Microsoft has taken a significant step towards making Xbox console repairs more accessible and environmentally friendly. The company has announced a partnership with uBreakiFix, a leading electronics repair chain, to offer in-person repairs for Xbox Series X and S consoles at nearly 700 participating store locations across the US, starting January 20th.

This partnership marks a significant expansion of Microsoft's repairability program, which previously only allowed for in-person repairs at Microsoft retail stores. uBreakiFix will become the first Xbox Authorized Service Provider, providing customers with a more convenient and widespread option for repairing their consoles.

The expanded repairability program will cover the white Xbox Series S, the white Xbox Series X digital edition, and the special edition Xbox Series X "Galaxy Black" model. Microsoft has not yet confirmed whether the black Xbox Series X with a disc drive and the black Xbox Series S will also be eligible for uBreakiFix repairs.

In addition to the partnership with uBreakiFix, Microsoft has also made strides in reducing its environmental impact. The company has announced that packaging for the white Xbox Series S, the white Xbox Series X digital edition, and Xbox Series X "Galaxy Black" model will now be fully paper and fiber-based, eliminating all single-use plastics.

This move towards sustainability is a welcome one, and it's likely that customers will appreciate the effort to reduce waste. The partnership with uBreakiFix is also a positive development, as it will provide customers with more options for repairing their consoles and reduce electronic waste.

It's worth noting that iFixit, a popular repair guide and parts supplier, has also recently started offering genuine Xbox parts and step-by-step repair guides. This development, combined with Microsoft's expanded repairability program, may signal a shift towards greater repairability and sustainability in the gaming industry.

As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, it's likely that we'll see more companies prioritizing sustainability and repairability. Microsoft's partnership with uBreakiFix is a significant step in this direction, and it will be interesting to see how other companies respond.