Nuked Apple plans to expand its independent repair provider program to’nearly every country where Apple products are sold,’ meaning someone near you could soon be using official Apple parts to fix your broken phone.
The program is only available in the US, Canada and Europe. Repair providers from countries including Australia, Japan, and Korea will be able to join this week.
Providers must apply to participate, but can only buy a limited variety of first-party materials like batteries, screens, and diagnostic tools. Apple, one of its authorized service providers, will be able to fix the most common issues with official parts.
Apple can charge $ 1,000 per transaction for any shop it catches using knockoff parts in more than two percent of repairs. Joining the program comes with a contract that reportedly gives Apple the right to both inspect repair shops and fine them if it finds something amiss.
Apple generally seems to be supportive of third-party repairs if it can find a way to make money off of them. This is the company that routinely tries to kill right-to-repair bills and has devised methods to make iPhones non-functional if they use third-party batteries.
