Category: Repair Guides

Quick answer: If your phone gets wet: power it off, don’t plug it in, dry the outside, skip the rice, and get it to a repair shop fast. Water damage is a race against corrosion — the sooner it’s professionally cleaned, the better the odds of saving it.

Dropped your phone in the sink, the toilet, or a pool? Don’t panic — but do move quickly. Here are the first five steps that give your device its best chance.

The first 5 steps

1. Get it out and power it off. Leaving it on risks a short circuit.
2. Do not charge it. Putting power through a wet phone can cause more damage.
3. Dry the outside and gently shake water from the ports. Remove a case and SIM tray if you can.
4. Skip the rice. Rice is a myth — it doesn’t pull moisture from inside and just wastes precious time.
5. Bring it in fast. Professional cleaning removes corrosion before it spreads.

Why speed matters

Water leaves behind minerals that corrode tiny components within hours to days. The faster we can open, clean, and dry your device, the better the chance of recovery. Waiting “to see if it works” is the most common reason a phone can’t be saved.

What we do — and an honest answer

We disassemble, clean, and assess water-damaged iPhones, Samsungs, tablets, and laptops. If it can be saved, we’ll fix it; if it can’t, we’ll tell you straight — and you can sell it to us for parts rather than lose everything. Either way, ask us about data recovery for your photos. See our device repair services.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first with a water-damaged phone?

Power it off, don’t charge it, dry the outside, and bring it in fast. The sooner we clean it, the better the odds.

Does rice work for water damage?

Not really—rice is a myth that wastes precious time. Professional cleaning gives a far better chance of recovery.

Can a water-damaged phone be saved?

Sometimes, if you act quickly. We assess honestly and tell you whether it’s worth repairing.

Quick answer: If your phone won’t charge, the culprit is usually a dirty or damaged charging port, a worn cable, or a tired battery. Before you panic, try a different cable — and if it still won’t charge, a charging port repair is an affordable fix we do same-day.

“My phone won’t charge” is one of the most common problems we hear at our Terre Haute shop. The good news is it’s usually inexpensive to fix once we find the real cause.

Try this first

• Swap the cable and charger. Frayed cables are the #1 cause of charging trouble.
• Check the port for lint. Pockets pack lint into the port; gently inspect it (don’t jab metal in there).
• Restart the phone. A quick reboot rules out a software hiccup.

If none of that works, the port itself likely needs cleaning or replacing.

Charging port repair, explained

Charging ports wear out from thousands of plug-ins or get damaged by debris and bent connectors. We can professionally clean a clogged port or replace a failed one — a moderate, affordable repair, usually done the same day. We’ll diagnose the exact cause first so you’re not paying for the wrong fix.

Sometimes it’s the battery

If your phone charges slowly or only to a point, the battery may be the real issue — see iPhone battery replacement. Either way, we’ll tell you honestly what’s going on. Browse our smartphone repair services, all backed by a 90-day warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my phone charge?

Often it’s a dirty or damaged charging port, a bad cable, or a worn battery. We diagnose the real cause before quoting a fix.

Can a charging port be repaired?

Yes—charging ports can usually be cleaned or replaced. Try a different cable first, then bring it in if it still won’t charge.

How much does charging port repair cost?

It’s a moderate, affordable repair; we’ll confirm the price after a quick diagnosis.

Quick answer: Yes — cracked iPhone back glass can be repaired. Newer iPhones use fused back glass that takes special equipment to replace, which many shops won’t touch. iValue has the tools to do it, and we’ll quote your exact model before any work.

Shattered the back of your iPhone? It looks rough, but it’s fixable — and worth fixing if the rest of the phone still works. Here’s what to know.

Why back glass repair is trickier than a screen

On iPhone 8 and newer, the rear glass is bonded to the frame with strong adhesive, so it can’t simply be unclipped. Proper removal uses controlled heat or laser equipment to avoid damaging the internals. That’s why some shops decline back glass jobs — but it’s a repair we handle.

Is back glass repair worth it?

• Looks and feel: restores your phone to like-new condition
• Resale and trade-in value: a clean back is worth more if you sell or upgrade later
• Protection: exposed internals and sharp glass edges are a hazard

If your camera and charging still work, repairing the back glass is far cheaper than replacing the phone. If you’re upgrading anyway, remember we also buy iPhones in various conditions.

Often paired with other repairs

Back glass damage frequently comes with a cracked front screen or a tired battery. We can handle everything in one visit — see iPhone screen repair cost and iPhone battery replacement. All repairs use brand-name parts and carry our 90-day warranty.

Frequently asked questions

Can you repair iPhone back glass?

Yes. Newer iPhones use fused back glass that takes special equipment to replace—we have it, and we’ll quote your model up front.

Is back glass repair worth it?

If the camera or charging still work, repairing the back glass restores looks and resale value for far less than a new phone.

How long does back glass repair take?

It varies by model; we’ll give you a clear timeline when you bring it in.

Quick answer: If your phone otherwise works and isn’t ancient, repairing a cracked screen is almost always cheaper and smarter than replacing the whole phone. Replacement only makes sense when the device is very old, needs several costly fixes, or no longer gets updates.

A cracked screen feels like a disaster, but it’s rarely a reason to buy a new phone. Here’s how to make the call with a clear head.

When to repair

• The phone powers on and works aside from the cracked glass
• It’s a model from roughly the last 4–5 years
• You’re happy with the phone and just want it fixed
• You want to keep your data, photos, and apps exactly as they are

In these cases a screen replacement costs a fraction of a new phone. See typical pricing in our iPhone screen repair cost and Samsung screen repair cost guides.

When to consider replacing

• The phone is very old and already slow or unsupported
• It needs multiple expensive repairs at once
• It no longer receives security updates

Even then, you have options — we buy working and broken phones, so your cracked device can put cash toward the next one. More on that decision in repair or upgrade your phone?

Don’t keep using a badly cracked screen

Cracks can cut your fingers, let in dust and moisture, and spread over time — sometimes into the display itself, which makes the repair bigger. Fixing it promptly is cheaper and safer. We replace iPhone, Samsung, and most Android screens with brand-name parts; browse our smartphone repair services.

Frequently asked questions

Should I repair or replace a cracked phone?

If the phone is otherwise working and not ancient, repairing the screen is usually the smarter, cheaper choice. We’ll help you decide honestly.

Can a deeply cracked screen still be repaired?

Usually yes—even shattered screens can typically be replaced, as long as the internal display and frame aren’t badly damaged.

Is it safe to keep using a cracked screen?

It’s risky—cracks can cut fingers, let in moisture, and spread. It’s best to fix it promptly.

Quick answer: An iPhone battery replacement is one of the most affordable repairs you can get — usually done in under an hour — and it brings an aging iPhone back to all-day life for a fraction of the cost of a new phone. It won’t erase any of your data.

If your iPhone dies by mid-afternoon or shuts off when it still says 30%, the battery — not the phone — is probably the problem. A swap is cheap, fast, and one of the highest-value repairs we do in Terre Haute.

Signs you need a new iPhone battery

• It drains fast or dies long before bedtime
• Sudden shutdowns at 30–40% charge
• The screen or back is bulging (a swollen battery — bring it in promptly)
• It only stays on while plugged in
• Settings → Battery → Battery Health shows maximum capacity below ~80%

What it costs and how long it takes

Battery replacement is one of our most budget-friendly repairs and usually takes under an hour. The exact price depends on your model, and we’ll confirm it before any work. Best of all, replacing the battery does not erase your photos, apps, or settings.

Repair or upgrade?

If your iPhone otherwise works fine, a fresh battery is far cheaper than a new phone and instantly fixes the most common complaint. If you’re weighing a bigger decision, see repair or upgrade your phone? Got a cracked screen too? We can do both at once — here’s iPhone screen repair cost.

Explore our full iPhone repair services, all backed by our 90-day warranty and brand-name parts.

Frequently asked questions

How much is an iPhone battery replacement?

It’s one of our most budget-friendly repairs and usually takes under an hour. We’ll quote your exact model up front.

How do I know if my iPhone needs a new battery?

Watch for fast draining, shutdowns at 30–40%, swelling, or ‘Battery Health’ below ~80% in Settings.

Will a new battery erase my data?

No. A battery replacement doesn’t touch your photos, apps or settings.

Quick answer: The cost to repair an iPhone screen depends mostly on your model — older LCD iPhones are the cheapest, while newer OLED and Pro models cost more. Whatever you have, repairing the screen is almost always far cheaper than buying a new phone, and iValue gives you a firm quote up front.

A cracked iPhone screen is the most common repair we see at our Terre Haute shop. The good news: it’s usually quick, affordable, and keeps your phone (and all your data) exactly as it is. Here’s what drives the price and how to get the best value.

What affects iPhone screen repair cost

• Your model. Older iPhones with LCD screens are the least expensive. Newer iPhones use OLED displays, and Pro models cost more to repair.
• Screen vs. full assembly. Sometimes only the glass is damaged; other times the display underneath needs replacing too.
• Extra damage. If the crack also affected the frame, camera, or Face ID, that can change the repair.

Because prices vary so much by model, the only accurate number is a real quote. Text a photo of your iPhone or use our instant quote tool and we’ll tell you exactly what it costs — no surprises.

Repair or replace? Usually repair

A screen replacement is a fraction of the cost of a new iPhone, and you keep your photos, apps, and settings untouched. Unless your phone is very old or has other major problems, repairing is the smart, budget-friendly choice. We dig into that decision in cracked screen: repair or replace? and is it worth repairing your old phone?

Why repair with iValue

We use brand-name parts (never cheap knockoffs), most screen repairs are done the same day while you wait, and every repair is backed by our 90-day warranty. See our full iPhone repair services.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to fix an iPhone screen?

It depends on the model—newer iPhones with OLED displays cost more than older LCD models. We give you a firm, no-surprise quote before any work; text a photo or use our instant quote tool.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a cracked iPhone?

Almost always cheaper to repair. A screen replacement is a fraction of the price of a new iPhone, and you keep all your data and apps.

How long does an iPhone screen repair take?

Most screen repairs are done the same day, often while you wait.