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iPhone Repairs: Apple Expands Technical Support Network

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Apple has launched an Independent Repair Provider program to expand its network of certified iPhone repair technicians. The new program arrives amid overflowing demand for repairs and support at Apple Genius Bars within the company's retail stores.

For instance, there has been a one-week reservation backlog at Apple's Genius Bar in Huntington Station, New York, according to a ChannelE2E check-in with the company earlier this month.

According to Apple, the newly launched Independent Repair Provider program is:

"designed for companies interested in offering out-of-warranty repair service for iPhones. Qualifying companies can gain access to Apple genuine parts, tools, training, service guides, diagnostics and resources to perform a variety out-of-warranty iPhone repairs, such as iPhone display and battery replacements."

To qualify for the new program, businesses need to have an Apple-certified technician who can perform the repairs. The program is launching in the United States. Apple plans to expand the effort to additional countries but did not disclose target dates and regions.

The new program complements an existing Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) effort -- which spans 5,000 members. Apple has also expanded that AASP effort into all Best Buy stores in the United States.

Although Apple has pushed hard into subscription-based services, Apple iPhone sales -- and the resulting support requirements -- remain major portions of the company's business.

In Apple's second quarter of 2019, the company's revenue was $58 billion. iPhone sales represented roughly $31 billion of that figure.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.