Apple backs federal ‘right to repair’ bill, will make fixes available nationwide

Apple announced on Tuesday its support for a federal “right-to-repair” law and said the company will provide access to tools and iPhone parts to customers nationwide so they can make their own repairs – rather than having to take damaged devices to an Apple store. 

The announcement comes just weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed his state’s right-to-repair bill into law, which Apple previously endorsed. At a White House event on Tuesday, however, Apple announced it would adhere to those standards across the nation. 

“We were pleased to offer our support, our public support, for California’s recently enacted Right to Repair Act. California’s new law will help ensure that consumers and independent repair businesses alike have the resources available to safely repair their devices in a manner that does not compromise their privacy or data security,” Brian Naumann, Apple’s vice president of service and operations management, said Tuesday at the Right-to-Repair event. 

“We intend to honor California’s new repair provisions across the United States,” Naumann continued. 

The announcement comes as the Biden administration has renewed its focus on improving Americans’ experiences as customers, including by working to get rid of junk fees and calling on states to adopt similar right-to-repair laws. California became the fourth state to enact such a law. 

Naumann also credited the Biden administration with facilitating the focus on the issue, as he announced Apple’s support for a consistent law across the country. 

“Apple appreciates the opportunity to participate in today’s event and welcomes the leadership of President Biden and the administration in helping to forge a national consensus on the intertwined issues of product repairability, durability, and environmental sustainability,’ he said, before noting previous steps the company has taken to increase accessibility.

Naumann outlined what Apple would support in a federal repair law, including protecting privacy, data and security features; ensuring transparency for consumers about the type of parts used in repairs; and helping manufacturers build products that can support and comply with national standards.

“Apple also believes that consumers and businesses would benefit from a national law that balances repairability with product integrity, usability and physical safety,” he said, stressing the importance of a uniform federal law in order to “create a strong national standard that benefits consumers across the US and reduces the confusion created by potentially conflicting state approaches.”