AppleInsider Staff
Apple in an update to its official Apple Support app for iOS on Tuesday activated a new feature that allows users to schedule repair appointments at participating Apple Authorized Service Providers.
According to release notes supplied alongside Apple Support version 1.1, users of the app are now able to schedule device repairs at Authorized Service Providers, not just Apple store Genius Bars. The integration greatly increases the number of service locations available to customers and is a welcome addition for users living in rural areas where the nearest Apple store might be hours away.
The change brings Apple Support more in line with the company's support website, which activated repair scheduling at authorized providers in December. Similar to the online version, Apple Support presents users with a list of repair venues that can be sorted by location, distance and available appointment. The scheduling process is identical to reserving a spot at the Genius Bar, with authorized facilities presenting open dates and times which can then selected by the customer.
While many Apple store locations are typically busy servicing online reservations and walk-ins, authorized repair providers often have open availability.
With the new update, Apple Support users can also filter service locations by mobile carrier.
In addition to the scheduling system modification, the app now supports Genius Bar reservations at Apple retail locations in China, Hong Kong, Macao, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. A new simplified authentication process has also been implemented, while the app now supports iOS 10 rich notifications for chat. Finally, Apple includes the usual unspecified bug fixes and improvements to its list of upgrades.
Apple Support for iOS launched in the Netherlands last November before making its way to the U.S. a month later. In many ways an iOS port of Apple's support website, the app is designed to provide users with technical documents, repair scheduling, personal support via phone, chat or email, and case history information, among other assets.
Apple Support version 1.1 is a free 110MB download from the iOS App Store.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
6 Comments
The general policy for us is "come on in!"
No need to schedule, just show up. You'll be talking to a technician, because we're all technicians.
And we're gearing up to do component level repair on out of warranty machines. Fried graphics chip in your 2011 MBP and missed the repair extension deadline so now you're vintage? No problem. We'll put a new one on for you. Mac Plus have bad capacitors? We can fix that too.
And yes, we make house calls. We don't care if your network is an old Linksys, a white unibody MacBook, an Apple TV, and a printer (was there Sunday) or a law office with 50 Macs and a couple PCs, and you need your network to be faster or it's time to replace your server, the one that does all your file sharing, calendaring, and email. That server is a Mac, and that's what we do.
Best Buy is an authorized service provider? Best Buy!?!?!?!?!