Nowadays, we live and die by our phones — if something goes wrong, it’s not always under warranty, and repairs can get expensive fast. Thankfully, there’s a solution for that: do-it-yourself repair kits that include a variety of tools necessary for replacing faulty parts, opening up your phone to remove built-up dust and dirt, or swapping in upgraded components.

When it comes to the iPhone, making repairs yourself can be tricky, because iPhones aren’t really designed to be opened by consumers. But if you’re comfortable with opening up your iPhone and poking around (voiding the warranty in the process), you need an iPhone repair kit to make sure you’ve got exactly the right tools.

Whether you’re fixing a cracked screen, cleaning a problematic Lightning port, or replacing a battery, we’re here to help you find the right iPhone repair kit, no matter which model you own. Here’s everything you need to know to make the right purchase.

Before you start comparing different iPhone repair kits, start with these questions.

• Which iPhone do you own? Different versions of the iPhone require different tools, so you need to find a kit that explicitly supports what you’ve got. If a repair kit says that it’s for iPhone but doesn’t include your model on the product page, don’t buy it.

• Do you have other electronics to repair besides your iPhone? Most iPhone repair kits bring a lot more to the table than just tools for your iPhone. In fact, most of them include dozens of screwdriver bits, so you can open up other electronics and make upgrades. If you’ve ever thought about upgrading your computer’s RAM or hard drive, taking your dryer apart to clean lint out, or even repairing a watch, look for a kit with plenty of options. The right repair kit can be a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to looking under the hood of your favorite gadgets.

• Do you have an electric screwdriver or a drill? Some iPhone repair kits include a small, handheld screwdriver along with compatible screwdriver bits, while others simply include the screwdriver bits and expect you to bring your own drill. With small electronics, it’s a better idea to use a kit with a handheld screwdriver so you don’t strip any screws, but if you’re planning on using your kit for a variety of electronics (which may include bigger items like appliances), a set of screwdriver bits for your own drill may be the better choice.

What differentiates one iPhone repair kit from another? They’ve all got plenty of screwdriver bits, but beyond that, there are two features in particular to keep an eye out for.

• Magnetic tools. It’s easy to drop screws and other small components when you’re repairing your iPhone, so having a magnetic tool to keep everything sticking together is pretty handy. Get an iPhone repair kit with magnetic tools — you’ll thank yourself later.

• High quality metals. Some iPhone repair kits are made with cheap metals which can make them a pain to use, and in some cases, they can break more easily. Look for an iPhone repair kit that includes tools made from high-quality metals like steel.

Most iPhone repair kits cost between $10 and $25.

Inexpensive: On the low end of the range you find kits that are designed to fix iPhones and not much else. Less expensive kits typically include lower quality tools that are good for one or two uses, but not much past that. If you’re looking for an iPhone repair kit for a one-time operation, you can get away with spending closer to $10.

Mid-range: If you’re looking for a decent iPhone repair kit that’s got quality tools you’ll be able to use for years, expect to spend closer to $25.

Expensive: Some iPhone repair kits include replacement screens, and they cost anywhere between $150 and $200. We can’t really recommend buying an all-in-one kit — in most cases, the included tools are barely usable, and it’s more affordable to buy the kit and the replacement screen separately.

• Keep a spare phone around for your SIM card so you don’t miss any calls while you’re repairing your iPhone. You need to turn your iPhone off while you’re repairing it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected. Your iPhone’s cellular connection is based on the SIM card that’s installed, and you can remove it and use it in another phone on a temporary basis. We definitely recommend keeping a spare phone around to make sure you don’t miss a text. It’s also a good option in case you run into any new problems during your repair that may put your phone out of commission for longer than you expected.

• If your iPhone repair kit doesn’t come with a carrying case, buy one separately. Every iPhone repair kit comes with a ton of tiny parts that are easy to lose, so make sure you’ve got a storage plan. Many repair kits include cases that keep everything together, but if you buy one that doesn’t have one, get one.

• Keep a can of compressed air handy so you can make sure your iPhone’s internal components stay dust-free. Like all smartphones, iPhones can get gunked up with dust and dirt inside, especially at open ports. There’s only one good way to keep them clean: compressed air. Get a can of compressed air and use the included straw to blow dust out of every open port, nook, and cranny. Clean ports can fix a variety of problems, from Lightning cable data connectivity issues to charging problems.

If you’re in the market for a kit that’s good for a one-time iPhone repair, check out Vastar 16-Piece Cell Phone Repair Tool Kit for iPhone. It’s got everything you need to get into your iPhone and make fixes, and it’s also got a few cleaning tools, which is nice. It doesn’t come with a case and there aren’t any screws for other devices, which helps make it one of the most affordable iPhone repair kits we’ve seen.

If you’re looking for a screwdriver kit that works with everything electronic you own, consider the Trekoo Precision Screwdriver Repair Tool Kit for iPhone. It’s got a ton of screwdriver bits, it includes a precision screwdriver, and it all fits inside a handy carrying case. This is the repair kit to get if you need to fix your iPhone, your glasses, your dishwasher, and your Xbox.

Q. Can I use an iPhone repair kit to fix my cracked screen?

A. Yes, but you must purchase a replacement screen separately. Most iPhone repair kits give you the tools necessary to open up your iPhone to replace parts, but they don’t typically include any replacement parts themselves. An iPhone repair kit is essential to putting on a new screen, but consider it a bring-your-own-glass situation, and always factor in the cost of replacement parts when deciding how much to spend.
Q. Can I use an iPhone repair kit on my Android phone?

A. Probably, but double-check to make sure the kit you buy includes the right screwdriver bits. Because so many different manufacturers make Android phones, there’s no telling what type of screwdriver may open yours without consulting the documentation. That said, most “all in one” repair kits have the most common screwdriver bits, so it isn’t difficult to find one that’s compatible. Start by checking to see what type of screwdriver you need to open your particular device, then make sure it’s included in any kit you buy.
Q. Does taking apart my iPhone void the warranty?

A. Yes. Disassembling your iPhone nullifies your warranty, even if you’ve purchased AppleCare or a protection plan from a third-party insurer. If you damage your iPhone while you’ve got it open, you run the risk of making it non-functional — what some affectionately call “bricking” a phone, since it becomes about as useful as a brick — so make sure you know what you’re doing, or follow an expert tutorial closely.