Now You Can Fix Your Samsung Phone Yourself
Generally, tech companies prefer that you don’t fix your own stuff. It’s an issue that affects devices and machines of all kinds, from computers to lawn mowers, and has spawned a movement known as the right to repair , which basically boils down to “if I bought it, I should be able to fix it.” More and more companies are giving in to consumer pressure (though sometimes only after being forced by local governments ), the latest being Samsung. That’s right: if you have a recent Galaxy device, the company has given you the green light to repair it. independently.Theoretically.
Why the right to repair is important
When a company sells you a product, you expect that you can do whatever you want with it. If something happens to it, you think that you have the ability to take it to a repair shop or, if you have experience, repair it yourself. The problem is, many tech companies don’t want you to do this. Many don’t even want you to take their devices to a repair shop other than their own.
In some cases, the blockage is so severe that using a non-genuine part causes the entire device to break because the company has developed software to reject the part (Apple). Other times, companies hide schematics and repair instructions from everyone so even unauthorized repair shops can’t fix your device (Apple again).
However, attitudes change when companies see the writing on the wall. (And the aforementioned new government regulations.) Even Apple now has a program for customers willing to repair their devices using genuine Apple parts (assuming it’s still in its early stages). Now Samsung is following suit: instead of forcing customers into their repair plans, the company is starting to offer these customers official ways to get their devices fixed or outsource them to third parties to get them repaired.
Samsung offers genuine Galaxy parts and manuals through iFixit.
Samsung has partnered with retailer iFixit to offer customers the ability to self-repair their devices without having to worry about following the wrong instructions or using faulty parts. This program uses original Samsung parts for every repair and includes step by step guides (verified by iFixit) to make sure they are done correctly.
At launch, this program supports the Galaxy S20 and S21 series, as well as the Galaxy Tab S7+. This includes the following devices:
If you have one of these phones or tablets, you can use iFixit’s resources to repair the display, back glass, and charging connectors. Depending on your situation, you can either order a single part or buy a Fix Kit that includes the part of your choice as well as all the tools you need to fix your device.
Unfortunately, parts and repair kits are expensive. Display kits, for example, range from $167.99 to $239.99, depending on your specific device. Choosing only the parts rather than the Fix Kit does reduce the cost, but only by about $7.
As expensive as these parts are, this is a step in the right direction. The move means that S20, S21 and Tab S7+ users can now repair these devices using genuine Samsung parts and instructions without worrying that the repair part they buy will damage or ruin the device they need to fix.
If you don’t own any of these Galaxy phones, you’re out of luck: According to iFixit, Samsung plans to expand the program to more of its devices in the future. Until then, you can rely on the iFixit guides. They may not have been approved by Samsung yet, but they are still being tested for accuracy and probably cover the most common issues; iFixit has 10 repair guides for Galaxy S8 Plus only .