Why late August is the time to do it
The first weeks of school are busy. Timetables change, buses run early, and a phone or laptop that quits on day three is a real headache. A quick check at the end of summer catches small problems before they become urgent ones.
Work through this list with each student in the house. It takes an evening, and most of it costs nothing.
Phones
Check battery health
A school day is long: alarms, bus apps, messages, music and photos. A worn battery that barely made it through summer won't cope.
- iPhone: go to Settings › Battery › Battery Health (called Battery Health & Charging on some versions). Look at maximum capacity and whether a service message appears.
- Android: battery information depends on the model. Look in your battery settings, or use the phone maker's diagnostic app, such as Samsung Members on Galaxy phones.
If the phone dies by lunch, shuts down unexpectedly or shows a service message, a battery replacement is worth considering. Our phone battery guide explains the signs.
Fix cracked screens now
A crack that "still works" in July tends to spread once the phone spends its days in a backpack. Cracked glass can also cut fingers and lets moisture in. If you're weighing the options, see repair a cracked screen or buy a new phone.
Test the charging port
If the cable has to be held at an angle, or charging cuts in and out, the port may be full of pocket lint or worn. Look inside with a flashlight. Don't dig with metal. A charging port repair or professional cleaning is the safe fix.
Case and screen protector
Replace cracked protectors and stretched-out cases. A case with a raised lip around the screen and covered corners does most of the work.
Laptops
Install updates before the first day
Run all system updates at home, not on the school network during the first class. Check whether the school needs specific software or a particular browser, and install it ahead of time.
Clean up storage and apps
- Empty the Downloads folder and the trash or recycle bin.
- Uninstall games and programs that aren't used any more.
- Turn off apps that launch at startup but aren't needed.
- Leave plenty of free space so updates and school files have room.
Give it a physical clean
- Shut it down and unplug it.
- Tip it gently and use short bursts of compressed air across the keyboard.
- Wipe the screen with a dry or barely damp microfibre cloth. No window cleaner.
- Check that the vents aren't clogged with dust.
Check the laptop battery and hinges
On a Mac, battery condition is in System Settings › Battery. On Windows, you can generate a detailed battery report by running powercfg /batteryreport in Command Prompt. Also open and close the lid a few times. A loose or creaking hinge, flickering screen or sticky keys are easier to fix before the school year than in the middle of it.
Back up everything
- Phones: turn on iCloud or Google backup and confirm the last backup date. See our tips on backing up an iPhone.
- Laptops: use Time Machine on a Mac, or OneDrive, Google Drive or an external drive on Windows.
- Schoolwork: save it in the school's cloud account rather than only on the device, so a broken laptop doesn't take an assignment with it.
Label every charger and cable
Chargers disappear at school and get mixed up at home. Mark each one with the student's name or a strip of coloured tape on both the plug and the cable. While you're at it:
- Check that each laptop charger is the right wattage for that laptop.
- Replace frayed or kinked cables now, before they fail.
- Pack a spare phone cable in the backpack.
- Skip bargain-bin cables. They wear out quickly and can damage ports.
The one-page checklist
- Phone battery health checked
- Cracked screens and loose charging ports repaired
- Case and protector in good shape
- Laptop updated, cleaned up and physically cleaned
- Laptop battery and hinges checked
- Phone, laptop and schoolwork backed up
- Chargers and cables labelled, spare cable packed
Need a hand?
If your check turns up a cracked screen, a tired battery or a laptop that's acting up, Woman Wireless On The Go can sort it before the first bell. A certified woman technician comes to your home anywhere in our service area, gives a free quote before any work starts, and handles phones, tablets and laptops. If several devices need attention, list them all when you get in touch. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, or book online.
Need it fixed? We come to you.
Certified woman technician across Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto. See our computer repair service.
Frequently asked questions
When should I replace my child's phone battery?
Consider it when the phone can't get through a school day, shuts down unexpectedly, or shows a service message in battery health. Doing it before school starts avoids a dead phone during the busy first weeks.
Should I fix a cracked phone screen before school starts?
Yes, if you can. Cracks tend to spread in backpacks and pockets, sharp edges can cut fingers, and damaged glass lets in moisture. Fixing it in late August means the phone starts the year in good shape.
How do I check a laptop battery's health?
On a Mac, open System Settings and choose Battery to see its condition. On Windows, run powercfg /batteryreport in Command Prompt to create a report comparing design capacity with current full-charge capacity.
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