Apple’s self-service repair program went live todaygiving iPhone (and ultimately Mac) customers the tools and instructions they need to repair their units at a lower cost and of comfort of their own home.
To do that, though, you need tools – some of which are proprietary. With the “Self Service Repair Store” opening today, you can now purchase these parts individually. But doing so may not be the most cost-effective method. Spending $ 85 on a Torque Driver or $ 13 on a single Torx Security Bit adds significant cost to your repair, and you may only need these tools once or twice.
Fortunately, Apple offers a $ 49 rental kit (including shipping) that includes all the tools and parts needed to perform repairs on specific devices. Maybe too many parts, depending on what repair you are doing, but there is no way to rent single tools a la carte. The rental lasts for 7 days once you have received the toolkit, after which you will be charged “a fee and a tax” via a withholding on your credit card.
Just be sure to stretch before trying to pull these sets to your workbench, because they are violent. As MacRumors notesthe two cases you receive with the rental sets weigh 43 pounds and 36 pounds respectively. Once stacked, the cases measures 20 inches wide and 47 inches high. It’s safe to say you can skip the gym on iPhone repair day. Unless you want to cheat and use the wheels of things, which I’m happy to report does not cost $ 700 extra.
What’s inside these meaty sets? The first case for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 repairs includes a “Heated Screen Remover” and a “Heated Screen Pocket”, a pair of technical devices that would cost around $ 350 to purchase separately. In the second case, there are various parts, including battery and display presses, a repair tray, torque drivers, screw bits and self-adhesive covers. You can find a complete list in Questions and Answers section in tool kit rental page.
But what if I just need a moment driver and I do not want to buy it to keep it? I think I’ll have to get to the gym so I can carry all that extra gear.
In all seriousness, I’m eager to see what’s included in Mac repair rental kits when Apple adds laptops and desktops to its self-service repair program later this year. Aside from power, the rental service seems like a legally good way to save money on real components that most people do not have in their toolbox. If only you could just rent the specific tools you also need individually. And if only Apple’s new right-to-repair initiative supported older iPhone models – you know, the ones that need repairs or replacement parts the most.