Apple today announced that it has officially launched its Self Service Repair program, letting United States customers repair their iPhones from their homes. To do the repairs, Apple is offering a $49 rental kit that consists of all the tools needed to repair an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 lineup model and the third-generation iPhone SE, and possibly unexpectedly, the kit is rather large.
On its Self Service Repair website, Apple says that the rental kits include two cases, one weighing 43 pounds and the other weighing 36 pounds. Stacked on top of each other, the cases will measure 20 inches in width and 47 inches in height. Thankfully, both cases include wheels for easy transportation.
On the website, Apple details what comes inside of each case, including a battery and display press, protective covers, and screwdrivers. For repairs of the third-generation iPhone SE, customers will only receive one case with tools designed specifically for the smaller iPhone.
Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking!
Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27.
During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14.
iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update.
Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries.
In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
I said this before many many many times. When you go to the random dude down the local shop and get a "repair", he's not using proper tools or parts. Same as the guys on YT baking the glass and replacing it and showing you this shiny looking frankenphone which looks like the original but retains none of the quality or mechanical and resistive strength of the original.
When I worked in the defence sector years ago there were all sorts of jigs and things to make sure that gaskets were correctly fitted so the IP ratings of the devices could be maintained. This is the sort of stuff you need to use to actually correctly assemble stuff.
I'm glad they're being realistic about it and revealing exactly what is involved.
The local repairer here, my sister-in-law was sent to, didn't even know what a display calibration was when he replaced her display...
Apple hardware devs: Let's make our products so difficult to repair that the customer needs to rent a specific kit from us to even get in them. We can make even more money that way Tim: make it so.
I worked on a product that was designed to be field repaired. It was only 11Kg and man luggable.
The repair kit was shipped in via Hercules transport plane on two pallets.
YMMV but I think your assumptions here about how things are manufactured and repaired are completely wrong.