Troubleshooting your iOS device can be a tricky thing if you are technologically challenged. First and foremost, there aren’t many people out there who can actually repair your device. The feat of opening your iOS device, repairing the problem part and sealing it back up isn’t easy, and in most cases, causes something else to go wrong.
Unless it’s Apple, or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (like us) repairing your device, it’s likely they aren’t even using actual Apple parts, so the fit might be off or that touch screen you shattered might not be as sensitive as you are used to. Often, the service provider will actually replace the device rather than repair it.
For most iOS devices (iPhone excluded), we offer a program through Apple to replace your damaged or nonfunctional device at less than new cost. Unfortunately, for the time being, Apple requires everyone to call 1-800-MY-IPHON for help on iPhone-related issues, unless you are near a corporate Apple location.
When it comes to troubleshooting your iPad or iPod, you need to do a little investigating to figure out what is actually causing the problem. Is it an app or just the OS that triggers it?
If it’s an application, first remove the app and then reinstall it. If it’s a paid app it doesn’t mean you have to purchase it again; going into the App Store on your iOS device and looking under “Purchased” will display it, and if you have activated iCloud, your device will already know you’ve downloaded it before.)
If the problem is with the operating system, then there is only one thing you can do: restore your device back to factory settings. Make sure you back it up and run a sync before doing so (if you can), because it will remove everything from your device. Connect your iOS device to your computer with the latest version of iTunes. In the main screen under “Summary” there will be an option to “Restore iPod/iPad.” This is the option that erases it. Click it and follow the prompts.
If your iOS Device is unresponsive or is locked with a passcode, you will have to do what is called a “DFU” restore. To do a DFU restore, you must press and hold both the Home and Power buttons for about eight seconds. The screen will shut off, and before it comes back on, let go of the Power button while still holding the Home button. Your iPod/iPad will look like it is still off, but your computer will chime and say that it has detected a device in “recovery mode,” and ask if you would like to proceed. Click “yes” and follow the prompts.
For problems like freezing or app crashing, a soft reset might just be what you need, pressing and holding both Home and Power buttons for about ten seconds or until the Apple logo comes back on the screen. Then, release both buttons at the same time and let it start up normally.
If none of these troubleshooting steps have solved your problem, then you will have to come visit us and take advantage of our replacement program, because most likely something is wrong physically with the device. Please note that none of the steps above will fix a broken screen — you will have to skip to the last step and come visit us to get it replaced!