Google Releases On-Device Diagnostics Tool, Repair Manuals For Pixel Phones (theverge.com) 19
Emma Roth reports via The Verge: Google is releasing a tool to help users diagnose problems with their Pixel phones. Users can launch the app by entering #*#7287#*# on the dial pad, allowing them to check whether their phone is working correctly before or after a repair. There are a bunch of diagnostic tools available within the app. While users can run a full diagnostic test to detect issues across the entire device, there are also options to run individual tests for physical defects and problems affecting the phone's display, sensors, and connectivity. The new tool is available on all Pixel phones in English.
Aside from the diagnostics app, Google is introducing redesigned repair manuals the company says are "easier for technicians and DIYers to use." Users can download repair manuals from Google's website in English and French, but they're only available for the Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro for now. Google says it will add repair manuals for previous and future devices "in the coming months." There's also a new Repair Mode Google introduced earlier this month, which Pixel Phone owners can toggle on when their device is getting repaired. The feature is meant to protect users' private information while their phone is in the hands of a technician [...].
Aside from the diagnostics app, Google is introducing redesigned repair manuals the company says are "easier for technicians and DIYers to use." Users can download repair manuals from Google's website in English and French, but they're only available for the Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, and Pixel 8 Pro for now. Google says it will add repair manuals for previous and future devices "in the coming months." There's also a new Repair Mode Google introduced earlier this month, which Pixel Phone owners can toggle on when their device is getting repaired. The feature is meant to protect users' private information while their phone is in the hands of a technician [...].
Even if you can't actually fix it yourself... (Score:3)
...this could be convenient if it has self-tests for things like the USB interface. Wife had a Pixel 3a that suffered a USB port that wouldn't charge and wouldn't transfer, and a coworker had a 4a 5G that had a USB interface problem of some kind too. His might've been repairable with a replacement internal cable and port, but it would still be nice for some better self-tests to identify if a problem is a port or if it's the electronics.
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it would still be nice for some better self-tests to identify if a problem is a port or if it's the electronics.
How could software do that reliably?
Mnemonic? (Score:2)
Where'd that come from? Seems you could enter "RATS" or "PATS". Why not "DIAG" (3424)?
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repair all the shit
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Look at the alternative : Google introduce a code that works on their phones, and then get a huge amount of flack for people who don't know (or care) who made their phone sending damaging requests to the networks other phone manufacturers are connected to.
Not having an
Dialer code is wrong (Score:4, Informative)
Somehow everyone missed the leading and trailing asterisk.
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When I keyed in that string it merely said to make sure I have an internet connection.
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No. The app starts immediately after you key the last *.
It does require a strong WiFi connection though.
These dial codes traditionally do not require active service as they're just used to activate hidden functions. Since #*#* or variations thereof are illegal phone numbers, they're often used to access functionality that might require dialing to access. (E.g., many phones had a *#* style code to "
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Thanks for that info. I have a Pixel phone and was able to bring up the diagnostic app, very handy.
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My Pixel 7 Pro apparently requires the number 4636 rather than 7287.
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Thanks, that was it for me on a Pixel 6A as well.
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Just received an Android update, and now 7287 works.
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Ah. I have an update pending now, I guess I'll see after I get back on wifi.
Congratulations Google (Score:1)
You just caught up to where Moto phones have been since basically forever. Except they don't make you enter a stupid code, diags are just in the Moto app.
Re: Congratulations Google (Score:2)
Oh look, the Google dick riders have mod points.
I had a Google phone once, a Nexus 4. The digitizer died one day and it was cheaper to buy a faster phone from Moto than to repair it.
Buy a phone from Google, get what you deserve.
Opinion (Score:2)
I appreciate the service manuals. My P8P is the nicest phone I've ever owned, and I hope I never need it.
I've bought LG washers and dryers exclusively for more than a decade because they publish free service manuals. If Google keeps this up, I may have the same policy for phones.