Save big money by fitting new
batteries, replacing smashed screens and repairing sticky buttons yourself
Key points
·
You can fix many common tablets and smartphone
faults yourself
·
Prevent accidental damage with a case, and
consider buying insurance
·
Compare the cost of manufacturer, third-party
and DIY repairs
·
Only attempt repairs that are within your
abilities
·
Buy and check all eth tools and parts before you
start
Repair
your smartphone and tablet
Having a shiny smartphone or tablet is
great until you drop it down the toilet, step on it or leave it on the car roof
as you drive off. Few things are sadder than a smashed or soggy gadget, but
while it may appear that all is lost, many common smartphone or tablet ailments
can be repaired, often without handing money over to a professional.
Insurance and backup
Manufacturers know that mobile phones are
likely to be dropped or shoved into pockets next to scratchy coins, so devices
are generally designed to withstand everyday knocks. In most cases they are at
least made with toughened, scratch-resistant glass for screens and shatterproof
plastics or metal for the case.
Unfortunately, it is hard to prepare
devices for all the accidental abuse they might receive, and a bit of bad luck
will defeat even the beefiest design. It’s a good idea to fit a tailor-made
case to a smartphone or tablet, and perhaps a screen protector too – these will
keep the case and display in good condition.
Regardless, your phone or tablet could
still break, so it’s a good idea to take regular backups of what is stored on
there. An Android device’s contacts and calendar should automatically be
synchronized with a Google account (assuming you have one), but photos and
other content may not be. It might be worth using an application such as My
Backup Pro, which is available from the Google Play store (the trial version is
free, from www.snipca.com/8680). On
Apple iOS devices, including iPhones, iPads and iPods, set up synchronization
to Apple’s iCloud service.
You can buy specialist smartphone insurance
for as little as a few pounds a month. Check first that you are not already
covered either through your home contents insurance or through a premium bank
account or credit card – some include accidental-damage cover, you should
contact your insurer and report the problem before attempting any DIY repair.
Some policies also require prompt notification of a problem to avoid
invalidating a claim.
Repair water damage
It’s easy to spill liquid onto a mobile
device, drop it in a drink or even in the bath. But waterproof phones are not a
fantasy – some companies, including Sony, have already introduced smartphones
that can withstand being submerged in water. However, few people yet own such
hardy devices so, if your smartphone or tablet happens to fall into any liquid,
immediately recover the gadget, dry off the outside and remove the battery. If
you have an iPhone or another device with a battery that can’t be removed without
specialist tools, turn the phone off as soon as possible.
There’s a chance that a phone that’s been
dropped in water will recover on its own once any droplets inside evaporate,
but this can take several days. Speed things up by removing the SIM card and memory
cards, and, if possible, remove the battery cover. Place the gadget and
components in a warm, dry place like an airing cupboard or a sunny windowsill –
but don’t let them get hot. Give the device a gentle shake a couple of times
each day and after a couple of days try inserting the battery and switching it
on. If there’s any odd behavior or if the screen or buttons don’t work
properly, remove the battery again and try again after another day or so;
patience is key here.
Sony’s
Xperia Z is the company’s first waterproof phone
The chances aren’t so good if the device
was dropped in anything other than water. The sugars in some drinks, for
example, can gum up the works and attract dust. If this happens and you have no
insurance cover, you should send the device for repair. Manufacturers will
generally repair liquid-damaged devices for a considerable fee. For example, at
the time of writing, Apple’s fixed-repair charges ranged from $189 (including
collection and delivery) for iPhones up to and including version 4, through to
$279 for the iPhone 5, and to $384 for the most recent iPads. To arrange this
kind of repair visit an Apple Store or www.apple.com/support.
Some other brands don’t offer repair
services, but all is not lost. Amazon, for example, says it is currently unable
to repair Kindle Fire FD tablets. However, it will offer customers a
reduced-cost replacement within the first year of purchase – a replacement 7in
model costs $188, for instance.
Independent
repair companies may charge less than manufacturers, but check their
reputations first
You could send or take the device for
repair by an independent company. This could cost considerably less, but choose
an outfit that will stand by its work. For example, start at $73.5, and repairs
are warranted for 90 days – the same as out-of-warranty services from a
manufacturer such as Apple. However, be aware that if a phone has been
accidentally damaged, thus invalidating the manufacturer warranty whoever fixes
it will only warrant the work done to repair this fault, not subsequent
unrelated faults.
A final option is to try a repair yourself,
but with liquid damage we would recommend it only as a last resort where the
alternative is throwing away the device. Run a sink full of tepid water only –
do not add detergent. Remove the device’s battery, SIM and storage cards and
wipe them and their connectors clean with a damp cloth, then dry them
immediately. Never submerge the battery. Dunk just the device on its own into
the water and move it around, refreshing the water if it begins to look murky.
Remove the device from the sink, gently shake it to remove excess water, dry
the outside and leave it to air for several days.
