New York / smartphone/Apple
Apple smartphone owners in New York.
4 statutory rights, plus Apple's own self-service repair channels and known controversies.
PIRG ’26
D-
Apple · “Failing the Fix”
Figure 01 — Apple repair channels
Self-service availableApple repair channels
Self-service portal
support.apple.comSelf Service Repair launched in US (Apr 2022), expanded to 8 EU countries (Dec 2022), and to additional regions since. Tool rental kits available; users can buy genuine parts and access Apple repair manuals. Program covers iPhone 12 series and later, select Mac models with Apple silicon, and Studio Display.
Authorized providers
locate.apple.comSample spare parts
- iPhone 15 display assembly (Self Service Repair)see source
- iPhone 15 battery (Self Service Repair)see source
- iPhone 15 rear camerasee source
- iPhone 15 Taptic Enginesee source
- MacBook Air (M2) top case with batterysee source
Known repair issues
- Parts pairing for displays, batteries, and cameras. Replacing components with non-Apple or unpaired genuine parts triggers warnings and can disable features such as True Tone, battery health metrics, or Face ID until Apple's System Configuration tool re-pairs the part.
- Self Service Repair complexity and tool rental cost. Critics including iFixit have noted that the rental tool kits are heavy and that the process is complex enough that it may discourage average consumers from attempting repairs.
- Oregon SB 1596 anti-parts-pairing opposition. Apple publicly opposed Oregon's parts-pairing ban (signed March 2024) before later softening its stance; the law restricts manufacturers from using software locks to prevent repair with used or third-party parts.
Figure 02 — Statutory rights in New York
Statutory rights in New York
- 01
Right to parts, tools and documentation for digital electronics
Original equipment manufacturers of digital electronic products sold in New York must make diagnostic, maintenance, and repair parts, tools, and documentation available to independent repair providers and owners on fair and reasonable terms.
New York Digital Fair Repair Act, S4104A / GBL §399-nn - 02
Assembly-of-parts option for manufacturers
Manufacturers may comply by selling an assembly of parts rather than individual components if providing individual parts would pose a safety risk. Critics note this weakens the law in practice.
New York GBL §399-nn(2)(d) - 03
No requirement to disclose trade secrets
The law does not force manufacturers to share trade secrets, source code, or security-sensitive information, but they must still provide the documentation needed for typical repair.
New York GBL §399-nn(3) - 04
Enforcement by the NY Attorney General
The New York Attorney General has exclusive enforcement authority and can seek injunctive relief and civil penalties. There is no private right of action.
New York GBL §399-nn(5)