Last year, Apple launched the Independent Repair Provider Program in the United States. It allowed businesses across the country to sign up to get free training on how to repair Apple-branded devices, getting access to all the same tools as Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs). Today, the company announced that since the launch, over 140 companies in the U.S. have joined the program, adding more than 700 repair locations for Apple devices.
Additionally, Apple has announced that the program is now expanding outside the U.S., with Canada and 32 countries across Europe gaining access. Starting today, businesses in countries where Apple is enabling the program can apply to be a part of it. The application and training are free of charge, which should make it easier for many more official repair locations to open in these countries.
A couple of years ago, Apple started making it harder for third-parties to perform repairs on its devices thanks to the T2 security chip in its Mac computers. That makes it all the more important that authorized repair locations are more easily accessible. Last year, in addition to launching the Independent Repair Provider Program, Apple partnered with Best Buy in the United States, turning every one of its store locations in the country into AASPs.