9 ways to fix your iPhone with common household items

Minor problems can be solved at home with stuff you already have lying around

Why go for expensive repairs when you can use items lying around your house to fix whatever has gone wrong with your iPhone or Mac?

Over the past 8 years, Apple users have found all sorts of clever hacks to fix your iPhone without going out and buying pricey parts or accessories. Some hacks can even make your iPhone better than it was out of the box.

Here are 9 DIY solutions to try the next time you face issues with your phone:



1. TouchID

If your TouchID isn’t working right or feels sticky, then just use a Q-tip with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and your home button will be as good as new.



2. If your phone charges slowly

If your phone takes a long time to charge, then chances are that lint is packed into the corners and sides of the lightning charging port. Use a toothpick to remove all the dirt from it.

This is how much lint was removed from a single iPhone Photo: Stephen Tweedie via Independent



3. Earpiece

If you feel that that your earpiece isn’t working properly and sounds like it is too quiet, then Apple suggests you use a “brush to gently clear any debris from the speaker”. However, you can also use a pencil eraser to rub over your speaker's grill to clear out the dirt.

4. Speakerphone

If you feel you can’t hear clearly through your speakerphone, then just place it in a bowl to amplify the sound.

Photo: M. Woodruff/Business Insider

5. iPhone cord

If you are worried that your phone’s cord will fray, then use a spring from an old pen to prevent this from happening.





6. iPhone stand

You don’t need to buy a dock to stand-up your phone. A basic binder clip or two can make a great stand.

Photo: Flickr/Rich Sipe via Independent

You can also make an iPhone stand with an cut up credit card or cardboard.

https://youtu.be/qtbPvwM9fE8

7. Stylus

You can make your own stylus by using an old pen, a sponge, and some chewed gum.





8. If you’ve wet your iPhone

You may probably have heard people say that if you wet your iPhone, you should place it in bin of rice. Here’s something even better. Save the bags of silica that come with new shoes and use them to dry your iPhone.





9. Changing your SIM

Just use a paper clip if you need to remove or switch your SIM in you iPhone, according to Apple.

PHOTO: APPLE

This article originally appeared on Independent.