More places to fix cracked iPhone

Apple is loosening its grip on how its products are repaired to give customers more options for fixing cracked screens and or defects on ir older iPhones. Under new policy anunced Thursday, Apple will begin selling its tools and parts to more independent phone-repair shops in U.S. Apple will expand that to or countries later. Repairs at se shops, though, will be limited to iPhones alrey out of warranty. iPhones still under warranty must still be taken to an Apple store or one of more than 5,000 service providers that company alrey has authorised worldwide.

Apple will begin selling its tools and parts to more independent phone-repair shops

That includes all Best Buy stores in U.S. Those who have or devices, such as Apple Watch and Mac computer, or an iPhone requiring more complicated repairs will also have to go re. Although many ufficial repair shops have been offering basic fixes such as screen replacements, y aren’t necessarily using Apple parts or qualified technicians. w, thousands more shops will be able to buy parts directly from Apple, as long as y have a company-certified technician to make those repairs. change represents a significant concession from Apple, which is kwn for trying to control everything, including repair experience. Consumer groups and some state lawmakers have been pressuring Apple to give people more viable choices to seek repairs, as smartphones have become as conspicuous in daily life as cars — a product that typically can be taken to an independent mechanic inste of a dealership. Apple is pivoting just as antitrust regulators in U.S. are examining wher it and or powerful techlogy companies such as Google, Amazon and Facebook have been stifling competition.

“ last thing that Apple wants w is to be doing anything that might cast it in a negative light in Washington,” industry analyst Patrick Moorhe of Moor Insights said.

Apple might lose some revenue if consumers turn to shops that charge slightly lower prices for labour. In dition, easier repairs might prompt customers to hold onto ir iPhones for even longer periods, a phemen that has alrey contributed to a slowdown in phone sales. And ors may be more reluctant to pay extra for a repair program, Apple Care, which has been helping company boost revenue in its rapidly growing services business. But Moorhe doubts Apple will be affected that bly, as he predicted Apple Care sales won’t fall more than 15%. Apple Care is just a small part of a services business that includes app commissions and music subscriptions. Investors didn’t appear to be concerned eir, as Apple’s stock gained nearly 2% Thursday to close at $209.01.