Apple, Samsung, and John Deere Use Legislative Loopholes to Limit Independent Repair, Advocacy Group Says

Apple's California Amendment

In October 2023, Apple publicly backed California's Right to Repair law but simultaneously amended its language, according to repair advocacy group Repair.org. Under the amended provisions, consumers must purchase parts directly from Apple and pair them using an Apple-managed software tool to complete screen, battery, and other repairs. Repair.org argues this requirement preserves Apple's control over repairs by making independent shops unable to complete the process without Apple's involvement.

Samsung's Parts Restrictions

Repair.org also describes Samsung as bundling its parts distribution into agreements that exclude independent repair shops and individual device owners. According to the group, Samsung glues batteries to phone screens, a design choice that makes battery replacement roughly five times more expensive than it would otherwise need to be. Samsung further limits which parts assemblies are available for purchase and declines to sell parts in bulk quantities to independent repair shops, restricting their ability to stock inventory.

John Deere's MOU with Farm Bureau

John Deere continues to rely on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) rather than supporting formal legislation, per Repair.org. That MOU, the group says, allows Deere to continue restricting farmers' ability to purchase dealer-level diagnostic software. Repair.org notes that this approach has not fully succeeded in heading off legislative pressure: grower groups representing corn, wheat, and soy producers in Colorado are increasingly voicing support for Right to Repair legislation despite AFBF's agreement with Deere.

Repair.org frames these actions collectively as a pattern of manufacturers nominally endorsing repair rights while structuring compliance in ways that preserve their existing repair monopolies.