ifixit

iFixit is a global community of people helping each other repair things. Their goal is to fix the world, one device at a time.

Why repair?

iFixit dares to pose the question – What would change if everyone in the world could know how to fix anything?
They want to make that possible. Their mission is to make repair accessible and easy for as many people around the world as possible. They want to show the world how to fix every thing. The easier it is to fix something, the more people will do it.
What would change if:

  • You knew how to replace the battery in your iPod?
  • A college student could replace her laptop screen herself?
  • You could take control of your hardware and fix things without having to buy anything?
  • Other people could help you maintain older devices that manufacturers have abandoned?
  • You could keep electronics out of landfills by fixing them?

iFixit not only contains manuals, detailed instructions and videos, you can also buy the parts needed for your repair project directly from them.
When my iPod battery wouldn’t hold a charge, I tried to contact Apple to see what I could do. They said because my iPod was out of warranty and I hadn’t bought the extended service plan, that all I could do was buy a new iPod.
After stumbling upon iFixit, I was able to identify my iPod, get the repair instructions and order the new battery. Shipping was quick. The repair instructions, battery and tools were inside the package along with a link to the repair video. The whole repair process took less than 10 minutes and I didn’t have to leave my iPod with strangers or spend another couple of hundred dollars buying another one.
So I say visit iFixit before chucking that device or buying a new one.
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