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Whenever a new iPhone or iPad is released, Apple gets criticized for how hard it is to work on.youtube.com Special tools are required and everything is glued together.youtube.com Replacing your own screen or battery is nigh impossible. But it turns out the company is doing you a favor. Because iPhone repair is surprisingly dangerous. According to the Washington Post, companies that recycle electronic devices have to deal with frequent fires. Cascade Asset Management, an eWaste recycling company, estimates that 1 in 3,000 of the devices it handles catch fire. The fires are caused by the lithium-ion batteries that are in virtually every gadget, including all the Apple products from MacBooks to AirPods. If it was easy to open an iPhone or iPad, obviously people would do it. They’d buy screens and replace the ones they cracked. Or they’d put in new batteries.
And 1 time out of every 3000 someone did this, their iOS device would burst into flames. For an individual, the risk is relatively low. But last year an industry analyst said there are roughly 700 million iPhones in use. Suppose 1 in 100 of those gets a home repair. Considering Cascade’s estimate of the odds of a "thermal event," that would mean 2,300 fires. Remember the Galaxy Note 7? Of course you do; that’s the Samsung [https://rapidiphone.repair/ phone repair] infamous for exploding. But do you know how many of them actually caught fire? In the U.S., it was about 100. So if people were easily and regularly popping open their iPhones to tinker with them, there’d be a problem 20 times worse. And that’s probably a low estimate. Cascade’s technicians are highly trained and still have the electronic gadgets they’re working on catch fire. There’d be news reports almost every day about someone setting their house on fire while working on an iPhone or iPad. There’d be pictures of burn victims. Images of suddenly-homeless kids crying in the cold.youtube.com And people would blame Apple. So Apple does everything it can to force you to take your broken iPhone or iPad to a professional. That’s far and away the best solution.
"We throw away 416,000 phones every day," says Mr. Proctor of US PIRG. "And one-third of the world does not have access to cellphones. The problem isn’t limited to Apple. Other smartphone makers have also made their models more difficult to repair. The 2010-era Samsung Galaxy S5, for example, has a pop-off plastic back that allows access to change the battery and the memory within seconds. Today’s S9, by contrast, requires heating the metal back to loosen the adhesive, a suction cup to help pry it off, the removal of 15 Phillips-head screws, and two other parts before the battery can be removed.
These difficult-to-remove lithium batteries are, in turn, making it difficult and dangerous for recyclers to reclaim the parts. As reported two weeks ago by The Washington Post, these batteries are causing fires in recycling trucks and centers. Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. Apple, which has never taken a stand on right-to-repair, has responded to such problems by expanding its repair network to some 5,000 authorized service providers worldwide, lowered the cost of battery replacement, and simplified screen repair. It has pioneered "Daisy," a system to robotically disassemble iPhones to recover more parts than traditional shredding methods, and initiated a credit program for customers who give back Apple computers when they no longer use them. Last year, the company announced its commitment to create new products using only recycled or renewable materials. That commitment is still years away and, to the dismay of right-to-repair advocates, remains a closed loop completely under Apple’s control.
One set of teardown results many have been waiting anxiously for is finally here. Fixit released its iPhone XR teardown results over the weekend, bringing good news for those who already bought the handset or are planning to buy one. The iPhone XR teardown revealed that basic repairs on the device could be carried out easily. According to iFixit, two common repairs for any phone — display and battery replacements — are easier on the XR than on most Android phones. "The display-first opening procedure and easy access to the battery remain design priorities for Apple—making the two most common repairs easier than almost any Android counterpart," iFixit says in a blog post.
Apple used a little adhesive to hold the XR battery, but once the adhesive is removed, it becomes easier to replace the battery without damaging the phone. The battery is marginally smaller than the iPhone 8 Plus, but it is a bit thicker. Further, the iPhone XR has the best battery among all the three new iPhones. It has an 11.16 Wh battery, compared to 10.13 Wh for the XS and 12.08 Wh for the XS Max. The modular SIM card reader and the logic board are also easily removable. The modular SIM tray is a first for an iPhone, and it’s lower than the one in the iPhone XS.
This is good, according to iFixit, which believes it will allow faster swapping and lead to lower repair costs for the logic board. Although iFixit gave the iPhone XR the same score of 6/10 in repairability as it gave to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the experts shared some interesting findings. Other findings from the iPhone XR teardown revealed that the handset uses copper, which suggests faster charging with less power. Further, the handset has a Taptic Engine, which supports haptic touch, to compensate for the loss of 3D Touch capabilities. Apple’s iPhone XR has an LCD which is 0.3 inches bigger across than the AMOLED display used in the iPhone XS. The display is also thicker and heavier because it needs a backlight.
Fixit believes the bigger display is a big reason why the Lightning connector is off-axis. "The new ‘misaligned’ Lightning port looks to be a symptom of the thicker display assembly. The LCD is less pricey, but its need for a backlight makes it bigger—which may have perturbed the port symmetry," iFixit says. As far as the negatives, iFixit says waterproofing makes it a bit difficult to do some repairs, and like the iPhone XS and XS Max, the iPhone XR has a glass back. Thus, if you break it somehow, you will have to replace the phone’s entire chassis. The iPhone XR teardown also revealed that the handset has uncommon pentalobe screws around the charging port.
Such screws make it difficult for third parties to carry out repairs, but it also helps with easy opening of the device with the display coming out first. One difference between the iPhone XR and the XS that iFixit couldn’t figure out is why the iPhone XS has an IP68 rating for water and dust protection, while the XR has an IP67 rating. According to iFixit, opening the XR felt almost the same as opening the XS. According to iFixit, the TrueDepth camera system in the iPhone XR is the same as the TrueDepth camera system in the iPhone X and XS. Such sharing of these characteristics between the two iPhones makes the iPhone XR the "spiritual iPhone 9," declares iFixit. "But the XR isn’t all throwback—it’s got the latest silicon, and contains features entirely new to iPhones. We found Apple’s first-ever modular SIM reader, possibly there to help with their newfangled multi-SIM plans," iFixit says.
Apple's warranty for most products covers eligible repairs for its products, including the iPhone, for a year after purchase. But what's an eligible repair? The document seen by Business Insider, called the "Visual/Mechanical Inspection Guide," is dated March 3, 2017, and covers the iPhone 6, 6S, and 7, as well as the associated Plus models. Apple retail technician told Business Insider. VMIs are "something we use, but we don't refer to it all that often unless we get some oddball issue," another Apple technician told Business Insider. So what does the VMI look like? Most of this should not be a surprise if you're a longtime Apple user. If your iPhone has water damage, you'll have to pay. The guide includes which questions a technician should ask if they think a phone has water damage and shows that they must take apart the phone before denying warranty coverage. Other parts of the guide focus on identifying an iPhone's internals and whether any parts have been swapped. Any device with a non-Apple battery or missing parts is ineligible for service.
What’s puzzling about it is that the repair procedure involves fixing the rear camera, which has nothing to do with Face ID. The first step involves trying to repair the device by fixing the rear camera. In order to provide the best customer experience, if a customer reports that their iPhone X is having Face ID issues, you may be able to resolve the issue with a rear camera repair. Run AST 2 on the customer’s device to check the camera. If the diagnostics find issue with the camera, perform the repair to see if the issue is resolved. If the issue is not resolved, perform a whole unit replacement instead of a same-unit display repair. It’s unclear what the link between rear and front camera is, but it sure looks like an issue with the dual-lens camera on the back might hinder Face ID functionality. If the repair doesn’t work, then a full-device replacement is advised. The Face ID issue doesn’t appear to be widespread, but if you’re experiencing any problems, you should have your device checked. Start by visiting the customer support page on Apple’s website.
Despite the high prices, iPhones seem to be designed for replacement on a specific schedule. After a couple of years, the battery life starts to fade (and that’s assuming you didn’t drop the phone and crack the screen before then). Even Apple’s extended warranty only covers two years. 649 — at least — for the latest iPhone every two years just to be sure you have a phone that still works? According to our friends at iFixit, you can fix many iPhone problems yourself for less than the price of a professional repair or new phone. And despite the fact that the iPhone looks like it’s a single, seamless piece of aluminum, you can take it apart without an engineering degree.
’s dig into which iPhone issues you can repair yourself and what it will cost you to call in a professional. While lots of things can go wrong with your iPhone, the two most common repairs are batteries and screens, according to iFixit. "Based on Apple’s projected life span, you can expect the battery in your iPhone to lose 20 percent of its charge capacity within two years," explains Kay-Kay Clapp, iFixit‘s community and outreach manager. And screens, which can easily break with a fall to the floor, are also simpler to replace than they seem. "This used to be a tricky and time-consuming DIY — but starting with the iPhone 5, Apple designed the display to come off first and that has dramatically simplified the repair," Clapp says.
The trick is you need the right tools (you’ll notice your iPhone only has two visible screws, and neither fit a standard screwdriver) and good instructions, since Apple provides none. One thing you can’t usually fix is serious water damage. While your old-model iPhone may survive a splash, dropping it in the pool is another thing entirely. "Oftentimes water damage causes corrosion, which damages the components in your phone," Clapp notes. Though conventional wisdom says a bag of rice saves waterlogged electronics by absorbing the liquid, it can’t cure corrosion. Can I really fix my broken iPhone? The trouble with fixing a broken iPhone is that it doesn’t come with a repair manual.
Still, it only takes a bit of know-how to dive into repairs yourself. The first snag: Apple uses a proprietary "pentalobe" screw on iPhones, and you’ll need the right screwdriver before you can even consider taking the phone apart to repair it. After you have that, you may be surprised at how easy it is to get at the internals. Once unscrewed, you can remove the iPhone’s screen (with care; iFixit has instructions on how to remove the screen of the 6s for replacement) and get to everything inside. Though the iPhone looks daunting, it isn’t nearly as challenging as it seems. "We believe that anyone at any skill level can do common iPhone repairs," Clapp says. "With the right parts, tools, knowledge of the device you’re working on, and a little bit of confidence, repair is easier than you’d think.
"One of the biggest impediments to repair is the manufacturer, not the user’s skill," she adds. Users of any skill level can replace the battery, screen, speakers, and more. Spend time researching the repair online, then take it slowly when you work on the phone to avoid mistakes. With just that advice, you’ll find you’re able to fix the most common iPhone problems without shelling out hundreds of dollars for a replacement. However, some things will be beyond the repair skills of anyone but a professional. Anything wrong with the motherboard, chips and associated components will take expertise — which means a professional fix or outright replacement.
What will it cost to fix my broken iPhone? 649 and goes up from there. But many repairs, no matter where you get them done, cost less than that. Let’s do a rundown of the prices for the most common iPhone 6s fixes; we expect the repair costs for the iPhone 7 to match. 29 to replace the screen. 149.95 (which includes tools). Prices at local repair shops can vary widely. 250 to replace a screen. 80% of its original capacity, Apple will replace the battery for free. 79 if you don’t have a warranty. In short, unless you’re having very serious issues, the cheapest route is almost never going to be replacing your phone; repairing it is likely to cost less. Even if you’re uncertain of your DIY skills, even paying Apple for common repairs without a warranty is still more economical than buying a new phone outright.
If you’re using a malfunctioning phone as an excuse to buy the latest model, then by all means, don’t let us stop you — but if you’re looking to save cash, investigate repairing it rather than replacing it. 129 for new iPhones. It offers two years of coverage and support for your gadget — replacing faulty hardware, providing software support, and fixing up to two incidents of accidental damage. 99 per incident for the latest model phones. This extended warranty offers great peace of mind, and some people may find the software support alone to be invaluable. ’t typically come out on top… even if we just consider the cost of taking your phone to Apple for an official repair. Let’s compare costs for an iPhone 6s; again, we expect the costs for the iPhone 7 to match these prices. 29 accidental damage cost).
29 savings (assuming you didn’t have any other phone problems). ’d pay nothing, as long as your phone had less than 80% of its original battery capacity. 79 to replace your battery. If you are set on buying a new iPhone, we would recommend looking at the last-generation modelfor the best price. And, if that doesn’t appeal, hold out until Black Friday, when we’re likely to see our first discounts on new iPhones — though we don’t expect them to be jaw-dropping. Readers, what do you do when your iPhone needs repairs? Do you fix the phone yourself, take it to a local shop, have Apple repair it, or buy a new handset? Let us know in the comments below!
Just days after launching a repair program for the iPhone 6 Plus "Touch Disease" flaw, Apple today launched yet another repair program, this time for iPhone 6s users. The program is focused on users that are affected by a battery flaw that causes their iPhone 6s to unexpectedly shut down. Apple claims that the issue plagues "a very small number of iPhone 6s devices" that were manufactured between September and October of 2015. To remedy the problem, Apple is offering to replace the battery on affected units, free of charge. Apple is also sure to point out that this is not a safety issue in any way.
Apple has determined that a very small number of iPhone 6s devices may unexpectedly shut down. If you have experienced this issue, please visit an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider and have your device’s serial number checked to confirm eligibility for a battery replacement, free of charge. If you feel that your iPhone 6s is affected by this issue, Apple instructs you to visit an Apple Retail Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider to confirm your eligibility. From there, your battery will be replaced free of charge. As usual, Apple notes that devices with other damage, such as a cracked screen, will not be eligible for the repair program until the other damage is repaired. Notably, Apple explains that anyone who paid to have their battery replaced because of this issue can contact customer support about obtaining a refund. 149 charge associated with it. Apple justifies that charge by claiming Touch Disease is caused by dropping your iPhone on hard surfaces, rather than it being a hardware flaw like today’s battery repair program.
When you buy a product, you should be able to do whatever you want with it. If it breaks, you should be able to fix it, or find someone who can. At least, that’s how it used to work. It has become increasingly difficult to repair the things we own. It’s now easier to simply throw out these products and buy a new one. From your dishwasher to the iPhone in your pocket, products are purposefully being made to be difficult, if not impossible, to repair. Companies profit from this cycle of waste — or planned obsolescence — and the public is forced to pay the price, both in terms of additional financial costs and environmental damage.
This is why Right to Repair legislation has become so important — reforms which give the public access to parts and manuals necessary to fix our products. Here are a couple examples of Right to Repair victories happening elsewhere around the world.youtube.com 6.6 million for violating Australian Consumer Law. The tech giant came under fire for an "Error 53" message that appeared on devices that had been repaired by third party shops, rendering the device useless. 1 trillion, it’s significant that the court ruled in favor of bolstering consumers’ rights. Apple argued the error message was a safeguard meant to protect consumer security by preventing unwarranted access to users’ fingerprints, but the error only appeared after the user updated the iOS.
If security was truly a main concern, why didn’t Apple notify customers that they felt their Touch ID had been compromised right away? And doesn’t Apple realize that screen repair is incredibly common? A lot of people crack their phone screens. Many people live far from an authorized repair location, or just need their phone fixed quickly. Yet, Apple doesn’t make the original replacement screens available to the thousands of repair shops that people take those phones to in order to be fixed. Nor do they make calibration and diagnostic software available. These problems would be addressed by Right to Repair reform by making authorized replacement parts available to independent repair shops. Apple has seen its share of lumps in the courts lately.
The company sued an electronics repair shop owner in Norway who imported salvaged screens from Asia as replacement parts for iPhones because those parts had Apple logos on them. The Norwegian court ultimately ruled in favor of the shop owner, citing the Apple logo was not visible once repairs had been completed nor was it a central selling point for the repair shop. Significantly, the court recognized the limited options when finding quality replacement parts without the Apple logo. To many, disabling your phone because you had it repaired independently violates the basic principles of ownership. Once a customer purchases their iPhone, iPad, iPod, or other device, they should have control over how they choose to use and repair it. Pushing out legitimate competition in the repair market forces consumers to go to the original manufacturer for repairs, which adds to cost and can be a hassle. It also creates waste, as companies can decide when to fix products, and when to refuse to, pushing customers into a new purchase. Right to Repair bills would help expand repair options by providing access to parts and service information and have been proposed in 18 states. U.S. PIRG is working to support the legislation nationwide.
If you’ve ever wondered why Apple employees seem at least a little skeptical during requests for repairs, there’s at least one legitimate justification: The company has quietly been dealing with repair fraud on a billion-dollar scale. Rather than involving Chinese police, Apple changed its policies to require advance reservations and proof of ownership before repairs, then created a diagnostic app that could spot fake parts in phones. But when the company rejected repairs, suspected fraudsters started to make scenes in stores, so Apple changed policies again — now phones would receive off-site inspections before repairs were authorized. It also started to dip both batteries and CPUs in liquids that could only be seen under special lights, to verify the origin of parts.
The report claims that fraud rates in Greater China have dropped from over 60 percent of all repair claims to around 20 percent. While the Chinese market is particularly challenging due to the presence of Apple contract manufacturers and knockoff artists within the country, Apple has reportedly also seen fraud upticks in Turkey, the UAE, and other countries. As almost anyone who has visited an Apple Store for repairs can attest, it’s unfortunate that criminal tactics have led to greater inconveniences for paying customers. Consumer complaints over the past year alone have knocked Apple for triggering iPhone error messages over third-party screens and unauthorized repairs, as well as seemingly illegal "fix this first" requirements before technicians will address simple issues. Some of these problems are clearly the result of poor Apple repair policies, but it’s apparent that thieves are responsible for making the process stricter for everyone.
The Information is reporting today on Apple’s five-year struggle to tackle iPhone repair fraud. The scheme centres around crime gangs who were buying or stealing iPhones, removing valuable parts like CPUs and screens, and then claiming their devices were broken at Apple Stores and getting the Genius to replace them under warranty. The parts were then sold on. At its peak, Apple was seeing 60% of warranty repairs in China and Hong Kong as being fraudulent, literally costing Apple billions of dollars per year. Apple retail had taken a very laid back approach, swapping out faulty iPhones as long as they didn’t appear to be intentionally damaged. It had been estimated by executives that fraud represented less than 10% of claims. However, in 2013, an Apple data scientist counted the number of iPhones that switched Apple IDs after being repaired.
This provided a very good estimate of the number of fraudulent replacements, as legitimate customers would naturally log back in to the same Apple ID they were already using. Criminals getting repairs for stolen iPhones lit up like red flags across Apple’s system.youtube.com The problem of iPhone repair fraud was finally taken seriously inside Apple. This counting showed the actual reality; more than 60% of repairs in China were fraudulent. 1.6 billion for warranty repair costs. 3.7 billion in that period, with much of that gap explained by Chinese fraud. Initially, Apple stopped allowing walk-in repairs and required reservation systems that supposedly ensured proof of ownership was provided. The system was beaten by hackers who exploited vulnerabilities in the web system who sniped all the time slots.
Apple then required candidate iPhone devices to run software diagnostics which would identify any fake parts inside, without requiring store staff to disassemble components and perform inspections. The thieves circumvented this by simply making the iPhones not turn on. Some criminals were even more sophisticated. They acquired Apple customer records for iPhones that had already been sold, and then configured their fake iPhones to report these already sold serial numbers, including physical etching.youtube.com This would fool Apple into providing warranty repairs for iPhones that should really already have expired coverage. Apple adapted, but the fraudsters were relentless. In one particularly violent case, a manager at an Apple Store was threatened with a cattle prod when criminals tried to bribe out customer data.