RELEASE: After years of opposition, Apple calls for passage of Right to Repair in California

 Tech company corrects course, now supports repair state legislation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In an unexpected about-face, Apple announced on Wednesday that it supports the Right to Repair Act (Senate Bill 244) moving through the California Legislature. For years, Apple has been one of the most visible opponents of repair access, lobbying against giving consumers and independent repair shops what they need to fix devices, including lobbying in California. However, with the Right to Repair movement gaining recognition and support — and leading to laws in other states — Apple has reversed course and has endorsed SB 244 for striking the right balance between “consumer choice and reliable repairs.”

“Apple has long been one of the main Goliaths standing in the way of Right to Repair. Our rag-tag team of Davids has not only overcome its opposition, we have flipped its position on our core request. We’re closer than ever to a more fixable world,” said Nathan Proctor, senior director of PIRG’s Right to Repair Campaign. “Make no mistake: Apple’s reversal on Right to Repair is a direct result of this campaign, and the dedication of our scrappy band of advocates, tinkerers and fixers. Credit should go to people like the small business owners who had to close down their repair shops to drive hours to places like Sacramento in order to explain how repair restrictions impact them and their customers.”

SB 244, authored by state Sen.Susan Eggman, requires Apple and other manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repair shops the tools, parts and repair information they need to fix broken electronics and appliances. The legislation passed the state Senate in May, with a vote of 38-0. The bill is expected to be voted on by the Assembly Appropriations Committee next week, which would clear the way for an Assembly floor vote. 

iFixit’s Director of Sustainability, Liz Chamberlain, said, “It’s not just about providing parts and tools for repairs; it’s about empowering consumers to make environmentally responsible choices. Right to Repair has been building momentum in Big Tech’s backyard. It’s about time Apple opens the front door.”

State Director Jenn Engstrom showcases almost 500 lbs of e-waste at a press conference in Sacramento earlier this week.Photo by Staff | TPIN

Proctor says this success is due to the diligence and dedication of Sen. Eggman, as well as the many other lawmakers and committed advocates who have kept advancing legislation around the country, despite frustrating defeats at the hands of opposing lobbyists. 

“Slowly but surely, we pushed ahead, won new supporters, mobilized more people and overcame more obstacles,” said Proctor. “This campaign is built off regular people who know that the Right to Repair is the right thing to do, and took action in the face of resistance from the biggest companies in the world.” 

Advocates have been pushing for Right to Repair legislation in California for 5 years. Similar bills have died in the Senate Appropriations Committee the past two years after intense industry lobbying efforts against their passage. But public support for the Right to Repair in the state has grown alongside a swell of national momentum. New York, Colorado and Minnesota all passed their own Right to Repair laws in the past year. 

“After a decade of fighting against Right to Repair, Apple has decided to support our legislation,” said Repair.org Executive Director Gay Gordon-Byrne. “Its a huge win for the whole coalition that were dogged in their pursuit of legislation, and a proud moment for all of us watching the big guns fall — once again.”

“Every day we continue our work to ensure people can fix their stuff, it becomes clearer and clearer: It’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘how soon,’” concluded Proctor.