Google Touts Pixel Repairability Improvements

Google today highlighted the progress it’s made to improve the repairability of its Pixel devices through a variety of personal, first-party, and third-party methods.

“We’re committed to investing in product longevity and repair options for Pixel devices so you can have the best possible experience,” Google director of operations Steven Nickel writes in the announcement post. “In addition to seven years of software and hardware support for Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, we also launched a partnership with iFixit in 2022, so it’s easier to buy genuine Pixel parts and repair your phone with a professional or do it yourself (DIY). Now we’re introducing more repair features that will give you peace of mind if your phone needs to be fixed.”

Google provided three new ways in which it has improved the Pixel repair process. They are:

Pixel Repair Mode. Available as of last week’s Pixel Feature Drop, Pixel Repair Mode prevents a repair technician from accessing your personal data while your phone is in for repairs and away from your hands. And you don’t need to back up or wipe your data first.

Pixel Diagnostic app. In addition to the Google Pixel Update and Software Repair website, which offers an online self-help repair process, Pixel users can now access a new Pixel Diagnostic app from the Phone app on their device. It lets you test your phone before and after a repair to see whether it’s working correctly. To launch this app, call *#*#7287#*#* and follow the on-screen prompts. (You can learn more here.)

Repair manuals. You can now download the repair manuals for all supported Pixel devices in both English and French from the Pixel Phone Help website. (In the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and European countries and other regions where Pixel phones and Pixel Tablet are sold.) These manuals can help DIYers repair their own devices without needing to mail them in or physically bring them to a repair shop, and Google says it will upload more as needed.

Google notes that it also partners with uBreakiFix, which I had to use in December 2021 when the display on my Pixel 5a suddenly gave up the ghost; the company offers over 700 repair locations in the United States. And that in addition to iFixit, it also offers its repair fixtures and tools from Shyft Global Services.

“We remain committed to continuously improving device repairability to reduce the need for fixtures and tools and increase repair access for small business owners and customers,”  Nickel added. “And we’ll continue to invest in sustainability, product longevity, and repair to bring you the best possible experience.”