Repair or replace your phone: questions to ask before buying

A faulty phone does not tell its whole story through one symptom. Before replacing it, find out what is wrong and what it would cost to fix. International Repair Day takes place on Saturday 17 October 2026; this Friday’s extra uses the occasion to examine how we decide which devices to keep. International Repair Day.

From symptom to diagnosis

Repair means fixing a fault. One concrete example is Apple’s battery replacement service, which involves inspecting the device to determine a quote. A new battery cannot be promised to solve every problem. Describe what happens, when it started and when it recurs, and ask for an explanation of the cause. Apple.

An example: comparing ease of repair

The European smartphone and tablet label includes a repairability class from A to E, with A indicating easier repair. It is a reference associated with the EU market, not a worldwide certification or a promise about repair prices. It adds a useful question when choosing a model: how straightforward will it be to repair? Comisión Europea.

What to ask a repairer

Request a written quote including the full cost, the proposed part, the timescale and the warranty offered. Ask whether the repair addresses the diagnosed fault or whether there is other damage. Compare the expense with replacement and the functions you actually need. This checklist is an editorial suggestion, not a universal savings rule.

How to make a backup

On iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi and open Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Wait for completion and check the date and time of the latest backup. On Android with Google services, the reference path is Settings → Google → All services → Backup → Back up now; labels vary by model. Review which categories and apps are included. Apple Google.

Check what you can recover

Before erasing, check important photos, contacts and documents at their destination or on the new device where possible. Review individual apps’ backup or transfer options, including chats and authenticators. Not every app saves all its data in the general backup. Make sure you can access your accounts without relying solely on the phone you will hand over. Google.

If the phone is going for repair

Follow the manufacturer’s preparation instructions. Do not hand over account passwords or your personal passcode; if a test requires them, enter them yourself and remain present. Eligible Pixel phones offer a repair mode that limits access to personal information, but a backup is still needed: some repairs may require data to be erased. Not every model offers this feature. Also ask for a receipt identifying the phone and the authorised work. Apple Google Pixel.

If you sell, give away or recycle it

Confirm the backup or transfer first. On iPhone, follow the official sign-out and unlinking guide, then use Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings. On Android, remove accounts from the device following its manufacturer’s guide and perform a factory data reset through Settings. Removing the Google Account from the phone turns off device protection for the transfer; it does not delete your Google Account. The exact reset path varies. Apple Google Google.

Other checks before handover

Remove the physical SIM and microSD card, if present. If keeping an eSIM line, transfer it or arrange it with your network provider before erasing its profile from the old phone. Wait for erasure to finish and the initial setup screen to appear; do not enter your data again. Manually deleting photos is not a substitute and can also delete synced copies from the cloud. If the phone will not start or you cannot confirm erasure, do not assume it is clean: consult the manufacturer or a specialist data and electronics recycling service. Apple Google.

Disposal depends on your local area

Collection rules and facilities vary by country and local authority. Consult the environmental authority or local waste service and confirm it accepts phones and batteries. For example, the US EPA directs people to facilities in their state or community, while GOV.UK offers council searches for England and Wales. These references are not legal instructions for every country. Keep devices containing lithium-ion batteries out of household rubbish and ordinary recycling bins, and follow the authorised collection point’s guidance. Erasing data and handling the physical waste are separate steps. EPA GOV.UK.

Decide with an expected result in mind

Repair makes sense when the diagnosis, quote and your intended use justify it. If you choose replacement, consider spare parts availability when selecting the next device. The question goes beyond the cost of the fix: it also concerns what you will be able to keep doing with the phone afterwards.