Apple’s secret iPhone repair machines coming to 25 countries

By the end of 2017, Apple customers will be able to reduce wait times for iPhone repairs as the company plans to place its proprietary machines used to mend cracked glass in 400 third-party repair centers in 25 countries.

Over the past couple of years, Apple has equipped stores with automated machines that can verify if iPhone display repairs are successful or not, especially in terms of intricate technologies like 3D Touch. The “Horizon” machine is the only device able to tell a repaired iPhone to recognize a new fingerprint sensor. While many stores can handle most repairs, without the digital recognition, the device cannot be unlocked.

For approximately a year now, Apple has offered its iPhone repair tools and machines to a small number of stores around the world. Of the big name retailers, one of the Best Buy stores in Miami has a Horizon machine. Another will be added to its outlet in Sunnyvale, California, a location in close proximity to Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, as well as one to Best Buy’s Minneapolis location.

While fixing cracked iPhone screens may seem insignificant, it’s currently a multi-billion dollar global business. The move for Apple to release its repair machine to third-party outlets comes as a major shift for the company. It had previously restricted its Horizon machines to its 500 retail stores and mail-in repair centers and guarded the design very closely.

Additionally, the change comes after eight U.S. states launched “right to repair” bills intended to open tightly controlled repair networks of high-tech manufacturers. However, Apple stated that legislative pressure did not influence its decision to share its patented technology.

As part of the initial rollout, Apple is aiming to place machines in 200 (approximately 4%), of its 4,800 authorized service providers over the next few months, including in Columbia, Norway, and South Korea, where it lacks a retail presence. The company then plans to double that number by the end of the year.

Source: Reuters