Button fault on Chinese phone

Alter_ego

I realise there's not much hope. But here goes anyway. I have a Chinese Android smartphone. The capacitive back (Return) button does nothing. Consequently I can only change screens by powering off completely and starting again.
I have done factory reset which was not easy with Chinese characters.
Is there anything else I can try while I wait? (Have ordered a new phone)

kwikbreaks

There are two other standard buttons - a square which shows recent screens and the home button. Either should allow some navigation without resorting to power cycling.

Alter_ego

kwikbreaks wrote: »

There are two other standard buttons - a square which shows recent screens and the home button. Either should allow some navigation without resorting to power cycling.

Thanks, just tried those. All they do is make a click.
New phone is due Monday, guess I'll just answer calls till then and power cycle each time.

mwarby

If your phone is rooted there are a few articles on enabling soft keys (on screen buttons to replace capacitive buttons)

Alter_ego

mwarby wrote: »

If your phone is rooted there are a few articles on enabling soft keys (on screen buttons to replace capacitive buttons)

How could I tell if it's rooted please?

JJ_Egan

Alter_ego wrote: »

How could I tell if it's rooted please?

You would have rooted it yourself .

Is my phone rooted apps are on Play store .

Ant555

Where did you purchase the phone?

I had a similar experience with one from the Amazon Marketplace (Fulfilled by amazon) - buttons didn't respond and had to switch off.
Luckily for me it was only 6 months old and after me declining the Chinese seller offering to repair it if I sent it to their repair centre in Germany at my expense and then their final offer of a £20 refund to get it repaired myself, I contacted Amazon and they organised a full refund.

So, if it was from Amazon marketplace and reasonably new then I would contact Amazon.

AndyPix

As my Grandma used to say ..


"Buy Cheap , Buy twice"


Take from that what you will

Alter_ego

JJ_Egan wrote: »

You would have rooted it yourself .

Is my phone rooted apps are on Play store .

Then mine is not rooted. As it's not working I won't be able to root it.
What is rooting? Why would anyone choose to do it?

ballyblack

if you ask what is rooting/
Dont!

Alter_ego

ballyblack wrote: »

if you ask what is rooting/
Dont!

Why not? The alternative is bin the phone. Everyone has to learn.