Apple finally thinks you should be able to fix an iPhone or Mac yourself
- Apple spent years opposing bills that would give customers the right to repair their own devices.
- But it's since changed tact. First, launching its self-service repair program in stores.
Apple made a surprise move this week by endorsing a California bill that would give consumers the right to repair or modify their devices, TechCrunch first reported.
The company wrote to Senator Susan Eggman, the bill's sponsor, to declare its support for the legislation known as SB 244.
The bill would enact a statewide "Right to Repair Act," which intends to "provide a fair marketplace for the repair of electronic and appliance products and to prohibit intentional barriers and limitations to third-party repair."
Essentially, it would give anyone who owns a device the legal right to repair or modify it — barring a few exceptions like game consoles. This means that manufacturers would be required to give customers and independent repair shops access to the appropriate tools and manuals to make repairs.
Apple's endorsement marks a pretty major change of direction. In 2017, the company was paying a lobbying firm to oppose New York's Right to Repair Act, Vice reported.
One of the earliest disputes at Apple involved the concept of a right to repair. Cofounder Steve Wozniak wanted its computers to have open systems that would let customers tinker with them, but Steve Jobs disagreed.
Apple has since become more open, launching a self-service repair program in 2022 that lets customers order parts and rent tools needed to fix their iPhones or Macs instead of replacing them.
That not only saves customers money but is also better for the environment because it helps reduce electronic waste.
And endorsing California's SB 244 bill is a bigger step in that direction.
"We support SB 244 because it includes requirements that protect individual users' safety and security, as well as product manufacturers' intellectual property," Apple said in a copy of the letter published by 404 Media. "We will continue to support the bill, so long as it continues to provide protections for customers and innovators."
California's Right to Repair Act already passed the state senate 38-0 in May, but it's awaiting a vote from the full assembly.
Apple did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.