8 ms·

Apple Shares Full iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Repair Manuals

210 points by stalfosknight 2y ago

miles 2y ago
> Compared to prior iPhone models, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are easier to repair. Apple is using an electric battery removal process, and the steps for accessing a battery to replace it are outlined in a separate support document <https://support.apple.com/en-us/120642 https://support.apple.com/en-us/120642>. Per Apple's instructions, a 9-volt battery and 9-volt battery clips can be applied to the iPhone 16 battery to remove the adhesive that holds it in place. "Easier" is relative I guess: Here’s every tool you’ll need to replace the iPhone 16’s battery https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/20/heres-every-tool-youll-need-to-replace-the-iphone-16s-battery/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/20/heres-every-tool-youll-need-t... * 9-volt battery * 9-volt battery clips (923-10726) * Battery press (923-02657) * Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes * Nylon probe (black stick) (922-5065) or suction cup * Safety glasses with side shields * Sand * Sand container By contrast, the Treo 650 battery replacement took a few seconds and zero tools.
- cbsks 2y ago
  Don’t forget that first you need to remove the back glass, which requires: Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm) (923-0448) Torque driver (green, 0.45 kgf cm) (923-00105) Security bit (923-0247) Micro stix bit (923-01290) Nylon probe (black stick) (922-5065) ESD-safe tweezers Adhesive removal tool (923-09176) Adhesive cutter (923-01092) Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes 6.1-inch repair tray (923-10712) Camera cap (923-10716) Display press (661-08916) Cut-resistant gloves. Gloves may vary by region. Heat-resistant gloves. Gloves may vary by region. Safety glasses with side shields https://support.apple.com/en-us/120638 https://support.apple.com/en-us/120638
  - threeseed 2y ago
    Most of this is available in any electronics screwdriver kit. And the rest is just for safety.
  - raverbashing 2y ago
    It's amazing how people will think this is anything out of the ordinary for a repair shop But I guess Apple caters to the people who think getting grease in their hands is beyond them.
- EthicalSimilar 2y ago
  Was the Treo 650 waterproof? :)
  - Brian_K_White 2y ago
    It was water-indifferent, like a Jeep. (Kidding. I did love mine and I did not protect it, and I'm sure it got rained on many times, but I don't know if I ever literally hosed water through it. :)
  - ratiolat 2y ago
    Or perhaps get Samsung Xcover Pro - removable battery and IP68 rating (and audio jack!) https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_xcover6_pro-11600.php https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_xcover6_pro-11600.php
  - bluescrn 2y ago
    Do people go swimming with their phones? Older devices could generally handle splashes, e.g being used in light rain. Water damage seemed far less likely than drop damage.
    - throwaway48540 2y ago
      Yes, I do.
      - microtonal 2y ago
        But that's most likely 1% of the market. They can have their own phones. The rest of us just want water resistance for accidental contact with water and easily replaceable batteries.
        throwaway48540 2y ago
        We have our own phone, it's the iPhone. I paid the money for it because I wanted the full package. You can buy your own kind of phone that's not the full package. Many different vendors are making that.
- threeseed 2y ago
  That is significantly easier than trying to remove a glued-on battery. And removable batteries require far more internal space which is why they fell out of favour.
  - userbinator 2y ago
    And removable batteries require far more internal space No they don't. Less than 1% extra volume.
    - alooPotato 2y ago
      that seems not possible but i'm just guessing. where are you getting the 1% from?
    - threeseed 2y ago
      Please provide source. Especially given that you would want to preserve some form of water resistance. Meaning you either (a) have the entire back be removable or (b) a battery injection mechanism similar to a Leica SL3. Both of which would seem to need far more than 1% extra volume.
    - sbuk 2y ago
      Comparable battery capacity, materials and technology? No.
- akerr 2y ago
  No one is stopping you from using a Treo 650.
  - miles 2y ago
    Sadly, Verizon is: CDMA Network Update https://www.verizon.com/prepaid/cdma-network-update/ https://www.verizon.com/prepaid/cdma-network-update/ > Starting Dec 31,2022 we no longer support 3G/4G Non-VoLTE. To keep your service active, upgrade your phone.
    - tshaddox 2y ago
      The same way that McDonald’s or H&R Block are preventing you from using a Treo 650. Those companies also do not provide cellular service compatible with that phone.
      - miles 2y ago
        The main difference being that Verizon sold me the phone and supported it on their network until they didn't. So yes, the Treo 650 still turns on and can be used without voice or data service, but claiming that Verizon is no more preventing me from using it than McDonald's or H&R Block in this case seems disingenuous.
    - 015a 2y ago
      Not just Verizon; the literal FCC, who licenses and restricts what bandwidth can be used for what purpose.
      - miles 2y ago
        The FCC did not mandate the transition: Why are 3G networks being phased out? https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g-cellular-networks-and-service https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g... > As mobile carriers seek to upgrade their networks to use the latest technologies, they periodically shut down older services, such as 3G, to free up spectrum and infrastructure to support new services, such as 5G. Similar transitions have happened before. For example, some mobile carriers shut down their 2G networks when they upgraded their networks to support 4G services. Mobile carriers have the flexibility to choose the types of technologies and services they deploy, including when they decommission older services in favor of newer services to meet consumer demands.
- userbinator 2y ago
  It's almost like Apple is maliciously complying by overcomplicating the procedure, which is not surprising.
  - JumpCrisscross 2y ago
    > almost like Apple is maliciously complying by overcomplicating the procedure Sorry, which of a 9-volt battery, alcohol wipes, safety glasses or sand (and a container for it) screams inaccessible? (And everything there is technically optional. I doubt most Treo 650 users drained the battery before touching it, or bothered with a suction cup.) Removing the back glass takes special tools, but I'll take that over having to replace my phone every time it gets wet.
    - userbinator 2y ago
      Not "inaccessible" but totally unnecessary. Why the bloody hell do you need a 9-volt battery to replace the battery!?!? Removing the back glass takes special tools, but I'll take that over having to replace my phone every time it gets wet. Gaskets have been around for over a century.
      - Kirby64 2y ago
        Their own repair guide states you can use literally any DC power supply, up to 30V. No need to waste 9Vs when you can use an off the shelf DC supply.
      - dumbo-octopus 2y ago
        Gaskets require pressure. Adhesive doesn't. Different solutions for different problems.
      - sgerenser 2y ago
        Apparently the 9v battery runs enough current through the metallic case of the battery to melt and release the adhesive so you can pull the old battery out. Seems like a pretty clever solution, if not a bit over-engineered: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/28/new-battery-replacement-method-with-iphone-16/ https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/28/new-battery-replacement...
- yalok 2y ago
  Removing a battery attached with previous type of adhesive is torture - the elastic tab frequently tears off, and I ended up a few times having to bend the old battery a lot, to get it out (very unsafe, it starts heating). So, to me, this is a huge progress. Plus, don’t you normally have 9v battery and some connectors for it already?
  - userbinator 2y ago
    This is not progress, this is overengineering pretending to be progress. Batteries don't need to be glued on in the first place.
    - hbbio 2y ago
      No, it helps on a lot of issues. Starting with safety (it reduces damage on drops).
      - Arnt 2y ago
        That's a really good reason, but could you elaborate on the other issues? Just curious.
      - bluescrn 2y ago
        A small amount of adhesive might be justifiable, but the amount used is excessive and seems there primarily to increase ‘repair friction’, in a rather dangerous way - actively increasing the chance of a battery fire when replacement attempts are made.
        madeofpalk 2y ago
        Apple has to do a lot of these repairs themselves in their stores by retail workers, often under warranty, so they are incentivised to make the repairs easier and cheaper. The more risk of a retail worker screwing up a repair means higher cost of them fixing it by replacing the whole phone. They're also incentivised to make devices smaller, more waterproof, and increase battery capacity to size ratio. These all push for 'just glue it together'.
- seventytwo 2y ago
  Oh, give me a break. You can still do all the same shit with iFixit tools. These are just the genuine tools aimed at repair shops.
- raverbashing 2y ago
  "every tool you need" sounds like basic stuff for a repair shop Nobody is going and buying the Apple 9v battery or "Apple sand"
  - tanduv 2y ago
    ah yes the readily available custom "Battery press (923-02657)" https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/SZLF0YNV/images/tp/bucket_3/117985_RP2038_Roll_1_V1_1X.jpg https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/SZLF0YNV/images/tp/bucket_3...
    - raverbashing 2y ago
      This seems to be a new device, should be a matter of weeks to have a similar tool show up in Amazon, etc There are alternative devices one could use, or you know, just use the tools you have, as long as you keep the pressure smooth. Possibly a Juicero kind of device
      - sgerenser 2y ago
        With a steady hand something like this would work fine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00409KRB4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00409KRB4
        fecal_henge 2y ago
        Hardly, needs something more like this. https://www.gasparini.com/en/the-worlds-largest-hydraulic-presses/ https://www.gasparini.com/en/the-worlds-largest-hydraulic-pr...
    - gruturo 2y ago
      I think we just found a use for all those Juicero's destined for the landfill.
- sbuk 2y ago
  In contrast, the Treo 650 battery was considerably smaller in terms of capacity and significantly bigger in terms of physical size, leading to a bulkier device that had a significantly lower resolution, colour and physically sized screen. Lets not pretend the state of the art has not moved on.
- sholladay 2y ago
  The last few are just for your safety and can obviously be skipped if you feel like being a cowboy. And to me, “zero tools” makes it sound like that’s your preferred approach. So why count them against one phone but not the other?
- Gud 2y ago
  These are basic items, much of it safety gear. This is a state of the art micro computer. Of course it will require tools to handle correctly.
anArbitraryOne 2y ago
Good for apple. I hope consumers pressure them to be open about more things
- yieldcrv 2y ago
  consumers, and the EU
  - screech 2y ago
    They only do it because they have to. Not because they are that consumer friendly. And now? Another arse move, were you have to pay for not that cheap special apple-tools.consumer milking at it's best.
userbinator 2y ago
The cost of the tools required for device repair and the cost of genuine components make self repair almost as expensive as getting a repair from an Apple retail location or an Apple Authorized Service Provider Malicious compliance accomplished. Apple's instructions for all of the battery repairs include expensive equipment like an iPhone battery press to put a replacement battery back in place. It's like they just copy-pasted their production line processes, but clearly that's not necessary. Apple is known for their... interesting attitude towards repair, even in the previous manuals that have leaked. It somewhat reminds me of German automotive engineering --- lots of special tools and fixtures when a simpler and more conventional process would work just as well.
- atonse 2y ago
  In just about any other situation in life, you will have to make some investment in tools with the understanding that you can use them multiple times. For example, I bought the iFixit repair kit nearly a decade ago and I have used it for any minor work for all that time. $80 spent once and I’ve never once needed to fish for some strange bit or tool no matter what device I’ve opened. In fact, the iFixit kit will still be sufficient for this entire repair plus the 9 volt battery of course. Unless you’re saying all these are one time use tools but I didn’t see that from the parts lists.
  - mosselman 2y ago
    I get what you mean and I agree. I own lots of tools just because I understand that they are a good investment. What I think the parent is referring to is this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120983 https://support.apple.com/en-us/120983 Obviously it is bullshit to suggest that a consumer would buy these tools. But it is also bullshit to suggest that you actually "need" a 'battery press' just because it is on the parts list. The average phone repair shop will know how to loosen some battery adhesive very well with various techniques. So I don't think they will be discouraged by the Apple documentation. Malicious compliance? Seems like it, a little bit. Still useful though.
    - 2y ago
sandwichmonger 2y ago
All it took to easily replace the battery on my IPAQ PocketPC was another battery.
- renewiltord 2y ago
  Something that every PocketPC user rapidly learned to be adept at because without the boosted Chinese batteries the thing didn't last that long. Amazing for the time, but looking back, what a primitive device. And you had to pay for OS upgrades!
- thaumasiotes 2y ago
  This is also true of early smartphones. They were made to have easily replaceable batteries, and I assume you could buy those batteries too. But that turned out to be irrelevant because of the replacement schedule. It seems clear that the frequency with which people replace their phones is what drove the decisions to make maintaining them difficult. If nobody ever needs to maintain the phone, why would you put any effort into helping them hypothetically do so? The analog of Moore's Law for smartphones is already dying and there was a lot of news coverage a while ago of how people seem to be keeping their phones. That may drive the development of phones that can last longer than two years.
  - shreddit 2y ago
    Marvelous times. The battery of your galaxy s3 died? Pop that back off and just put a new one inside.
vindex10 2y ago
Out of curiosity, I checked whether Google Pixel has something similar, and found the list: https://xdaforums.com/t/official-google-repair-guides-for-various-pixel-models.4547805/ https://xdaforums.com/t/official-google-repair-guides-for-va...
CodinM 2y ago
This is great, and most of the comments here seem to either miss the days of the StarTAC _or_ would gladly enjoy a physically bigger device. So, I can now change the battery on my iPhone 12 Pro _and_ reset its status in the Settings->Battery field, which is great. I already have all of the tools apart from the Apple specific ones, which to be fair are very useful for someone that does this everyday, I don't - so I can replace them with manual alternatives. Apple did the good thing and y'all still act like children.
- electriclove 2y ago
  No good deed goes unpunished
- labcomputer 2y ago
  > This is great, and most of the comments here seem to either miss the days of the StarTAC _or_ would gladly enjoy a physically bigger device. If HN had its way, iPhones would be made from through-hole components and 7400 logic. The battery would last all of approximately 13 minutes… so it would be not just possible, but actually necessary to swap the battery in seconds. Ideally, the phone would be slightly unreliable (MTBF of no more than 200 hours) so that every user could experience the joy of troubleshooting the bad component and soldering in a replacement themselves. Maybe Apple could even include a sacrificial capacitor in the power supply that is just slightly under-spec’d. That would also give users the opportunity to “soup up” their iPhones by installing a better capacitor in that one location. It would be illegal to sell them without including (in the box with the phone) a 3000 page printed service manual containing not just schematics, but a detailed theory of operations and full source listing. Nobody would actually look that these, of course, but it’s the principle of costing the manufacturer money that matters. Such a device would be not small. After all, you need to have room to work inside the engine bay^H^H iPhone and you don’t want the components packed in too tight to support easy maintenance. That space would also promote airflow from the three fans necessary to cool all those 7400 ICs.
diggan 2y ago
Does the iPhone still display warnings about "genuineness" of replacement parts, even if they're the original/official Apple parts? That kind of ruins the whole idea of "officially letting people repair their stuff" as if I replace my own battery, I can no longer trust other parts won't be switched by someone else at a later point, as I'll see the same warning regardless...
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

210 points by stalfosknight 2y ago

> Compared to prior iPhone models, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are easier to repair. Apple is using an electric battery removal process, and the steps for accessing a battery to replace it are outlined in a separate support document <https://support.apple.com/en-us/120642 https://support.apple.com/en-us/120642>. Per Apple's instructions, a 9-volt battery and 9-volt battery clips can be applied to the iPhone 16 battery to remove the adhesive that holds it in place. "Easier" is relative I guess: Here’s every tool you’ll need to replace the iPhone 16’s battery https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/20/heres-every-tool-youll-need-to-replace-the-iphone-16s-battery/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/20/heres-every-tool-youll-need-t... * 9-volt battery * 9-volt battery clips (923-10726) * Battery press (923-02657) * Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes * Nylon probe (black stick) (922-5065) or suction cup * Safety glasses with side shields * Sand * Sand container By contrast, the Treo 650 battery replacement took a few seconds and zero tools.

cbsks 2y ago
Don’t forget that first you need to remove the back glass, which requires: Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm) (923-0448) Torque driver (green, 0.45 kgf cm) (923-00105) Security bit (923-0247) Micro stix bit (923-01290) Nylon probe (black stick) (922-5065) ESD-safe tweezers Adhesive removal tool (923-09176) Adhesive cutter (923-01092) Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes 6.1-inch repair tray (923-10712) Camera cap (923-10716) Display press (661-08916) Cut-resistant gloves. Gloves may vary by region. Heat-resistant gloves. Gloves may vary by region. Safety glasses with side shields https://support.apple.com/en-us/120638 https://support.apple.com/en-us/120638
- threeseed 2y ago
  Most of this is available in any electronics screwdriver kit. And the rest is just for safety.
- raverbashing 2y ago
  It's amazing how people will think this is anything out of the ordinary for a repair shop But I guess Apple caters to the people who think getting grease in their hands is beyond them.
EthicalSimilar 2y ago
Was the Treo 650 waterproof? :)
- Brian_K_White 2y ago
  It was water-indifferent, like a Jeep. (Kidding. I did love mine and I did not protect it, and I'm sure it got rained on many times, but I don't know if I ever literally hosed water through it. :)
- ratiolat 2y ago
  Or perhaps get Samsung Xcover Pro - removable battery and IP68 rating (and audio jack!) https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_xcover6_pro-11600.php https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_xcover6_pro-11600.php
- bluescrn 2y ago
  Do people go swimming with their phones? Older devices could generally handle splashes, e.g being used in light rain. Water damage seemed far less likely than drop damage.
  - throwaway48540 2y ago
    Yes, I do.
    - microtonal 2y ago
      But that's most likely 1% of the market. They can have their own phones. The rest of us just want water resistance for accidental contact with water and easily replaceable batteries.
      - throwaway48540 2y ago
        We have our own phone, it's the iPhone. I paid the money for it because I wanted the full package. You can buy your own kind of phone that's not the full package. Many different vendors are making that.
threeseed 2y ago
That is significantly easier than trying to remove a glued-on battery. And removable batteries require far more internal space which is why they fell out of favour.
- userbinator 2y ago
  And removable batteries require far more internal space No they don't. Less than 1% extra volume.
  - alooPotato 2y ago
    that seems not possible but i'm just guessing. where are you getting the 1% from?
  - threeseed 2y ago
    Please provide source. Especially given that you would want to preserve some form of water resistance. Meaning you either (a) have the entire back be removable or (b) a battery injection mechanism similar to a Leica SL3. Both of which would seem to need far more than 1% extra volume.
  - sbuk 2y ago
    Comparable battery capacity, materials and technology? No.
akerr 2y ago
No one is stopping you from using a Treo 650.
- miles 2y ago
  Sadly, Verizon is: CDMA Network Update https://www.verizon.com/prepaid/cdma-network-update/ https://www.verizon.com/prepaid/cdma-network-update/ > Starting Dec 31,2022 we no longer support 3G/4G Non-VoLTE. To keep your service active, upgrade your phone.
  - tshaddox 2y ago
    The same way that McDonald’s or H&R Block are preventing you from using a Treo 650. Those companies also do not provide cellular service compatible with that phone.
    - miles 2y ago
      The main difference being that Verizon sold me the phone and supported it on their network until they didn't. So yes, the Treo 650 still turns on and can be used without voice or data service, but claiming that Verizon is no more preventing me from using it than McDonald's or H&R Block in this case seems disingenuous.
  - 015a 2y ago
    Not just Verizon; the literal FCC, who licenses and restricts what bandwidth can be used for what purpose.
    - miles 2y ago
      The FCC did not mandate the transition: Why are 3G networks being phased out? https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g-cellular-networks-and-service https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/plan-ahead-phase-out-3g... > As mobile carriers seek to upgrade their networks to use the latest technologies, they periodically shut down older services, such as 3G, to free up spectrum and infrastructure to support new services, such as 5G. Similar transitions have happened before. For example, some mobile carriers shut down their 2G networks when they upgraded their networks to support 4G services. Mobile carriers have the flexibility to choose the types of technologies and services they deploy, including when they decommission older services in favor of newer services to meet consumer demands.
userbinator 2y ago
It's almost like Apple is maliciously complying by overcomplicating the procedure, which is not surprising.
- JumpCrisscross 2y ago
  > almost like Apple is maliciously complying by overcomplicating the procedure Sorry, which of a 9-volt battery, alcohol wipes, safety glasses or sand (and a container for it) screams inaccessible? (And everything there is technically optional. I doubt most Treo 650 users drained the battery before touching it, or bothered with a suction cup.) Removing the back glass takes special tools, but I'll take that over having to replace my phone every time it gets wet.
  - userbinator 2y ago
    Not "inaccessible" but totally unnecessary. Why the bloody hell do you need a 9-volt battery to replace the battery!?!? Removing the back glass takes special tools, but I'll take that over having to replace my phone every time it gets wet. Gaskets have been around for over a century.
    - Kirby64 2y ago
      Their own repair guide states you can use literally any DC power supply, up to 30V. No need to waste 9Vs when you can use an off the shelf DC supply.
    - dumbo-octopus 2y ago
      Gaskets require pressure. Adhesive doesn't. Different solutions for different problems.
    - sgerenser 2y ago
      Apparently the 9v battery runs enough current through the metallic case of the battery to melt and release the adhesive so you can pull the old battery out. Seems like a pretty clever solution, if not a bit over-engineered: https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/28/new-battery-replacement-method-with-iphone-16/ https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/28/new-battery-replacement...
yalok 2y ago
Removing a battery attached with previous type of adhesive is torture - the elastic tab frequently tears off, and I ended up a few times having to bend the old battery a lot, to get it out (very unsafe, it starts heating). So, to me, this is a huge progress. Plus, don’t you normally have 9v battery and some connectors for it already?
- userbinator 2y ago
  This is not progress, this is overengineering pretending to be progress. Batteries don't need to be glued on in the first place.
  - hbbio 2y ago
    No, it helps on a lot of issues. Starting with safety (it reduces damage on drops).
    - Arnt 2y ago
      That's a really good reason, but could you elaborate on the other issues? Just curious.
    - bluescrn 2y ago
      A small amount of adhesive might be justifiable, but the amount used is excessive and seems there primarily to increase ‘repair friction’, in a rather dangerous way - actively increasing the chance of a battery fire when replacement attempts are made.
      - madeofpalk 2y ago
        Apple has to do a lot of these repairs themselves in their stores by retail workers, often under warranty, so they are incentivised to make the repairs easier and cheaper. The more risk of a retail worker screwing up a repair means higher cost of them fixing it by replacing the whole phone. They're also incentivised to make devices smaller, more waterproof, and increase battery capacity to size ratio. These all push for 'just glue it together'.
seventytwo 2y ago
Oh, give me a break. You can still do all the same shit with iFixit tools. These are just the genuine tools aimed at repair shops.
raverbashing 2y ago
"every tool you need" sounds like basic stuff for a repair shop Nobody is going and buying the Apple 9v battery or "Apple sand"
- tanduv 2y ago
  ah yes the readily available custom "Battery press (923-02657)" https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/SZLF0YNV/images/tp/bucket_3/117985_RP2038_Roll_1_V1_1X.jpg https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/SZLF0YNV/images/tp/bucket_3...
  - raverbashing 2y ago
    This seems to be a new device, should be a matter of weeks to have a similar tool show up in Amazon, etc There are alternative devices one could use, or you know, just use the tools you have, as long as you keep the pressure smooth. Possibly a Juicero kind of device
    - sgerenser 2y ago
      With a steady hand something like this would work fine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00409KRB4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00409KRB4
      - fecal_henge 2y ago
        Hardly, needs something more like this. https://www.gasparini.com/en/the-worlds-largest-hydraulic-presses/ https://www.gasparini.com/en/the-worlds-largest-hydraulic-pr...
  - gruturo 2y ago
    I think we just found a use for all those Juicero's destined for the landfill.
sbuk 2y ago
In contrast, the Treo 650 battery was considerably smaller in terms of capacity and significantly bigger in terms of physical size, leading to a bulkier device that had a significantly lower resolution, colour and physically sized screen. Lets not pretend the state of the art has not moved on.
sholladay 2y ago
The last few are just for your safety and can obviously be skipped if you feel like being a cowboy. And to me, “zero tools” makes it sound like that’s your preferred approach. So why count them against one phone but not the other?
Gud 2y ago
These are basic items, much of it safety gear. This is a state of the art micro computer. Of course it will require tools to handle correctly.

anArbitraryOne 2y ago

Good for apple. I hope consumers pressure them to be open about more things

yieldcrv 2y ago
consumers, and the EU
- screech 2y ago
  They only do it because they have to. Not because they are that consumer friendly. And now? Another arse move, were you have to pay for not that cheap special apple-tools.consumer milking at it's best.

userbinator 2y ago

The cost of the tools required for device repair and the cost of genuine components make self repair almost as expensive as getting a repair from an Apple retail location or an Apple Authorized Service Provider Malicious compliance accomplished. Apple's instructions for all of the battery repairs include expensive equipment like an iPhone battery press to put a replacement battery back in place. It's like they just copy-pasted their production line processes, but clearly that's not necessary. Apple is known for their... interesting attitude towards repair, even in the previous manuals that have leaked. It somewhat reminds me of German automotive engineering --- lots of special tools and fixtures when a simpler and more conventional process would work just as well.

atonse 2y ago
In just about any other situation in life, you will have to make some investment in tools with the understanding that you can use them multiple times. For example, I bought the iFixit repair kit nearly a decade ago and I have used it for any minor work for all that time. $80 spent once and I’ve never once needed to fish for some strange bit or tool no matter what device I’ve opened. In fact, the iFixit kit will still be sufficient for this entire repair plus the 9 volt battery of course. Unless you’re saying all these are one time use tools but I didn’t see that from the parts lists.
- mosselman 2y ago
  I get what you mean and I agree. I own lots of tools just because I understand that they are a good investment. What I think the parent is referring to is this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/120983 https://support.apple.com/en-us/120983 Obviously it is bullshit to suggest that a consumer would buy these tools. But it is also bullshit to suggest that you actually "need" a 'battery press' just because it is on the parts list. The average phone repair shop will know how to loosen some battery adhesive very well with various techniques. So I don't think they will be discouraged by the Apple documentation. Malicious compliance? Seems like it, a little bit. Still useful though.
  - 2y ago

sandwichmonger 2y ago

All it took to easily replace the battery on my IPAQ PocketPC was another battery.

renewiltord 2y ago
Something that every PocketPC user rapidly learned to be adept at because without the boosted Chinese batteries the thing didn't last that long. Amazing for the time, but looking back, what a primitive device. And you had to pay for OS upgrades!
thaumasiotes 2y ago
This is also true of early smartphones. They were made to have easily replaceable batteries, and I assume you could buy those batteries too. But that turned out to be irrelevant because of the replacement schedule. It seems clear that the frequency with which people replace their phones is what drove the decisions to make maintaining them difficult. If nobody ever needs to maintain the phone, why would you put any effort into helping them hypothetically do so? The analog of Moore's Law for smartphones is already dying and there was a lot of news coverage a while ago of how people seem to be keeping their phones. That may drive the development of phones that can last longer than two years.
- shreddit 2y ago
  Marvelous times. The battery of your galaxy s3 died? Pop that back off and just put a new one inside.

vindex10 2y ago

Out of curiosity, I checked whether Google Pixel has something similar, and found the list: https://xdaforums.com/t/official-google-repair-guides-for-various-pixel-models.4547805/ https://xdaforums.com/t/official-google-repair-guides-for-va...

CodinM 2y ago

This is great, and most of the comments here seem to either miss the days of the StarTAC _or_ would gladly enjoy a physically bigger device. So, I can now change the battery on my iPhone 12 Pro _and_ reset its status in the Settings->Battery field, which is great. I already have all of the tools apart from the Apple specific ones, which to be fair are very useful for someone that does this everyday, I don't - so I can replace them with manual alternatives. Apple did the good thing and y'all still act like children.

electriclove 2y ago
No good deed goes unpunished
labcomputer 2y ago
> This is great, and most of the comments here seem to either miss the days of the StarTAC _or_ would gladly enjoy a physically bigger device. If HN had its way, iPhones would be made from through-hole components and 7400 logic. The battery would last all of approximately 13 minutes… so it would be not just possible, but actually necessary to swap the battery in seconds. Ideally, the phone would be slightly unreliable (MTBF of no more than 200 hours) so that every user could experience the joy of troubleshooting the bad component and soldering in a replacement themselves. Maybe Apple could even include a sacrificial capacitor in the power supply that is just slightly under-spec’d. That would also give users the opportunity to “soup up” their iPhones by installing a better capacitor in that one location. It would be illegal to sell them without including (in the box with the phone) a 3000 page printed service manual containing not just schematics, but a detailed theory of operations and full source listing. Nobody would actually look that these, of course, but it’s the principle of costing the manufacturer money that matters. Such a device would be not small. After all, you need to have room to work inside the engine bay^H^H iPhone and you don’t want the components packed in too tight to support easy maintenance. That space would also promote airflow from the three fans necessary to cool all those 7400 ICs.

diggan 2y ago

Does the iPhone still display warnings about "genuineness" of replacement parts, even if they're the original/official Apple parts? That kind of ruins the whole idea of "officially letting people repair their stuff" as if I replace my own battery, I can no longer trust other parts won't be switched by someone else at a later point, as I'll see the same warning regardless...

deleted 2y ago

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