It’s easy to take your iPhone for granted. When it’s working like it should, life is easy. But as soon as your iOS starts messing up, or you drop your phone in the parking lot and shatter the screen, you realize the inconvenience of having a compromised smartphone. Can it be fixed?
Helpful Solutions to 4 iPhone Problems
As advanced as today’s smartphone technology is, problems still happen. And while some issues can’t be fixed with anything other than a new phone, there are plenty of glitches and problems that can be overcome.
Here are some helpful solutions to common iPhone-related problems:
- Cracked Screen
Is there anything more nerve-racking than dropping your phone with the screen-side down? You cross your fingers and say a quick prayer before flipping it over to assess the damage. You immediately notice that the screen is shattered.
A cracked screen is the worst, but it is fixable. If you have AppleCare+ coverage, it costs just $29 to fix your phone. (Though you can expect to be without your phone for seven to nine business days.) If you don’t have coverage, it can be a bit pricier.
“Replacing the screen of an iPhone X without a warranty or AppleCare+ plan costs $279,” BusinessInsider explains. “An iPhone 8 Plus or 7 Plus screen costs $169. And an iPhone 6 screen replacement costs $129 if you don’t have coverage.”
- Water Damage
While most newer iPhone models are billed as waterproof, it’s still common to see water damage issues. In some cases, damage can be reversed and the phone can be restored to its proper functioning.
A water-damaged iPhone may or may not turn on. If it does, you’ll experience issues with the SIM card, charging, service, touchscreen capabilities, etc. The first step is to remove as much liquid from the phone as possible (using a soft towel or absorbent cloth). Next, safely remove the SIM card. Finally, place your iPhone in a dry location and use desiccants or rice to extract some of the moisture. Wait 24 hours before turning your phone on again. If it doesn’t work properly, you’ll need to take it to a professional iPhone repair shop (or buy a new phone)
- Poor Battery Life
Is poor battery life causing you to carry around a charging cord in your pocket? Thankfully, this is one issue that can usually be remedied relatively easily.
Most people assume that if an iPhone isn’t holding its charge, the battery is the problem. However, it may actually be the charging port.
“Turn on a strong flashlight and aim it at the charging port,” Gamers Warehouse suggests. “Can you see anything inside the charging port that would cause a poor connection between the port and the charger? Some common culprits include lint, dust, and grime. If the charging port appears dirty, you could try to clean it out yourself.”
While you can clean out a dusty port on your own, you also risk damaging some of the sensitive parts. By taking it to an iPhone repair store, you can ensure you get the port cleaned out without further compromising the device.
- White Screen
The dreaded White Screen of Death is never a good thing. It can be caused by any number of factors – including a failed upgrade, hardware problem, or jailbreaking.
Start by trying a simple restart of the device. If this doesn’t work, you can go for a hard reset (also known as a factory reset). Finally, you can try to boot up your phone using the Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) mode. However, be warned that a DFU will clear all settings and data on your phone.
Is it Time for a New Phone?
When it comes to repairing a broken iPhone, it’s helpful to run a cost analysis to see if it’s worth the time, effort, and cost.
If you’re having trouble making a decision about whether to buy a new phone or repair your existing phone, the 50 percent rule may help. It states that, if a repair costs more than 50 percent of the cost of buying a replacement, then it’s better to forgo the repair and buy a new phone.
In other words, if it’s going to cost you $350 to repair your current iPhone, but you can buy a replacement for $700 or less, it makes more sense to get a new phone.
These days, most iPhone problems can be fixed. It’s up to you to decide how much you’re willing to do in order to make your phone operational again.
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