How to Repair Cell Phones
Cell Phone Repair Guide
What do you do if your cell phones breaks down?
If you’re like most people, you’ll find your way to cellular repair center, checking first to see if it’s authorized and checking on their reliability to guarantee the job that they do. Like most people, you probably reason that you simply can’t locate the high quality parts or pick up the right tools to do the job yourself. And, like most people, you may call around, elicit testimonials, compare and contrast prices, and seek troubleshooting advice before you send it in.
Often cellular repair centers suggest that it’s cheaper to buy a new phone then to repair your existing phone. When it comes to cell phones, Americans are notoriously not eco-friendly and it’s estimated that they toss 125 million away a year and retire 500 million to the bottom of a catch-all desk drawer or a cluttered closet that’s a museum for dead devices. Apart from a colossal waste of money, these cell phones add toxic lead, cadmium, and beryllium to their last home in landfills.
You Can Fix Your Cell Phone Yourself
However, there is a lot you can do to fix your own cell phones that can be as simple as changing a light bulb or screwing in a storm window. Yes, you don’t always have to be a certified expert to dabble in the inner workings of your cell phone. Many times buying some replacement parts and installing it yourself are all you have to do. Sometimes you can research how to fix your cell phone online.
An Example Of Someone Who Fixes His Own Cell Phone
The
secret to success may be as simple as having the right attitude, and here’s a
funny and inspiring story: Jim Rees, a cell phone user who likes to repair his
own cell phones, said, “Recently my T39m stopped working and my wife ran over
her T610 with a Honda CRV. I already had another T39m that I had ridden over
with a Schwinn and a T28 that stopped working. So it was time to fix a few of
them.”
When your cell phone needs repair, it’s not necessary to discard it, search for a repair center service, or try to renegotiate your expired warranty.
A Few Simple Cell Phone Repairs You Can Do At Home
While, of course, cell phone technology is complex and there are many things you can’t do to fix your phone because you lack the knowledge, the delicate tools, and the exact new parts, let’s take a look at a few simple things you can do to fix some common repair issues that prematurely end the life of your cell phone. Even if you lack the confidence of someone like Jim Rees, there are many small, doable things you can do to prolong the life of your cell phone.
Fixing A Cell Phone Screen.
Scratches. After being rubbed on all sorts of unfriendly surfaces day in and day out, your cell phone screen might make Frankenstein look handsome in comparison. But if you get a cream called Displex Display Scratch Remover, available online at places like Amazon and in retail locations, you can rub the scratches away.
Discoloration. When your cell phone displays discoloration, this is a sure sign that it has stuck pixels. A pen cap rubbed on the discolored parts will disperse the pixels and get your images back.
Cracks. Toothpaste works well in filling in cracked areas.
Hopeless cases. But what if your cell phone screen is really, really bad and these simple steps will simply not cut it. For example, we’re talking severe cracks and more chips in it than a concrete walkway exposed to too much sodium chloride after snow has turned to ice. You can search online for your phone model and purchase a screen for it. Once it arrives in the mail, pop out the old screen with a screwdriver and snap the new screen in place.
Fixing A Scratched Body
Again, like the screen, a few simple things can restore the beauty of your cell phone. You can use Displex again, a polishing cloth, rubbing alcohol, and nail polish to make it look as good as new.
The Care And Feeding Of Cell Phones
Care. Cell phones, like pets, do well when they’re treated with TLC. A way to prevent future damage to your cell phone is to protect it with a phone case or even a glove.
Feeding. After properly conditioning your battery when it’s new, keep the contact terminals clean with cotton swab and rubbing alcohol, steer clear of exposing the battery to extreme temperatures, and avoid letting your battery be dormant for long periods.
Emergency CPR for Cell Phones
Apart from being scratched and dropped (not to mention run over by bikes and cars), cell phones suffer the most damage because they get drowned.
It’s actually quite common for users to fizzle them in a glass of Coca Cola, a mug of beer, a sink, or a toilet.
Sometimes when you act fast, you can still save your phone.
Since a plastic covers the cell phone and the cases are tight, quick action, grabbing it out of the glass, sink, or toilet bowl and drying it, can prevent water from seeping into the inside and shorting the power source.
Then remove the battery, as many circuits will not go on the fritz if they’re not running power.
If you have a SIM card, remove that at once to avoid compromising all your digitally stored data.
Drying includes shaking and patting with a cloth or tissue. It should not include heating it in any way, especially with a hair dryer, but a vacuum cleaner is fine.
Let slots breathe by removing covers and connectors.
Finally, you can let your cell phone dry overnight over some absorbent material, like a plate of uncooked rice.
Is It Worth Fixing Your Own Cell Phone?
Sometimes a few simple fixes are all you need. At other times, a little research on technical websites and some forum discussions can guide you to fix it yourself. While you may not always be able to fix a broken cell phone, it is often well worth a try.