Have you accidentally dropped your iPhone and is there now a crack in the screen or the glass back of the device? Or does the battery drain so quickly that you constantly walk around with a power bank in your pocket just to get through the day? Then it’s really time to think about an iPhone repair.
You’ve probably heard stories about ‘horror’ repairs and you don’t want your iPhone to end up even more damaged after a repair at the hands of a ‘fast’ repair shop. To prevent this, the repair experts from Tweek some tips to pay attention to when submitting an iPhone for repair.
Where is the best place to have my iPhone repaired?
This is of course the first question that pops into your head. We cannot give you a direct answer, because this depends on various factors, such as the budget, type of repair and how long the repair may take. Do you go to the telecom shop around the corner, do you send it to Apple, or do you take your iPhone to that one colleague who has already replaced exactly 2 entire iPhone screens? There are pros and cons to all options.
What is the budget for the iPhone repair?
We cannot look into your wallet and therefore cannot determine what budget you have left
for iPhone repair. We would like to list the options from the smallest to the largest budget. Keep in mind that cheap can sometimes also be expensive!
No budget
Just keep walking around with a broken screen or bad battery. If you don’t have the money for a repair while your iPhone is still functioning, simply wait a little longer.
Limited budget (DIY solution)
With a limited budget you can use websites like Fixje.nl or even order a screen or battery from AliExpress, including a repair kit, if you are technically inclined. This may be a suitable option for a small budget. Sit back and try to repair your iPhone yourself, there are plenty of tutorials available on the internet that can guide you in the repair process.
Please note: Cheap options can of course become very expensive if you break more during the repair.
A little more to spend
Contact the telecom store in your area to ask what an iPhone repair costs there. Find out whether they use original or imitation parts to carry out the repair and whether you receive a warranty.
Professional repairers, such as Tweekor a chain like The Phone Lab, also offer cheaper parts to allow the customer to make a price-conscious choice. These parts have been carefully selected as a (safe) budget option for the customer.
I want the very best
If your iPhone is everything to you, then you probably want the very best! You can then choose to have your iPhone repaired at Apple itself, but this often takes quite a lot of time. Consider at least 1 week. Professional repairers often also offer the option of using original screens or refurbished screens to restore a defective iPhone to its original condition.
How long can the iPhone repair take?
Does your iPhone need to be ready within an hour? Or does it not matter if you lose it for a few days? Of course you want to have your iPhone back quickly, but be aware that some repairs take time to be carried out properly.
1 hour service
Some companies offer a 1 hour service on iPhone repairs. In our view, not the best option, because you run the risk of your repair being rushed by the repairman. All iPhones are also sealed with special seals, which need to dry for a while in adhesive clamps after closing the screen. An iPhone that is repaired within 1 hour does not have enough time to dry or harden properly. This compromises the quality of the iPhone repair.
Ready the same day
Replacing an iPhone screen or battery can easily be done within 1 day. This gives the repairer sufficient time to carry out the repair, check it and also allow the seal layer to dry properly. Most professional companies work according to this method, because it guarantees quality. You will often be given a loan device to remain accessible during the repair.
Multi-day repair
Apple often needs a number of working days to carry out an iPhone repair. The device is sent to an Apple service center and is repaired there. With Apple you can of course be sure that the repair will be carried out properly, but it is often the most expensive option and also the option that requires you to wait the longest.
Information prior to the repair
Pay close attention to the information you receive in advance from the repairman and do not simply assume that original parts will be used for the repair, or that your completely broken iPhone will be repaired within an hour.
Warning messages after a repair
When the battery or screen of an iPhone has been replaced, iOS will automatically detect this and display a message on the screen. The following messages may occur:
Screen notification
From the iPhone 11 models, you will see a message on the screen if the screen has recently been replaced. This concerns the message that an ‘unknown screen’ has been placed in the device. The notification does not affect the operation of the rest of the iPhone. Only at Apple itself can a screen be replaced without this notification, because Apple can adjust this through software.
Battery notification
From the iPhone XR, a message with ‘Important battery information’ will appear after replacing the battery. This notification does not affect the operation of the iPhone. However, after replacement, in most cases the battery capacity can no longer be read via the iPhone settings.
Most independent repair companies do not have the option to resolve this message. At Tweek they have developed a special method, which makes it possible not to receive a notification and the battery capacity can be viewed normally in the settings.
Other notifications
With certain repairs, the True Tone function may no longer work or the auto brightness of the device may no longer work. A repairer must inform you in advance about the possible consequences of the repair.
Risk of the repair
An iPhone repair is generally quite expensive. With some repairs there is a risk of further damage or that the iPhone will no longer function properly after the repair. For example, if you have run over your iPhone with a car (yes, this happens regularly!), then the device has not necessarily been completely repaired with just a new screen. There may be all kinds of other underlying defects. So make sure that the risks of the repair are thoroughly discussed in advance, because you do not want to pay for an expensive repair if your device no longer functions properly afterwards.
An iPhone repair is always sustainable
A defective iPhone can easily be used for years after repair. Installing a new screen or a new battery therefore makes a big difference. Is your iPhone broken? And do you want to buy a new iPhone? First consider repairing your current device to extend its lifespan and reduce the mountain of electronic waste in the world.