> Only Apple can properly replace these screens and pair the parts

Not true. Apple has a self-service repair program for most of its products, including the iPad mini.

All the repair manuals are available online and you can buy official Apple parts. [1] They'll even sell or rent the tools you will need.

[1]: https://selfservicerepair.com/en-US/home

You're right, the self-service repair program exists. It doesn't clear neither the pairing issue nor parent's hurdles though, as Apple parts are still required , you can't get any similar enough screen you'd want, and they'll be priced the same as in Apple Stores.

As far as I remember, the self-repair kits only make sense in very niche cases (I think repair shop get a different contract ?) and won't work around any limitations Apple puts on parts or repairs.

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