Apple allows self-repairs to iPhones, Macs

Apple is letting some iPhone users fix their own phones. The company has said it will enable users of two of the newest iPhone models and eventually some Mac computers to get access to genuine Apple parts and tools for repair

This is a sharp turnaround for Apple. The company has long prohibited anyone but company-approved technicians from fiddling with its proprietary parts and software.

Apple is launching an online store for self-service repairs early next year. It will have more than 200 individual parts and tools for making the most common repairs on the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13. It will initially be focused on do-it-yourself fixes to screens, batteries and displays.

The shift reflects a strengthening "right to repair" movement embraced by President Joe Biden. It's a reaction to the practices of manufacturers who have increasingly made those products difficult and expensive to repair.

Apple's action is welcome news for consumers who believe that if you buy a product, you should be able to fix it. Regulators have long expressed concerns about restrictions that allow only costlier repairs by manufacturers' repair networks.