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Need to Fix Your iPhone Screen? That's About to Get Easier

Apple's Horizon proprietary screen-repair machines are currently restricted to Apple's own stores, but that's changing in light of possible right to repair laws.

Updated June 7, 2017
Apple iPhone 7 Plus

One of the most common problems that needs fixing on a smartphone is a cracked screen. We drop them, drop things on them, put them in our pockets and sit on them, and inevitably screen cracks happen.

Apple review, Apple commentary, Apple news... Everything Apple When this happens to an iPhone, Apple can fix the display using one of its proprietary screen fixing machines called a Horizon Machine. Right now, you'll most likely have to visit an Apple Store to gain access to one, but that's set to change before 2017 draws to a close.

Apple is concerned about several US state "right to repair" bills, and the company decided it's best to react before they happen. Although Apple denies legislation is influencing this decision, it's worth pointing out any right-to-repair laws would impact Apple's lucrative repair service business. According to Reuters, repairing cracked screens is a multi-billion dollar business.

Apple's plan is to have its Horizon Machines installed at 400 authorized third-party repair centers, with those centers being spread across 25 countries. By doing so, repair times should fall for customers while at the same time Apple is seen to be doing more with regards to allowing customers more choice. However, don't expect Apple to allow these proprietary machines to roll out without strict rules and high fees attached for the third parties.

Even with this wider rollout of repair machines, unauthorized repair outlets will continue to trade and use unofficial parts due to Apple's strict control over where these official parts go. With that in mind, right-to-repair bills have appeared in New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming so far. If any are successfully passed, Apple (and other manufacturers) could be forced to supply original parts, tools, and manuals/guides at reasonable prices to anyone who wants them.

If that happened it would most likely reduce the price Apple could charge for repairs and mean sharing much more information than it would like to about the internals of its smartphones.

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About Matthew Humphries

Senior Editor

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

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