The right-to-repair movement experienced a significant year in 2025, receiving unexpected support from big tech companies, tariffs, and economic challenges. Advocates are pushing for consumers to fix their own electronics and equipment without needing manufacturer permission. While the initiative enjoys widespread backing, device makers continue to resist losing control over repairs.
In 2025, the right-to-repair movement marked a pivotal period, as described in a Wired analysis. This grassroots effort seeks to empower individuals to repair their own devices, such as smartphones and farm machinery, without requiring approval from the original manufacturers. The movement's progress was surprisingly aided by major technology firms, new tariffs on imports, and the broader economic downturn, which highlighted the costs of restrictive repair policies.
Support for right-to-repair spans diverse groups, including technologists who value innovation, farmers needing affordable equipment maintenance, and military leaders concerned with supply chain reliability. Politicians from both major U.S. parties have also endorsed the cause, reflecting its bipartisan appeal. As one overview notes, 'It is popular with just about everyone—except the companies who stand to gain if the parts, instructions, and tools necessary to fix their products remain under lock and key.'
Despite this momentum, corporations that dominate the repair ecosystem are not yielding easily. They maintain tight control over proprietary parts and software updates, arguing that unauthorized repairs could compromise safety and security. The tension underscores a broader debate on consumer rights versus corporate interests in an era of planned obsolescence. As economic pressures mount, the movement's advocates hope these developments will lead to stronger legislation, making repairs more accessible and sustainable.
