Economical & Empowering
The revolution has begun. No longer will we let tech companies prevent us from fixing or upgrading our electronic devices. Our “right to repair” is on the rise, thanks to iFixit and their tech repair kits.
iFixit was founded in 2003 by two college students. This forum is acclaimed in the tech community for its free step-by-step guides to working on everything from laptops to game systems to phones. It’s crowdsourcing power at its best–everyday people post instructions and then the community updates and perfects them. The guides are a breeze to follow, even for beginners.
But knowing how to fix something isn’t enough. You need the right tools to get the job done, which is where the tech repair kits come in. iFixit’s kits contain unfamiliar tools like Pentalobe and Torx bits—tools that the tech companies hope you won’t have so you’ll buy a new device or pay them to repair your existing one.
With iFixit guides and a repair kit, your tech products don’t have to be disposable. And you don’t need to be beholden to pricey repairs from tech companies. Join the DIY repair revolution today.
Eric
Hi Grommet! I am Eric the Chief Tool Officer here at iFixit. Have something that you need to repair? Tell us about it!!! Our platform and tools are here to help.
Mike – Grommet Team
7/20/2015 11:04 AMWhat inspired you to create this product and beyond that this community and movement? Was it an ‘aha’ moment or more of a gradual process?
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 11:05 AMI’ve always worked in repair, first as a mechanic then computer repair. There are so many poorly designed tool sets out there. They usually have the same problem: always missing at least one important tool, and loaded with other useless tools. iFixit was still a home-run business, shipping out of the garage when I started noticing patterns in orders: the same tools were frequently bought together in groups.
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 11:06 AMThat was the ‘a-ha’ moment—realizing that we had loads of great data at iFixit. We knew what tools people were buying together, we knew what tools were used in all the current consumer electronics, and we had access to thousands of repair professionals. The community and movement grew up around us. Before iFixit, most repair content was only available at a hefty price. We broke that tradition and gave repair information out for free. Things have just exploded since. iFixit is mostly composed of writers, photographers, and developers—all working on stuff we just giveaway.
Our content gets stolen and used by other companies for profit all the time. Yes, that can be hard to swallow, but it also means we’re still helping people fix things—and that is what’s most important.
Mike – Grommet Team
7/20/2015 11:08 AMWhat does the right to repair mean to you? Will you be standing outside Apple stores assisting people before they go in?
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 11:09 AMiFixit is extremely vocal about promoting an individual’s right to repair—by disseminating repair information, by teaching consumers to repair, and by fighting for legislation that protects the rights of tinkerers and repairers. For us, the right to repair is connected to ownership rights: If you bought it, you own it. Which means you should be able to tinker with it, repair it, and modify it as you see fit.
Nowadays, most things you buy come with embedded software—from smart kitty litter boxes and coffeemakers, to e-readers and cars. You may own the hardware, but you are only given an implied temporary license to use the software. And you can’t modify the software—even for the purpose of repair or reuse, not without the blessing of the manufacturer. And they can choose to stop supporting that software with updates. Planned obsolescence is no longer a dirty manufacturing secret. Now, it’s the law. We’re working to change that.
We wait in line ourselves at the Apple store to get devices. Then we take them apart and show the world how to repair them. The main advice we give is don’t forget about your old phone. Pass it on to a friend, donate it to a shelter, repurpose it as a wifi security camera. If it’s unfixable, just make sure it gets responsibly recycled.
Don’t let it sit in a drawer and be forgotten.
Mike – Grommet Team
7/20/2015 11:10 AMApple has a clause allowing them to void your warranty if you try to fix your own phone. Are you confident enough in the service to say people should look to this as a reliable source? If so, why?
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 11:11 AMIf your phone is still under warranty, then there should be no need to void the warranty. Apple should handle the repair for you. But devices can and should last far past their warranty period. Other devices have accidental damages that aren’t covered under the warranty. In those cases, a DIY repair can be a great option.
iFixit has helped millions of people of all ages and backgrounds repair their devices successfully. We provide the parts, tools, and instructions; you provide the patient and patience. All of our guides are ranked by difficulty, so you can judge for yourself before starting. We are also working on a feature that would get consumers in touch with good repair techs for jobs that they feel are beyond their skill level.
Howard
7/20/2015 12:40 PMIf one wants to have ability to repair cellphone, does 54 bit set have everything needed (everything but tray in smartphone set)?
i.e., is smartphone repair kit a subset of 54 bit set? Or do you need smartphone repair kit (54 bit has some stuff but not all needed to open up a smartphone....)?
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:08 PM@Howard The smartphone kit has pry tools and tweezers included. Phones have lots of small connectors and cables to deal with internally, so you usually need a few more tools in addition to screwdrivers. The 54 bit kit does have all the needed driver bits.
John
7/20/2015 12:41 PMCan I open a Macbook Pro with the 54-piece kit?
Brad
7/20/2015 12:47 PMyes, that's the primary reason i bought the kit to begin [email protected]
John
7/20/2015 1:07 PM@Brad Excellent! Thanks very much!
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:28 PM@John like Brad said, it does have the "P5" Pentalobe bit required for the newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. It also has the "P2" bit for iPhones and the "P6" for some older MacBook batteries.
Zoe
7/20/2015 12:42 PMDo you have a kit for the iPad too? I am also not sure how easy it is for DIY repair and am intimidated. I got my screen fixed at a local repair shop, but after multiple trips, they still couldn't get it right. (The large screen seems to bow in, especially when closed within my keyboard case.)
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:20 PM@Zoe It's possible your iPad is bent, or they may not have done a good job with the replacement adhesive when putting the new screen on. The ipad screen is held on with some pretty tough adhesive. We have guides for all repairs on all models of iPads you can look over them before considering DIY or professional repair.
Brad
7/20/2015 12:46 PMI have been using the 54 Bit Driver Kit for a year or so and i have to say it is a wonderful tool set. I purchased it originally because it has the special Apple bits that are required to remove the battery from a MacBook. Since then it has been a constant companion on every job i take. Great construction and quality. I recommend it to all my colleagues.
Mike – Grommet Team
7/20/2015 1:46 PMThanks very much, Brad! We love hearing a successful testimonial!
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 2:19 PMBrad, thank you! Word of mouth has been great for us. We hear stories all the time where someone brings their iFixit tools to work, and next thing you know everyone wants their own set. We've also been seeing our tools pop up in TV shows lately thanks to word of mouth, most recently Agents of SHIELD and CSI:CYBER have been using our tools, seems when they consult with law enforcement and the FBI on what tools they use in the field, iFixit is the answer!
Veronica
7/20/2015 12:51 PMEric,
This is an absolutely amazing idea!! Can you tell me will these tools enable me to repair a broken screen on a tablet?
I wish you much Success!
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:04 PM@Veronica it depends on the tablet. The driver sets have all the screwdriver bits needed. Some tablets unfortunately are glued together, not screwed together, making repair more difficult.
Patricia
7/20/2015 3:49 PM@Eric Is an Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 screen replaceable?
MJ
7/20/2015 1:10 PMCan any part of this kit be replaced if it's lost? Also are the bits/handle rust resistant?
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:24 PM@MJ yes, we provide replacement parts. We also offer a lifetime warranty on our tools, if you ever have an issue, just contact [email protected] . Our driver handles are machined from aluminum and anodized, they will not corrode and our bits are nickel plated to resist rust.
Jj
7/20/2015 1:29 PMI'm a geek ... even at the age of 60.
The thing is - no flame please - I'm not a Mac user and never have been. (Remember, no flame please.)
So I use non-mac computers, laptops and Smart Phones.
So how will this work for me and those like me?
Thanks ... Jj
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:50 PM@JJ , our kits are not Apple specific, they are designed to handle all modern electronic devices. Apple has a couple special Pentalobe screws they use, so we make sure to include those bits since there are so many Apple devices out there.
Jj
7/20/2015 1:56 PM@Eric
Thanks! Now I know what to suggest to my wife for my birthday - as she is always out of ideas ... :)
Beth
7/20/2015 1:41 PMEric,
My daughter went to camp with her phone and it got wet and died. Is there any hope in repairing an adroid phone that got wet?
Beth
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 1:53 PM@Beth yes, water damage gets repaired all the time. Depending on the extent of the water damage, sometimes a good internal cleaning does the job. Disassembling the phone and cleaning the logic board with alcohol is usually the first step. The water dries and can leave tiny bits of residue behind that short out parts of the phone.
Betsy
7/20/2015 1:51 PMI love you!! I'm a woman and I love to tinker and fix things and it has always upset me greatly that I couldn't on my phones or computer most of the times. It's great to know that I can actually learn now and have to tools to use.
Thank you so much,
Betsy from TN
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 2:14 PM@Betsy repair isn't just economical and environmentally responsible, it's a fun hobby too. We love you for being a tinkerer!
Chris
7/20/2015 2:15 PMHi! Is there anyway to open the back of an old Dell laptop to discern what is wrong with power cord insertion?
Thank you
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 2:22 PM@Chris we've got lots of Dell repair manuals and charger ports/plugs are a common point of failure on devices. Sometimes there is a power in board you can replace, or a solder joint you can resolder to repair it.
Bill
7/20/2015 2:52 PMEric,
My iPhone 4s screen is black. I did open it, with great difficulty, using a nail tip as a screwdriver. Pushed all connectors tight and disconnected battery for awhile. The phone works, but no screen. What do I need to fix this?
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 3:05 PMBill, sounds like you're on the right track, usually that is a pinched cable issue, I would inspect it really closely and follow the guide here https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+4S+Display+Assembly+Replacement/7277 paying close attention to step #40.
We've got a very active community that can help you troubleshoot it https://www.ifixit.com/Answers?search=4s%20black%20screen
Lee
7/20/2015 3:29 PMWhen you say "...upgrading our electronic devices" what exactly does that mean?
I wasn't aware that we could do that.
Eric – Special Guest
7/20/2015 3:36 PM@Lee Tablets and phones are usually not upgradeable, but many other devices are. Some RAM and an SSD hard drive can help extend the life of an old laptop, allowing it to run programs faster it might not have run at all otherwise. There are also lots of modifications people make, for example we have dual hard drive kits that allow you to replace your DVD drive with a 2nd hard drive for more storage.
Lee
7/20/2015 4:08 PM@Eric Well, that answers my question. Thank you so much for replying so quickly.