Microsoft Partners with iFixit to Make Official Repair Tools Available to Third-Party Repairers
In another win for the right to repair movement, Surface repairs are going to get considerably easier — for iFixit Pro members, at least.
Microsoft has announced a partnership with iFixit, which will see the company embracing the right to repair, offering commercial versions of repair tools previously only available to authorized technicians — but is stopping just short of making them available to all no questions asked.
The backlash against disposable consumer culture has been growing, from protests regarding unserviceable or software-locked farming equipment to users unhappy that replacing a battery in a smartphone seems near-impossible. Possibly seeing the writing on the wall on that latter front, Apple announced the launch of an official self-service repair program last month — and now Microsoft is taking tentative steps in the same direction.
Under the new initiative, Microsoft-designed tools for servicing Surface tablets and laptops will be manufactured and sold through iFixit. Initially, there will be three key tools made available: The Surface Display Bonding Frame, in two sizes, for proper adhesion of replacement displays in Microsoft Surface Pro 7+, Pro 8, and Pro X devices; the Surface Battery Cover for Surface Laptop 3, 4, Go, SE, and Studio models; and the Surface Display Debonding Tool, for display removal, for the Pro 7+, Pro 8, and Pro X.
Unlike most of iFixit's tools, though, the Microsoft stuff isn't going to appear on the usual web shop. Instead, the devices are restricted to iFixit Pro technicians — repairers who have agreed to iFixit's Repair Technician's Creed, a brief statement of honesty and integrity. Microsoft, iFixit is keen to point out, is not involved in the process of certifying applicants to the iFixit Pro program.
It could be a temporary restriction, however. "Microsoft’s decision to provide tools to independent technicians is a step in the right direction. Like many companies, they still have a long way to go on their repairability journey, and we’re excited to join them," says iFixit chief executive Kyle Weins of the partnership.
"This is a great first step, and a test of the market — we hope to offer these same tools to the rest of the repair community in the future, and Microsoft is committed to expanding access to repair tools for new products over the next year."
More details are available in the official announcement, along with a link to apply for iFixit Pro membership.