Apple May Soon Begin Offering In-Store iPad Repairs
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Apple is preparing to provide in-store iPad repairs for the first time ever, according to France’s iGeneration.
By the end of 2025, Apple will reportedly have around 30 Apple Stores set up in a trial program to provide select iPad repairs performed by on-site “Genius” technicians. The initial rollout will be predominantly among stores located in the United States.
Presently, customers who bring a broken iPad into an Apple Store for repair are offered a replacement for the tablet and quoted the maximum out-of-warranty price. Since Apple doesn’t currently perform iPad repairs on-site, the broken device is then sent to a repair center, where it is usually refurbished and then either used as a future service replacement or put on sale in the refurbished section of Apple’s online store.
Under the new program, more extensive repairs will still be sent out to repair centers, but simpler repairs, which Apple reportedly describes as being “modular,” will be handled by personnel within the retail location itself.
Although the repair subcontractor typically only replaces the damaged part, resulting in a lower final invoice for the replacement iPad compared to the out-of-warranty quote, customers do not receive an accurate quote during their initial Genius Bar appointment.
According to the report, Apple will revamp its iPad repair system beginning in September. Stores will then begin providing exact repair quotes, as they already do for iPhone and Mac repairs.
Self-Repairs Also Available
Apple launched its Self Service Repair program in April 2022, providing repair kits, repair manuals, and components to its customers for out-of-warranty repairs.
This program was initially solely for iPhones. Apple Silicon Macs were added later that same year, but the iPad didn’t join the program until this year. In May, Apple announced that it was expanding the program to cover the iPad lineup for the first time. The expanded repair program allows iPad owners to replace select components in their device, including displays, batteries, cameras, and external charging ports.
The program provides access to repair manuals, genuine Apple repair parts, Apple Diagnostics troubleshooting sessions, tools, and rental toolkits. The program supports iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Pro (M4), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16).
Apple rents the tools necessary for such repairs for $49 for a week, plus a deposit for the total replacement cost of the tools reserved in the form of a two-week authorization hold on the customer’s credit card. Apple ships the tools out in two rather large separate cases, which combined weigh 79 pounds, measuring in at 20-in wide by 47-in high when stacked on top of each other.
Self-Service Repair now supports 65 Apple devices, including more recent additions to its lineups, including the iPhone 16e, MacBook Air, and Mac Studio. Apple is also expanding the program to Canada this summer, which will become the 34th country to offer it.
For customers who are not technically inclined or near an Apple Retail location, Apple offers two other repair programs that allow independent repair shops to perform repairs: the Apple Authorized Service Provider program and the Independent Repair Provider program.
