Repair Radio: The Official iFixit Podcast

On this episode of Repair Radio, we discuss our Surface Pro X and AirPods Pro teardowns. We also chat about the stuff we’ve been fixing this week and answer some frequently asked questions.

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Special Guest: Taylor Dixon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics

• Microsoft Surface Pro X Teardown
• AirPods Pro Teardown
• The AirPods Pro Could Be Repairable, But Apple Doesn’t Care

Listener Questions

This week, we’re taking things old school and going back through our Reddit AMA that we recently hosted. We thought it would be a good idea to revisit it and answer some of the frequently-asked questions we get.

• What is the most common issue you come across besides things like cracked screens and battery replacements?
• As an independent repair store owner, what can we do to help the right to repair movement?
• iPhone screen replacements you have on stock, are these original apple displays? or very good quality 3rd party displays?
• What's your favorite screw head?

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that as well!

Other Links Mentioned

• Kevin’s Twitter Thread about Chromebooks
• DAKboard
• Why Samsung and iPhone X Screens Are Too Expensive to Fix

On this episode of Repair Radio, we tell our scariest repair stories in celebration of Halloween, and iFixit teardown engineer Taylor Dixon makes another appearance to talk about our Surface Laptop 3 and Pixel 4 XL teardowns.

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Special Guest: Taylor Dixon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop), Biz Baz Studio

News Topics

• The Battle of Boston: Manufacturers War With Fixers at Repair Bill Hearing: Jacquilyn Gonzalez-Johnson’s family has broken two iPhone XRs in the last three months. But even though her husband runs a professional repair shop, she had to drive two hours, without phone service, to the nearest Apple Store that could fit her in. Gonzalez-Johnson spoke at Monday’s hearing on a Right to Repair bill in Massachusetts. Her story was the one that, if you don’t have 3 hours for all the hearing’s testimony, you should hear.
• Here’s the Secret Repair Tool Apple Won’t Let You Have: No mere mortal, lacking Apple’s stamp of approval, can completely fix the company’s products. You can do a lot, but in the newest iPhones, you can’t restore Touch ID, install a new battery, or replace a screen without a warning. Trying to replace core Mac parts can trigger a lock-out. No sacrifices or incantations can overcome this.
• Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Teardown: Surface Laptop teardowns have historically been a painful business—but with the Surface Laptop 3, Microsoft hinted that something is very different. Is it a good idea to try this again? We say put away your tools and let the professionals try this one first. Oh wait, that’s us.
• Google Pixel 4 XL Teardown: This year’s Pixel phones were leaked into oblivion, so when the keynote finally came, the internet gave a collective shrug. But you know what wasn’t leaked? The insides! And there’s only one way to get to get to those—with a teardown!

Listener Questions

John K. on Twitter asks: “Is contact cleaning a thing still? Recommendations?”

It is a thing! Dirty contacts aren’t as much of a problem in newer phones, but in general, making sure not to get finger oils on contact surfaces is a good idea. If you need to use a contact cleaner, a bit of isopropyl alcohol goes a long way.

“PH000” asks in an email: “What is the chip under the display in the iPhone 11 Pro that you showed in the live teardown?"

That is a Samsung display power management integrated circuit. We’ve updated our teardown with that information!

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that as well!

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Special Guest: Taylor Dixon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics

• Microsoft Announces a Repairable Surface Laptop, and Boy Are We Excited: Microsoft has announced its most revolutionary laptop yet: a Surface that doesn’t require a service contract to use.
• Confirmed: Apple Developed Exclusive Tech for the U1 Ultra Wideband Radio: Since the iPhone 11 announcement, theories have abounded that Apple’s new U1 wireless chip is actually a Decawave Ultra Wideband DW1000. But a teardown of both Decawave and Apple’s U1 chip by TechInsights confirms that Apple developed their own technology. But what is the U1 chip, and what capabilities does it give Apple?
• Samsung Galaxy Fold Teardown: After Samsung tried to make our initial teardown disappear from the internet five months ago, we’re back with a teardown of the final, really-for-real this time retail Galaxy Fold. This model incorporates Samsung’s late-breaking hardware revisions for improved durability—but is it enough, or is the design fatally flawed? Join us for Galaxy Fold Teardown, Part Two: The Re-Unfoldening

Listener Questions

Since Taylor joined us to talk about our Galaxy Fold teardown, we decided it would be a good time to answer some questions specifically about the device.

• Super_mat2019 asked: “How could they make it waterproof?”
• Koffy_boachie asked: “Would you separate where it folds”?
• Zaksltan asked: “Can the entire display fold or just the middle?”
• Keroro_hanabi asked: “After disassembly, do you feel they made the phone for long-term use or short-term use.”
• Quantum.snow asked: “Does yours still work after the teardown?”
• Caprianmihai asked: “Is it possible to get dust out of the hinge?”
• Lucas0485839 asked: “What is inside the notch?”
• Al_melix asked: “How much would it cost to replace the broken glass?”

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that as well!

Other Links Mentioned

• Panasonic’s New Toughbook 55
• Alcantara fabric on Microsoft Surface PCs: Everything you need to know | Windows Central

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics

• iPhone 11 Pro Max Teardown
• iPhone 11 Teardown
• Apple Watch Series 5 Teardown
• How Apple’s Newest Watch Achieves an Always-On Display (Probably)
• The 40mm Apple Watch Series 5 Has a Radical New Battery Design
• iPad 7 Teardown
• Nintendo Switch Lite Teardown

Listener Questions

• Breezy_folarinn on Instagram asked: “My car (which is a 2018 Toyota Rav4) has 10,600 miles (bought it brand new), automatic transmission and was wondering if it's normal for the RPMs to increase for a quick second when putting the car in drive from park on a cold start. The car idles at about 1500 RPMs and when you shift to Drive the RPMs increase for about a half second and then go down to normal idle. Is this something I should get checked out or is this something modern cars do?

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

• You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that as well!

Other Links Mentioned

• Our Recent Reddit AMA
• MKBHD’s Apple Watch tweet

On this episode of Repair Radio, we talked about Apple’s new iPhones, how to turn chains and sprockets into unlikely weapons, and Congress wants to slide into Tim Cook’s emails. Plus, we answered some of your burning questions.

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics

• What to Do If Your iPhone’s Home Button Stops Workin
• Congress Is Investigating Apple’s Stranglehold on Repair, and They Want Tim Cook’s Emails
• Fairphone 3 Teardown

Listener Questions

• T0p_deck asks: “Doesn’t fixing your phone void your warranty?"
• Ethancooper0704 asks: “Does the iPhone 11 Pro have reverse wireless charging for the Apple Watch and AirPods?”
• Zaksltan asks: “Have you guys ever broken any devices while trying to make a repair guide?”
• Armin.s18 asks: “Will there be Fix Kits for the iPhone 11?”

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that as well!

Other Links Mentioned

• Flirc Raspberry Pi Case
• Good Vibrations: How Apple Dominates the Touch Feedback Game

On this episode of Repair Radio, we discussed Apple’s expansion into the independent repair market and why that’s still not good enough. We also talked about our Samsung Galaxy Note10+ teardown and answered some of your questions about the device.

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Special Guest: Taylor Dixon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics

• Apple Now Offers Genuine Parts and Tools to Independent Repair Shops, But We Have Questions
• Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G Teardown

Listener Questions

Since we brought on a special guest to talk about our Galaxy Note10+ teardown, we decided it would be a good time to answer some questions specifically about the device.

• Presley Yong asked, “Is the battery easy to replace?"
• Armand Sarkani asked, “How’s the repairability compared to the iPhone?”
• Nathaniel Lopez asked, “Is the technology improving or not?"
• Luis Silva asked, “What specifically are the sensors that make up the on-screen fingerprint reader?"

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that as well!

Other Links Mentioned

• New Nintendo Switch Teardown
• LockPickingLawyer
• Paul Ford Interview
• iFixit Replacement PC Laptop Batteries
• FixFest 2019

On this episode of Repair Radio, we’re discussing Apple’s latest attempt to discourage repair, how to build a cheap and ugly, but effective HDTV antenna, and we’re kickin’ it old-school with lawn mowers. We’re also answering some of your burning questions.

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Music: Gypsy and DeeJae Dutch (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics:

• We Tore Down the New Nintendo Switch. What’s Different?
• Apple Is Locking iPhone Batteries to Discourage Repair
• How to Fix Your Bad TV Reception with a Homemade HDTV Antenna

Listener Questions:

• “The charging port on my iPhone 6 Plus stops working intermittently. Is the charging port bad? Or could it be the charging cable or the charging brick?"
• “Do you like exposing companies when they lie about their products?”
• “Will you have cheap screen repair kits for the iPhone XR and XS Max soon?”

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #RepairRadio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast! And if you have general feedback about the podcast, we’d love to hear that too!

After taking a brief hiatus a couple months back, Repair Radio is back with an all-new, audio-only format! Every two weeks we'll be discussing the latest tech news, repair stories, and answering your questions about fixing your stuff.

If you're a fan of the old YouTube live streams, don't worry—we'll still do those every now and then, and they'll show up in the Repair Radio feed in your favorite podcast app. But for most regular episodes, we'll be using this format.

Hosts: Craig Lloyd, Kevin Purdy, and Whitson Gordon
Music: Gypsy (@ArchaicsHipHop)

News Topics

Game Boy Teardown
An Open Letter to the FTC on Google’s Banning of Repair Business Ads
How to Care for Your Laptop’s Battery (So It Lasts Longer)
Here’s to Function Keys, the Dying Top Row of Your Keyboard

Have a Question You Want Answered on Repair Radio?

You can email your repair questions to [email protected], or tag us on Twitter and include the hashtag #repairradio in your tweet. Your question can be anything repair-related, whether it’s how to fix something, tools you should buy, maintenance advice, or anything in between. We’ll pick some of our favorite questions and answer them on the podcast!

This week on Repair Radio we welcome our long time friend Zack from JerryRigEverything! We’ll also talk about the mysterious new materials in the 2019 MacBook Pro and speculate about what Apple has up its sleeve for WWDC 2019.

Support Right To Repair in your state!
https://twitter.com/RepairCoalition
https://repair.org/stand-up

Special thanks to our guests. Let’s all be friends on twitter! 
https://twitter.com/kevinpurdy
https://twitter.com/kwiens
https://twitter.com/ZacksJerryRig

We sent our MacBook Pro to metal experts for testing. Here's what they found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJJQPY3g8zQ

See what Zack JerryRigs next over on his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/user/JerryRigEverything

Got a Mysterious Metal that need testing? David Niebuhr is your guy! 
http://www.metallurgyconsultant.com/

On this episode of Repair Radio, we'll be talking to @uspirg's Nathan Proctor (@nProctor) about the latest #RightToRepair news. 


Support Right To Repair in your state!
https://twitter.com/RepairCoalition
https://repair.org/stand-up
Special thanks to our guests. Let’s all be friends on twitter!
https://twitter.com/kevinpurdy
https://twitter.com/kwiens
https://twitter.com/nProctor