MOBILE phones can be a lifeline but, when they stop working, fixing or replacing them can blow the budget.

Avoid shelling out for pricey repairs with a few steps.

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Here’s how to get your phone working fast . . . 

PREVENTION: Some simple measures can keep your phone safe from accidents.

Protect it with a case, you can buy one for around £10 from Amazon.

A strap or lanyard that you keep around your neck or shoulder could also be worthwhile, especially if you often use your phone while walking. It attaches to the phone so if you drop it, it can’t fall to the ground. It also helps protect against theft.

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Try not to keep your phone in your back pocket. Sitting down could bend or even crack the screen.

WATER RESCUE: If you’ve dropped your phone in water, don’t panic. Retrieve it and turn it off immediately.

Remove the case if it has one and use tissue paper to dry the outside.

Silica gel is your best bet for drawing internal moisture out. Stash away those small packs that come in shoe boxes for times like this.

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You don’t need to tear open the packets, simply pile them on your phone in a container, cover with a lid and they’ll start to work their magic.

If you don’t have silica gel, rice or instant oats can also work. Leave your phone for 24 hours and then check to see if it is working. If it isn’t, leave for another 24 hours.

FIX UP: If your phone is glitching, make sure you have the latest software and updates installed. Turning it off and on again can help it to reboot.

Scratches on plastic screens can be buffed away with an abrasive toothpaste — just use a pea-sized amount.

Or for a glass screen, use a specialist cerium oxide polish (£5, Amazon). Cover the sides of your phone with masking tape before using it.

• Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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