Apple’s Self-Service Repair Program now Lets You Repair M4 Macs
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Apple is getting much quicker at adding the latest devices to its self-service repair program. You can now buy parts and tools for its entire M4-powered Mac lineup released last fall, letting you tackle a variety of do-it-yourself repairs at home.
While today’s expansion of the self-serve program still comes three months after the M4 Mac lineup was released, it’s a definite improvement over the early days of the program, when it could take a year or more for parts and tools to arrive for new models.
Apple already added the iPhone 16 to the mix in November. With today’s announcement, that means every iPhone and Mac released since last 2020 is now included in the program, from the iPhone 12 and first M1 Macs until now. Apple’s self-service repair program is focused primarily on the Mac and the iPhone; the Beats Pill and the Apple Studio display are included, but you won’t be able to get parts, manuals, or tools for other devices like the iPad, Vision Pro, or Apple Watch.
Apple provides a pretty comprehensive list of replacement parts for its M4 Macs, from display and casing components to audio boards, USB-C and Thunderbolt ports, fans, Wi-Fi antennas, and even a full set of replacement keycaps.
The self-serve program appears to be ramping up in response to right to repair legislation that’s been cropping up across the US. It often feels like a token gesture on Apple’s part, since it’s not significantly cheaper than an Apple Store repair once you’ve paid for replacement parts and rented the necessary tools, which cost $49 for a seven-day rental and come in a pair of cases that weight about 79 pounds. They’re also unique to the device you’re repairing, so you won’t be able to save money by ordering one set of tools to repair two devices unless they’re the exact same make and model; Apple even differentiates between the M4 and M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro models.
The narrow margin for self-service repair costs is especially true for the iPhone. However, Apple’s program could be more cost-effective for undertaking smaller Mac repairs like replacing a broken port compared to Apple’s service fees. The Mac is complex enough that this is going to be different for every case, but you can browse the parts catalog on Apple’s self-service repair store to do the math for yourself.
Of course, this is mostly a moot point for the M4 Macs right now, all of which are still under Apple’s standard one-year warranty, which will cover some repairs even if you haven’t purchased AppleCare+. Nevertheless, warranties don’t cover accidental damage, so if you’ve dropped your MacBook and cracked your screen, you’ll still be paying a full replacement cost — either from Apple or via the self-serve repair program — even if you just bought it yesterday.
To be clear, Apple’s self-service repair program isn’t for the faint of heart, and that’s even more true if you plan on digging into your MacBook Pro. Apple says the program is “intended for individuals who are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices,” which means most folks are better off seeking the help of a professional.
Still, Apple has a full set of repair manuals that you can download and read for free if you’re not sure what’s involved. Depending on the repair, these may convince you that it’s not as scary of a proposition after all, or they may send you running to the nearest Genius Bar.
