Apple previously launched self-service maintenance service in the United States. Users can order the required accessories on Apple's official website and rent Apple's maintenance tools. After placing an order, Apple will mail the new original accessories and maintenance tool set to users, and then mail the maintenance tool set back to apple after users complete the maintenance.
This should sound like a good service, but Sean Hollister, editor of the verge, a foreign media, was directly desperate after the experience because Apple The purpose of may not be to let users try to repair the equipment by themselves. Such a troublesome process may be to keep users away from self-service maintenance.
Why do you say this: it's troublesome to repair by yourself and you have to bear the risk of damage. More importantly, after changing the battery, you have to contact Apple to apply for remote debugging mode to verify that the battery is original. If you don't verify the system, an uncertified [Accessory] will pop up( https://microsoft.pvxt.net/Xx07X )。
70 kg maintenance tool set:
Hollister wants to give his iPhone 13 Mini replace a battery. The battery is a consumable part. For most users, the basic battery health of iPhone will drop to 80% after 1 ~ 2 years of use, which can not support the peak performance of iPhone.
So Hollister spent $69 on the battery on Apple's official website through self-service maintenance service, and $49 rented Apple's maintenance tool set for a week, with a deposit of $1200. If the tool set is not sent back to apple after a week, the deposit of $1200 is not wasted.
After placing the order, Hollister soon received the items sent by Apple - two large suitcases (excluding batteries) weighing 79 pounds and about 36 kilograms. Yes, it's true that one suitcase can't fit. Hollister had to take the bus first and then drag the two suitcases back to the office.
What are the tool sets:
A maintenance manual for the iPhone 13 mini, with a 6-digit verification code (which will be used later), a screwdriver (which is not magnetized), a heating table, a suction cup with rocker arm, a tray for the iPhone 13 mini, and something unrecognized by the blue dot net (which may be used to remove the equipment involved in waterproof agent).
Not to mention anything else, just talking about these tools, Hollister thinks apple is joking. The round-trip freight is more than $69 (the round-trip freight is paid by Apple).
Too many holes for users:
Although Hollister is a science and technology editor, he has no experience of repairing electronic products by himself. He overturned when changing the battery of his wife's Samsung mobile phone. With the official kit and maintenance manual this time, Hollister feels full of confidence!
But even so, for inexperienced users, replacing the battery by themselves is also a big pit, mainly because the interior of the iPhone is relatively complex. The normal process should be heating, removing the screen (at this time, be careful not to pull out the screen directly to avoid breaking the cable), removing the baffle screw, disconnecting the battery cable, tearing off the easy pull glue, replacing the new battery and then connecting the cable, power on test, screws, waterproof agent (apple sells for $1.8) to be finished.
In this process, users need to be careful at all times. The tools provided by Apple can only help you open the screen at most. In the back, users still have to operate against the maintenance manual by themselves. The so-called eyes have learned and hands haven't learned yet.
After encountering the error code of the heating table, the dial stuck, the power on was not on (Hollister was really flustered when he found that he couldn't turn on the machine, and finally turned on after connecting the power supply), the waterproof agent was not cleaned clean, and the screen fit was not tight, Hollister succeeded in changing the battery.
What? Also prompt non original battery
What's funny is that Hollister thought he would have no problem after using the official Maintenance Kit and the official battery. Unexpectedly, he prompted that the non original battery was turned on. It turned out that apple still left a verification step, such as the screen, camera and battery. After the replacement, the verification prompt may pop up.
To solve this problem, you need to contact Apple's third-party logistics company. After the iPhone is connected, you need to restart to the diagnostic mode, and then provide remote access for the third-party logistics company. Their technicians will verify it. During the period, you may have to answer the 6-digit verification code on the maintenance manual to prove that you really read the maintenance manual .
Finally, Hollister solved the problem. Although the sealing performance was not very good and the screen edge was not very flat, it was replaced successfully.
Since the battery and kit are sent separately and the kit arrives two days earlier, Hollister actually has five days to complete the repair and send the kit back. If it is not completed and sent back within five days, the deposit will be deducted.
Finally, Hollister's evaluation is that Apple may not want users to really repair by themselves. They may launch self-service repair only to deal with the right to repair bill and let users give up their own repair through these complex processes. After all, after all, users will find it much more convenient to spend half a day in the apple store without taking risks.