Nothing is more frustrating than having a phone die on you, especially since the cost of replacing it is extremely high. When a phone breaks down, fixing it at the lowest price possible becomes the users’ main goal.
However, finding the most effective phone repair solutions will depend on the type and severity of the damage. To make life simpler for you, we’ve put together a handy guide on repairing your phones.
Types of damage in phones
Today, phones have become an essential part of our everyday lives, not just making calls but also searching for information and watching live streams. However, as helpful as mobile phones are, they are also fragile. All it takes is a drop in the water or a scratch to render your mobile phone useless. Below is a list of common mobile phone damages.
Screen damage
A cracked phone screen may not seem like much, especially if your phone still works. However, cracks can make reading emails or watching videos harder and mobile phones may not register your taps. Loose glass shards can also cut your finger if you are not careful.
Water damage
One good reason why you should not bring your phone to the beach or swimming pool during your vacation is you might accidentally drop your device in the water. If that happens, your phone might corrode or short-circuit. Sometimes, your phone can still turn on but the screen is black, making it difficult to find or open an app.
Battery issues
Overcharging or extreme temperatures can lead to batteries draining power quickly or not charging. In some cases, these factors can also cause internal damage to the battery, causing it to swell and increase the risk of an explosion.
Internal damage
Hardware and software issues can lead to mobile phones behaving strangely or certain features not functioning properly. This can range from phones not turning on and random restarts to app crashes and Wi-Fi connectivity problems.
What to do if a phone is broken?
Before you repair your phone, you may need to take immediate steps to secure your data and ensure a smooth and cost-efficient repair process. These include:
Assess the damage
Testing out apps and functionalities can help you determine if your phone can still be used or if it is in need of immediate repairs. For example, you may decide to put off any repairs for small screen cracks and instead opt for a screen protector or protective case to prevent further damage.
However, if the cracks grow, you may need to send it to a phone repair shop to prevent problems like unresponsive taps from occurring.
Power off the device
In cases like swollen batteries or large screen cracks, using a broken mobile phone can cause an electrical short-circuit. This can destroy your battery and other internal components. As a result, you may have to shell out more money for extensive repairs.
Remove accessories
If you’re looking to send your phone to a repair shop, you should remove intact accessories like phone cases, SIM cards, or external storage, as they may not be returned to you. For phones that do not have a physical SIM card, you should erase all personal data from your device to prevent misuse.
Data backup
As a precaution, you should backup your files to a secure location while your phone is still operating, such as a cloud service or your computer. This way, you will never lose access to important files like your photos or documents, even when your phone eventually breaks down.
myhalo specialises in data recovery for iPhone and Android mobile devices, for both hard drives, and solid state drives (SSD). It can help restore files of various formats, from DOC and PDF documents to JPEG and GIF images.
Is it worth fixing a broken phone?
If you have enough money, you may opt to buy a new phone over repairing your current one. However, before deciding on that, you might need to consider these factors first:
- Cost analysis: Comparing the cost of phone repairs and replacement can help you decide the best course of action. For example, it makes more sense to fix a broken screen if it costs less than buying a new phone. Alternatively, some phone brands offer trade-in programs where you can buy new phones at a discounted price by selling off your old models.
- Phone’s age: If you’ve been using your phone for more than three years and it starts showing performance issues or crashes, you may need to buy a new phone. However, if you got your phone one or two months ago, we strongly advise you to take it to a repair shop.
- Environmental impacts: Producing a new smartphone eats up massive amounts of resources and fossil fuels, which poses a threat to the environment. For the environmentally conscious, repairing broken phones can help lower the carbon footprint and reduce pollution.
- Risks of continuing to use a damaged phone: A small crack might seem insignificant and it might not affect your ability to continue interacting with the apps. But, the cracks will eventually grow larger and you will have a harder time navigating menus and selecting apps. Also, a swollen battery is likely to explode and release harmful gases. In both cases, it is safer to replace your phone with a newer model.
Repair options
Depending on the severity of the damage, you may either attempt to repair the device yourself or seek out professional help. These options come with their pros and cons and it’s up to you to decide which option works best for you.
DIY repairs
Repairing the phone yourself may save you a lot of money but you run the risk of breaking other components if you do not know what you are doing. Not only that, but self-repair can result in your warranty being voided.
However, if you are an expert at repairing broken phones, we advise investing in a toolkit that gives you everything you need to open phones and replace components.
Professional repair services
On the other hand, if you can’t handle the repairs yourself, you could take your phone to a third-party licensed repair shop. These repair shops offer high-quality repairs at a lower cost than the manufacturers.
However, before you take your phone to a repair shop, you will need to back up all of your files and perform a factory reset to keep your data secured from outside tampering. You should also contact your service provider to help you transfer or suspend your phone number.
Manufacturer support
If your phone is under warranty and the damage was due to a manufacturing or shipping error, you may choose to return it to the manufacturer for free repairs.
In cases where your phone has outlived the warranty period or the damage is not covered by your warranty policy, you may have to pay for repairs. The good news is that manufacturers can deliver a high-quality fix, and the new parts will likely be covered by warranty.
How can I reuse my broken phone?
Reusing a broken phone comes with risks ranging from cutting fingers to explosions. But if the damages are minor, you may decide to keep using it until you have saved up enough money for a replacement.
In that case, you can extend your phone’s lifespan by taking it to a licensed centre that offers phone repair and rescue services like myhalo. These centres specialise in various repair scenarios, from battery replacements to cleaning waterlogged mobile phones.
Even if your phone stops working, there are still ways to make your device useful.
This includes upcycling, in which devices or materials are reused to create higher-quality products.
Upcycling or trading in your phone for a reloved piece helps reduce e-waste in our landfills and ensures a greener and safer Earth for current and future generations.
Also read: Can You Sell Your Broken Phones & Tablets?
FAQ
Got any questions about what to do with a broken phone? Find your answers in the section below.
Can I use a broken phone?
Using a broken phone can be hazardous to both the device and yourself. For example, broken screens can cut your fingers and expose internal components to water, dirt or oil. It also makes viewing articles and selecting apps difficult, creating a poor user experience.
Should I throw away a broken phone?
It may seem tempting to simply throw away a broken phone but doing so can contribute to the ever-growing e-waste in our landfills. E-waste can release toxic chemicals that can contaminate the environment and jeopardise human health. Rather than throw broken mobile phones away, you can upcycle or repair them to maximise their lifespans.
What to do with a broken screen phone?
It is best to leave your phone screen reapairs to the professionals like a third-party repair shop or the manufacturer. However, if you can’t afford professional repairs, you can apply short-term solutions such as a screen protector or clear tape to prevent your screen from shattering further.
Also read: Can You Put a Screen Protector on a Cracked Screen?
What to do if your phone’s back is broken?
Just like with the phone screen, fixing the phone’s broken back glass is best left to professional repair shops or manufacturers. The cost of repairing the phone’s back depends on what model you own, where you are taking it for repairs, and if the warranty is still ongoing. We advise buying a durable phone case or a tempered glass back after repairs to prevent future damages.
Can I exchange my broken phone?
Some manufacturers and phone repair centres allow you to sell off your mobile phone or exchange it for a new one. The value of your device will vary depending on the service provider as well as the condition of the device. Ask your manufacturer or phone repair centre for a free quote before moving forward with the exchange.
Can you fix a cracked phone without replacing it?
You may attempt to repair your cracked phone by yourself. However, doing so can result in your warranty being void and you may end up causing more damage to your phone. Before attempting self-repair, check your phone’s warranty and see whether it covers phone screen repairs to save yourself from the needless hassle.
What do I do if my charger breaks off in my phone?
There are numerous ways to remove a charging pin if it is stuck inside the port. In particular, you can apply super glue to the tip of a screwdriver. Afterwards, you can stick it firmly to the charging pin for 30-60 seconds before carefully pulling it out. Alternatively, you can use tweezers or a pair of small-sized nail clippers to pry the charging pin out.
How to safely destroy old phones?
Before destroying an old mobile phone, you should back up your files and perform a factory reset to prevent unauthorised parties from accessing your information. You will also need to remove the battery to reduce the risk of a fire hazard. Once that is done, smash the screen, the circuit boards, and the memory card using a sledgehammer and a drill and dispose of the pieces separately.
Conclusion
A broken mobile phone is not the end of the world. There are many ways you can do to keep your device functioning normally or, at the very least, prevent further damage. Repairing a mobile phone allows you to stay connected with friends while reducing the amount of e-waste polluting the environment.
At my halo, our mission is to provide quality repair services to rescue your device and extend its life. We also do our part to ensure a greener Earth by upcycling and selling unwanted mobile devices and useful components. Consult us for all your phone-related issues—be it mobile repair and life extension, data recovery, upcycling and selling your old phone, or just buying a reloved piece!