Cellphones and tablets, like iPads, have become essential parts of our everyday lives; from work and productivity to leisure and relaxation. We use them for communication, entertainment, payments, and preserving our most important memories and information. Whether your iPad won’t charge, or you dropped your iPhone in the pool; devices always seem to break or get damaged at the worst possible time.
Our ultimate guide walks you through how to troubleshoot the most common phone and tablet problems, what can be safely fixed at home, and, most importantly, when it’s time to seek professional help with your phone or tablet repair. We’ll also be clearing up some common repair myths that can actually make things worse!
Common iPad and other Tablet Problems and When Professional Repair is Recommended
Since the first iPad launched in 2010, it’s become a go-to device for many for both work and play. With frequent use comes routine wear and tear, as well as the occasional technical hiccup. While Apple has made self-repair more accessible in recent years, not every issue can be safely handled at home.
Cracked or Damaged Screens
A cracked or damaged screen is the most common complaint and one of the easiest to underestimate.
Your phone or iPad screen may need to be professionally repaired if:
- There are visible cracks or chips. Even small cracks can spread over time and allow dust or moisture to get inside your device and cause additional damage.
- Your screen is lifting. If the glass of your phone or tablet is separating from the body, the internal components are exposed and therefore at risk. Not to mention the fact that one of the most common causes of a lifting screen is a swollen battery which could explode and cause serious injury.
- There are touchscreen dead zones or lag. Unresponsive areas or delayed touch response is usually a sign of underlying damage and requires further investigation.
- You notice visual distortions or disruptions like flickering, discoloration, bright spots, dead pixels or similar. Issues like these can signal serious hardware damage and put you at risk of injury.
If your phone or tablet shows any of these signs of damage, it’s worth getting the screen professionally replaced. Doing so sooner rather than later can save you a more expensive and extensive repair later on.
Frozen or Unresponsive Screen
Sometimes a frozen screen is just a software-related glitch, and restarting your device is enough to fix it. When it's not, trust the professionals!
How to force restart an iPad/iPhone
- Restart your iPad
- Force restart (press and release Volume Up, press and release Volume Down, then hold the Power button until the Apple logo appears).
- Update iPadOS/iOS via Settings → General → Software Update.
Device Won't Charge
If your iPad or tablet isn't showing the charging symbol when plugged in, the issue could be external or internal.
Before booking a repair with Jump.ca, try:
- Switching wall outlets
- Avoiding USB ports that may not provide enough power
- Replacing the charging cable or wall adapter (cables fail more often than people realize, and luckily that's a quick and easy fix!)
If none of these steps work, the issue may be related to the charging port or the battery. One of our Apple authorized repair technicians can help you diagnose the issue and repair your device.
Not Holding A Charge/Battery Discharging Quickly
Running out of battery life quickly can be caused by software, apps running in the background, or by battery degradation. Before you replace your cellphone or tablet, try:
- Closing all your open apps and checking their battery usage in your device settings.
- Making sure your device is running the latest version of the operating system (and updating if it isn't).
As a last resort, try performing a factory reset of your device (but don't forget to backup your data first).
iPhone/Cellphone Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most stressful phone issues, and one of the most misunderstood. We're here to help debunk some of the most common water damage myths, and expose some of the "viral cellphone water damage repair hacks" that just don't work.
Putting your phone in rice
Rice removes only a small fraction of moisture and can leave water trapped inside. Grains can also get stuck in charging ports and speakers. Instead, start saving all the silica packets that come in shoe boxes, or just go out and buy some! Putting your waterlogged phone in an airtight container with these gel packets will draw out more moisture more effectively and more quickly with less risk involved!
Freezing the phone
As anyone who has ever dealt with Saskatoon cold can attest - freezing your phone is just an all-around bad idea. Cold temperatures cause condensation which increases internal moisture and corrosion. Water also expands as it freezes, so there are no benefits to ever putting your phone in the freezer.
Using a blow dryer
Using direct heat to try and dry out your phone may seem like a good idea. After all, it dries your hair, right? Unfortunately, direct heat like that can warp components, damage your battery, loosen adhesives, and even crack your screen!
Using isopropyl alcohol
You may have heard that cleaning the components of your phone with alcohol can help the water evaporate, but alcohol can dissolve adhesives, damage protective coatings, and corrode sensitive electronics.
What Actually Works After Water Exposure
At Jump.ca, whether you have an iPhone, a Samsung, or something else, one of our authorized repair technicians can open your phone safely, professionally dry and clean internal components and repair or replace any damaged parts including the display or battery. If you have AppleCare+, you may even qualify for a complete device replacement.
Preventing Water Damage
The best way to repair water damage is to prevent it from happening in the first place! Waterproof accessories, like Otterbox Fre Magsafe Series, provide additional protection against accidental spills, rain, and full submersion.
When You Need Professional Phone & Tablet Repair in Saskatchewan, You Need Jump.ca
As the largest Apple Authorised Service Provider in Saskatchewan, Jump.ca offers expert repair services in Saskatoon, Regina, and Moose Jaw, including:
- iPad screen and battery replacements
- iPhone water damage assessments
- Charging port and hardware repairs
- One-day turnaround on many common repairs
Our technicians are trained to repair Apple devices properly, and can also help if you're ready to upgrade to a new phone or tablet instead. Our repair expertise also extends beyond iPhones and iPads. Our technicians are equipped to diagnose and repair a wide range of smartphones and tablets, ensuring our customers have access to reliable, local service no matter what brand of device you rely on!