Broken mobile? All you need is a toothpick, hairdryer and bowl of rice!

The mobile phone has become an indispensable part of modern life.

So when it is damaged or no longer works, it can seem like a disaster, compounded by a repair bill of hundreds of euros.

Money Mail looks at how cheap a phone can be repaired.

All you need is a toothpick, nail polish, toothpaste, a hair dryer and a bowl of rice.

What to do if the screen is cracked

A cracked screen may look aesthetically unappealing, but it’s not a disaster if the phone works.

If the screen is lightly scratched, try rubbing toothpaste on it with a cloth. You can also use a mixture of two parts baking soda to one part water. With enough rubbing, the scratch may disappear.

If this doesn’t work, you can apply clear nail polish to the crack. Once dry, scrape off any excess.

You can also gently apply super glue along the crack – wipe off any excess glue with a paper towel to prevent the crack from getting worse and to make the screen more durable.

Use a hair dryer to fit a screen

If the screen is broken, you need to replace it.

You can buy a replacement kit from merchant websites such as eBay and Amazon for as little as £10, although £30 will get you a better quality screen.

The best screens are polished glass, with cheaper screens made of plastic.

Most kits include a screwdriver, tools for prying open the back of a phone, and suction cups for pulling the back cover off.

If you’re on a tight budget you can pick up a basic repair kit for £4, although you may have to buy the screen separately. Be careful as the screwdriver handles on cheap kits can break.

Matthew Perks runs DIY Perks on video channel YouTube. He says, “A few minutes with a hair dryer around the back of the phone – warming it up and softening the adhesive – may make it easier to take apart.”

Once the back cover is off, Perks says the battery and supporting wires must be disconnected before the screen can be replaced.

Other YouTube channels like iFixit, Adam Savage’s Tested, and JerryRigEverything also offer helpful help for anyone who enjoys a DIY challenge.

For those who prefer to pay an expert, expect to pay something between £50 and £300.

If the battery keeps dying

If your phone’s battery drains quickly after charging it, you need a new battery.

Removing the back cover of the phone is much the same as replacing the screen (see above).

But depending on the type of phone you have, you may need a special screwdriver to remove the battery.

For a Samsung phone, a small Phillips screwdriver will usually work, but Apple often requires a five-star “pentalobe.”

So on top of a basic phone repair kit, you might need to spend £5 on a dedicated screwdriver.

Budget £40 for a replacement battery. You can buy cheaper, but it won’t last as long.

YouTube videos are available again to help you. You can also learn through “right to repair” forums hosted by iFixit, the specialist repair website.

When a phone is not charging

If your phone won’t charge at all — and there’s nothing wrong with the charger — there may be lint in the phone’s charging port blocking the metal connection ends.

Turn the phone upside down and clean the port completely with a toothpick, tapping out any loose debris.

If the handset just dies

It’s happened to all of us. You pick up your phone and the screen is dead. What can you do but be furious?

First of all, don’t panic.

If the phone was charged before it played dead, turn it off and on again. If nothing happens, don’t despair – there are other tricks to clear software gremlins and bring your phone back to life.

If you have an iPhone, press the volume up button and then the volume down button. Then press and hold until your mobile (hopefully) comes back to life.

On an Android, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. If this doesn’t work, press and hold the power button again for 30 seconds while simultaneously pressing the volume down button. Your phone should reboot.

…and when all else fails

Your last chance is to reset your phone. But beware as that can erase data including photos and videos. Your SIM card, on which your contacts are stored, should remain unaffected.

Resetting your phone depends on the type of handset, but usually you go to the phone’s settings.

If your screen is frozen, you may be able to access the settings by connecting your phone to a computer, scrolling through the menu, and searching for the phone app.

Once found, click on the manage settings link and hit reset. Resetting the phone varies by model, but there are tutorial videos on YouTube that walk you through the process.

Check the manufacturer’s website for specific guidelines. If you’re nervous about repairing your mobile yourself, you can pay a repair specialist to do it for you, which can cost from £40.

Back up all information from your phone to a computer before resetting the phone.

If you have an iPhone, iTunes automatically backs up your device when you connect it to your computer. But you can also back up your device manually at any time.

Android phones use Google to back up data. Just connect your phone to a computer to see if data is already saved or needs to be saved.

Rice works on water damage

Acting quickly is the best way to deal with a phone that has been dropped in water or got wet from the rain.

First switch off the device and dry it.

Then submerge it in a food storage container full of uncooked rice and tighten the lid.

You need to leave it for 24 hours for the rice to absorb all the moisture from the phone.

David Price, editor of Macworld magazine, says, “Silica gel bags also work well.

You often get that with new items, such as handbags and electronic devices.’

You can also buy them online in packs of 25 for less than £3.

Be prepared for future problems

Bulletproofing the phone from scratch is probably the best long-term cost savings anyone can make. A £5 screen protector that adheres to the screen is a good first step.

But if you’re on a bigger budget, opt for a phone protector like Spigen Tough Armor (from £19, amazon.co.uk), Otterbox Symmetry (£30, otterbox.co.uk) or Mous Limitless (£55, uk). mouse.co).

But think before you act

Before you rip open your phone, check if it is under warranty for repairs.

These usually last a year from the date of purchase, but tampering with the phone will void the warranty.

Also check your home insurance. The phone may be covered against loss, theft and damage from fire or flood as standard, but you’ll need accidental damage cover if the handset breaks.

If damage is caused outdoors, additional coverage is necessary. Additional mobile phone cover can cost around £50 a year, but if you claim it can carry a large deductible.

t.walne@dailymail.co.uk