 2020 for Mac, independent repair businesses can too get access to genuine parts. But every bit a consumer you won't be able to get concur of these parts. In the past iPhones have shown fault messages if non-Apple parts are used, so this isn't an upshot you tin can ignore.

Despite this we accept a guide to upgrading the components inside a Mac, and one of our colleagues on TechAdvisor did once supercede an iPhone screen, but these aren't things nosotros would recommend unless you lot are actually really confident tinkering with electronics.

For the average person we'd recommend making an appointment at an Apple tree Store or seeking an Apple Authorised Service Provider to behave out the repair for you. We'll discuss who to do that next.

How do I get my Apple products repaired?

The side by side question is where can you go to get Apple tree products repaired. The obvious answer is Apple, but that's not your only selection. We'll run through your options below:

Apple offers y'all iii different means to get a product repaired, you lot can:

  1. Visit an Apple Store.
  2. Send your product to Apple tree.
  3. Use an Apple Authorised Service Provider.

Click the links above to leap to those instructions.

The latter option might be best if you don't have an Apple Store nearby and don't want to be without your Mac, iPhone or other Apple product while it's being fixed.

Some people might exist wondering if they tin can merely walk into an Apple Shop for a repair. Unfortunately that's not an option - even when stores aren't shut due to Coronavirus. We do explain how to make an Apple Store date at the Genius Bar in a divide article, but we'll summarise the steps beneath.

Before you lot begin we recommend that you check to meet if the production qualifies for a free repair. We have a separate articles most the various repair schemes and recalls.

  • Read Mac and MacBook recalls and repair programs to find out if your Mac is included in a call up?
  • And take a look at iPhone and iPad product recalls & free repair programmes for details of those recalls.

If your Mac, iPhone or iPad is included in one of these recalls or repair programs you may be able to get it repaired for free. Its a adept idea to cheque before yous arrange a repair, not but to furnish yourself with the cognition of what should exist on offering to you, merely also considering if you don't go to an Apple Shop or an Apple tree Authorised repair shop then you won't exist able to take advantage of the free repair.

We have a number of articles that offer advice virtually getting Apple tree products repaired. Read:

  • How to get a Mac repaired
  • How to get a broken iPhone fixed or replaced
  • How to fix a cracked iPhone screen
  • How to dry out a moisture water damaged iPhone
  • How to repair a cleaved Apple tree Picket

How to book a repair with Apple

  1. Become to Apple's website.
  2. Enter your Apple tree ID and password.
  3. Choose your product.
  4. Click Kickoff a Service asking.
  5. Chose the topic that best represents your problem - for example, if your Mac won't turn on choose Startup or Power.
  6. You lot'll somewhen be offered the options to talk to Apple tree Back up, Chat, or Bring in to Repair. The latter selection will allow you to make an appointment at a Genius Bar. Click on that selection.
  7. Enter your Apple ID and password once again if required.
  8. Enter your serial number (or if you are lucky you may be able to choose your actual Mac, if it'southward associated with your account). Click on the right model.
  9. The next screen will ask y'all to Bring in for Repair. You will be able to search for your closest Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (which in our case is an iStore).

How to ship a product to Apple tree for repair

If you lot'd prefer not to go to a store then Apple will transport you a box you can use to ship it to an Apple Repair Centre. You lot need to ship it inside xxx days.

You can accommodate aircraft your device to an Apple Repair Eye either over the phone or online. Apple says this service is available for most Apple products. It seems that most Macs are exempt (at least in the Great britain), simply Apple tree Watches, iPhones, and iPads can be posted in, for case.

  1. Go to Apple tree's repair website.
  2. Click Showtime a repair request.
  3. Choose the production you wish to send to Apple (or enter your serial number if the production isn't listed).
  4. Choose one of the options, e.g. Set Upward Online or Express Replacement (which might exist an option for y'all if you accept AppleCare+).

Does Apple repair or replace?

If you have AppleCare+ you can take reward of the Express Replacement Service that is available for some Apple products. In this case Apple volition send you lot a replacement product earlier your damaged or non-working product is returned to them (you have ten days or you will pay the total price of the replacement). There may be an additional fee and you only go to use this characteristic of AppleCare+ for the first 2 instances of accidental damage. Read: Is AppleCare+ worth it. We also compare AppleCare+ to normal insurance.

How long exercise Apple repairs take?

If you are able to accept your Apple tree production to an Apple Store or an Apple Service Provider they might be able to fix it there for y'all, depending on whether they have the equipment.

However, some problems may exist more complex and require beingness sent on to an Apple tree Repair Centre, in which instance it should take from 6-8 days.

Apple advises that iPhone repairs take between half-dozen-8 days if you transport your iPhone to an Apple tree Repair Centre, for instance.

How much do Apple repairs cost?

The toll of Apple tree repairs depends on a number of factors. Generally bombardment and screen replacements are cheaper than other replacements. And if you have AppleCare+ y'all may be able to get your Apple tree product fixed for nothing or just a modest fee - and a replacement product almost immediately.

How much does an iPhone repair cost?

iPhone screen repair

Starts at £136.44/$129 for an iPhone 6, rising to £316.44/$329 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max (once information technology is out of warranty). Y'all can see all the prices here. If you accept AppleCare+ the repair is gratuitous for the first 2 incidences, but you need to pay £25 for any boosted screen repairs.

iPhone battery repair

Starts at £49/$49 for iPhone SE, 6, 6s, 7, viii and the 2nd generation iPhone SE handsets. Battery repair for the iPhone X, XS, SR, eleven and 12 series iPhones is £69/$69. If your iPhone is still in the one yr warranty catamenia, or you accept AppleCare+ the repair is free. More information hither.

Other damage could price every bit much as £566.44/$599 if your iPhone is out of warranty. More here.

How much does an iPad repair cost

iPad screen repair

Unfortunately Apple doesn't offering the same kind of service for replacing iPad screens as it does for replacing iPhone screens. If your iPad screen is accidentally cleaved, you have the pick of replacing your iPad for an out-of-warranty fee. AppleCare+ does include accidental damage protection, only there may be an excess fee.

An out of warranty fee to supercede an iPad stretches from £206.44/$199 to £616.44/$649. More information here.

iPad bombardment repair

A battery replacement on all eligible iPad models cost £99/$99 (or is free if its in warranty or y'all have AppleCare+)

How much does an Apple Watch repair price

Apple Watch screen repair

Every bit with the iPad, if your Apple Watch screen gets damaged, yous have the option to service your Apple Lookout man for a fee. AppleCare+ gives yous accidental damage protection where you may be subject field to an excess fee.

An out of warranty fee to replace an Apple tree Watch stretches from £156.44 to £476.44/$499. More data here (Actually the price could exist a lot higher than that, if you had the original Apple Watch Edition, which cost £8,000/$ten,000 new, the out-of-warranty service fee is £2,600.44/$two,800.

Apple Lookout man bombardment repair

If your Apple tree Sentry bombardment holds less than 80 per cent of its original bombardment capacity and it'south covered past AppleCare+, you will get Apple Watch battery service for no additional charge.

If your watch is out of warranty then the bombardment service fee is £82.44/$79. More information here.

How much does an Mac repair cost

If your Mac is still in warranty, or you take AppleCare+ your repair will be costless. The price of a repair will vary depending on the nature of the problem.

Mac battery repair

Apple will repair the bombardment in MacBook laptops, prices range from £129/$129 to £199/$199. Cheque this page for details.

For example, a 16in MacBook Pro Battery replacement costs £199.

Mac screen repair

The price of a screen repair depends on whether y'all accept AppleCare+ cover. If y'all purchase AppleCare+ for Mac so for three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date you volition have embrace for two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject area to a service fee which is £79/$99 for screen damage and £229/$299 for other damage. More than here.

Tin can I get my Apple tree product repaired somewhere else?

Yous could use an independent repair shop but be aware that they cannot provide repairs covered by Apple'due south warranty or AppleCare plans.

If you would prefer to apply an Apple Authorised Service Provider yous can locate one hither.

Apple tree has this link to information about Apple-certified repairs of the iPhone.

In 2020 Apple extended a scheme that allows pocket-sized independent shops to legitimately ready iPhones. Now these workshops can also set Macs.

Does Apple practice free repairs?

If your product is within warranty - which is one year from the point of sale (even if you were purchasing a refurbished Apple product) - and goes wrong you can go Apple to ready it for gratis.

Other reasons that might help you lot get a gratuitous repair is if your product has been recalled or qualifies in a repair program. As we mentioned earlier, nosotros have a separate articles about the diverse repair schemes and recalls. Read: MacBook recalls and repair programs - is your Mac included? and Apple production recalls & complimentary repair programmes for iPhone & iPad.

How easy to repair are Apple products?

When yous are choosing a new Apple tree product you would be wise to have into account how likely it is to get broken and how easy it will be to repair. One of the chief killers of smartphones these days are batteries, another is the ease at which nosotros break the screens - despite all the technical advances of the glass used in the manufacture of smartphones.

Apple has improved the repairability of the iPhone in terms of the screen and battery, but what of its other products? Replacing a screen on an iPad is not as simple as on an iPhone, for example, and the price is a lot college.

Hopefully that will alter. The EU backed Right to Repair movement and is aiming to put in place laws that will get in compulsory for new devices to be easier to repair due. Hopefully leading manufacturers to build products with removable and replaceable parts.

As a outcome of this campaign, French legislation has already forced Apple to characterization products to evidence a repairability score. The result of the changes should lead to more reparable products with extended lifespans so that they are less likely to end up in landfill early on.

Apple - and other companies - at present have to point a 'repairability index on products. Read more almost why Apple tree's been forced to reveal repairability of products in France.

The repairbility of a product should be part of the decision when choosing a new product to buy, and thanks to the French legislation Apple is now being forced to reveal this information.

The company includes a repairability score for many of the products it sells on its French Apple tree Store.

Apple'south scores are based on the following:

  1. Access to documentation.
  2. Disassembly (how easy it is, what tools are required, etc).
  3. Availability of spare parts.
  4. Price of spare parts (compared to ownership new).
  5. Access to software updates, free technical support and the power to reset the software.

Apple tree isn't the but one revealing how piece of cake (or hard) it is to repair Apple tree products. iFixit is famous for offering guides to the repairability of various Apple tree products where they highlight the issues that might pb you to needing a repair in the first place - for instance, the smashable glass on the front and back of the iPhone. Luckily the drinking glass front of the iPhone is pretty simple and relatively inexpensive to repair, just replacing the glass back could be an expensive job.

Another thing to bear in mind is that there comes a time in every Apple tree products life when it becomes Obsolete or Vintage. These are terms that Apple uses to describe products once they haven't been sold for more than five or eight years. One time a product is vintage Apple will just repair it if it has the parts (and so at a price, obviouly). Once a product is Obsolete then there is no possibility that Apple will repair it.

With Apple adding the 2015 MacBook to the vintage list the list of unsupported products is growing. Read more here: How long do Macs last?

How easy to repair is the iPhone?

Wondering what is the easiest iPhone to repair? Unfortunately the iPhone isn't getting any easier to repair, although the two things near likely to need repair - the screen and the battery - are like shooting fish in a barrel plenty to admission (although even those aren't repairs yous could perform at home).

However, since launch of the iPhone XS and XR, repair companies and home fixers have constitute that it is no longer possible to alter the bombardment without finalising the change using Organisation Configuration, an online tool Apple makes available to its own stores and authorised repair companies.

iPhone 12 series repairability

iFixit gives the iPhone 12 series a score of half dozen/10 for repairability. In favour of the 2020 range of iPhones is the easy access for screen and battery replacement and the fact that nigh components are modular. The master criticism is the drinking glass back - the problem beingness that if the back drinking glass breaks, it is necessary to remove every component and supercede the entire chassis. iFixit reports that the replacement of the screen and camera of the iPhone 12 series must be activated via the Arrangement Configuration app - which over again counts our home-fixers.

Apple'southward ain scoring (which you can see on the French version of its website) sees the iPhone 12 series awarded 6/10.

iPhone SE 2020 repairability

iFixit hasn't scored the iPhone SE 2020, but Apple has - in that example information technology gets 6.2/10.

iPhone eleven repairability

iFixit as well gave the iPhone xi series six/ten for similar reasons to the iPhone 12 series, noting that replacing the battery had been simplified, but again criticising the fact that the rear glass can only be fully replaced with a complete housing bandy.

Apple's scoring sees the iPhone eleven and 11 Pro getting 4.6/10, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max gets four.5/ten.

iPhone XR repairability

The iPhone XR gets the same score of half-dozen/10 from iFixit, with the the ease of replacing the screen and battery highlighted, and the same problem with replacing the glass back highlighted.

Apple gives the XR 4.v/10.

iPhone XS serial repairability

The iPhone XS is the aforementioned, gaining a score of vi/10 from iFixit for the same reasons. Apple gives the XS Max 4.5/ten, and the XS four.7/10.

iPhone X repairability

The iPhone X was too given six/10 by iFixit who noted the accessibility for brandish and battery repairs, merely criticised "Fussy cables necktie unrelated components together into circuitous assemblies - expensive and troublesome to replace". Apple gives the iPhone X 4.8/x on the French Apple tree Shop.

iPhone 8 repairability

The iPhone 8 was given 6/10, with the drinking glass dorsum being highlighted as a potential problem. Apple gives both the 8 and 8 Plus 6.6/ten.

iPhone vii repairability

The iPhone 7 - introduced back in 2016 - marked the concluding fourth dimension an iPhone got a score of 7/10 from iFixit. Here the improvements offered past the solid state habitation button was noted as a point in favour, because the one-time mechanical button was a common indicate of failure in older models. Apple gives the iPhone 7 6.6/10 while the vii Plus gets 6.7/ten.

How easy to repair is the Mac?

Looking for a new Mac and wondering what is the easiest Mac to repair? The trouble with many Mac laptops is the fact that Apple uses a lot of mucilage and solder to stick components down. By soldering or gluing components into place Apple makes admission to faulty components impossible. Aside from meaning you might non have been able to get a broken MacBook Air repaired, this isn't great news for the environment as Macs that can't exist stock-still generally finish upwardly in landfill.

Merely as with the iPhones, Apple is now revealing the repairability scores for some of its Macs. iFixit as well offers this information for some Macs.

MacBook Air repairability

iFixit hasn't yet given the M1 Macs a rating. Apple however has: the M1 MacBook Air gets 6.5/10, which is the same score every bit it awards the 2018 MacBook Air.

The 2018 MacBook Air gets iii/x from iFixit. Hither the criticism is the keyboard being integrated into the top case, making replacement difficult and expensive (a item issue given the keyboard problems of the 2016-2020 MacBook Airs). These laptops are also held dorsum by the fact that storage and RAM is soldered on. In the Air'due south favour, iFixit does note that the ports, fan, speaker and some other components are straightforward to access.

iFixit also noted that Apple fabricated changes to the layout of the components within the early 2020 MacBook Air to make servicing and repair easier.

However, the old pattern of the pre-2017 MacBook Air actually had a better score awarded past Apple - 7/10.

MacBook Pro repairability

The M1 MacBook Pro gets v.6/ten from Apple, while the older 2020 2.0GHz model gets half dozen.3/10.

To get an idea of how that might translate to iFixit's scores, the 2019 13in MacBook Pro (the entry-level model, but the repairability nigh likely applies to all models) was given a score of ii/10 by iFixit. The negatives they note include Apple'southward use of Proprietary pentalobe screws, the glued in battery, and the soldered-down RAM.

The 2/10 score is a slight improvement on the 2018 model at least: here iFixit criticises the fact that the processor, RAM, and flash memory are soldered to the logic lath and the keyboard, battery, and speakers are glued together. The Bear upon ID button is as well highlighted due to it being paired with the T2 bit. Apple awards the 2019 13in MacBook Pro a score of 5.6/10, while the 2018 model scored 6.2/10.

According to iFixit the 16in MacBook Pro is not 1 to recommend. They give it only ane/10 for repairability, noting that the processor, RAM, and flash retentivity are all soldered to the logic board, making replacement difficult. They also annotation that mucilage and/or rivets secure the keyboard, battery, speakers, and Bear upon Bar, so those repairs would also be difficult. As well the Touch ID sensor is the power switch and locked to the logic board and paired with the T2 flake, which would make repairs of that component hard.

The older 15in MacBook Pro was no better, likewise scoring ane/10, for essentially the same reasons as the 16in model. Apple tree awards the 16in MacBook Pro vi.3/10.

iMac repairability

As for desktops, the 2020 27in iMac gets 4/10 from iFixit. Here the criticism is the fact that Apple makes it and then hard to remove the screen to admission the components - and it;'s difficult to render it to the state you started. Once you are inside, the exposed power supply is a business organisation. And altering the internal storage is impossible. Apple tree hasn't rated these models however.

The iMac Pro gets three/10. Hither the criticisms are that key components are buried behind the logic board, requiring a lot of disassembly for access, the loss of the external RAM access hatch - a feature of other 27in iMac models - means RAM is a more than difficult upgrade, and the GPU is soldered in place. Apple hasn't rated these models yet.

Mac mini repairability

The 2018 Mac mini got a repairability score of six/10 from iFixit. Here the criticisms were that the CPU and storage are both soldered to the logic board and non user-upgradeable and the fact that If any of the many ports is damaged or worn, the entire logic board volition need replacing. In its favour the Mac mini components aren't held in place with adhesive and RAM can be easily upgraded. Apple hasn't rated these models yet.

How easy to repair is the iPad?

It'south disappointing really that the iPad isn't as like shooting fish in a barrel to repair as the iPhone. In fact the difficulty of replacing the screen and the battery are emphasised by the fact that both these repairs are relatively easy on the iPhone. We think information technology's time Apple made the iPad easier to fix.

What is the easiest iPad to repair?

The iPad from 2019 gets a repairability score of two/10 from iFixit. Here the criticisms are the barrier of very strong adhesive making getting inside almost impossible, and the overuse of adhesive once you exercise get inside. The Lightning port - noted as a "common indicate of failure" is unfortunately difficult to supersede considering it is soldered to the logic lath.

The iPad Air from 2019 also scores 2/ten from iFixit. Here the battery replacement is at least noted equally being possible but they complain that it is "unnecessarily difficult". Again, there is as well much adhesive holding parts and cables in place. The lightning port is hard to replace because its soldered to the logic board. Simply at least other components are modular and can therefore be replaced independently (one time you go within).

The 2019 iPad mini is similar. Information technology scores 2/10 with iFixit noting how hard battery replacement is, and how there is agglutinative holding down parts and cables. They likewise annotation that removing the domicile button is difficult and a necessary part of display replacement if you wish to keep Affect ID functionality.

The 2018 iPad Pro does get a slightly ameliorate score - 3/x. Hither the criticism is again all the glue that Apple uses within the case. But at least here the battery is secured with piece of cake-to-remove tabs. Another indicate in its favour is the USB-C port which is modular and can be independently replaced.

How easy to repair is the Apple Watch?

Like the iPhone the Apple tree Watch screen is probable to be the matter that breaks, although, unlike the iPhone we aren't and so likely to drop our Apple tree Watches. But merely how like shooting fish in a barrel is information technology to fix an Apple tree Watch?

What is the easiest Apple Sentinel to repair?

The Apple tree Sentinel Series 6 gets a repairability score of 6/10 from iFixit. The screen and bombardment are reasonably straightforward to supplant. The main complaint is that many of the component cables are mounted directly to the S6 and require skilled microsoldering if they are damaged.

The Series 5 likewise scores 6/x for the same reasons.

The Series 4 and 3 scored half-dozen/x but in both cases there was the additional criticism that the "resin-encased S4 organization makes most board-level repairs impossible."

iFixit hasn't notwithstanding scored the repairability of the Apple tree Spotter SE.

And then to wrap up, Apple tree products aren't like shooting fish in a barrel or cheap to fix. Apple has fabricated information technology easier to replace the screen and battery in the iPhone, which is a bonus, but given that they are the things most probable to get wrong, an essential bonus. We promise that the new EU legislation coming in volition hateful that Apple tree and other companies are more focused on the repairability of their products, extending their lifespans.