Basic first aid for your smartphone

“It’s all my fault,” Colin said sadly as he lowered his head into his hands. “I shouldn’t have been in such a hurry.”

“It was a freak accident,” his girlfriend said sympathetically.

As Colin sat there, playing the nightmare over and over in his head, he saw the door open. He quickly stood up to ask from across the waiting room, “Is everything okay?”

The doctor put his hand on Colin’s shoulder and said, “We did our best…”

“You mean…?”

“Yes,” said the doctor. “We got all the water out and your phone is like new!”

Scenes like this happen every day, where hundreds of people imagine the worst when their device gets damaged. I do not blame them. When he sees his smashed phone, he thinks the chances of it working again are about as good as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell winning a popularity contest in Louisiana.

While pessimism is normal, today’s smart devices can often be repaired, even after serious damage.

While not all devices can be saved (remember that time your niece warmed up your phone in the toaster after buttering it?), there are things you can do to increase your device’s chances of surviving a traumatic event until you can to take it to a professional repair technician.

SMARTPHONE FIRST AID GUIDE

Problem: liquid damage

Note: A wet device has a high potential for a short circuit if not fixed quickly.

Common causes: Toilets, sinks, puddles, swimming pools, soft drinks, alcohol.

First aid: Surprisingly, around 8 out of 10 of all moisture damaged phones can be saved if the device is turned off and taken in for immediate repair.

Try to remove any liquid as soon as possible. If you have access to a vacuum, you can use it to help suck up the liquid. Avoid using a hair dryer as it can push the liquid further into the crevices of your device. If possible, immediately remove the battery and do not plug in the device. Place your device in a ziplock bag filled with dry rice or silica packets; the more the better. These items attract and absorb moisture and are a good way to protect your device.

Leave the device in the bag for a minimum of 24 hours; however, if the device has “sunk under the waves”, as if completely submerged, keep it inside for 48 to 72 hours. Also, place it in a warm area to increase the rate of evaporation. But remember, do not put the battery back in or connect it to any power source. Even if the device starts to work, it’s best to take it to a repair technician to have someone check it out. Previously wet devices have a high probability of future failure due to what remains after the liquid has evaporated, which can corrode the inside of the device. Be careful, bring it.

Problem: software failure

Note: If the phone software doesn’t work, all you have is an expensive paperweight.

Common causes: App crashes/errors, carrier updates, malware, device down

First aid: If you are sure there is no moisture on the device, simply plug it into a charger and perform a “power on” or “hard reset”. Hard resets vary from phone to phone. For an iPhone, press and hold the circular “home” button and the power button for a minimum of 15 seconds. Many Samsung devices have different hard reset key functions, but the main process is to hold down the power and volume keys for a period of about 10 seconds. In general, following these simple steps after a hard fall will get your phone back online.

Problem: battery problems

Note: The phone does not turn on or loses power at a fast rate

Common causes: Extended use, long time between charges

First aid: Power off your device at the end of the day and place it on the charger. You’ll find that your phone will go into a regular power maintenance cycle throughout the day without having to plug it back in as soon as you finish your morning coffee. Another option is to charge your device when its battery is at 40 percent, not 10 percent. Recharging near depletion too often will make the battery work harder and reduce its life expectancy. Finally, you can save battery life by dimming your device’s screen. By keeping the brightness level as low as possible, you will help your battery gain more time between charges. Also, turn off all background data, Wi-Fi, GPS, or any other apps running behind the scenes. If the battery continues to drop fast after trying these tips, it’s probably time to replace the battery.

Problem: hardware failure

Note: Devices go through rough times just like the rest of us

Common causes: Concrete, other items in your pocket and/or bag, etc.

First aid: Many hardware failures involve a cracked screen, a cracked case, speakers that don’t work, or broken connection ports. Aside from wearing a protective case, you can’t fix hardware problems without replacing broken parts.

If the touch sensor on your front screen is damaged, you will not be able to use the main functions of your phone and you will need to take it to a repair technician for a quick screen replacement. Depending on the make and model, most failed devices can be repaired within an hour. Of course, you can always try using duct tape because, you know, tape fixes everything. kidding.