Have you been searching Google trying to find out how to unlockSamsung galaxy s9 handsets? Luckily for you, you’ve come to the right place because this handy, comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know. No matter what network you’re on, how long you’ve owned your handset, or where you live in the worldyou’ll be able to find all the expert hints and tips you need to free your s9 right here.

How to unlock Samsung galaxy s9 handsets and break free

Network locking is so annoying because it basicallyrestricts how you can use your handset over its entire lifetime. Why? Carriers want you to stay with them for the long haul, and strike deals with phone manufacturers like Samsung and Apple. And that is what prevents you from quickly changing networks.

The upshot of this is that the carriers know that you’re locked in and so can offer you uncompetitive packages that you’re forced to pay for month after month. Today we’re going to talk you through everything you need to know to put a stop to these types of practices.

To unlock Samsung galaxy s9 handsets, there are a few things that you need to know right from the get-go. Work your way through these three simple steps to check that you have everything you need to get started:

1. Do you owe your network provider any money? If you do, then I politely suggest you pay it because you’ll be going nowhere fast if you don’t.
2. If you’ve bought your handset secondhand, then it’s vital that you make sure it’s not been tampered with, used illegally, or is stolen. If it is, then reportit to the authorities immediately otherwise, you may get into serious trouble.
3. Check the terms and conditions of your network provider thoroughly. They may not be the most transparent or gripping things to read, but there’s a reason we’re starting here. The first port of call is always to ask your network provider if they’ll unlock your handset. That way you can get someone else to do the hard work for you.

Now that you’ve worked through those 3-quick steps you’re ready to push ahead with your Samsung galaxy s9 unlockby becoming acquainted with the IMEI number.

DirectUnlockwill need your IMEI Number

When you want to know how to unlock galaxy s9 handsets, you’re going to run into the term ‘IMEI number’over and over again. To make sure you’re up to speed make sure you read the following definition:

Your IMEI number is your handset’s unique identifier. It’s like a digital fingerprint that tells Samsung everything there is to know about your device. Storage, model, color, date of manufacture, even whether it is locked or unlocked.

That last bit is precisely why it’s so important.

Finding the IMEI Number

Given how crucial your IMEI number is it’s lucky that it’s so easy to find. Here’s how you can discover yours so that you can power through and determinethe best way to unlock your handset:

1. Turn on your S9
2. Dial: *#06#
3. Note down the 15 digit IMEI codethat will be displayedon your home screen

It really is that simple, and because you can dial it anytime, you’ll be able to double-check that you’ve used the correct 15 digit code if you run into issues at any point. All you have to do is give this to DirectUnlock , and they’ll take care of everything.

That said, if you want to look at the alternatives here they are:

Unlocking Your Phone By Approaching Your Network Provider – Slow, Unreliable

When someone asks us how to unlock galaxy S9 handsets, one option is to contact your network provider. The critical thing to remember here is that they want to keep you as a customer and they’re a massive organization with mountains of bureaucracy. That means that if they wantto make things difficult and drag out the process, then it will be quite easy for them to do so.

At the end of the day,they don’t want to lose your business, and they’ll try a few tricks to make sure you don’t just walk away.

Contacting your provider is not always the guaranteed route to an unlocked handset that you’d think it would be at first, but it’s still worth a good go. Read the next section for a few hints and tips from the pros on how to approach things.

Or you could save yourself time and a bunch of time on hold and justgo with DirectUnlock…

How to Contact Your Network Provider 

We said above they want to keep you which means it may be a drawn out and time-consuming process. There are also some scenarios in which they’re not obliged to hand over the 8-digit code that will free you from their network. To give yourself the best possible chance of getting a positive result follow these three simple pointers:

1. Ask for the name of the person on the other end of the phone before the call finishes.
2. Take notes and keep them in a safe place so you can refer back to them during your next call or email with the provider.
3. Ensure you always ask for a realistic timeframe for the next action to take place within. If deadlines slip then don’t be shy about chasing people on the phone or via email. Plus, always ask for the person who you spoke to last. Thisis where the first two points will reallyhelp you out!

The Unlocking Process: If you receive an unlock code from your network

This is the dream scenario, and even though it’s not a guarantee, we want to talk you through every step of this approach before looking at more advanced options.

If you can get your provider to unlock your handset, then that’s brilliant, and you’ve made the simple approach work for you. They’ll be able to tell you how long it will take to send the code to your handset if it’s something they’re willing to do.

Once you receive it here’s what you need to do:

1. Power off your s9 and remove the existing SIM card(don’t throw it away though in case something has gone wrong with the unlock and you still need it).
2. Power your phone back on and when prompted enter the 8 digit unlock code your carrier has provided.
3. Power off your S9, insert the SIM from your new networkand then power it back on.
4. You should now be able to enjoy your new, far more economical network package with no restrictions. Congratulations you have just unlocked your first Galaxy s9!

What to Do If Your Provider Won’t Unlock It For You

So you’ve been diligent and approached the provider with all the right information, but they still won’t help you out. You’ve sat puzzled about how to unlock galaxy s9 handsets, and there doesn’t seem to be much else you can do.

Sound familiar? Rest assured we have plenty more tricks up our sleeves.

Advanced options for when your provider won’t unlock your S9 — some are better than others

This guide is about covering all the methods that are out there. That means we’re going to look at the good ones and the bad ones and explore their pros and cons. That way you’ll never fall foul of risky or costly approaches which often fail to get the job done.

By knowing how to spot methods that promise the world but ultimately do more harm than good you’ll be able to unlock your s9 handset. But, without the costs and headaches that can so often go with it if you opt for the wrong approach.

Here’s a quick list of the different approaches we’re going to be taking a closer look at:

1. Carrier Unlocking: if you’re still reading then this method didn’t work for you
2. Hardware Unlocking: a high-risk strategy that will often not end well for your device or your wallet
3. IMEI Unlocking: our preferred method; I advise everyone to try it

As we’ve already covered the carrier unlocking approach, and it hasn’t worked for you, unfortunately, let’s take a look at the next entry on our list.

Hardware Unlocking: A high-risk strategy that probably won’t end well

Thismay sound like quite a negative spin to put on a subsection of a help guide, but remember that we’re covering every option out there. That means we’re going to look at the good ones and the downright bad ones too!

What is hardware unlocking?

By its very nature hardware unlocking is a shady and opaque business. If you decide (against our better judgment and advice) to go down this route, then be prepared for a generally poor level of service and vague deadlines and promises.

The chances are you’ll be paying a large sum of money in cash to someone who hasn’t had a lot of success in what they’re doing. They won’t have any detailed knowledge or the tools required to work on such an intricate device. Plus, they’ll likely end up doing more harm than good.

Just remember that there are plenty more options out there than a shady character who promises to be able to unlock your s9 in an hour for a few hundred dollars. To ensure that you steer well clear of this shortsighted approach we’ve compiled a few bullet points for you to have a read of:

1. Always remember that there are plenty more options open to you than going down the hardware unlocking approach.
2. Even if your carrier has declined your reasonable request to have your handset unlocked there are plenty more ways to get it freed (more on that shortly)
3. The person you’re paying is unlikely to have any specialist knowledge of mobile hardware or software and maydo more harm than good
4. They will certainly not have access to the specialist tools needed to remove critical parts of your handset safely. That poses a severe risk to the health of your phone and could easily result in it being critically damaged.
5. The ‘expert’ offering this service will not have the latest training from Samsung and will not have any idea as to the true complexity of the device they’re working on
6. By hiring an unlicensed and untrained third party to modify your phone in this manner, you’re invalidating the warranty. Whether you intended this to be the case or not is irrelevant. Samsung will have zero obligation to provide any assistance and will charge you a hefty sum for a repaired or replacement handset.

Hopefully, these quick few points summarize precisely why we think hardware unlocking is such an unreliable route to go down. Now, let’s focus on something that does actually work:

IMEI Unlocking – My preferred choice everytime

It’s the final entry on our list of options, and we’ve saved the most potent option until last. Like we said earlier, we always advise people to contact their network provider first to see if they will do the hard work for them. If they’re willing and able to this means all you have to do is punch in an 8digit unlock code when you reset your handset.

The downside is that because they want to keep you tied to an expensive monthly payment plan they will often decline your reasonable request to have your handset unlocked.

Factory Unlocking

So you’ll notice that we’ve thrown this subheading in, right after talking about IMEI unlocking The reason for that is, we want to cover all the bases. Many people online and in the industry will refer to anything to do with IMEIs as ‘Factory Unlocking.’ That doesn’t mean that you need to send your handset away physically, it merely refers to the fact that it gives you a universal method to reset your phone back to a state where it can be assignedto any network you choose.

Why is IMEI Unlocking my preferred method?

Asking your provider to unlock your handset is a great way to start, but it often won’t get you anywhere. Hardware unlocking is fraught with danger and uncertainty, and I hope you have seen from our advice above, it is worth staying clear of. That leaves the door wide open for a universal method that always gets the job done.

Have a look at my notes below and see for yourself why it’s the right method for the job:

1. IMEI unlocking is a safe and trusted method that is used by millions of Samsung owners every single year. Owners of other handset brands also use it due to its universal applicability.
2. Because you don’t manipulate the hardware in any way, you are paying for a permanent solution that won’t invalidate your warranty or damage your handset.
3. You never have to hand over your device to a third party which ensures the entire process is safe and secure. That is if you follow my hints and tips on what to look for (more on those in a minute)
4. IMEI unlocking works by altering Samsung’s database entry for your specific handset. It’s entirely legal and won’t invalidate your warranty. Because it’s essentially a paperwork method that doesn’t change anything on your device itself it will last forever.  That makes it ideal if you want to make sure you don’t suddenly encounter issues when a new software update is installed.
5. You can pay a vastly experienced company to take care of everything for you. Thisis far more reliable and better for your peace of mind than paying a shady character in the back of a store to fiddle with the device itself.

Finding the right IMEI unlocking service

The secret here is to be just as discerning as you would be about paying for any other product or service. While I said that IMEI unlocking is mostly just a paperwork trick, this doesn’t mean that it’s so simple anyone can do it.

#1 DirectUnlock are my undisputed number one because of their service and reliability

#2 DoctorSim come in a credible second and are indeed worth a look if you want to shop around.

The principle is simple and straight forward (isn’t that so often true of the best ideas) but the execution is the tricky part. Ask the three simple questions below when you come to shop around for an unlocking expert, and you won’t fall foul of the common pitfalls people so often encounter.

Finding the right unlocking company, are they selling something that’s too good to be true?

If something seems too good to be true, then the chances are that it is. The reason the company you’re looking at is so cheap will be to do with some combination of their service and experience. They could be a fledgling startup trying to undercut the competition to gain traction in the marketplace. This type of dynamism is to be admired, but they may lack the experience needed to get the job done.

Secondly, they may only offer a limited number of networks they can get you on. Or thirdly, they may have a poor reputation for results and have been recently forced to drop their prices to get more business.

Why DirectUnlock are the best in the business

• Fast and efficient service

Expect any reputable company to complete the job within four working days. If there’s no explicit mention of the timeframe on their website, then we suggest asking them outright before you part with your hard-earned money. DirectUnlock makes things instant the moment you receive the unlock code from them which is fantastic service in my opinion.

• A comprehensive range of unlockednetworks and regions?

Knowing the specifics of what the company can offer is paramount. Check that they provide plenty of new unlocked networks in your region. If you get ahead of yourself and skip this step because you’re taken in by a slick sales pitch, then you may be left disappointed in a couple of day’s time when you’ve got a relatively limited choice of new contracts.

• A team that caters for every type of phone

What I really liked about DirectUnlock is that they providedfor a vast range of phones, not just mine. Thatgave me the confidence that they’d continue to support me and were constantlyexpanding their options. I actually ended up recommending them to a whole bunch of my friends who don’t even use Samsung yet. It was great to see that they provided them with the same level of expertise and customer support throughout the entire unlocking process.

Conclusion – DirectUnlock are my #1 pick every time

Hopefully, this guide has shed plenty of light on the issue of locked Samsung devices. If you have recently bought an S9, and want to be able to use it on a different network so you can choose the best monthly package for your budget, then there’s plenty of tips on how to go about that above.

Steer well clear of hardware ‘experts’who will claim to be able to unlock your s9 in an hour or less in exchange for cash. There’s a distinct possibility that they’ll do more harm than good and you’ll be leftwith a broken handset and a costly bill to repair it because your warranty is now invalid.

Most importantly of all, take the time to research which companies offer the best range of networks they can put you on before you part with your hard-earned money. That way you’ll ensure you have plenty of choices when you’re looking at new monthly contracts!

How to buy a used or refurbished iPhone?

When it comes to finding a cheap phone that is fantastic value for money, purchasing a refurbished iPhone has proven to be the way forward for millions of us. iPhones have been around for over a decade now and have transformed the way we browse, connect, and communicate. The only drawback is that their high cost can be prohibitive to many of us.

Luckily for you, there are plenty of people out there who trade in their iPhones every year for the latest model. That has created a booming economy all of its own with millions of us shopping around for a cheap used iPhone that saves us time, money, and effort.

Because buying second-hand devices can feel like a bit of a minefield we’ve put together our tops tips of what to look for and packaged everything into our easy to follow How-To Guide!

Let’s take a look at how you’ll be able to acquire the used iPhone 7 you’ve always wanted at just a fraction of the cost of a brand-new handset…

Why buy a used iPhone?

#1 There’s plenty of value out there! 

iPhones are some of the most desirable and sought-after handsets on the market, and the main reason so many would-be Apple fans haven’t yet made the jump to iOS is the significant cost involved in purchasing a new handset.

If you do your research, check all the basics, and negotiate well then you can get an absolute bargain that will function as good as new. This is an excellent way of saving yourself a significant portion of your hard earned monthly pay so that you have plenty left over to spend on the other things in life that matter.

#2 You’re not tethered to a contract

We’ve all seen those people in the shopping mall on a Saturday who’re walking around with the latest iPhone, but it has a giant crack right across the screen. All too often you’ll see this rather sorry sight, and the truth is that to replace the glass adequately can be too expensive for many of us.

Shopping around for a good quality used iPhone is a great way to replace or upgrade your handset for a fraction of the price…and you won’t be tied to a long-term contract with your network provider if you follow the advice in the rest of this article!

#3 You’ll have a lot of freedom to choose a refurbished handset that works for you

Network suppliers and phone stores always focus on pushing the latest handsets because that’s where they make their money. Take a step back and read the online comments from Apple fans about the newest raft of releases and updates and you’ll see plenty of voices of dissension which tells you that newer does not necessarily mean better!

By shopping around amongst a much bigger selection of handsets, you’ll be able to find an earlier model that is more to your liking. If have seen a good quality used iPhone 6 then remember that you’re unlikely to get anything of that generation as part of a package deal with your monthly phone contract. Don’t get caught up in searching sole or the latest models; find something that’s right for you.

How much do they cost?

Prices for iPhones are quite stable, with the general rule being that the older the model, the less you’ll pay.

Take a look at the latest prices to give you an idea of what you can expect for your money in the current market:

• iPhone 6S………….Starting from $120
• iPhone 6S Plus……Starting from $175
• iPhone 7……………Starting from $200
• iPhone 7 Plus………Starting from $250
• iPhone 8………..Starting from $345
• iPhone 8 Plus……Starting from $415
• iPhone X / XS / XS Max ……Starting from $530

Where can I buy a used iPhone?

There are a number of online marketplaces where you can buy a second-hand phone, but you need to be aware that if something sounds too good to be true, then it often is.

Let’s take a look at four of the most common places people shop so that you have a clear idea of where you need to be looking if you’re to find the bargain your wallet deserves.

OUR TOP RECOMMENDED CHOICES ARE AMAZON AND SWAPPA

Swappa.com

What sets Swappa apart from the larger buy-anything marketplaces is that they specialize in selling used iPhones, as well as other handsets and devices. This is great because straight away it gives you the peace of mind that you’re dealing with a team that knows their market and will stand by the quality and integrity of every device that is sold through their website.

They offer competitive pricing across all handsets, and best of all, in my opinion, is that they allow you to search, by the provider. That is a really important option because sadly what you’ll find with less established selling platforms is that iPhones that are listed as ‘Unlocked’ will often require you to pay to unlock them upon arrival before you can actually use them on your chosen network.

By being able to search for unlocked iPhone handsets, and for a network, Swappa removes one of the biggest headaches when shopping for a used iPhone with the click of a button. When you add to that that every handset is checked for quality and functionality, you can sleep easy knowing that you’re shopping in the right place as there’ll be no nasty surprises hidden behind what at first looks like a super low price.

Pros

• Each handset is checked for quality and functionality
• Each handset is unlocked for use with any carrier

Amazon

Shop Amazon Refurbished iPhones
This online giant will be the name that first comes to mind for many of us. You can buy anything and everything on there, including a used, refurbished iPhone at a competitive price. Because there are so many sellers on there, you may see prices that appear far below those on other platforms, but when you see these apparent deals of a lifetime, I would always suggest proceeding with caution.  There are some great vendors that offer refurbished unlocked iPhones but check their seller ratings and comments.

One thing to consider when approaching Amazon is that because they offer many vendors who sell on Amazon.  Your buying experience mostly be the same from seller to seller. While there many talented and professional sellers, there is always room for that small number of people who spoil the experience for the rest of us.  As mentioned before, double check that they are certified phones, unlocked and comes with a some assurance.   The nice thing is Amazon has a solid return policy which is typically 30 days.

Pros

• Lots of vendors to get competitive pricing
• Fast delivery with Amazon Prime
• Great refund policy with Amazon

Shop Amazon Refurbished iPhones

Craigslist

Slightly different in terms of function than eBay, but with a reputation as a place where you get anything and everything you need, Craigslist is another site that is potentially worth considering.

As with eBay, there are some great sellers, but unfortunately, there is always room for a small number of people who will make the buying experience less than your hard earned money deserves. With that in mind always consider if the deal you’re being offered sounds too good to be true.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that should you encounter a nightmare seller is blatantly out to make a quick buck then you may find it very difficult to recoup even a fraction of your outlay. Personally, this puts me off and is a reason why before shopping around for a phone, it’s definitely worth shopping around for the right online store

Social Media

The last entry to consider is social media, and honestly, it should be the last place anyone looks. Anyone can post an ad on Facebook and ask you to wire them some money for a handset. Because it isn’t a properly established buying and selling platform you have virtually no protection should something go wrong. You’ll see all manner of ‘too good to be true’ offers on social media that offer iPhones for $50 but they simply aren’t worth the risk.

Ask yourself this: if someone really were able to find a uniquely cheap source of iPhones would they only be selling them through their Facebook profile?

How To Evaluate Your Phone

Evaluating your prospective phone is something that’s really important, and there’s a little more to it than merely checking the uploaded photos for any signs of scratches and cracks that run right across the screen.

Don’t worry though, this section of our handy How-To Guide covers everything you need to know and even goes through the questions you need to ask when buying online, in the exact order you need to ask them. That way you can be assured of making the right choice before you head to the checkout!

Step 1: Ask for the IMEI

Simply put: NEVER enter into a negotiation on price or delivery time until you have been given the IMEI. It’s the unique 15-digit code that is tied to that particular handset, and it’s what allows you to unlock it from its original network and use it anywhere you choose.

Forgetting to ask for the IMEI is like not asking for the keys to use it as you wish, and guarantees that you’ll be limited to a couple of high tariffs from the original network provider. If you’re in the market for a good quality used iPhone, then make sure you allow yourself the freedom and flexibility to shop around and find the right monthly contract for you, once your new handset arrives!

What if the seller can’t provide the IMEI? Don’t be fooled or feel pressured into going ahead anyway with vague promises of receiving it later on. Something is wrong with the phone, so you are best moving on to something else. After all, there’s plenty of choice out there, and you have no reason to feel rushed or pressured into finding something right there and then.

Step 2: Make sure it’s unlocked

If you’re buying a phone that’s advertised as being ‘Unlocked,’ ’Contract Free,’ or anything similar that the buyer wishes to call it in their listing, then you must make sure that’s the reality before handing over your hard-earned money.

While you can always unlock a phone at a later date, the most important thing here is to get what you’re paying for. Think of it this way: you’re paying a premium for an unlocked handset. If it turns out to be locked after all, then you’ll have paid a premium, and then you’ll have to pay again for it to be unlocked. Paying twice for the same thing is certainly not something you’ll feel good about.

Ask for proof from the seller. If you’re buying online, you could ask for screenshots with the handset functioning on the SIM cards from two or more networks. If you’re buying in person from a friend or someone you’ve found locally on social media, then take a SIM along with you and check the handset that way.

Alternatively what I like to do is save myself a headache right from the start and use Swappa. By searching their list of unlocked handsets, you can have the peace of mind that you’re getting exactly what you paid for.

Step 3: Make sure you know how to unlock your handset

If you’re buying from sites like Swappa.com, then you can just skip over this section. However, if you’ve decided to buy from somewhere else, or have opted to buy a locked phone, then read on…

Unlocking your iphone takes a few different steps, can typically take 48 hours to go through and can cost you money. If in doubt I would recommend always opting for an unlocked handset, even if the price difference does make the locked handset look like the better deal on the surface.  If not, I have an article here to learn about the safe ways to unlock your phone.

The first thing you need to do will be to contact the current network provider and request that your handset is unlocked. They may ask for your IMEI. Alternatively, there are a large number of online businesses that will use your IMEI to unlock your iPhone by editing Apple’s database of handsets so that it appears to be unlocked to every carrier. What I would say about these services is that they can be hit and miss, so I would always opt for speaking directly with the current carrier in the first instance.

If you no longer have the original SIM card, then you’ll need to power down your handset before it can be unlocked. While it’s powered off insert a SIM issued by the network you want to use it on, and then power it back up.

If everything has been processed by the carrier, and they were happy to do so in the first place, then your handset should now be operational on your new network. What I would say is that the cost and time of this process can vary dramatically across different networks and devices. When you first get in touch make sure to ask how long it will take, how long it will cost, and get a direct number in case you encounter any delays or difficulties.

Step 4: Don’t Forget the Activation Locks

Activation locks can be a real headache if you buy your used handset from someone off eBay or social media. So, what is an activation lock and why do they cause so much hassle?

Your iPhone has a handy piece of software called ‘Find My iPhone’ that allows you to see where it is from any other iOS or Apple device. Its primary purpose is to assist you in getting your phone back should it be lost or stolen. It also allows you to remotely lock anyone else out of it until the handset is returned to you.

What some users find when shopping for used handsets is that they go through the unlocking process only to find that they’re prevented from using the phone due to the presence of the activation locks. This can be a real nightmare and often indicates that the phone you’ve bought has been stolen or inappropriately sold on.  To read about ways to unlock your activation lock, click here.

Once again a quick and easy way to ensure you never encounter such issues is to use a reputable specialist seller like Swappa. Because they personally stand by the quality and integrity of everything sold on their platform you’ll have the security of an entire customer support team to fall back on in the event that your handset isn’t what you expected it to be. If you choose a potentially lower price option off of a random one-off Facebook seller, then you probably will never hear from the seller again, and your money will be long gone!

The Conclusion

There is plenty of value out there if you’re looking to invest in an old phone, but do exercise caution when presented with deals that seem too good to be true.

If in doubt, choose the security of a reputable specialist seller who will provide the experience, range of choice, and customer service that your hard earned money deserves.

Everything You Need to Know When Your iPhone Won’t Charge

An issue many devoted Apple users face is that as if out of nowhere their iPhone won’t charge. This can be really annoying as it leaves you at the mercy of your remaining battery life as your once, trusty device is now something you need to constantly fiddle with, so that you can keep it powered.

Rest assured though; this is a common problem that many users have faced, so there are plenty of solutions out there when you are trying in vain to top up your iPhone charge.

To get things started let’s take a look at a few of the common reasons why you may be struggling with why your iPhone won’t charge, and why the cause will likely be something other than a broken or dead battery.

The top 4 reasons your iPhone won’t charge

#1 Check your lightning cable.

The lightning cable is the rather cool name Apple use for your iPhone’s power cable. They’re a lot more robust and easy to use compared to the old multi-pin connectors that came before them, but that doesn’t mean you should completely rule them out as the source of the problem.

The two main areas to check are the gold electrical contacts on the end of the lightning connector and the cable. If we start with the electrical contacts; you’re looking for any cracks, bends, or deep scratches.

With millions of us taking our chargers with us on the move it’s not uncommon for them to get stepped on or crushed. Plus, if you have pets then the day will likely come when you find your connector has been the victim of a thorough chewing!

Give the connector an inspection and remember that any damage will make it more difficult for the contacts to touch the matching parts on your iPhone’s socket.

Next, you need to take a look along the length of the cable. You’re looking for any splits or pinches in the line. The danger here is that the inner parts of the cable may have short-circuited which would mean that no power is getting to your iPhone battery.

#2 Can’t Charge iPhone? Check the Power Outlet!

This may seem too simple to be worth trying, but the simple things will fix so many issues they’re never worth passing over. First, you will need to check the wall plug that your lightning cable fits into. Check that the USB connection connects firmly, as over time they can work loose.

To check the wall socket itself it is always worth plugging in a second device. If it begins to charge, then you know that the fault lies somewhere else.

#3 Check the bottom of your iPhone

This too is one that people overlook; however, when you stop and think about the reason for it, it becomes apparent why you should stop and check it.

Your phone spends a significant portion of its life deep in your pocket. Your pockets will contain little bits of lint and fluff that make no difference to items like your keys or your wallet, but your iPhone is a little bit more sensitive.

The power socket on the bottom of the iPhone will only be covered if you have made a point of adding a specific type of case. That makes it the ideal place for all manner of small pieces of debris to gather. As the weeks and months go by the buildup will become such that it forms an impenetrable barrier between the gold contacts on the lightning connector and the contacts inside the iPhone’s socket.

If you notice that you can charge your iPhone by moving the lightning connector around once it’s plugged in, then there is a very high likelihood that this is the source of those charging woes.

Don’t worry though because cleaning is simple and you certainly won’t need to form an orderly queue at the Genius Bar to get your iPhone back up and running. We’ll talk you through an easy way to clean it out below in our handy fixes section…

#4 Software. Software. Software.

We can all get our heads around issues with hardware because it’s relatively straightforward to swap bits in and out, cross reference as you go, and determine where the fault lies. Where so many of us hit a stumbling block is when it comes to software.

Something you may not be aware of is that when you plug in your iPhone, it runs a piece of software that decides whether it should start charging. With all manner of software and app updates bombarding your iPhone night and day it wouldn’t be too surprising if it needed the occasional reset to knock itself out of its unintended confused state.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the fixes that are on offer when your iPhone won’t charge…

The Fixes for When Your iPhone Won’t Charge

Fix 1: The hard reset

This first fix may sound a little bit daunting and technically demanding but don’t worry. Fortunately, as with almost everything they do Apple has made this easy and straightforward.

We mentioned above that the software is what actually allows your iPhone to begin receiving a charge. That may sound like an over-engineered feature, but it prevents your iPhone being overcharged and the resulting damage to the battery that this would cause.

Nine times out of 10 when you approach the Genius Bar with your seemingly dead iPhone, they’ll perform a hard reset that brings it back to life right then and there.

Fortunately doing one yourself at home is super simple. All you need to do is hold down the power button until you see the Apple logo display on your screen; everything else should be black. (Please note if you have the iPhone 8 or later you’ll need to quickly toggle the volume up and then down before engaging the power button.)

After a couple of minutes, your iPhone will boot back up and ask you to enter your passcode to resume normal operation. That is precisely the same as selecting ‘Shutdown’ on your old desktop PC. It gives your iPhone a little break; this enables it to process any loose ends from updates and hanging operations.

If your iPhone won’t charge, then this simple trick should be your first port of call.

Fix 2: The lightning cable

We mentioned a little bit earlier about why apparently cosmetic damage to your lightning cable can result in all manner of charging difficulties.

On the face of it, the only solution here is to buy a new lightning cable and hope for the best. But when you investigate your options a little further, there are many more avenues open to you than may first appear.

The first thing to say is that you need to swap lightning cables and see if the charging issues go away. If they do, then you know where the fault lies. Rather than paying out for a new cable from Apple why not borrow one from a friend or family member for a quick test? Straight away this will save you the price of a cable and the time it takes for it to arrive.

Remember Your Warranty!

Next, you want to figure out why it has failed. If it is obvious from the cosmetic appearance of the cable that it has been roughly handled, then you will have little option but to consider buying a replacement cable. If however there is no apparent physical damage but the issue goes away when using your friend’s cable then Apple Support should be your next port of call.

If your iPhone is still under warranty, then it’s important to know that this doesn’t just cover the handset. No, it actually covers everything in the box! If your cable is under warranty and it’s not your fault that it has failed, Apple will likely replace it free of charge.

Non-Apple Options

If however, you’re out of warranty there are a number of replacement options to consider. Apple branded cables tend to be the most expensive, but they’re also amongst the very best. Don’t be put off by the fact that your one just failed and opt for a substandard $5 cable. They tend to be cheaper for a very good reason, and you may well end up buying another replacement before you know it. If in doubt, stick with official products.

 Fix 3: Let’s focus on your charger

We mentioned earlier that you can check your wall socket by seeing if it will charge a separate device which uses a different charger. The next question then is how do you tell if the charger itself is the issue.

Just to be clear, the charger we’re talking about here is the large wall plug that your lightning cable connects to using a USB connector. If you find that it will work sporadically when you move the USB connector around, then it is likely that the USB socket is damaged and you will need to purchase a new charger.

There is also the potential for the USB connector on the cable itself to be the cause of the charging issues. A simple way to rule this in or out is to connect it directly to the USB socket on your PC or laptop. If it starts charging and your iPhone displays as a recognized device that’s trying to communicate with your computer, then you can be sure that the issue lies with the USB socket on your charger.

Replacement Options

As with coming to replace the lightning cable, it’s important to be aware of the drawbacks of a number of the cheaper options on the market. By all means, shop around for something that isn’t Apple if you’re annoyed that it has just failed on you. However, don’t necessarily go for the cheapest option on the market.

Read the reviews, ask on tech forums, and make an informed choice so that you end up spending your hard earned money on something that will stand the test of time.

And one last thing…Don’t forget to double check whether you’re still under warranty! If you are, then there’s every possibility that Apple will give you a like-for-like replacement free of charge!

Fix 4: Can’t charge battery…could it be the battery?!

If you’ve worked through our first 3-fixes and you’re still not up and running, you may start to think that your iPhone won’t charge because the battery has died. If you go to a third party phone repair store and they can’t get your iPhone operational with the hard reset we talked through in Fix-1, then there’s every chance they’ll try to charge you a large sum of money to investigate the battery.

What’s important to know here is that Apple’s batteries are incredibly robust and are very rarely the source of the problem. Also, turn your iPhone over and take a look at the back. There’s no simple way to slide the case off and access the battery like there was with the old style Nokia phones. That means that not only is the operation potentially quite costly; there’s also a lot that can go wrong.

Our advice here is to ignore talk of having the battery replaced or examined by a third party seller, and only suggest it as a last resort when you come to deal with Apple in person.

Fix 5: Get cleaning

A quick and simple solution that you should certainly try is to clean out your iPhone’s power socket. Remember how we said it could become stuffed full of all sorts of dust and fluff? Well, now you can show your device a little TLC and get it back to working and charging as it should!

The key here is not to use anything abrasive or any form of liquid. It may be tempting to go in there with the tip of your keys or a hair clip. Unfortunately, if you do the metal will merely scratch the delicate contacts inside the socket and cause you further charging issues.

As strange as it sounds, a toothbrush works as good as anything. Make sure it is new out of the packet so that you avoid the risk of water and moisture damaging the internal working of your device.

Visibility is Key

If this is indeed the source of your issues, you’ll be amazed at how much debris you end up removing. Remember that if you’ve had multiple attempts at charging it, then a significant amount of the fluff will be compacted near the bottom of the socket. Stand under a light and be patient; the sight of your iPhone charging just like it did the first time you took it out of the box will be well worth the wait!

Fix 6: The factory reset

Seen as a last-ditch option for many, this requires you to back up all of your iPhone’s data elsewhere before proceeding. The factory reset will wipe your iPhone right back to its first run settings. As such, you will have a phone that is identical in terms of its software, as the first day you took it out of the box.

While this approach has been known to solve a number of more exotic software bugs that prevent your iPhone from charging, I would exercise caution before proceeding.

If you have AppleCare+ (Apple’s own rolling maintenance and protection program), then I would suggest consulting with them directly before proceeding. That way if there’s something they can do to help you (sometimes they’ll even replace your iPhone right then and there,) then you’re saving yourself some headaches if something goes awry while wiping your device.

Backup Everything

Backing up your photos and other data is critical here. If you have an iMac or MacBook, then the process is particularly simple as all you need to do is plug in your iPhone using your lightning cable and follow the import options in iTunes. Follow every step, and you’ll have the peace of mind that no matter what happens to your phone, you still have everything from it safe and sound somewhere else.

The factory rest options can be found under Settings > General > Reset. You’ll sometimes be asked whether you want to proceed which is handy as it makes it impossible to wipe your phone by mistake. Once complete it will operate as a brand new iPhone and greet you with the rather charming ‘Hello’ screen.

Congratulations: You’re Up and Running!

If you’ve tried everything on this list, then you’ve tried all of the common (and a number of not so common!) fixes and solutions to iPhones that no longer want to charge. It can be frustrating, but as with everything tech-related, there’ll be a reason why it’s happening.

I hope you’ve found this rundown useful and that you now have a clear idea of not only what fixed your iPhone, but why it worked!

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