Google Announces DIY Repairs for Pixel Smartphones in Partnership With iFixit

[MacRumors]

Google today announced it is partnering with iFixit to make do-it-yourself repairs available for Pixel smartphones in select regions.

Starting later this year, genuine Pixel parts will be available for purchase on iFixit's website for the Pixel 2 through Pixel 6 Pro, as well as future Pixel models, in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and European Union countries where Pixel smartphones are available, according to Google. Batteries, displays, cameras, and other parts will be available both individually and as part of iFixit toolkits.

Google's announcement comes one day after the European Parliament voted in support of proposed "Right to Repair" legislation planned for later in 2022. Samsung last week announced plans to launch a similar self-service repair program for some Galaxy smartphones, also in partnership with iFixit.

"If we're going to build a sustainable electronics industry, consumers must have options to repair products themselves," said iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens. "Google is making repair more affordable and accessible, even in places without repair shops. We are committed to enabling repairs at a place and time of your choosing."

iFixit said it will be continuing to write its step-by-step repair guides for Pixel smartphones, with guides for the Pixel 5a, 6, and 6 Pro in progress.

In November 2021, Apple also announced that it would be launching a self-service repair program in the United States in early 2022, followed by additional countries throughout the year. Apple said the initial phase of the program would focus on the most commonly serviced parts for all iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, such as displays, batteries, and cameras, and expand to Macs with M1 chips later in the year.

Apple has yet to launch its self-service repair program or publicly share any further details since its initial announcement.

Article Link: Google Announces DIY Repairs for Pixel Smartphones in Partnership With iFixit

 

[Macative]

iFixit: "If we're going to build a sustainable electronics industry, consumers must have options to repair products themselves,"

...and what better way to do that than paying us to be a part of the process.

 

[jz0309]

iFixit: "If we're going to build a sustainable electronics industry, consumers must have options to repair products themselves,"

...and what better way to do that than paying us to be a part of the process.

yup, was going to say the exact same thing ... revenue ($$$) speaks, even for ifixit

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Dang, I wish Apple had done a partnership with Fixit. Hopefully, Apple is up next.

 

[GMShadow]

All six Pixel owners will be delighted, as soon as their phones stop boot looping long enough to let them order.

 

[HalfFullmoon]

Apple changed the battery of my iPhone 8 and broke the Touch ID. If official technicians can't do it properly, then there is no way I would risk it. Providing parts and partnering with repair companies are all a cover to not provide easily replaceable batteries. Instead of putting more and more cameras in the rear, phone manufacturers should focus on that.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple changed the battery of my iPhone 8 and broke the touchID. If official technicians can't do it properly, then there is no way I would risk it. Providing parts, and partnering with companies are all excuses to not provide easily replaceable batteries. Instead of putting more and more cameras in the rear, phone manufacturers should focus on that.

Phone manufacturers want you to upgrade every year. That is what brings the revenues in. Heck, Apple wants you to upgrade your phone every six months. All it takes is introduction of a new color.

 

[Macative]

Apple changed the battery of my iPhone 8 and broke the Touch ID. If official technicians can't do it properly, then there is no way I would risk it. Providing parts and partnering with repair companies are all a cover to not provide easily replaceable batteries. Instead of putting more and more cameras in the rear, phone manufacturers should focus on that.

I replaced a battery in an original iPhone SE and that was a nightmare. And that is a design that was still somewhat workable. They've only gotten more difficult since.

 

[Matti_]

Wow, really nice move by Google and iFixit. That‘s customer friendly

 

[LeeW]

Makes sense, no doubt part of this agreement will be that iFixit provides the guides on how to replace the parts along with the right tools to do it. That is way better than just offering parts with no instruction.

But of course, a positive step by another manufacturer will never be acceptable for Mac Rumors members huh..

 

[ouimetnick]

iFixit: "If we're going to build a sustainable electronics industry, consumers must have options to repair products themselves,"

...and what better way to do that than paying us to be a part of the process.

For profit companies have to make a profit you know. You can make a profit while doing good things for the environment. We pay Apple for new devices with recycled aluminum enclosures, recycled tin and gold plating on the logic boards, etc. we pay Apple for them to not give a charger or earbuds for “environmental reasons”

 

[_Spinn_]

Hopefully this trend continues to take off.

 

[alexjholland]

This makes so much sense.

• Google doesn't have Apple's supply chain or shops.
• Android's USP is 'open source' vs Apple's walled garden.

Google can never compete against Apple's repair capabilities.

Giving customers their own parts and tools is a brilliant counter move.

 

[blazerunner]

Dang, I wish Apple had done a partnership with Fixit. Hopefully, Apple is up next.

LOL, yeah right. Apple's trash when it comes to respecting right to repair.

 

[alpi123]

Samsung announced the same initiative and partnership with iFixit also.

 

[SpaceN64]

huh, i feel like ive seen this before

 

[anthogag]

If you don't want to repair a Google Pixel get an iPhone ?

 

[Joe Rossignol]

huh, i feel like ive seen this before

Samsung + iFixit are also partnering on DIY repairs for select Galaxy smartphones.

Apple has a program coming too, in "early 2022," but no further details yet.

 

[Spock]

I honestly think that Apple doing it themselves will be better than a partnership with another company.

 

[Macative]

For profit companies have to make a profit you know. You can make a profit while doing good things for the environment. We pay Apple for new devices with recycled aluminum enclosures, recycled tin and gold plating on the logic boards, etc. we pay Apple for them to not give a charger or earbuds for “environmental reasons”

And you can also pretend to be doing good things for the environment by saying that you are, none of which are measurable or provable in any way, and in the meantime profiting more than you would otherwise, and only justifying it with your environmental tripe.

 

[DFZD]

Good move. Although Google needs to get Apple out of its head and fix Android 12. Its a total mess.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Phone manufacturers want you to upgrade every year. That is what brings the revenues in. Heck, Apple wants you to upgrade your phone every six months. All it takes is introduction of a new color.

Then why does Apple continue to update 7 year old iPhones.

 

[deckard666]

Phone manufacturers want you to upgrade every year. That is what brings the revenues in. Heck, Apple wants you to upgrade your phone every six months. All it takes is introduction of a new color.

Yeah those years and years of iOS software updates for old (and very) phones must just be a joke from the hardware division ?

 

[Heat_Fan89]

All six Pixel owners will be delighted, as soon as their phones stop boot looping long enough to let them order.

Really? The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have been a huge success for Google. I own a Pixel 4a, 4a 5G and a Pixel 6. They are awesome phones. Still waiting for Siri to catch up to Google Assistant and for Apple to introduce their version of Google's Call Screener.

 

[now i see it]

Smartphones COULD be designed with easy to replace gaskets, easy to swap batteries and screens, but nooooo, we get glued shut iPhones designed by a company touting its environmental friendliness instead.