Google releases new Pixel Diagnostic App; Repair Manuals now available in English

In the latest Pixel December Feature Drop update, Google included a ‘Repair mode’ to maintain the privacy of your data when you have to send the device to technical service. Now, to score better in terms of repairability, the company is launching the Pixel Diagnostic App, in addition to repair manuals in English.

Another aspect that Google wants to improve on its Pixel devices is repairability and longevity. On the software side, the company is offering up to seven years of updates, while on the hardware side they want to make the repair process easier and faster.

With that in mind, the company is rolling out the Pixel Diagnostic App which you can access by typing the code *#*#7287#*#* in the dialer. This app will provide a quick diagnosis of the current status of your device, and it is advisable to use it both before and after the repair.

Currently, the Pixel Diagnostic App is only available in English, and you can use it in countries where there is official support for Pixel phones, which are:

• USA
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• European countries or regions with official Google Pixel availability

The diagnosis is similar to that offered by some third-party apps, but from a tool built-in on the device so you don’t have to download anything else. It is possible that this tool had already been around for a while, but had not yet been discovered because Google had not actively promoted it.

As the screenshot above shows (by 9to5Google), the Pixel Diagnostic App can provide results related to all key components of the device. These include camera, sensors, screen, outer screen (for foldables), and connectivity, among others.

Google also released English versions of its Pixel repair manuals, which will facilitate the work of third-party technicians when repairing your device thanks to detailed descriptions. However, they are currently only available for the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Fold. Previously, these manuals were only available in French.

As part of its efforts towards Pixel device repairability, Google is also making sure that you can buy official parts from trusted suppliers like iFixit. And, as a device repair partner, the company recommends Shyft Services (in the United States).

It’s noteworthy that the manuals are designed to make things easier for people with technical knowledge, not for novice users without experience. Even Google warns that attempting to repair a device without adequate knowledge can result in irreparable damage.

So, by offering tools such as the new Pixel Diagnostic App, repair manuals in English, and availability of official parts through trusted platforms, Google wants to ensure that users can keep their devices for a long time if they wish, which is complemented by the sweet seven years of updates, the longest software support in the industry.