Apple said on Wednesday it will begin allowing people to fix gadgets they buy from the Silicon Valley giant, in a concession seen as a victory for "right-to-repair" advocates.

The iPhone and Mac computer maker has long restricted repairs to technicians at "Genius Bars" in its shops or at authorized service centers, where device owners are often faced with lengthy waits and costly tabs.

"We never thought we'd see the day," read a tweet from iFixit, which says it offers repair guides for a range of devices.

"There are some tough times, but we're glad that Apple admit what we've always known: Everyone's enough of a Genius to fix an iPhone."

Apple's new self-service repair program will begin in the United States, offering to sell tools and parts to people who want to work on damaged iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 model handsets.

It will initially focus on the parts more prone to damage, such as screens, batteries, and cameras.

The Silicon Valley-based company said the program will be rolled out to other countries over the next year and be expanded to include some Mac computers

"Creating greater access to genuine Apple parts offers our customers more options if a repair is needed," said Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams in a statement.

"In the past three years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to genuine Apple parts, tools and training, and we now offer an option for those who want to complete their own repairs."

The move comes as Apple faces criticism and lawsuits for strict control of its "ecosystem", from iPhone hardware to the apps allowed on handsets.

Laws enshrining a right by people to be able to repair things they buy are gaining momentum in the United States and on a federal level.

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