Gadget Rehab - how we manage your repair
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iMac Repairs • Apple iPad Repairs • Apple iPhone Repairs • Apple Macbook Repairs • Business News • Data Destruction • Data Recovery • DJ Equipment Repairs • Drone Repairs • Game Console Repairs • Gaming PC Repairs • Google Pixel Repairs • Headphone Repairs • Huawei Repairs • Laptop Repairs • Liquid Damage Repairs • Microsoft Surface Repairs • Microsoldering • Mobile Phone Repairs • Mobile Phone Trade In • Mobile Phone Unlocking • Other Repairs • PC Builds • PC Repairs • Quick Guide Price List • Samsung Galaxy Repairs • Software Support • Sony Xperia Repairs • Tablet Repairs • Tablets • Team • training / • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Repair management software – we have the best!

The Best Repair Management Software

We know how important your tech is to you and how quickly you need to have it back. That’s why we offer many same-day repairs where possible. Whatever you need in terms of repair, we always keep you up to date using dedicated software called RepairDesk. In this blog, we explain how we manage your repair with our repair management software.

How we manage your repair

RepairDesk*is designed specifically for tech repair specialists to enable professionals like us to keep our customers up to date. The advanced capability means that your updates are also in real-time. At Gadget Rehab, we have been operating this repair management software for eight years. This is key to how we manage your repair.

As a customer, your first experience with this software is when we book your repair. The ticketing system means you receive a unique ticket number. This allows us to allocate the right time, technician and completion date for your repair. We can also take a photo of your device before we start any work as a record for us and you. Which is saved to the software.

 

Creating a Repair Checklist

The next step is to create your repair checklist, which we also complete using the RepairDesk repair software. This checklist allows us and you to see the progress and status of your repair. The status changes as we go through the repair process. We will even email you at key stages of the process, so you know where we are.
Once the repair has been completed, you will receive a notification by email of its completion. This will be updated on your ticket and reflected on the job status. We also provide you with the option to sign digitally creating a record for both you and for us. This allows us to build a full history of our customer experience and a reference point for future appointments and repairs. At Gadget Rehab, how we manage your repair is the first step to building a positive customer experience.

 

Real-time reporting with RepairDesk

Internally the customer management software enables our team to view all our current work schedules and the allocation to technicians. By having this transparency of service, it means any one of our team members can let you know the status of your order. All information is stored securely, and notes are added if additional parts or work is required. For us, it is an essential part of our business. We use the software to manage all of our workflows and ensure we offer the very best levels of customer service.

This repair shop software was initially designed for those working in the mobile phone repair industry and so is the perfect fit for our business. Now, the software has grown in popularity and is used by repair professionals across many industries. Trade professionals using this software in addition to tech repair specialists include plumbers and electricians.

Try the software today!

Repair Managment Software

 

 

Do you work in a field that you feel would benefit RepairDesk?

In our opinion, the best repair management software is RepairDesk. Click here to give it a try today*.

Need a repair?

If you need a repair to your mobile phone, tablet, laptop, PC, Mac, drone or DJ equipment contact us to book your appointment or use our quote form.

 

*Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, whereby we may receive a commission on referring products and services. There is no extra cost to you but does help support our site and could entitle you to exclusive offers. We only recommend products and services we would use ourselves. All opinions expressed here are our own.

Is a cracked screen really that bad
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iPhone Repairs • Data Recovery • Mobile Phone Repairs • Mobile Phone Trade In • Other Repairs • Tablet Repairs / • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Is a cracked screen really that bad?

So, you have cracked the screen on your phone, but is it really that bad? The simple answer is, it could be. In this blog, we look at the issues surrounding a cracked screen.

Visible Damage

When you have a cracked screen, even if the damage looks small, the phone is at risk of further harm as the cracks can move further across your screen. The break will not repair itself and so will only get worse over time. Most at risk is the touch screen function which will stop responding. This is a sensitive area of the phone and may also indicate the damage has gone beyond the casing. Another indicator of internal damage are groups of pixels which are “dead” and look like misty blurs on the display. They can also look like dark or white patches. This will need specialist repair and should not be used until rectified by a qualified engineer.

The screen contains elements which are also responsible for the colours that you can see on your device. Cracks affect this functionality and so the overall look of the device will be changed and make some elements difficult to read. This is not the ideal situation when browsing, selecting images or looking at social media.

Screen Cracks

The cracks also create gaps within the surface of your phone which leaves the device at risk of bacteria and dirt developing within them. Not only is this unhealthy for you but can cause damage inside the phone or within the small elements such as wires. Moisture from the air or on your hands can create all sorts of problems with the navigation functions of your phone or can cause your phone to cut out completely.

Cracks on part of the screen can spread and splinter quickly creating a “web” across the device. This will make the phone unusable as well as increasing the possibility that some shards may come loose and cause scratches or cuts on your hands. If your phone has cracked in this pattern, then it needs to be repaired as soon as possible as the device and you are at risk of serious harm.

Our Advice

Overall, a cracked screen impacts on the enjoyment of your phone, making it difficult to read and communicate which not only slows your interaction but makes the phone more frustrating to use. This can cause eye strain as you try to de-code what you are trying to look at.

At Gadget Rehab, we have repaired many cracked mobile screens and work on all makes and models. We would advise you to get a cracked screen fixed as soon as possible, the process is simple and cost effective. Contact us to book your repair here.

Common iPad Problems
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iPad Repairs • Other Repairs / • • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Common iPad Problems

Apple does a great job of developing market leading products so much so that people refer to iPad as a general term for all tablets. But buying the market leader doesn’t guarantee an issue free experience. In this blog we outline the most common iPad problems.

Frozen Screen

A frozen screen can be very frustrating and hide a problem beneath, however, it could also be related to the device memory or an app or software issue. The simplest fix is to restart the machine by carrying out a force restart. This allows the machine to revert to a previous state and removes the problem conflicts.

If this doesn’t work, we recommend a system restore. We always recommend you regularly back up your device so that in the event of a system restore, you do not lose any data.

If the problem continues then it could be a hardware problem and that will need a technical repair.

Apps that Crash

Apps are continually being developed to ensure they meet the needs of the user and depending on your settings will be automatically updated when new versions are released. However, some updates can cause conflicts and can crash or freeze when opened. If a device restart doesn’t solve the problem, we would advise you to force stop the app and try and re-open it. If the app still crashes, then the only solution is to uninstall and re-install the app from the app store.

 

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Charging Problems

If your iPad is failing to charge, then there is a process of checks you can do to find the source of the problem. Firstly, check if the charging icon is visible when the charger is plugged in to a socket. If the icon is visible, then there is an issue with the battery itself.

Try a different charger although always make sure it is an appropriate charger for the device. If a different charger doesn’t work, then it is best to bring the device to a qualified tech repair centre.

Slow Running Device

If your iPad is beginning to run slower than usual, check how many applications you have running. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and close the apps that are open or running.

We would also recommend you check the storage in your settings. You will need at least 2GB of free space for your iPad to operate efficiently. To create more storage space, delete files you longer need, clear your cache and browsing history and uninstall apps that you no longer use or need.

If the problem persists then a system reset could also solve the problems, but like before any reset, you will need to make sure all data is backed up.

If you need help with any iPad problem, then contact the team at Gadget Rehab, we can offer advice over the phone or alternatively make an appointment for one of our engineers to review your device.

 

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Gadget Rehab Team Member Dan Tilley
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iPhone Repairs • Business News • Other Repairs • Team / • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Get to know the Gadget Rehab Team – Dan Tilley

For this "Get to know the Gadget Rehab Team" blog it is the turn of our Motherboard Technician/Head Technician Dan Tilley.

How long have you worked at Gadget Rehab?
5 Years as of November 2021

What is your specialist area of expertise?
Advanced repairs of electronics such as smartphones and laptops.

Describe your typical day at Gadget Rehab
Firstly, I prepare the devices and tickets that are assigned to me for that day so that I know should anymore be coming in I have the capacity to do so. Once prepared I then complete the tasks for the devices such as a screen replacement on a smartphone or a diagnostic on a laptop. For each ticket I will update any relevant notes and update the customers whether the device is ready or if we then have a quote for the repair. I may also assist with seeing to customers when they drop off or collect if our sales assistant is with another customer. During the day I will also order any parts that are required so that we are stocked and ready for any booked repairs that are upcoming. At the end of the day all my tickets would then be up to date. This means that either the task is complete, and the device(s) are ready to collect, or the customer has been updated if we require approval to continue with a repair or more information on the issues that they were having.

What do you enjoy most about working with electronics?
I would have to say that it’s because there is so many devices now and there is always something new coming out it brings on new challenges. It’s exciting how far these gadgets have come in the last 10 years and where we could be in the next 10.

What is the most complicated repair you have carried out?
There is quite a few! However, it must be a MacBook I repaired that was a newer model which has integrated storage and the customer needed the data. The board had suffered some liquid damage and we did not have any spare components and we could not source each of them, so we had to source another board in order to diagnose and repair it. Once I was able to identify the failed components, I could then use the donor board to get this working or at least powered so that we could back up the customer data for them. Fortunately, I did get this up and running so that the data was saved.

What is the strangest tech request you have ever had?

There is a few, but the most recent one from memory was a customer asking us to repair their broken iPhone SE 2020 camera by swapping with the one from their iPhone 6. Not only are the cameras completely different in specification but also the connectors would not fit if we tried.

Do family and friends always ask you questions about tech?
Yes, of course. At least once a week I am asked something technical, it could be something as simple as one of my parents asking how to send a document on their email. I also get asked now and again by friends quite technical questions whether it is computer or gaming related.

Are you Apple or Android?
Apple. For me personally it is because it’s what I am used to now. However, both Android and iOS have come so far and are very easy to use now.

What will be your next tech purchase?
I recently upgraded the graphics card in my personal computer and so the next purchase would probably be adding some RAM to upgrade it to 32GB of memory. The next gadget however may be an iPad or laptop as I would like something more portable but is bigger than my phone.

Which tech product would you put in room 101 and why?
The Samsung Fold or Flip phones as the repairability is near impossible and very costly. I like the idea of them, but they just aren’t good in my opinion.

If you would like to contact Dan or anyone else in the Gadget Rehab team click here.

A woman with iphone camera issues
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iPhone Repairs • Mobile Phone Repairs / • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Are you experiencing iphone camera problems?

If you have an iphone you know the camera quality is exceptional, so you also know how frustrating it is when the camera just won’t work. So, if you are experiencing iphone camera problems, read on.

Camera Lens

Firstly, the obvious reason you are experiencing iphone camera problems is the camera lens is covered or blocked. Make sure it isn’t being masked by a case or cover or even your hand when you are taking a photo. We know this may sound patronising but you would be surprised how many times it happens!

Restrictions

Your first thought might be that it is a hardware issue preventing the camera from functioning properly, but it could simply be down to permissions. The first thing here to check are the restrictions. To navigate to this menu visit settings, then general restrictions and ensure the camera icon is turned on and highlighted green.

Reset the Device

Not fixed it?, don’t panic yet. The next thing to try is resetting your device. In settings, navigate to general and then select “reset” from the menu. This should clear any unwanted content from apps and cookies from the phone acting like a detox for your device. Furthermore, at this point, it is also a good time to check for system updates and install them if you are using a previous version and remember to back up your phone before resetting it to prevent loss of data.

Hardware Problem

Finally, if none of these fixes work, then it is likely you do have a hardware issue preventing your iphone camera from working, and that is where we come in.

At Gadget Rehab we have been repairing iphones for almost ten years and have seen almost every camera problem there is. Our highly trained and experienced technicians can work on any model of iphone to repair the damaged camera including:

• iPhone 5S
• iPhone 6
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6S
• iPhone 6S Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE
• iPhone SE (2nd gen)
• iPhone X
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max

Find out More

Details of all our iphone repair services and pricelists are available on our website at www.gadgetrehab.co.uk

Call us today to find out more or to book your phone in for repair. We offer a quick service so that you can get back to your apps as soon as possible.

Mobile phone with lots of apps
By Lindsay Burnham / Mobile Phone Repairs / • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

How to free up storage space on your phone

You’ve bought your phone because it has a great camera but have you considered the storage space needed for all the photographs you’ll take? Storage on both an iphone and an android device seems to be a continual problem. The combination of photographs and apps, message attachments and upgrades can all contribute to the reduction in your phone’s storage space. This blog post provides you with hints and tips on how to free up storage space on your phone.

To check your phone storage, visit settings. This will give you an overview of where the main culprits are. From here you can delete unused apps and games and review photos and files.

If there are photos that you just can’t get rid of, then back them up using an external storage provider. Icloud, Dropbox, Google Drive or One Drive are all good options and simple to still access directly from your phone.

We would also recommend you delete unnecessary data and clear the cache from your apps. Apps build this in the background and whilst not a huge drain on your storage, it can add up and deleting the cache will free up some space to use for more important items.

Check the settings of your messaging apps. Some, such as Whatsapp, automatically save images, gifs and videos in your gallery. Check what you need to keep and delete what you don’t. Check your message quantity too as deleting old messages will also improve storage capacity.

If there are apps that you don’t want to remove or simply can’t because they came pre-installed with your phone, you can disable them. Disabling apps improves the storage space on your phone and is an “easy win” for quickly freeing up some space. It is often surprising just how many apps you have especially considering the average user installs two apps a week!

Just like on your laptop or computer you rack up a browsing history on your phone. Clear your browsing history and check your downloads. If you have downloaded documents or images from a website then they are also taking up valuable space on your phone. PDFs, video files and audio are large files and can remain in your downloads long after you have viewed them. Podcasts will also stay in your downloads until deleted and can be very large files. Check the download folder regularly to make sure you only keep what you need.

If you are still experiencing issues with storage on your mobile phone or any other problem, make an appointment with us at Gadget Rehab.

One of our engineers will be able to look at your phone and find the root cause of the issue. Call us today on 01494534008 or contact us.

Low Battery Life
By Lindsay Burnham / Apple iPhone Repairs • Mobile Phone Repairs / • • • • • • • • • • / 0 Comments

Are you experiencing battery life issues on your phone?

If you are experiencing the fast draining of your phone battery, it could be for various reasons. Spending time scrolling, liking, and taking pictures all takes a toll on the battery life of our phones. There are things however we can do to maximise the battery life and extend the time between phone charging.

We would always recommend you use an original charger, avoid overheating your phone and always keep your apps and system current by updating to the latest version when notified.

The first step to sorting the problem is to get the facts by checking your battery usage. On an android phone this is by going to settings, device care and then battery. Here you will be able to see the status of your phone and how your battery is being used, next you should carry out the following checks:

1. Phone Display
The brightness of your screen affects your battery use, so we recommend you set it at a low level. You can then adjust the brightness when you need it rather than always having it at a higher level. Next, check the length of time before your display goes into sleep mode and make sure it is on the shortest time setting. Making sure your phone display is not live for longer than it needs to be can save you some battery.

2. Phone Sounds and Notifications
Having keyboard sounds active so that you can hear taps or vibrations when you are using your phone drains the battery. Turn off keyboard sounds and vibrations and make sure your notification settings are for active apps only.

3. Apps
Apps are the greatest offender for battery use, but we also know they are the most convenient functions of your phone, so only have those you use set to active and uninstall apps that you don’t use. For the apps which you use often but drain a lot of battery power, check the notification settings, and reduce the frequency to a low level.

As apps are updated often, it is also advisable to check apps that continue to run in the background and change the settings to ensure only necessary functions remain active.

Some apps have location services active which run continuously and use the battery. Check this setting on all your apps and amend accordingly. Most location services run to send you localised ads and therefore will not affect the performance of the app.

If your phone offers you a “dark mode” for apps this will also reduce battery use and can make it easier to read text.

4. Connectivity
If you use your phone in the car, chances are you have your Bluetooth always set to active. Check this setting and only activate it when needed to prevent unnecessary battery usage.

If you have tried all of the above and are still experiencing battery issues, then we can help. Call us today on 01494 534008 to book an appointment for us to investigate the issue or contact us.