The Right to Repair movement—a global effort to give consumers and independent shops access to the parts, tools, and information needed to repair electronics—has forced a monumental shift in the tech industry. By late 2025, thanks to new laws in the EU and key US states, big tech companies like Apple and Samsung have moved from fighting the movement to reluctantly complying, changing the landscape of device ownership.
The New Legal Landscape ⚖️
The biggest change has been the wave of new legislation. Following the lead of the European Union, several influential US states like California, New York, and Oregon have passed their own comprehensive Right to Repair laws. These laws typically mandate that for a certain number of years after a product’s release, manufacturers must make key resources available to the public, including:
- Genuine spare parts
- Repair manuals and schematics
- Diagnostic tools
How Big Tech Has Responded
Apple: From Opposition to Compliance
For years, Apple was the primary opponent of this movement. However, facing immense legal pressure, the company has significantly expanded its “Self Service Repair” program. Consumers and independent shops can now order genuine parts and rent official toolkits for recent iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. While critics argue the process can still be complex and expensive, it’s a dramatic reversal from their previous closed-off approach.
Samsung & Google: Embracing Partnerships
Samsung and Google have taken a more collaborative approach. They have established partnerships with repair advocacy groups like iFixit to provide official parts and step-by-step repair guides for their Galaxy and Pixel phones. This has made repairing their devices more accessible to the average person.
The Impact on You and the Planet 🌎
- For Consumers: The biggest benefit is choice. You are no longer locked into going back to the manufacturer for a simple battery or screen replacement. This has led to more competition from independent repair shops and, in many cases, lower repair costs.
- For the Environment: Making devices easier to repair is a huge win for sustainability. Extending the lifespan of a smartphone by just one year can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. This movement is a direct counter to the “throwaway culture” and is a critical step in reducing electronic waste.
The Road Ahead: The Fight Isn’t Over
While great progress has been made, challenges remain. The next frontier in the Right to Repair battle is tackling “parts pairing,” a practice where manufacturers use software to prevent a genuine replacement part from functioning correctly unless it’s authenticated by their servers. Activists argue this is an unfair way for companies to maintain control over the repair process, even when they are legally required to sell the parts.
Step 2: Offer Next Step
The article on the Right to Repair movement is now complete. The next topic on our list is about ARM-based Windows laptops. Shall I prepare that for you?