Notices by iFixit (ifixit@mastodon.social)

Apple finally added iPads to its Self Service #Repair Program!
Great, right? Well…kinda.

Buried beneath the fanfare was a quiet confirmation of what we already knew: iPads are one of the most repair-hostile devices that Apple makes. Want to replace the battery? You'll have to survive 47 steps, glue, and a screen removal process that might end with shards of glass.

BUT! You can do it. We’ve got the guides, but Apple’s design choices make it way harder than it should be.

https://www.ifixit.com/News/110773/apple-finally-admits-that-the-ipad-is-a-beast-to-repair

You’ve probably met Torx, the star-shaped screw that has become common in our phones, consoles, and cars. But have you met Torx Plus? It's the high-tech upgrade nobody told you about: straighter walls, zero cam-out, and way more torque transfer. Sounds great, until you try to open your gadget and realize your trusty T5 doesn’t fit anymore.

We explain the difference between Torx and Torx Plus, and why one could keep you from finishing your next repair: https://www.ifixit.com/News/110702/torx-plus-the-high-tech-screw-hiding-in-our-gadgets
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#iFixit #repair

The @frameworkcomputer Laptop 12 might be the most repair-friendly laptop we’ve ever opened. Seriously. It’s shockingly easy to take apart, and for a touchscreen convertible, that’s rare. It earned a 10/10 on our repairability scale thanks to clever engineering choices:

- Screwless SSD clip.
- Cable-free battery removal.
- Clearly labeled mainboard.
- QR codes on every major part.

We tore it down. You can fix it up.

Full article: https://www.ifixit.com/News/111201/tough-tiny-and-totally-repairable-inside-the-framework-12

Eight years. Countless complaints. And Nintendo still hasn’t fixed Joy-Con drift.

Check out the full teardown: https://www.ifixit.com/News/110926/switch-2-teardown
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#iFixit #Switch2 #JoyConDrift

Nintendo Switch 2? Galaxy S25 Edge?

Around here, we're most excited about the MNT Reform laptop that, after much anticipation, just arrived at our doorstep.

Among many repair-friendly features, this laptop uses standardized 18650 batteries, which makes finding replacements incredibly easy. Opening it up to swap them out is easy, too.

Shout out to @mntmn, @theawesomerandomness, @liaizon, @holo_memory, @plom, @bnys, Tina the dog, and everyone else who put together this incredible product!

This Game Boy was on its last life. Now it’s ready for another 30 years.
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#iFixit #GameBoy #RetroRepair

Over time, Nintendo has actively restricted repairs by refusing to sell parts, withholding repair manuals, and making it harder for independent shops and DIYers to fix common issues like Joy-Con drift. That kind of repair gatekeeping goes against everything a good score stands for.
So we updated our scoring to better reflect repair access, not just repair theory, and the Switch took a hit.

Read the full story here: https://www.ifixit.com/News/110747/why-were-nerfing-the-nintendo-switchs-repairability-score
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#RightToRepair #iFixit #NintendoSwitch #DIYRepair

We’re revising the Nintendo Switch’s repairability score.

When the Switch launched, it earned a respectable score thanks to its modular design and relatively easy repairs.
But repairability isn’t just about what’s possible—it’s about what manufacturers allow.
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#iFixit #repair #RightToRepair #Nintendo

2. Use smart charging practices.
Avoid letting your phone get above 80% or below 20% for long periods of time.
Only use high-quality charging cables and blocks. Also avoid exposing your phone to extreme temperatures, especially when charging.

1. Replace your battery when it starts to interfere with your usual phone usage.
Batteries wear out as they age, which can lead to excess heat, less battery life, and laggy apps. Don't replace the phone—just the battery!

4. Screen cracks happen to all of us! Don't toss the whole phone, just replace the screen. For many phones, it's easier than you might think. You can even do it yourself with our Fix Kits.

3. Clean your phone regularly, especially in the ports and around the buttons.
It's best to use soft tools like the plastic picks from our Phone Cleaning Kit or toothpicks. This will help keep your ports and buttons working for longer.

You can keep your phone for at least five years. That reduces pollution from manufacturing new phones and keeps waste out of landfills! Here's how. 🧵 ⬇️

Tariffs on parts but not new devices? That’s a double standard. More people will choose replacement over repair. That means more e-waste, fewer domestic repair jobs, and more dependence on imported tech.

We need policies that fix the system, not punish fixers.

(Notwithstanding the rumored retaliatory tariffs, which are TBD.)

Full article: https://www.ifixit.com/News/110121/tariff-exemptions-are-terrible-news-for-electronics-repairability
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#iFixit #RightToRepair

Conversations overheard in the iFixit office:

"The [REDACTED] is here."
*smells device*

"What does it smell like?"
The [REDACTED]? Smells like a new computer.

7/10 technical writers agree, the [REDACTED] does, in fact, smell like a new computer.

If your sprinkler head is damaged (maybe due to a renegade lawn mower…), get it fixed with this guide created by an iFixit EDU student!

This thread will get you started, but read the full guide before attempting a repair. 🧵
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#iFixit #DIY #repair

We’re covering the cost of one seat at Microsoldering School. No tuition. No catch. Just twelve days of intense, hands-on training with some of the best board repair experts in the world.

Think you've got what it takes? Fill out the form below to apply.
https://ifix.gd/3H5CIqI

Washington just became the 6th state to pass an electronics Right to Repair law! A quarter of Americans are now covered by electronics repair laws.

And they also passed a bill for powered wheelchairs! That’s a double win for repair, and a big blow to manufacturer control.

Suri: “We care about the planet.”
Also Suri: Glues the battery in.

Reminder: if it’s glued shut, it’s not repairable. If it’s not repairable, it’s not sustainable.

Full article: https://www.ifixit.com/News/109270/you-cant-even-replace-the-battery-in-the-green-suri-toothbrush
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#repair #sustainability #ewaste

From the outside, all kinds of AA batteries look about the same. But inside, they couldn’t be more different. From zinc & manganese dioxide, to nickel-metal hydride, to lithium-ion chemistry, a CT scanner lets us see the evolution of the AA.