AI assistant FixBot can help you repair smartphones, laptops and home appliances yourself

iFixit, the platform that has been teaching people to repair smartphones, laptops and household electronics for 15 years, has released a major update to its iOS and Android app. The key addition is FixBot, an AI assistant that effectively takes on the role of a remote repair technician: it asks questions, makes a diagnosis and explains the next steps.

FixBot: Your Personal Diagnostic Tool

After launching the app, you select a device from the library (or add your own), describe the issue, and FixBot starts a guided dialogue. It clarifies symptoms, suggests tests such as checking whether the phone heats up when the flashlight is turned on, provides likely causes and immediately leads you to the appropriate repair guide or replacement part.

According to iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens, FixBot can analyze several failure scenarios, refine the diagnosis step by step and select the necessary components, essentially functioning as a remote repair consultant.

If the device is not in the iFixit database, the assistant searches through manufacturer PDFs, forums and similar devices. Everything is free for now, but in 2026 some advanced features will move to a subscription model at 4.99 dollars per month.

What Else Is New in the App

Alongside FixBot, the update introduces:• a convenient My Devices list, allowing users to store all their gadgets and access guides instantly;• in-app purchasing of parts and tools;• battery health analysis with predictions of remaining lifespan, especially useful for laptops and older phones.

Why This Matters

Do-it-yourself repair is becoming simpler and more accessible. Instead of spending hours on forums or YouTube, users can ask the chatbot and follow a complete workflow from diagnosis to ordering the correct screwdriver. As a result, fewer devices end up in landfills.

Summary

iFixit has turned its app into a pocket-sized repair center. FixBot diagnoses issues, offers guides and parts, and the new battery health tracker adds further convenience. Everything is currently free, though some features will require a 4.99-dollar monthly subscription in 2026. Repairing devices yourself is becoming significantly easier and smarter.

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