MacBook Repair Parts Facing Delays, Apple Letting Customers Take Devices Back Home While Waiting for Parts

Triggered by ongoing supply chain issues, Apple will now let customers take their devices back home in the event their repair will take longer than expected due to a missing part that's backlogged. Once the part has arrived at the location, customers can return the device to complete the repair.

iphone self service repair 2
In the case a customer takes their device back home, they'll be informed when the part needed for their repair arrives. From that day, customers will have five days to return the device back to the service center before the repair is canceled.

The new policy is available in select locations, and it's up to the service center whether or not a customer is eligible to take their device back home as they await repair parts. Logically, this only applies to customers with devices that are functioning and in a usable state.

Apple has been dealing with ongoing supply chain challenges that have impacted the iPhone and the Mac in the last several months. According to sources speaking to MacRumors, repair parts for the MacBook Pro, such as the 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ display, are currently taking up to two months to arrive in certain regions.

Other parts, such as the top case for select models of the ‌MacBook Pro‌ and MacBook Air, which includes the battery, keyboard, and internal chassis, could take several weeks.

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Top Rated Comments

Blackstick Avatar
31 months ago
Mac Genius ‘07-14… we all know the status: Awaiting Parts. If a customer made the case their Mac was usable, but still needed the repair, a Lead Genius would allow them to hold it and our Admin would call them to bring it in when the parts arrived… I only remember that happening once in awhile. Added a good amount of overhead and turn around time.

Apple was really good about getting us most parts within 24 hours in those days… even esoteric Mac Pro parts like Xeon processors and heat sinks. Occasionally, they’d let you sub a part, like BTO iMacs that were ordered with 320GB drives and they only had 500s – or iPod Classics with 80/120GB and they only made 160GB. Never anything too exciting though, you couldn’t change the color of your iPod or top case, for example.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
31 months ago
Feels like the supply chain issues are never going to be resolved :(
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DMG35 Avatar
31 months ago

All good until the customer takes it home and either damages it/damages it further or has it nicked. Fringe cases but can happen, particularly if parts are backordered for a long while. This has to do be done with the caveat of "if you muller it while it's at home, additional parts may be required and warranty coverage may be affected".
Not really sure how its a concern if Apple is just telling customers to take their devices back home with them. Would you prefer that Apple keep them and let them sit around while they wait for a part for it?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OS X Dude Avatar
31 months ago
All good until the customer takes it home and either damages it/damages it further or has it nicked. Fringe cases but can happen, particularly if parts are backordered for a long while. This has to do be done with the caveat of "if you muller it while it's at home, additional parts may be required and warranty coverage may be affected".
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
foobarbaz Avatar
31 months ago

All good until the customer takes it home and either damages it/damages it further or has it nicked. Fringe cases but can happen, particularly if parts are backordered for a long while. This has to do be done with the caveat of "if you muller it while it's at home, additional parts may be required and warranty coverage may be affected".
That's a weird concern. These fringe cases might also happen after a successful repair, so (other than waiting for a functioning device) the customer isn't really worse off due to taking it home.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jacoblee23 Avatar
31 months ago
Interesting. My 14" MBP had keyboard marks on screen and they replaced the screen the same morning it was received and I received it the next day. I guess it just depends maybe.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)