How to fix broken iphones

If there is something wrong with your iPhone, Apple can come to the rescue(Opens in a new window). Under normal circumstances, you would bring your device to a nearby Apple Store or authorized service center to get it fixed. However, in the time of COVID-19, many Apple Stores around the world are still closed. What can you do?

At this point, there are limited options available. You can mail the phone to Apple for repairs. Staples is still open and offers in-store repairs. If these choices don't work for you, independent repair shops may still be open in your area.

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If your iPhone is still under warranty through Apple, or you have the AppleCare+ protection plan(Opens in a new window), you’ll want to go with Apple. Covered devices only cost $29 for a screen repair or $99 to fix other types of hardware damage. 

If your phone is out of warranty and you don't have AppleCare+, a screen replacement(Opens in a new window) will cost you between $129 and $329, depending on your model iPhone. Other types of hardware repairs start at $149 for an iPhone 4 and can run as high as $599 for an iPhone 11 Pro Max.

Staples is not an authorized Apple service center, so this is a viable option if your phone isn’t covered. At Staples(Opens in a new window), the cost to replace the battery on certain model iPhones starts at $29. Screen repairs range from $90 to $180.

Some independent repair shops are Apple authorized service providers; many are not. The repair costs naturally vary by shop, but they are typically lower than the prices charged by Apple or Staples.

If you own an iPhone, it comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through a limited warranty(Opens in a new window). Read the fine print on that warranty to see if your specific damage is covered. AppleCare+ protection extends coverage to two years from the purchase date and provides 24/7 tech support.

Protection prices vary depending on the device you own, starting at $99 for the iPhone SE. Protection for iPhone 6s, the iPhone 7, and the iPhone 8 costs $129. The iPhone 8 Plus, 7 Plus, and 6s Plus runs $149, while the iPhone X and higher will set you back $199.

AppleCare+ grants you two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each one subject to a fee of $29 for screen damage or $99 for any other type of damage. You can buy AppleCare+ protection anytime within 60 days of the purchase of your phone.

To check on your warranty status, browse to Apple’s iPhone support page(Opens in a new window) and sign in with your Apple ID. As an alternative, you can also click the enter the serial number of your device link under the Sign In button. The information you need is on your iPhone under Settings > General > About > Serial Number. Enter the number and the Captcha code, then click Continue.

The next window shows you your service and support coverage. If you're covered under the initial one-year warranty or AppleCare+ protection, you should be able to escape with minimal repair costs. If not, you'll have to pay the out-of-warranty price. In the Repairs and Service Coverage section, click Set up a repair.

If you wish to set up a repair case with Apple, go to your Apple Support page(Opens in a new window) and select the iPhone in need of service. In the Repairs and Service Coverage section, click Set up a repair.

The next screen asks what's happening with your phone, prompting you to click one of the support topics. Assuming your iPhone has some type of physical damage, click the topic for Repairs & Physical Damage.

You are then asked to make a selection that best describes the type of physical damage you have. It could be a cracked screen, buttons not working, an unresponsive phone, or other issue. For this example, we’ll choose Cracked Screen.

The next screen asks how you'd like to get help. The options that appear will depend on which type of physical damage you selected. Assuming you want to mail your phone to Apple for repair, click Send in for Repair.

Choose the device that needs repair, then review the estimate and confirm your address and contact details. Choose whether you want to drop off your phone at UPS or have Apple send you a box to ship it, then click Continue. At the next screen, enter your credit card information to pay for the repair. Click the Review Repair Details button and confirm the work.

Staples is another option for iPhone repairs. Even amidst the coronavirus quarantine, select stores are still fixing iPhones. You can drop your phone off at a store and repairs are typically done within a few hours. Staples can replace the battery, fix cracked screens, and attempt to recover devices affected by water. 

If your phone has been in contact with water, certain stores have TekDry machines to dry the phone in around 30 minutes. It is advised that you get your phone to a store with a TekDry machine within the first 48 hours of water contact. The cost for this dry repair service ranges from $40 to $100, with the average price around $70. Staples only charges you if it successfully revives your water-damaged phone. 

All repairs are backed by a one-year warranty on parts. Staples isn’t a certified Apple service center, so you would use the store only if your iPhone is no longer under Apple’s warranty or coverage.

Next, select your state and city in the appropriate fields and click Search to find nearby Staples stores. Here, you can also read the FAQ to learn more about the phone repair service. If a store is accessible, you can take your malfunctioning iPhone there and ask the staff to diagnose and (hopefully) resolve the problem. 

Before you make a trip, first call the store to confirm its hours of availability and whether it is still offering iPhone repairs. If your phone has suffered any water damage, ask the store if it has a TekDry machine.

One more option is to use a local independent repair shop. These can be private businesses or chain stores. Some are authorized by Apple as service providers. Even the ones that aren’t authorized can buy genuine parts from Apple, so you know you’re getting the best screens and components. 

To find a local shop, search online or through an app such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Yelp for “phone repair.” This way you can find nearby repair shops and read customer reviews to gauge the quality and reliability of the business. Of course, you’ll want to call a shop beforehand to make sure it’s open and available to handle your particular iPhone repair issue.

Keeping your phone in tip-top shape can often be worth a couple hundred bucks come upgrade time. When that time does come, be sure to check out our guide for How to Sell Your iPhone Safely.

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