Apple products are famous for their durability over time, and most likely, at some point you will wonder if you can still repair an iPhone that is several years old. If you own an older iPhone and want to keep it, you may need a service repair at some point. From a broken screen to a degraded battery, there are options for repairing these devices, but they depend on the age of the model and Apple's policy on replacement parts support.
Let's be honest, compared to other mobile phone manufacturers, Apple can boast of very long-lasting devices. Even older models such as the iPhone 6 or iPhone 7 still run iOS 15, although they are not compatible with the latest updates such as iOS 16. This durability allows users to keep them for a long time, but raises the issue of affordability of spare parts and repairs as the years go by. Apple has certain year limits for which they provide replacement parts and support for each individual device model.
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Categories of Apple products by age
Apple divides its products into three distinct categories that influence parts availability and service options:
1. Active products (less than 5 years after withdrawal from the market):
For these products, Apple guarantees full support in authorized services. For 5 years from the time the last unit of the model was withdrawn from sale, the necessary parts are available for official repairs.
2. Vintage products (between 5 and 7 years after withdrawal):
After a model exceeds 5 years of official withdrawal from sale, it enters the category vintage. During this time, Apple may provide replacement parts, but their availability is not guaranteed. Authorized workshops may accept repairs, but with a lower chance of finding all the necessary components.
3. Obsolete products (older than 7 years):
After 7 years from the date of the last unit sold, iPhones becomeobsolete(expired). At this stage, Apple no longer provides spare parts for the respective models, and repairs in authorized services become impossible. The only option remains to use unauthorized services that recycle parts from other defective devices.
Based on these three categories of product classification, you can know if you can still find a service where you can repair an iPhone that is several years old.
How do you check if you can repair an iPhone that is a few years old?
If you own an iPhone, here are the steps to determine if it can be repaired at an Apple Authorized Service Provider:
Check model age: If the model is less than 5 years old after the official withdrawal, you can easily access an authorized Apple service for repairs.
See the list of vintage and obsolete products: Apple periodically publishes lists of products in these categories. If your iPhone is vintage, try contacting an authorized service center to check the availability of parts. If it is obsolete, prepare to turn to alternatives.
Check on the official list of vintage or obsolete products and find out what the odds are of fixing a few-year-old iPhone.
It should be noted that there are also some regional exceptions. There are special situations in certain countries, such as France, where local law extends the period during which Apple provides replacement parts for devices. For iPhones bought new after December 31, 2020, parts support is extended to 7 years, not just 5. This is good news for users in the region who want to keep their devices longer.
Related: How do you find out if iPhone or iPad is still in the Warranty check period)
What alternatives do you have to repair older iPhone models?
1. Unauthorized Services:
Not recommended, but for obsolete iPhones, unofficial services can reuse working parts from similar defective devices. For example, a screen or motherboard from an iPhone 4s can be transferred to another iPhone 4s.
2. Independent repair:
If you have the necessary technical knowledge, you can purchase second-hand spare parts from online platforms and try to repair an iPhone that is several years old. However, this solution involves risks related to the quality of the parts and the loss of the warranty (of the parts, if applicable).
Conclusion
If you have an iPhone newer than 5 years, you can repair it without problems in authorized Apple services. Between 5 and 7 years, models become vintage and access to repairs becomes more difficult, but not impossible. For models older than 7 years, repairs in official services are no longer possible, and options remain limited to unauthorized services or DIY solutions. The durability of iPhones makes many of them work well even after years of use, but it's important to know what options you have to keep them in top condition.
