Apple is expanding its independent repair program to nearly all countries where Apple products are sold

If you cannot afford to go to the Apple Store or a big third-party service centre to get your Apple products repaired, this independent repair program is what can help you.

Once you are a part of the program you sign a contract that gives Apple rights to inspect repair shops and also fine them if something is amiss. (Apple )

If you need to repair an Apple product you either need to go to the Apple Store or you need to go to a reliable third-party service centre. However, if these options are limited or too expensive for you, Apple has recently announced the expansion of its Independent Repair Provider program and the plan is also to expand it to nearly every country where Apple products are sold. So, someone near you could soon be using official Apple parts to fix your devices.

The Independent Repair Provider program is currently only available in the US, Canada and in Europe, and according to Apple's announcement, repair providers from Australia, Korea and Japan will be able to join the program this week. Providers from some other countries, including China, will be able to join the program later this year.

These service providers need to apply to be a part of the Independent Repair Provider program and once they are approved they can buy a limited variety of official Apple materials like batteries, screens and diagnostic tools. 

This means that your local repair person, once he/she becomes a part of the program, can help you with common issues that use these basic parts. For anything more intensive, you will still have to go through Apple or one of its authorised service providers or you risk losing the warranty or becoming unsupported eventually.

If you are someone who repairs Apple devices and want to be a part of the program, there are certain things you need to be aware of. Once you are a part of the program you sign a contract that gives Apple rights to inspect repair shops and also fine them if something is amiss. Apple can charge $1,000 per transaction for any repair shop caught using knockoff parts in more than 2% repairs, according to reports.

The whole list of countries and regions that can sign up for the Independent Repair Provider program can be accessed here.