

Longevity,
by Design

June 2024

Contents
Apple’s approach to longevity

3

Spotlight on reliability testing5

OS support

6Apple’s principles on repairability

Longevity, by Design

7

Designing for repairability

7

Principle 1: Environmental impact

8

Spotlight on carbon emissions

8

Principle 2: Access to repair services

9

Principle 3: Safety, security, and privacy

10

Spotlight on third-party battery safety

11

Principle 4: Transparency in repair

12Parts and service history

12

The truth about parts pairing

13

Third-party parts used in repair

14

Expanding access to repair services

16

Looking forward

19

Frequently asked questions

20

Sources23

June 20242

Apple’s approach
to longevity
At Apple, we are always working to create the best experience for ourcustomers, which is why we design products that last. Designing for longevity is
a company-wide effort, informing our earliest decisions long before the first
prototype is built and guided by historical customer-use data and predictions on
future usage. It requires striking a balance between durability and repairability
while not compromising on safety, security, and privacy.
We are continuously striving to increase product longevity through new design
and manufacturing technologies, ongoing software support, and expanded
access to repair services. We also make it easy for customers to give theirproducts a second life by simplifying the process to securely wipe their devices
in preparation for resale or trade in.
Our approach is working. Apple leads the industry in longevity as measured by
the value of our secondhand products, increasing product lifespans, anddecreasing service rates.

“Designing the best, longest-lastingproducts in the world requires striking abalance between durability andrepairability, while providing ongoingsoftware updates — and we’re constantly
looking for new and innovative ways toaccomplish that mission.”John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering

Longevity, by Design

June 20243

Apple’s approach to longevity

Value of secondhand devices
Apple products hold their value longer than competitor devices, making themmore likely to be passed on to new users. In many of our key markets like the US
and within Europe, iPhone retains at least 40% more of its value compared toAndroid smartphones, with the valuation difference increasing for even older
models of iPhone.1 Additionally, as of January 2024, iPhone 7, which wasintroduced in 2016, still had monetary value for Apple Trade In in the UnitedStates.2 In fact, hundreds of millions of iPhone users own secondhand devices.
40% more value retainedin iPhone over competitors

Product lifespan
The longevity of Apple products continues to increase. There are hundreds ofmillions of iPhones that have been in use for more than 5 years — and that
number is still growing. And Apple products remain in use longer thancompetitor devices.3,4,5
5+ years old
age of hundreds of millions of iPhones still in use

Service rates
How infrequently a product requires repair over its lifespan is the strongest
indicator of quality and reliability. The newest generations of Apple devices aremuch less likely to need repair compared to devices released just a few years
ago. For example, from 2015 to 2022, out-of-warranty repair rates were downby 38%. For iPhone, overall repairs for accidental damage have decreased by
44% since the introduction of improved enclosures starting with the iPhone 7
line-up. When liquid ingress protection was introduced with iPhone 7 andiPhone 7 Plus, repairs for liquid damage decreased 75%. Improving reliability
and maintaining quality are two of the most important factors to increase thelongevity of our devices.
38% decline
in out-of-warranty service rates between 2015 and 2022

Longevity, by Design

June 2024

4

Apple’s approach to longevity

Spotlight on reliability testing
We are committed to building the best products for our customers. Our
engineering teams look for every opportunity to achieve high levels of
durability for every material used, part selected, and product assembled. To
do this, we have a rigorous reliability testing process that goes hand in handwith the development of our products and repair processes. Reliability testing
is not a step that comes at the end — it’s intrinsically part of the entire productdevelopment life cycle. Not only do insights from early testing help informcomponent and design improvements, but we begin exploring potential
sources of failure even before the first prototype is built. This tight integration
allows us to identify any issues early on and make changes to materials, parts,
or product design accordingly. We do ongoing testing until each product islaunched, but we don’t stop there. As customer-use patterns evolve, we
continue to update our test suites to ensure that our product quality improves
year after year.

The reliability of ourhardware will always
be our top concern
when seeking tomaximize thelifespan of products.

Our tests are designed to mimic real-world usage. During testing, we expose
products to liquids and foods, harsh chemicals, skincare products, intense UV
light, and abrasive materials, to name a few. We also subject devices to stresstests that allow us to examine how they react to stressors including vibrations
experienced in a moving vehicle, strain from being sat on, and impacts from
accidental drops on hard surfaces. These tests, conducted across tens of
thousands of prototype devices every year, are designed to make sure Apple
products are dependable through life’s everyday moments. We are proud that
we go beyond the industry-standard checklist for reliability testing — our test
suites are bespoke to every product line.
For example, early generations6 of iPhone were susceptible to failure if
exposed to liquids like accidental spills, getting caught in the rain, or drops inwater — so our design teams iterated until they were able to achieve robust
liquid ingress protection, which decreased repair rates by 75% with iPhone 7
and iPhone 7 Plus. While these changes required the addition of adhesives,
seals, and gaskets that made repairs more complex, the remarkable
improvements to product longevity justified a slight increase in repair
complexity. The reliability of our hardware will always be our top concern whenseeking to maximize the lifespan of products. The reason is simple: the best
repair is the one that’s never needed.

To test for IPX3/4 water resistance, Apple uses aswing arm with nozzles to simulate water sprayingor splashing on iPhone.

Longevity, by Design

June 2024

To test for IPX7/8 water immersion protection,
Apple submerges iPhone inside a pressurized
vessel to simulate pressure experienced
underwater.

5

Apple’s approach to longevity

OS Support
A key pillar of product longevity is software support, especially security updates
and bug fixes. Apple has a demonstrated track record of providing widelyadopted, long-lasting operating systems (OS) that extend well beyond thehistorical industry norm with OS feature updates as far back as 6 years from thedevice’s original release. Our most recent release, iOS 17, is compatible with 24
iPhone models introduced since 2018. iPadOS 17 is compatible with iPad models
introduced since 2018, and macOS Sonoma is compatible starting with Mac
computers introduced in 2017. But even after an Apple product can no longer be
updated with Apple’s newest OS, we strive to provide our customers with criticalsecurity updates. For example, as recently as March 2024, we released an update
to iOS 15 that covered products as far back as iPhone 6s, which was introduced in2015.7 Every OS released is optimized for the product it supports throughextensive functional, power, and stability testing and our goal is to maintain or
improve its performance.

Devices supported by current operating systems
macOS Sonoma

iOS 17

iPadOS 17

2017

iMac Pro–

iPad Pro 12.9-in. (2nd gen)

2018

MacBook Pro (15-in.)
MacBook Pro (13-in., Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-in.)
Mac mini

iPhone XR
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max

iPad Pro 12.9-in. (2nd gen)
iPad Pro 10.5-in.

2019

MacBook Pro (16-in.)
MacBook Pro (13-in., Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-in., Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (15-in.)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-in.)iMac (Retina 5K, 27-in.)iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-in.)
Mac ProiPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPad mini (5th gen)
iPad Air (3rd gen)
iPad (7th gen)

2020

MacBook Pro (13-in., M1)
MacBook Pro (13-in., Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-in., Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Air (M1)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-in.)iMac (Retina 5K, 27-in.)
Mac mini (M1)

iPhone SE (2nd gen)
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12
iPhone 12 Pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPad (8th gen)
iPad Air (4th gen)
iPad Pro 11-in. (2nd gen)
iPad Pro 12.9-in. (4th gen)

2021

MacBook Pro (16-in.)
MacBook Pro (14-in.)iMac (24-in., M1)

iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPad (9th gen)
iPad mini (6th gen)
iPad Pro 12.9-in. (5th gen)2022

MacBook Pro (13-in., M2)
MacBook Air (M2)
Mac Studio

iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Plus
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPad Air (5th gen)
iPad (10th gen)
iPad Pro 11-in. (3rd gen)
iPad Pro 11-in. (4th gen)
iPad Pro 12.9-in. (6th gen)2023

MacBook Pro (16-in.)
MacBook Pro (14-in)
MacBook Air (15-in., M2)
Mac mini
Mac Studio
Mac ProiPhone 15
iPhone 15 Plus
iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max

–

2024

MacBook Air (13-in., M3, 2024)
MacBook Air (15-in., M3, 2024)–

iPad Air 13 in. (6th gen)
iPad Air 11 in. (6th gen)
iPad Pro 11-in. - M4 (7th gen)
iPad Pro 13-in. - M4 (7th gen)Longevity, by Design

June 2024

6

Apple’s principles
on repairability
The ability to repair a device and access repair services are importantconsiderations when designing long-lasting products. However optimizing forrepairability alone may not yield the best outcome for our customers or theenvironment. Apple strives to improve the longevity of devices by following a setof design principles that help resolve tensions between repairability and otherimportant factors — including impact to the environment; expanding access torepair services; preserving the safety, security, and privacy of our customers;
and enabling transparency in repair. This also requires careful analysis ofanonymized historical data and predictions of future customer usage so thatpriority is given to those product modules that will potentially have the highest
frequency of needing repair.

“Repairability is an essential component of
longevity, yet optimizing for repairability
alone may not yield the best outcome forour customers or the environment.”
John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering

Longevity, by Design

June 2024

7

Apple’s principles on repairability

Designing for repairability
At Apple, our goal is to design products to withstand the rigors of everyday use,
while minimizing the need for maintenance or repair. Strategically designing forrepairability without compromising on durability is a key pillar of device longevity.
For example, to enable easy battery replacement, we use advanced adhesives torobustly secure batteries that are designed to release when stretched in a
specific direction.
With each new generation of iPhone, teams iterate to improve repairability. Most
recently, that included the design of an entirely new chassis structure thatallowed easier repair of the back glass. The iPhone 15 lineup is the most
repairable ever: 11 key modules can be repaired including the back glass,battery, display, and cameras. Enabling iPhone back glass repair as an individual
module lowered the cost of repair for customers by over 60%.8
We’re also in the process of making significant improvements to the repairabilityof Mac laptops, iPad, and Apple Watch. For example, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro,and iPad batteries were recently redesigned to be easier and faster to replace —and we’re committed to designing all products with serviceable batteries. We

iPhone batteries are secured using advanced
adhesives that are designed to release when stretchedin a specific direction, enabling battery replacement.

also want to ensure that each device meets our customers’ expectations for
quality and reliability of Apple products following a repair.

Repairable iPhone modules
2007

iPhone (1stgeneration)• SIM tray

Longevity, by Design

2010

2016

2018

2021

2023

iPhone 4

iPhone 7

iPhone X

iPhone 13

iPhone 15• SIM tray
• Battery• Haptics• Rear camera• SIM tray
• Battery• Haptics• Rear camera• Main logic board• Display• SIM tray
• Battery• Haptics• Rear camera• Main logic board• Display• Bottom speaker• Enclosure• SIM tray
• Battery• Haptics• Rear camera• Main logic board• Display• Bottom speaker• Top speaker• Enclosure• TrueDepth camera• SIM tray
• Battery• Haptics• Rear camera• Main logic board• Display• Bottom speaker• Top speaker• Enclosure• TrueDepth camera• Back glass• Main microphone

June 20248

Apple’s principles on repairability

Principle 1: Environmental Impact
Apple has set an ambitious goal to become carbon neutral for our entire carbon
footprint by 2030. Our work starts with bringing new clean energy online acrossour supply chain. More than 320 Apple suppliers have committed to using
renewable electricity, and over 18 million metric tons of greenhouse gas
emissions were avoided in 2023.9 We’re building our products with morerecycled and renewable materials than ever. In fiscal year 2023, 22% of thematerials we shipped in our products came from recycled sources.10
Prioritizing product longevity, rather than enabling repairability in isolation, canalso create meaningful reductions in environmental impact. Our customers andthe environment are best served by enhancing a product’s durability while
selectively focusing on modularity and repairability for those parts mostfrequently in need of repair.
Spotlight on carbon emissions
Designing highly repairable products is often considered to be a best practice
to reduce environmental impact and extend longevity, but it is not always true.
Sometimes prioritizing durability results in lower carbon emissions. This has
also been confirmed by the EU Joint Research Centre and included in
relevant EU standards.11
Prioritizing repairability is important for consumables or components
susceptible to accidental damage, which are more likely to need repair. For
example, the iPhone display and battery are two modules that needreplacement most often and are designed to be repairable. It’s also why weheavily invest in improving the durability of both through Ceramic Shield andlong-lasting batteries.
However, prioritizing repairability can be misguided when the need for service
is infrequent — an internal case study on the iPhone charging port helps todemonstrate this. The iPhone charging port is part of a highly durable modulethat includes microphones and other components that can be repaired as aunit, but rarely requires replacement. Making the charging port individuallyreplaceable would require additional components, including its own flexible
printed circuit board, connector, and fasteners that increase the carbon
emissions required to manufacture each device. The higher manufacturing
carbon emissions are only justified if the charging port requires replacement
in at least 10% of devices. In fact, the actual service rate was below 0.1%,
meaning Apple’s existing design approach yields lower carbon emissions overthe lifetime of the device.

For more information
about Apple’s
environmental efforts,
visit apple.com/
environment

Longevity, by Design

This case study is just one example detailing that prioritizing repairability
above all else is not always the answer. Similar conclusions have beenreached on other modules such as laptop display assemblies, systemmemory architectures, and tablet back cover assemblies.12 Best practices forextending longevity while minimizing environmental impact will vary by
product, its customer use cases, and the need for repair — there is no onesize-fits-all solution.

June 2024

9

Apple’s principles on repairability

Principle 2: Access to repair services
Repairs are inherently disruptive, but if a repair is needed, we seek new ways tooffer convenient access to safe, reliable, and secure repairs — whether byApple, a third-party repair shop, or the customer directly — to help solve theissue as quickly as possible. That’s why we’ve doubled the size of our industryleading service and repair network in the last 5 years by adding more
professional service providers. It’s also why Apple launched Self Service Repair
in 2022, providing customers access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and repair
manuals — and why we continue to expand repair access to more products andregions. In fact, 85% of the US population is within a 30 minute drive of an AppleStore, Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) location, or Independent Repair
Provider (IRP). In the United Kingdom, that’s true for 82% of the population, andin Italy and Germany, it’s 89%.
We’re also committed to continuing to support customers who choose to use
third-party repair services, parts, and repair tools so that their repair iscompleted to the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) standards and withthe highest post-repair reliability possible. Apple warranties are not impacted
by repair outside of Apple's authorized network or through the use of thirdparty parts or third-party tools, unless the product is damaged during thecourse of the repair. We will not actively disable a third-party part designed tobe manufactured to the same specifications of our products unless it impacts
customer security and privacy, which is currently limited to biometric parts.

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June 202410

Apple’s principles on repairability

Principle 3: Safety, security, and privacy
Customer safety, security, and privacy should never be compromised during or
after repair.
Apple gives repair technicians and consumers access to our cloud-based
diagnostic system, which uses remote software tools to diagnose potential
issues. This approach eliminates the need for repair professionals to request
customer passwords and potentially compromise security or privacy. Appledevices contain a lifetime of personal data — only the device’s owner shouldhave access to it.
Apple ensures the critical personal biometric information that protects
customers’ data and is used in features like Face ID and Touch ID is stored
securely on device. That level of security is expected from organizations likebanks and credit card companies for the use of Apple Pay, as well as fromgovernment entities issuing digital IDs. If a third-party Face ID or Touch ID
sensor is introduced during a repair, malicious actors can potentially access acustomer’s sensitive data or steal their information. We know that these types of
threats are not theoretical — in a 2023 study, security researchers were able tobypass the biometric protections of three popular PC fingerprint sensors using
external hardware.13
There are also critical safety protections in place for the lasers used in many
iPhone and iPad models. In order to ensure these lasers are compliant withsafety standards, multiple hardware safeguards operate simultaneously.
Introducing a third-party part can compromise these protections and potentiallylead to emissions in excess of safety limits.
That’s why, during the repair process, Apple and AASPs only use genuine Apple
parts, which have been rigorously engineered and tested to meet our standards— we do not use third-party parts because we cannot guarantee their safety,
privacy, and security protections, or their quality or performance. In fact, in a
new, independent study of third-party smartphone replacement batteries, noneof the batteries tested fully complied with global battery safety standards.14

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June 202411

Apple’s principles on repairability

Spotlight on third-party battery safety
According to a new UL Solutions report on the safety of third-party (alsocalled aftermarket) phone batteries, the majority of batteries tested failed tocomply with the safety requirements that Original Equipment Manufacturers(OEM) batteries must meet and “purchasing aftermarket batteries brings withit safety risks".15

88% of third-party
batteries tested in a
UL Solutions study
caught fire or
exploded in at least
one test.

In this study, 33 brands of third-party batteries were sourced from North
America, China, and Europe, and multiple samples of each were tested to
local battery safety standards, culminating in over 1,200 test results. The study
included a range of tests from short circuiting at varying temperatures tobehavior in low pressure environments. UL found that 88% of the batteriescaught fire or exploded in at least one of the tests that OEM batteries are
required to pass. For the batteries sourced in North America, 100% had atleast one test failure resulting in smoke, fire, or explosion.
The UL Solutions study demonstrates that there is a vast range of quality
levels when it comes to third-party batteries and consumers should scrutinize
the source of their batteries to ensure they are appropriately tested forcompliance to safety standards.
While Apple does not disable the use of third-party batteries, transparency is
critical. It is important to notify consumers when a third-party battery is
installed so they are aware of the potential risk to their safety.

Third-party battery after an External ShortCircuit test, which is intended to simulate an
unintended circuit fault.

Longevity, by Design

June 2024

Third-party battery after an Abusive
Overcharge test, which is intended tosimulate charging the battery beyond its
intended limits.

12Apple’s principles on repairability

Principle 4: Transparency in repair
Parts and Service History
Customers have a right to transparency — that is, to know if their device has
been repaired and whether parts critical to safety, security, or privacy aredesigned by Apple. For example, the introduction of a third-party biometricsensor could compromise user authentication or an improperly manufactured
battery could jeopardize safety. That’s why Apple introduced a feature called
Parts and Service History with our Self Service Repair program. Apple remains
the only smartphone manufacturer that alerts customers if their device has been
repaired and whether its parts are made by Apple.
Repairers in Apple’s IRP network are free to offer third-party parts in addition togenuine Apple parts. Today, there is only one scenario whereby Apple will
disable a third-party part: when a third-party Face ID or Touch ID sensor isinstalled, we will disable authentication to ensure security and privacy. Other
aspects of the part unrelated to authentication such as cameras or buttons
continue to operate per the capability of the part installed. Apple will also display
a one-time notification the first time the device restarts after repair, and apersistent message in Parts and Service History because Apple cannot verify the
integrity of the part.
Access to Parts and Service History also enables prospective secondhand
device owners to inspect the device’s repair history prior to purchase, whichis increasingly important as the market for secondhand devices continues togrow. This is why Apple continues to increase visibility to repair history andthe origin of parts used in repairs to consumers: it serves as a safeguard toensure that customers receive the parts they believe they are purchasingfrom repair providers.
If a user’s iPhone has undergone repair of a major component, a Parts andService History section will appear in their iPhone settings. If the service wascompleted using genuine Apple parts and calibration was successful, the user
will see a “Genuine Apple Part” message. If the service was completed with athird-party part or calibration was not successful, they will see an “Unknown

A Parts and Service History section in iPhone settings
will appear if a user’s iPhone has undergone repair.

Part” message. Not having this messaging would result in consumers being
unaware of prior repairs that could potentially compromise functionality or
threaten user safety and security.

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Apple’s principles on repairability

The truth about parts pairing
Parts pairing is the practice of using software to identify component parts
through a unique identifier. Apple uses parts pairing to make access to repair
easier and more transparent to customers while also ensuring that every device— and the data stored on it — remains secure and performs optimally. It is not topressure consumers to go to Apple for their repairs — in fact, Apple conducts
less than one third of out-of-warranty repairs. Additionally, in-warranty and outof-warranty repair rates for Apple between 2015 and 2022 are down by 78%
and 38%, respectively, reflecting increased device quality and reliability.
Parts pairing was launched with iPhone 5s and Touch ID to protect our customers
from unauthorized access to their data. Over time, Apple has continued to expand
measures to protect customers as more third-party parts, such as batteries,
began to flood the market.
The security of Apple’s devices is designed so that no one at Apple or anywhere
else can gain access to a customer's sensitive data. This extends to our repair
processes as well. Starting in 2018, Apple introduced a secure diagnostic andrepair mode to allow a technician to diagnose and repair issues with acustomer’s device without requiring the customer to disclose their passcode.
Replacing security components such as the Face ID or Touch ID sensor in a
device should never allow someone to bypass the protection of the customer’s
passcode or biometrics before, during, or after a repair.
Additionally, calibration is an important aspect of the repair process and many
parts require calibration unique to that part to ensure that customers haveconsistent performance on their Apple devices. For example, the True Tone andAuto-Brightness features rely on accurate communication between a product’s
display and light sensors.16 To achieve this, each device’s light sensor must be
individually calibrated with its display to account for variations in manufacturing.
This calibration data is generated for every device manufactured and is securely
stored on Apple’s calibration servers, reducing cost and the time required tocomplete a repair in the field. After a repair, it can be easily downloaded to thedevice, ensuring that parts are calibrated accurately. Without loading thecalibration data unique to the display, iOS software is not able to interpret datafrom the light sensors, which adversely impacts True Tone and Auto-Brightness
functions. Cloud-based calibration data also avoids the need to store data on thepart itself, which enhances reliability in situations where a memory module fails.
Apple has taken steps in recent years to streamline calibration to make it more
efficient, and ensure it is available to all independent repair providers andthrough Self Service Repair.

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14

Apple’s principles on repairability

In 2023, the process was updated so calibration could be completed without
contacting Apple. Additional changes are planned in 2024 to enable pairing andcalibration for used Apple parts, which are taken from an existing product andinstalled in another device during a repair, for our most recent iPhone models.
This will further reduce the cost of repair and overall environmental impact, while
also increasing consumer choice when seeking repair. Starting later in 2024, theprocess for calibrating a used Apple part will be the same as calibrating a newApple part in the repair of supported devices — it will automatically happen on
device without the need to purchase the part from Apple.
Additionally, customers and service providers will no longer need to input adevice’s serial number to the Self Service Repair store to purchase a new partfor most repairs.
We’re also extending Activation Lock for iPhone to cover individual parts, to help
deter stolen parts from entering the market. Activation Lock is a feature that
Apple introduced in response to requests from customers and law enforcement
to help deter device theft. During a repair, if a device detects that a supportedpart came from another iPhone with Activation Lock or Lost Mode enabled, we
will restrict calibration for that part. This enhancement to the Activation Lockfeature further extends our commitment to protecting our users while increasing
consumer choice when it comes to repairs.
In addition, Apple is continuously improving support for third-party parts used inrepair. In the case of a third-party part for which calibration is not available on
Apple’s cloud-based calibration servers, the Apple device will attempt toactivate the part and allow it to operate to its best possible performance whiletransparently reflecting the device’s repair history.
Third-party parts used in repair
Apple warranties are not impacted by repair outside of Apple’s authorizednetwork or through the use of third-party parts or third-party tools, unless thedevice is damaged during the course of the repair. Customers always have theability to choose which parts they use for repair, and their device will maintainfunctionality, provided the use of a third-party part does not pose a risk toconsumer security or privacy.
Many of our customers choose third-party parts for out-of-warranty repairs,
including third-party displays and batteries. When third-party parts that may
present a potential risk are installed, Apple will display a one-time notification
the first time a device restarts after repair, and a persistent message in Parts andService History in the device’s Settings. The one-time notification enables
customers to validate that the expected part was used in the repair, and acustomer — or subsequent owner — can always find a record of the repair inthe device’s Settings. These notifications never impact the functionality or
usability of the device.

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June 202415

Apple’s principles on repairability

Due to the fact that Apple does not have calibration data for third-party parts,
the device software will use either existing or default calibration settings. One
example is True Tone, which uses advanced sensors to adjust the color andintensity of the display to match ambient light so images appear more natural.
True Tone requires precise calibration to function properly, and it is not possible
to engage a default calibration for third-party displays, which can result in
unexpected behavior. For this reason, Apple disables the True Tone featurewhen third-party displays are used, but enables all other aspects of the display.
In an effort to offer more complete support for third-party parts, starting later in
2024, Apple will allow consumers to activate True Tone with third-party parts tothe best performance that can be provided.
They will be able to deactivate True Tone in Settings if the display does not
perform to their satisfaction.
Currently, battery health metrics such as maximum capacity and cycle count are
not presented to consumers whose devices have third-party batteries. This isbecause the accuracy of these metrics cannot be verified by Apple. In fact, an
Apple internal analysis has found that some third-party batteries sold as new are
actually secondhand, with battery health metrics manipulated to appear as new.
In an effort to improve support for third-party batteries, starting later in 2024,
Apple will display battery health metrics with a notification stating that Applecannot verify the information presented. When selecting a third-party battery forrepair, we encourage all consumers to confirm that the product meets stringent
safety requirements.

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June 2024

16

Expanding accessto repair services
We believe customers should have convenient access to safe and reliablerepairs that do not compromise the security, privacy, and the functionality of
their device. That’s why we’ve continued to improve access to repair services forboth professionals and individual consumers.
Over the last 5 years, Apple has doubled the number of professional
service locations to over 10,000 — offering more ways for customers to access
repair services.

Repair service milestones

2018

Same-day iPhone display repair available at Apple Authorized
Service Providers (AASP)

2019

Independent Repair Provider (IRP) launches in US for iPhone

2020

IRP expands to Mac
IRP expands to Europe and Canada

2021

IRP expands globally2022

Self Service Repair launched in US for iPhone
Self Service Repair expands to M1 Macs, launches in
8 countries in Europe

2023

Self Service Repair expands to iPhone 14 and to additional Macs
System Configuration updated for Self Service Repair
Launched Diagnostics for Self Service Repair in the US
Self Service Repair expands to 32 countries in Europe

2024

Self Service Repair expands to more Macs
Diagnostics expands to Europe
Streamlined System Configuration process for Macs

Longevity, by Design

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17

Expanding access to repair services

Service and repair options for Apple devices

Apple Storesand Mail-in
Apple Repair
Centers

Apple
Authorized
Service
Providers(AASPs)500+ Apple
retail stores*

5,000+ locations

Mail-in service*

At home services*

Diagnostics●

Repair documentation

Independent
Repair
Providers(IRPs)

Self Service
Repair5,000+ locations

33 countries and24 languages

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

Third-party parts**

◯

◯

●

◯

Apple-certified training

●

●

●

◯

Genuine Apple parts

●

●

●

●

Used Apple parts◯◯

Coming soon

Coming soon

Apple tools for purchase

●

●

●

●

Apple tools for rental

◯

◯

◯

●

Third-party tools**

◯

◯

●

◯

Coverage

Calibration support

Tools● Available◯ Not Available* In select locations** IRPs and individual consumers have the option of using third-party parts and tools in repair.

Longevity, by Design

June 2024

18

Looking forward
At Apple, our approach to longevity is guided by data and our commitment tobuilding the best products in the world. Team members across all disciplines areconstantly innovating to make sure every product exceeds expectations fordurability and performance while protecting the safety, security, or privacy of ourusers when their device needs a repair.
This journey is one that will never be over, because as materials, testing, andtechnology advance, so too will the ways that we use them to make our
products stand the test of time. Products that are durable, reliable, and — when
it benefits our customers and the environment — repairable. When a repair isrequired, we protect user data, provide visibility into the parts that were used
and, if needed, disable a feature for the protection of the device’s owner. And
throughout this process, we reduce our impact on the environment.
That’s our commitment to our customers, to future generations, and to theplanet we call home.

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Frequently asked
questions
Does Apple engage in ‘planned obsolescence,’ the practice ofintentionally designing devices that rapidly become obsolete, todrive sales of new products?
Absolutely not. We take tremendous pride in designing products thatstand the test of time. There are hundreds of millions of iPhones thathave been in use for more than five years — and that number is still
growing. And while some of our competitors are just starting to promise
multi-year OS updates for their products, Apple pioneered the practiceof providing free updates to our consumers over a decade ago to keep
products lasting longer. We also make it easy for customers to give theirproducts a second life by streamlining the process to securely wipe
their devices in preparation for resale, donation, or trade in.
Is designing for repairability better for the environment?
When we design a product, we balance a variety of factors to create thebest outcome for both our customers and the environment. For
example, the earliest generations of iPhone were prone to failure when
exposed to liquids, like getting caught in the rain or from accidental
spills. So our design teams worked to achieve robust liquid ingress
protection, which involved adding seals, gaskets and adhesives — andhad the consequence of making repair more complex — but resulted in
failure rates plummeting by 75%. So from an environmental point ofview, it made sense to design for durability despite the increase in repair
complexity because it drastically minimized the need for repair in thefirst place. There are also scenarios when designing for repairability isbest for the environment, for example when a replaceable battery would
extend the lifespan of a product. For us, the best design decision is theone that increases product longevity — because that’s paramount forour customers and our planet.

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What is Apple doing to create more customer choice when it

Frequently asked questions

comes to repairs?
We have doubled the size of our industry-leading service and repair
network in the last 5 years by adding more professional service
providers, and we’re expanding Self Service Repair to even moreproducts and regions. We’re committed to continuing to support
customers who use third-party repair services, parts, and repair tools —in fact, most out-of-warranty repairs use third-party parts.
To further expand customer choice, we’re also excited to announce thatstarting later this year, we’re making used Apple parts — taken from anexisting product and installed in another device during a repair — aseasy to use as new Apple parts in the repair of select products. This will
reduce overall environmental impact and the cost of repair.
We will continue to expand repair options as new technologies andinnovations emerge — our goal is to give consumers more choice while
ensuring repairs are reliable, safe, and high-quality. That said, the best
repair is one that isn’t needed. We’re also proud that repair rates aredown dramatically: from 2015 to 2022, out-of-warranty repair rates
were down by 38%, while devices simultaneously are lasting longer andremaining in use longer.17
Why is it important to inform customers on what type of partwas used in their repair?
Not all parts are manufactured to the same standards. A new
independent study by UL Solutions examined dozens of third-party
lithium-ion batteries and found that none of the batteries tested met
existing safety standards — and 88% failed so catastrophically thatthey caught fire.18 That’s why Apple is the only smartphone company
that transparently provides a device’s repair history, including the originof any repaired parts, through a feature called Parts and Service History.
Considering that millions of iPhones in use are secondhand, it’s criticalfor customers to have access to their device’s repair history so they areaware if it contains parts that could potentially compromise their safety,
security, or privacy.

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Why is parts pairing, the practice of using software to identify

Frequently asked questions

component parts through a unique identifier, important?
Parts pairing is critical to ensuring our customers’ security and privacy.
It accomplishes this in numerous ways, including deterring bad actors
from cloning parts to bypass security protections and access customer
data, which is not a theoretical threat. In a 2023 study, security
researchers were able to bypass the biometric protections of three
popular PC fingerprint sensors using external hardware.19 Calibration isanother important part of the repair process, ensuring that Appledevices operate to their full potential. If a third-party part is used in a
repair, calibration will not be supported and the Apple device willattempt to activate the part and allow it to operate to its best possible
performance.
It’s important to note today that Apple does not disable third-party parts
except in the context of biometrics, which only applies to theintroduction of third-party Face ID and Touch ID sensors that could
result in compromised user data. While parts pairing does add a step tothe repair process, it’s a key element of our strategy to ensure that ourcustomers’ data is secure, they have transparency when it comes to theparts used in repairs, and their product is one that lasts.
Does Apple support right to repair legislation?
Apple was the first smartphone manufacturer to come out in support offederal regulation for repair in the US. We believe that consumers andbusinesses would benefit from laws that balance repairability withcustomer safety, product performance, and integrity. Laws can help
ensure transparency for consumers about the type of parts used in a
repair, maintain privacy, data and device security features that help todeter theft, and allow manufacturers to focus on building new productsthat comply with those regulations — all while reducing the confusion
created by potentially conflicting approaches within countries andacross borders.

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Sources andEndnotes1.

Based on the trade-in value of iPhone relative to its launch purchase price compared tocompetitor Android phones on a variety of trade-in platforms.

2.

Applies specifically to Apple’s US Trade In program.

3.

Michael Levin and Josh Lowitz, “iPhone Owners Keep Phones Longer Than Android
Owners,” CIRP - Apple Report (blog), October 25, 2023, https://
cirpapple.substack.com/p/iphone-owners-keep-phones-longer.

4.

Kantar ComTech Global, CQ1’24 Mobile Study, data for US.

5.

Cunningham, Andrew, “iPhone vs. Android: Which Is Better for You?” New York Times
Wirecutter, January 27, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/ios-vsandroid/.

6.

Generations prior to iPhone 7.

7.

Apple. “Apple security releases,” Apple Support, https://support.apple.com/en-us/
HT201222.

8.

The cost of back glass repair for customers decreased by 66% for iPhone 15 Pro andiPhone 14 Pro models and decreased by 64% for iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro
Max models.

9.

Apple. “2024 Environmental Progress Report.” Environmental Progress Report, April
18, 2024. https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/
Apple_Environmental_Progress_Report_2024.pdf.

10. “Apple Environmental Progress Report.”
11. Publications Office of the European Union, “Guidance for the Assessment of Material
Efficiency : Application to Smartphones,” Publications Office of the EU, 2020, https://
op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/19c79488-4641-11eab81b-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.
12. T. Ebert, et al. "Product Design Strategies for Decarbonization and Resource
Efficiency,” Electronics Goes Green, 2024, ISBN 978-3-00-079329-5, https://
online.electronicsgoesgreen.org/login/?redirect_to=https://
online.electronicsgoesgreen.org/papers, 2024, pp. 108-113.
13. Jesse D'Aguanno and Timo Teräs, “A Touch of Pwn - Part I,” November 21, 2023,
https://blackwinghq.com/blog/posts/a-touch-of-pwn-part-i/.
14. UL Solutions. “Safety Concerns of Aftermarket Smartphone Lithium Batteries,” 2024
https://www.ul.com/insights/safety-concerns-aftermarket-smartphone-lithiumbatteries.
15. “Safety Concerns of Aftermarket Smartphone Lithium Batteries | UL Solutions,” 2024.
16. Vampola, Kenneth J., Guocheng Shao, Warren S. A. Rieutort-Louis, Ming Xu, Mahesh
Chappalli, and Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari. “12‐1: Invited Paper: Through‐OLED Display
Ambient Color Sensing,” Digest of Technical Papers 53, no. 1, June 1, 2022, pp. 117–
20. https://doi.org/10.1002/sdtp.15431.
17. Repair rates based on Apple internal data for customers who purchased AppleCare+.
18. “Safety Concerns of Aftermarket Smartphone Lithium Batteries | UL Solutions,” 2024.
19. D’Aguanno and Teräs, “A Touch of Pwn - Part I.”

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