The renowned do-it-yourself repair platform iFixit has unveiled a comprehensive new mobile application for both iOS and Android devices, signaling a significant evolution in how users can access and interact with its extensive ecosystem of repair knowledge. This newly developed app consolidates iFixit’s vast archive of detailed repair guides, illustrated manuals, and technical resources into an interface designed specifically for mobile use. In addition to this expansive content library, the app introduces an integrated battery health monitoring system and debuts a cutting-edge artificial intelligence assistant known as “FixBot.” This AI has been meticulously trained using iFixit’s own repair documentation, allowing it to deliver context-aware, step-by-step repair assistance that mimics the diagnostic reasoning of a seasoned technician.
At the core of the application lies the company’s well-established collection of repair instructions—thousands of community-tested guides covering an enormous range of consumer electronics, household appliances, and mechanical devices. These guides have been refined to function seamlessly on mobile screens, offering users a smooth, readable experience while working hands-on with their equipment. The app also allows users to create personalized device profiles, making it possible to quickly access specific materials relevant to their owned products. Furthermore, integrated commerce features enable users to purchase the exact tools, screws, batteries, or replacement parts required for their projects directly within the app, merging information and procurement into a single, convenient workflow.
The most innovative addition, however, is FixBot, an AI-driven virtual assistant crafted to revolutionize the user’s troubleshooting process. Rather than merely presenting static information, FixBot engages users in an interactive dialogue modeled after the thought process of a highly experienced repair expert. According to iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens, the user simply describes the problem—perhaps a smartphone that inexplicably powers down at thirty percent, a washing machine that refuses to drain, or a lawn mower that sputters to a halt. FixBot responds by asking a sequence of clarifying questions, systematically narrowing down potential causes and reasoning aloud in concert with the user until a clear diagnosis emerges. Once the issue is identified, it autonomously locates the corresponding parts and outlines a precise, methodical walkthrough to guide the user through every stage of the repair operation.
iFixit explains that FixBot’s intelligence is grounded directly in the company’s own knowledge base: not only its written repair guides but also its repository of manufacturer manuals, PDF schematics, and user-generated forum content. When a particular device lacks a dedicated iFixit guide, the AI compensates by pulling insights from related products, referencing official manufacturer documentation, and performing targeted online searches to synthesize the most accurate possible guidance. At present, FixBot can be used entirely free of charge, though iFixit notes that future updates will introduce a premium subscription tier priced at $4.99 per month. Subscribers will gain access to advanced features such as voice-command functions and document uploads, while the complimentary version will retain core capabilities with some usage limitations.
Beyond its content and AI engine, the application also incorporates several features that exploit the advantages of running natively on a smartphone or tablet. For example, if users encounter a technical fault on the same device hosting the app, iFixit’s software can automatically detect the model and configuration, thereby eliminating the need for manual searches. The app also monitors the phone’s internal battery parameters, delivering a comprehensive analysis of its current capacity, wear level, and health status. Although many modern devices already provide built-in battery statistics, iFixit distinguishes its approach by offering predictive insights—estimates of future performance degradation designed to help users anticipate when a replacement will be necessary. This forward-looking functionality aligns perfectly with iFixit’s mission to empower people to maintain their electronics rather than replace them prematurely.
As Wiens elaborated in conversation with journalist Sean Hollister, the company sees battery maintenance as a matter that should be as transparent and routine as changing the oil in a car. The goal, he said, is to eliminate the sense of mystery around battery lifespans so that users can plan ahead logically and maintain their devices on a regular schedule rather than waiting for sudden failure.
Currently, the iFixit app is fully available for download on both iOS and Android. Although this launch might appear entirely new, it actually marks a return to form—the company’s first attempt at a mobile app dates back to 2011. However, that earlier version was removed from Apple’s App Store after iFixit published a teardown of the Apple TV developer kit, a move that temporarily earned the company a ban from the platform. According to Wiens, regaining Apple’s trust and access has taken considerable time and persistence. While his personal developer account remains restricted, the new app’s listing signals a long-awaited reconciliation with Apple. Wiens emphasizes that iFixit continues to champion transparency and education in the tech world, reaffirming its intention to teach users how to safely open, repair, and rejuvenate their own devices—a philosophy that the new FixBot app embodies more elegantly and intelligently than ever before.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/840570/ifixit-app-android-ios-fixbot-ai
