Smartphone users live in fear of losing data, but the biggest threat to staying connected is… gravity. The most common cause of a broken phone is from being dropped on the ground, cracking the screen and knocking out the hardware.
That’s where Paul Williams of iPhone Urgent Care comes in. He can’t help you hold onto your phone, but he can fix most problems in about 30 minutes. He can’t help you hold onto your phone, but he can fix most problems such as screen glitches, iPhone Overheating, battery drain, apps quitting unexpectedly, etc. in about 30 minutes.
In the business for five years –- the last two months at his new Sonoma location –- Williams knows how antsy people can get without their phones. “People really become attached to them, it’s like another right arm,” he said. “They feel lost without it.”
For Williams, restoring that connection, whether it’s to check business email, send a tweet or play Candy Crush, is what it’s all about. “I work as fast as possible to reconnect them.”
Another common problem is water damage. The phone gets spilled on, or left in the rain or stuck in the pocket of somebody that gets pushed in the pool. Making sure the phone is absolutely dry inside is critical, Williams said. “Any moisture, when you start up, can really fry it.”
Williams started in the field, with a partner, back in the prehistoric era: the iPod was new, and iPad and iPhone were yet to come. While Apple fixed software problems, there was no local shop repairing the more common problems like broken screens, ports or buttons.
“They were repairable,” Williams said, “but there was nobody to repair them.”
Business grew, and his expertise expanded as new Iproducts, and all manner of smartphones, came on the market. He also works on tablets and laptops, and handles software viruses and data recovery. Most repairs are complete in one hour or less. Now solo, Williams and his wife Abbie opened the Sonoma store because they saw a real need for the service. They also have a daughter who attends Presentation School, and the weekday ride combines nicely with dad’s daily commute.
Plus, when it comes to technology, it’s always handy having a 12-year-old around.
iPhone Urgent Care is located at 569 Fifth St. W. in the West Plaza Shopping Center. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment on weekends. 935-7988.