In April, Apple launched its self-service repair program, but just a couple of months after, it is already facing several issues, including a lack of parts.
Due to the problem with the supply chain, the tech giant will now allow customers to take their Apple devices home in case the repair takes longer than anticipated.
However, once the missing part has arrived and the repair can be reinstated, they can return their device to finish the job.
Apple Users Can Take Their Device Home
According to MacRumors, customers who decide to take their Apple device back home will be notified by the service center once the pair that they need arrives.
They have a maximum of five days to return the device to the center, or else it will be canceled, and they will have to reschedule.
The repair policy with Apple devices is only applicable at select centers, and it is up to the service center whether or not the customer can take their device back home as they wait for parts to finish the repair.
According to Tech Investor News, most customers who will be allowed to take their Apple devices back home live close to the service center, and those whose devices still work even with a missing part.
Supply Chain Issue
MacRumors reported that Apple has been dealing with supply chain issues for months now, and it has affected the release and repair of its iPhone and Mac models.
The parts for the MacBook Pro with the 16-inch display take at least two months to arrive.
Meanwhile, other parts for some MacBook Pro models and the MacBook Air, including the keyboard, battery, and internal chassis, could take several weeks before it arrives.
Problem with Apple's Repair Program
On Apr. 27, iFixit's Elizabeth Chamberlain wrote in a blog post that the biggest issue with Apple's repair program is that the parts must match the device.
When buying parts from Apple's Self Service Repair Store, the customer needs to enter the serial number or IMEI of the device as the parts ordered need to match the device before it is installed.
Chamberlain pointed out that using a serial number during checkout could allow Apple "the power to block more repairs."
She added that the repair program sets Apple up as the gateway to approve or deny any repairs of its devices, as the parts can only come from a certain source, limiting the customer's choices.
The pairing process also called System Configuration, lets the customers contact the Self Service Repair Store's support team either by chat or phone.
Despite the limit set by Apple when it comes to parts, iFixit stated that there is still something good that comes out of it.
For example, customers are assured that the tools can only be accessed by certified Apple technicians and the parts are made of high-quality materials and not cheap counterfeit.
The publication believes that the Right to Repair legislation will push Apple to be more lenient when it comes to matching parts with their devices. In this way, customers won't have to wait for weeks or months to get their devices working.
Related Article: Apple's iPhone 8 Logic Board Repair Program Ends | Free Fix For Previous Smartphone Model No Longer Available
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster
