Fix common phone problems yourself

Most charging problems are caused by a worn cable, a weak plug or fluff packed into the port – not a broken phone. Work through these che...

Find out what is really using your battery, switch off the biggest drains, and learn when a worn battery – not your settings – is the pro...

A black screen doesn’t always mean a dead phone. Many phones that “won’t turn on” are simply frozen, completely flat or have a dead scree...

How to protect your fingers, your data and the rest of the phone after a crack – and how to decide whether it needs fixing now.

What you do straight after a spill matters more than anything else. Follow these steps – and avoid the common “fixes” that make water dam...

A slow phone is usually full storage, an outdated app, a worn battery or too much running in the background. Work through these fixes fro...

A force restart fixes a frozen or black screen without deleting anything. Find the button combination for your exact model.

A backup is the one thing that saves your photos and messages if your phone breaks, is lost or needs a reset. Set it up once and it runs ...

Fluff in the charging port is the most common reason a cable feels loose or charging cuts in and out. Here’s how to clean it without dama...

A two-minute check tells you whether your battery is worn out – and whether a new battery would bring back all-day life.

A swollen lithium battery can push the screen out and, if damaged, catch fire. Here’s how to spot one and how to keep yourself safe until...

Slow charging is almost always the plug, the cable or a setting. Here’s what your phone needs to fast charge – and how to check each part.

Wireless charging is fussy about position, cases and heat. Use these checks to get it working again – and spot when there’s a deeper fault.

How to tell your battery is worn out, what happens during a replacement at our shop, how long it takes and what changes afterwards.

Why screen prices vary, the difference between screen types, what happens during the repair and how to choose the right option for your p...

Unresponsive areas, laggy swipes and “ghost touches” are often caused by a screen protector, dirt, charging or a frozen app – not a broke...

Some display glitches are software and disappear after a restart or update. Others are early signs of a failing screen. Here’s how to tel...

Automatic brightness, battery saving, heat protection and accessibility settings can all dim your screen. Work through them in this order.

A dust-free room, a careful clean and a slow press are the secrets to a perfect fit. Here’s the method we use in the shop.

A cracked back looks cosmetic, but it can cut fingers, let moisture in and stop wireless charging. Here’s what to do and how the repair w...

Rice is the most famous phone fix – and one of the worst. Here’s why it doesn’t work and what to do instead.

Your phone has found moisture in the charging port and has blocked wired charging to protect itself. Here’s how to clear it safely.

Some drop damage is obvious, some isn’t. Run this quick check to find hidden problems with the cameras, speakers, sensors and battery.

What IP67 and IP68 really mean, why water resistance fades over time, and why manufacturer warranties usually don’t cover liquid damage.

Free gigabytes in minutes without losing photos or chats – find what’s using the space, then clear it in the right order.

When one app keeps crashing it’s usually that app. When every app crashes, it’s storage, software or memory. Here’s how to fix both.

Phones get warm while charging, gaming and navigating – that’s normal. Here’s how to cool it down safely and spot the kind of heat that m...

Updates fix bugs and security holes. Here’s how to install them safely, and what to do if an update is stuck or won’t install.

A phone stuck on the Apple or Samsung logo – or restarting in a loop – can often be saved without losing data. Here’s what to try, in order.

A factory reset can fix stubborn software problems and is essential before selling. Do it in the right order so you don’t lose data or lo...

What you can do if you’ve forgotten your phone passcode – and why no honest repair shop can bypass it without erasing the phone.

Find out whether the problem is your phone or your router in one minute, then work through the fixes that solve most Wi-Fi problems.

Most Bluetooth problems are solved by removing the old pairing and pairing again in the right order. Here’s how.

Check whether it’s your network, your SIM or your phone, then fix the settings that cause most signal problems.

Got signal but no internet away from Wi-Fi? Check your allowance, data settings and network mode with these steps.

When one earbud goes quiet or won’t charge, it’s usually dirty contacts, a sound setting or a pairing glitch. Try these fixes before repl...

Dropped calls at home or work are usually weak signal indoors. Wi-Fi Calling and a few settings fix most of them.

Blocked speaker grilles, Bluetooth and sound settings cause most quiet speakers. Here’s how to clean them safely and check the settings.

Phones have several microphones. Find out which one is failing, check app permissions and clean the mic holes safely.

Smudges and cases cause most blurry photos. Learn the quick fixes, and the signs that a lens or camera module needs repairing.

Dirty sensors, screen protectors and settings stop most face and fingerprint unlocks. Here’s how to get them working – and why Face ID ne...

Sticky buttons are often a case or dirt problem. Check these first – and use on-screen shortcuts while you wait for a repair.

Fix wired and USB-C headphones that won’t play, and phones that think headphones are still plugged in.

Move photos, contacts, messages and apps to your new phone – iPhone to iPhone, Android to Android, or switching between the two.

Remove your accounts, wipe your data and avoid the activation lock that stops a sale. A 20-minute checklist.

What to do in the first hour after losing your phone – from locating it to protecting your bank accounts – plus the settings to turn on t...

Simple habits we wish every customer knew – protecting the screen, battery, port and your data so your phone stays fast and repair-free.

Tablets have big batteries and need more power than a phone charger gives. Here’s how to charge them properly and what to check if they s...

A loud fan and a hot, sluggish laptop usually mean blocked vents, too many programs at start-up or a nearly full drive. Here’s how to fix...

Stick drift makes your character or camera move by itself. Try these safe fixes first, then find out how a drift repair works.