Pixel repairability plan adds modular Pixel Watch and easier fixes

Google is taking its repairability push beyond smartphones with a broader approach to letting devices last longer. On International Repair Day, the company outlined how Pixel Watch 4 and 5, plus a new Fitbit Edge fitness tracker, are designed to be easier to repair. Google says these devices use modular architecture, moving away from glued, hard-to-service components.

That modular approach isn’t just tech chatter. Google notes that iFixit gave the Pixel Watch a 9 out of 10 repairability score, and the company is applying the same mindset to the Fitbit Edge, described as the first repairable fitness tracker with a replaceable battery and internal modular parts. The aim is to reduce waste and give users a longer, more useful lifespan for their wearables.

For users who want to repair or replace parts, Google is expanding how you access help and parts. Options include Pixel Care+ for protection against everyday mishaps, the My Pixel app on-device support that can run diagnostics, and a dedicated Google Store repair hub with clear pricing tailored to your country. There’s also a streamlined self-repair option integrated with Your Devices, making it easier to start a repair without hunting for the right tool or part.

Beyond repairs, Google is expanding ways to keep devices in use through trade-ins and refurbished devices. The Google Store Trade-In Program lets you exchange eligible devices for store credit, and the Certified Refurbished program is growing. Eligible devices get genuine Google parts, up-to-date Android software, plastic-free packaging, and a one-year warranty. In the United States, the Pixel 9 series joined the refurbished lineup with discounts, while Japan saw refurbished devices added this October.

In practical terms, this means a longer life for gadgets you already own and a clearer path to newer devices without throwing away what still works. If you’re trying to stretch your tech budget or simply want to cut down on e-waste, there are more options to keep devices in rotation instead of cluttering drawers or landfills.

Google says the drive to repairability will influence future devices too, not just what’s rolling out today. The company points to repair-friendly design as a core value when engineers plan new hardware, software, and support channels.

What happens next could be a simple test for how much users actually lean on repair options. If repairability becomes a routine choice, you may see more parts listed in official repair hubs, more affordable self-repair kits, and more devices designed to be taken apart and fixed rather than replaced.