Is your smartphone broken or damaged and you don't want to spend a fortune to have it repaired by a professional? You can try to repair it yourself with spare parts that you can find online or in specialized stores. This will allow you to save money, extend the life of your Android smartphone and reduce your environmental impact.
But be careful, this operation is not without risk and requires a minimum of precautions and know-how . In this article, we will explain how to repair your smartphone yourself with spare parts, step by step.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of repairing your smartphone yourself?
Repairing your smartphone yourself has several advantages :
- You save the cost of labor and travel expenses of a professional repairer.
- You can choose the spare parts that correspond to your model and your budget, by comparing offers on the internet or in store.
- You extend the life of your Android smartphone and avoid replacing it with a new, more expensive and more polluting model.
- You are helping to reduce electronic waste , which represents a major problem for the environment.
But repairing your smartphone yourself also has some disadvantages :
- You lose the manufacturer's warranty for your smartphone , which does not cover damage caused by unauthorized intervention.
- You run the risk of further damaging your smartphone if you are not skilled enough or if you do not use the right tools or parts.
- You can lose your personal data if you have not made a prior backup or if you damage the internal memory of your smartphone.
- safety standards and precautions to avoid short circuits, electric shock or injury.
What tools and parts are needed to repair your smartphone?
Before you begin repairing your smartphone, you must obtain the necessary tools and parts. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the items you will need:
- A screwdriver adapted to the type of screw on your smartphone (usually Torx or Pentalobe type).
- A suction cup or spatula to lift the screen without breaking it.
- A pick or plastic card to unclip the internal connectors without damaging them.
- Tweezers or extraction tool for removing screws, buttons or delicate components.
- A soft cloth or anti-static wipe to clean dust or fingerprints.
- A hair dryer or heat gun to heat the glue that holds certain pieces in place.
- Latex or rubber gloves to prevent fingerprints or electrostatic discharge.
- Spare parts compatible with your smartphone model.
What are the steps to follow to repair your smartphone?
Once you have gathered all the necessary tools and parts that you purchased from a Phone Parts Wholesaler , you can begin repairing your smartphone. Here are the steps to follow, depending on the type of failure you are experiencing:
The screen is broken or cracked
The screen is one of the most fragile and shock-prone parts of a smartphone. If your screen is broken or cracked , here's how to replace it:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM card and memory card if they are removable.
- Lightly heat the edges of the screen with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place.
- Place a suction cup on the screen and gently pull to lift it. Insert a pick or plastic card into the gap and slide it all the way around the screen to peel it off completely.
- Unplug the screen connector that connects the LCD panel to the motherboard. Be careful not to damage other components.
- Remove the broken screen and replace it with a new screen. Reconnect the display connector and stick it with special glue or double-sided tape.
- Turn on your smartphone and check that the screen is working properly.
The battery no longer holds a charge or swells
The battery is one of the most stressed and wear-sensitive parts of a smartphone . If your battery no longer holds a charge or swells, here's how to replace it:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM card and memory card if they are removable.
- Remove the back cover of your smartphone if it is clipped or screwed. Otherwise, lightly heat the edges of the back cover with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place. Place a suction cup on the back cover and gently pull to lift it up. Insert a pick or plastic card into the gap and slide it all the way around the back cover to peel it off completely.
- Disconnect the battery connector that connects the battery to the motherboard. Be careful not to damage other components.
- Remove the battery by lifting it with a spatula or tweezers. If it's stuck, lightly heat the battery with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place. Be careful not to puncture or deform the battery, as it can be dangerous.
- Replace the battery with a new battery. Reconnect the battery connector and stick it with special glue or double-sided tape.
- Replace the back cover and clip or screw it. Turn on your smartphone and check that the battery is working properly.
The speaker or microphone no longer works
The speaker or microphone is one of the parts most exposed to humidity or dust on a smartphone . If your speaker or mic no longer works, here's how to replace it:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM card and memory card if they are removable.
- Remove the back cover of your smartphone if it is clipped or screwed. Otherwise, lightly heat the edges of the back cover with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place. Place a suction cup on the back cover and gently pull to lift it up. Insert a pick or plastic card into the gap and slide it all the way around the back cover to peel it off completely.
- Unscrew the screws that hold the metal plate that protects the motherboard. Remove the metal plate by lifting it with a spatula or tweezers.
- Locate the speaker or mic on the motherboard. It is usually a small black square with holes in it. Disconnect the speaker or mic connector that connects the speaker or mic to the motherboard. Be careful not to damage other components.
- Remove the speaker or mic by lifting it with a spatula or tweezers. If it's stuck, lightly heat the speaker or mic with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place.
- Replace the speaker or microphone with a new speaker or microphone. Reconnect the speaker or microphone connector and stick it with special glue or double-sided tape.
- Put the metal plate back in place and screw it in place. Replace the back cover and clip or screw it. Turn on your smartphone and check that the speaker or microphone is working properly.
This article might interest you: How to fix Xiaomi speaker sound problem?
The home button, power button or volume button no longer works
The home button, power button or volume button is one of the most used and wear-prone parts of a smartphone. If your home button, power button or volume button no longer works, here's how to replace it:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM card and memory card if they are removable.
- Remove the back cover of your smartphone if it is clipped or screwed. Otherwise, lightly heat the edges of the back cover with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place. Place a suction cup on the back cover and gently pull to lift it up. Insert a pick or plastic card into the gap and slide it all the way around the back cover to peel it off completely.
- Unscrew the screws that hold the metal plate that protects the motherboard. Remove the metal plate by lifting it with a spatula or tweezers.
- Locate the home button, power button, or volume button on the motherboard. This is usually a small metal rectangle with a spring. Unplug the home button, power button, or volume button connector that connects the button to the motherboard. Be careful not to damage other components.
- Remove the home button, power button or volume button by lifting it with a spatula or tweezers. If it's stuck, lightly heat the button with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the glue holding it in place.
- Replace the home button, power button or volume button with a new button. Reconnect the button connector and stick it with special glue or double-sided tape.
- Put the metal plate back in place and screw it in place. Replace the back cover and clip or screw it. Turn on your smartphone and check that the home button, power button or volume button is working correctly.
What precautions should be taken before, during and after the repair?
Repairing your smartphone yourself is not a trivial operation. Certain precautions must be taken before, during and after the repair to avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are some tips to follow:
- Before starting the repair, make a backup of your personal data on a computer, USB stick or online storage service. This will help you avoid losing your contacts, photos, messages or applications in the event of a problem.
- During repair, work in a clean, dry, well-lit area. Use an anti-static mat or aluminum foil to place your smartphone to avoid electrostatic discharge. Store screws and parts in labeled boxes or bags to avoid losing or confusing them. Carefully follow the online tutorials or repair guides that match your smartphone model. Do not force the parts that resist and do not hesitate to ask for help if you get stuck.
- After the repair, test all the functions of your smartphone: touch screen, camera, sound, wifi, bluetooth, etc. If something doesn't work, make sure you've plugged in and secured the connectors and parts correctly. If the problem persists, contact customer service at the site or store where you purchased the spare parts. You may be able to receive an exchange or refund.
Conclusion
Repairing your smartphone yourself with spare parts is an economical, ecological and rewarding solution. But you have to be careful and careful not to aggravate the situation or damage your device. By following the steps and precautions that we have described in this article, you will be able to give a second life to your smartphone and take advantage of its features. Don't forget to make a backup of your data before starting the repair and test your smartphone after the repair.
