Apple implements device repair scores in France

Apple has begun adding repair points to its website and Apple Store app in France to meet the demands of the new right to repair laws (via MacGeneration).

The scores, which appear on a range of Apple products on purchase pages, give devices a rating of ten for how easy they are to repair, as are iFixit repair ratings. According to the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, the scores are intended to inform customers about “whether this product is repairable, difficult to repair or irreparable”.

All the iPhone 12 models got a score of 6.0, while the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro were significantly worse at 4.6. The iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone XR have a score of 4.5, and the iPhone XS and XS Max and a score of 4.7 and 4.6, respectively.

The second generation iPhone SE with 6.2 and the iPhone 7 Plus, ‌iPhone‌ 8 and ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus with 6.6 have better ratings. The overall top-rated model is the ‌iPhone‌ 7, with a restore point of 6.7.

For Macs, the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro has a score of 5.6, the 16-inch MacBook Pro has a score of 6.3, and the ‌M1‌ MacBook Air performs best at 6.5.

A French Apple support page contains the recovery information for a range of iPhones and MacBooks, with explanations justifying why each device has been rated. The criteria include the availability of repair documentation, easy disassembly, availability and price of parts, and software updates.

Apple sets these ratings against a network offered by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, as opposed to a central regulatory authority, but it is monitored and verified by the Directorate of Fraud Prevention (FRCCB).

In November last year, the European Union voted to support a motion on the right to repairs, including a system of mandatory labeling on consumer electronics to provide explicit information on the repairability and service life of products. Laws that force technology companies to restore scores for their devices, just like those in France, could consequently take effect across the EU.