What Kind of Phone Problems Can Be Fixed At Home?

The DIY option works for many different kinds of phone problem, although some are beyond the skill of the average layperson. Here is a guide to some of the most common problems and basic advice on fixing them.

Shattered Screen	The touchscreen of a smartphone consists of three different layers: a glass layer and a digitiser, which are always stuck together, and an LCD screen, which is separate. One of the most common problems is when the glass screen shatters. This is possible for even inexperienced phone owners to replace, although it is a fiddly job and may take up to two hours. It's possible to tell whether it's just the glass that's broken or the LCD too, because if it's just the glass the phone will still work, but if it's the LCD, it won't. Replacing the LCD is not normally something that can be done by an amateur.
Water damage	Getting the phone splashed or - worse - submerged in water is very easy to do, and unfortunately there is no guaranteed fix. The important thing is to get the phone dried out as soon as possible, either by submerging it in something that will draw the water out (either a bag of rice or a pouch specially designed for the purpose) or by taking it apart. The latter can be more effective, but it also runs the risk of causing further damage.
Broken Camera	How to fix a broken camera depends on exactly how it is broken. If the lens is scratched, it's possible to replace just that. However, if the entire camera needs to be replaced, it is usually better to leave it to a professional.
Broken Buttons	Although most phones nowadays are controlled primarily by touch screens, there are usually still buttons for some functions; for example, volume control. One option that works for some models of mobile phone is to simply get an app that replicates the function of the broken buttons; for example, Button Saviour for android phones. iPhones using iOS 5 and above have a function called AssistiveTouch, which performs a similar function. Some buttons, for example the iPhone home button, can also be physically replaced.