Popular DIY Phone Repair Myths Debunked

In a time when our smartphones are our constant companions, it's hard to imagine life without them. But what happens when our phones fall victim to a mishap? In our quest to salvage our beloved device and desire to save on repairs, we often turn to the internet for quick fixes, coming across various DIY solutions. Many of them are less effective than they claim to be and sometimes can do more harm than good. From using toothpaste on a cracked screen to putting a wet phone in rice, let's debunk some of the most popular DIY phone repair myths and see why they are neither reliable nor safe.

Can toothpaste fix a cracked screen?

You've probably stumbled upon this DIY hack while searching for a quick fix for your cracked phone screen. The idea is that toothpaste, with its mild abrasive properties, can buff out minor scratches and cracks on your phone screen, making it almost as smooth as new. While it may seem plausible in theory, the reality is far less magical.

Toothpaste is designed for your teeth, not your smartphone screen. It may temporarily disguise minor scratches but is ineffective for fixing cracks. Moreover, rubbing toothpaste on a cracked screen can actually worsen the damage rather than fix it and cause the screen to become hazy. So, don't count on toothpaste to magically erase those scratches or cracks and make your screen smooth. If you want to fix your cracked screen, skip the "toothpaste hack" that clearly doesn't work and leave the repairs to a professional.

Can nail polish fix a cracked screen?

When faced with a pesky crack on your phone screen, you might be tempted to explore another unconventional solution like nail polish. The idea behind this DIY hack is to apply a layer of clear nail polish over the cracks to fill in the gaps and fix the screen. But does this beauty product have any place in phone repairs? Not really.

While nail polish might seem like a quick and convenient fix for a cracked screen, it's a temporary band-aid solution at best and a potential disaster at worst. Applying nail polish to your phone screen can introduce foreign substances that may interfere with touch sensitivity or cause discoloration and further damage. Again, instead of resorting to makeshift solutions like nail polish that will not solve anything, save yourself the trouble and consider professional repair services for cracked screens.

Can rice really save a wet phone?

We've all heard the age-old advice of putting a water-damaged phone in a bowl of uncooked rice, hoping for the best. The idea is that rice can miraculously draw out moisture from a soaked device and revive it. But does this pantry staple have the power to resurrect your wet phone?

While it's true that rice can somewhat absorb moisture, it's far from an effective solution for a water-damaged phone. Not only that it cannot soak all the moisture gathered deep inside the phone, but leaving your device buried in rice can even make things worse. The tiny particles of rice can find their way into ports and crevices, causing further complications. Even phone manufacturers like Apple are advising against using rice to dry your phone. If your phone takes an unexpected dive, power it off immediately, tap it gently against your hand to remove excess liquid, and then leave it to air dry. If this doesn't do the trick, it's best to seek professional assistance.

Can I use a hairdryer to dry my wet phone?

When your phone suffers liquid damage, panic usually sets in, and you're left scrambling for a solution. Some might consider using a hairdryer to evaporate the moisture and save their beloved device. But is this a safe and effective approach? Not at all.

While it might seem logical to blast your waterlogged phone with warm air from a hairdryer, this is extremely risky, and you should avoid it at any cost. Exposing your device to excessive heat can damage delicate components, including the battery, circuitry, and internal wiring. Additionally, the hot air from the hairdryer can push moisture deeper into the phone, exacerbating the damage. Major phone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung also advise against using external heat sources to dry your phone. It's best to allow the phone to air dry or consult a professional for water damage repair.

Can I dry my wet phone in the oven?

The internet is filled with anecdotes of users attempting to dry out their water-damaged phones by popping them into the oven at a low temperature. But before you preheat your appliance, let's examine the potential risks involved.

Subjecting your phone to heat from an oven or any other high-temperature source can be a recipe for disaster. Smartphones are intricate pieces of technology with sensitive components that can easily be damaged by heat. Excessive heat can warp plastic parts, melt adhesives, damage internal components, or even cause the battery to explode. It's a risk you don't want to take. Stick to safer methods like air-drying or taking your phone for repairs.

Can I put my overheating phone in the fridge to cool it down?

If your phone starts overheating, it's natural to seek a quick solution to cool it down. Some people swear by the fridge/freezer method, claiming that briefly exposing the device to low temperatures is a good idea. But is it?

Placing your phone in the fridge or freezer is not recommended, so you shouldn't even consider doing this. Sudden exposure to cold temperatures can cause condensation inside the phone, potentially damaging sensitive internal components. Furthermore, rapid temperature changes can lead to thermal shock, causing irreparable damage to the device's circuitry, display, or battery. If your phone is overheating, turn it off and let it cool down naturally in a well-ventilated area. In the event of persistent overheating, addressing the underlying cause is essential rather than resorting to drastic measures like the fridge or freezer.