How to Repair a Cracked Smartphone Screen at Home

So, Your Phone Has a Cracked Screen. Heres What You Can Do About It

You could almost see it happening in slow motion: your smartphone is in your hand one moment, and the next thing you know, its barreling toward the ground in a nosedive. Sometimes the layers of glass and plastic will hold up, but all too often, this scenario will lead to a chipped or cracked screen.

Thanks to the right-to-repair movement, the options for mending a broken phone screen have expanded. Between simple DIY fixes, third-party repair shops, and even manufacturer-sponsored mail-in programs, theres an option for everyone. So take a deep breath before you pick up your damaged cell phone to examine it. Even if the cracks radiate out like a spiderweb, theres a fix.

Why Do Screens Break So Easily?

Ah, the perennial question: Why is this $1,000 device so prone to damage in the first place?

It all boils down to a difficult-to-reach compromise between consumer desires and engineering reality. In other words, we want phones with maxed-out displays that also feature an elegant design. However, those slim edges and nearly bezel-less screens have to make some concessions in the durability department. But regardless of the design specifics, its really about elastic energy, according to Red Zombie, a Clearfield, Utah-based repairs and accessories shop.

When you drop your phone, elastic energy stored in the phones glass is converted into surface energy, which is why your glass cracks, the company notes in a September 2018 blog post. [W]hen you drop your phone, the force of impact will overcome the surface compression, resulting in small stresses that could lead to the shattering of your screen.

To combat this reality, manufacturers like Apple and Samsung are constantly experimenting with tougher kinds of glass to absorb the impact. Red Zombie says most companies mix zinc into aluminum to create a strong base for the body of the phone.

What to Do Right Away

Broken screens come in various levels of severityfrom light scratches, to spiderweb-like patterns, to entirely missing chunks of glassand you could be dealing with anything from a completely shattered display and a broken phone to a simple cosmetic issue.

First, you should assess the damage, which means getting your phone on a solid surface and under good light, not just giving it a quick once-over before stuffing it back in your pocket. With a little bit of stress testing and careful prodding, you should be able to work out whether the screen is about to fall off or fail completely. In a lot of cases, it will stay in place, cracks and all, so you can at least keep tweeting (Xing?), as long as the screen is still visible and functioning.

If the phone is seriously damaged, back up your data as quickly as you can, making sure all of your photos, videos, and important files are saved somewhere else just in case it dies completely and you cant get the phone working again. If its already stopped functioning, then a professional repair is probably your best bet.

Here are the solutions, in ascending order of professionalism.

Option No. 1: Apply Packing Tape

The name of the game here is, hold out until Im eligible for an upgrade. If you want to keep using the cracked phone, and dont want to risk losing glass or slicing up your fingers, cover the screen with a layer of packing tape. Line everything up carefully and trim it with an X-Acto knife, and it may look almost like a real screen protector.

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Option No. 2: Use a Screen Protector

This is the gussied-up version of the packing tape solution. Using a screen protector ensures you have no seams and a clean line around the edges of the screen. Granted, that might not be much of a concern when theres a spiderweb of cracks underneath.

Option No. 3: Replace the Screen Yourself

Its possible to replace a cracked screen on your own. Well refer you to iFixit for their excellent, step-by-step guide with photos. A few key things to keep in mind here: Before you decide to go this route, look into the cost of a replacement screen. Todays phone screens, which incorporate touch interaction and possibly biometric sensors, dont come cheap.

Unless youre already accomplished at repairing modern solid-state electronics, you probably lack the specialized tools youll need for the job. Luckily, iFixit sells a handy kit that includes pretty much everything youll need, with the possible exception of the iOpener, a tube you heat up and apply to the phone to soften its adhesives.

Check and see if your phone is still covered under warranty and see what repairs it includes. Not only will a DIY screen replacement void your warranty, but its also not guaranteed to work. A certified repaircovered under warrantywill also help retain your phones resale value if youre one to trade up to keep the newest phone in your pocket.

Option No. 4: Call in a Pro

You can always take your cracked screen to a professional repair shop. If youre an iPhone person, look for your local Apple Store or consider trying out Apples mail-in repair program. Best Buy will work on iPhones and Samsung phones. And finally, UBreakIFix has more than 700 locations across the country.

MakeUseOf

You've cracked your cell phone screen. Whether it slipped out of your hand while you were on a call or you left it on top of your car when you drove away, the glass is smashed.

Fortunately, the display still works, and perhaps the touchscreen controls too. So, what do you do now? Here are some things to do right after cracking your phone's screen.

1. Does Phone Insurance Cover a Cracked Phone Screen?

The first thing to do is check if your phone insurance covers cracked phone screens, and under what conditions.

If so, arranging a fix should be straightforward. In most cases, if your phone screen is broken, the main problem is going to be living without it for a few days. That's as bad as it gets (although you might have to pay an excess charge).

The problems with cracked smartphone screens start when it transpires you cannot get a replacement screen on the insurance. When this happens, you'll need to take matters into your own hands.

2. Stop Using the Phone With a Cracked Screen, Use an Old Phone Instead

You have a broken mobile screen but still need a phone. So, what can you do? Well, a good option is to just use an old phone instead.

Whether you cant make calls due to the smashed phone screen, or it has been sent away for repairs, you'll need a replacement. The best place to find one is usually stashed away in the back of a drawer.

Even if you don't have an old phone you can switch to temporarily, a friend or relative might. Ask, and you'll have a handy replacement until you've decided what to do with your phone and its broken screen.

3. Put a Screen Protector on a Cracked Screen

Wondering if you can put a screen protector on a cracked screen? You can, but you should only do this in certain circumstances.

For displays where chips and shards of glass are loose or missing, adding a screen protector is pointless. It won't be able to adhere properly as the glass is in motion. The result: you wasted money on a screen protector.

But where the crack is minimal, putting a screen protector over a cracked screen might help keep the glass from cracking further. It might also protect your fingers from getting cut by the sharp edges of the glass.

4. How to Fix a Cracked Phone Screen

By this point, you may have come to the realization or made the decision that getting a new phone isn't necessary. If you're still uncertain about the extent of the damage, there are various methods to assess whether the crack on your phone is a serious issue.

Now, the question is, how would you go about replacing the screen if you cracked your mobile phone display?

Thanks to the internet, the chances are you'll find a DIY fix for everything online. iFixIt is a great place to start, as it provides instructions on how to fix a broken screen, along with links to the parts.

YouTube is another great resource for repair tutorials. Replacement screens can be bought online, via sites like eBay and AliExpress. Benefits of a DIY fix include keeping down the cost of repair, as well as a feeling of accomplishment.

It's worth keeping in mind that without the right preparation and skills, you might mess it up.

5. Pay for a Broken Cell Phone Screen Repair

Uncertainty over DIY (can I really put a screen protector on a cracked screen?) might lead you to an alternative solution: paying someone else to do it. But how much is it to replace a phone screen?

While you could ship your phone to the official manufacturer, you're going to pay through the nose for that option. Look at Apple's repair feesit's not cheap to get a repair if the cracked screen is out-of-warranty.

There's probably a local phone repair shop that you can try, and a Google search will show you where to find one, as well as customer reviews. Although you'll probably be paying by the hour, a skilled technician can replace a screen pretty quickly.

Check the prices and compare the repair shop's competitors before you try them out. Our guide to places that fix broken iPhone screens can help here.

6. Sell Your Phone to Fund a Replacement

Thinking about raising funds for a replacement? Several sites will buy your cracked phone, and even pay for a broken one. These sites include:

You can even sell your broken stuff on eBay. You probably won't get a lot of money for it, but what you do make you can put towards a new phone.

Many sites will also give you credit for buying a used phone when you trade yours in. You'll probably get a better deal if you take credit instead of cash, so keep that in mind.

With cash raised, check the web's most popular online stores for a replacement, such as eBay and Amazon. You may even find the same phone in used but otherwise good condition. Just pay attention to the item description. You don't want to end up buying a damaged phone!

What should you check? Well, the details should tell you:

• If the phone is working
• Does it have a functioning screen?
• If it has any scratches

At the right price, buying a like-for-like, second-hand replacement can be a better option than buying a new phone.

7. Phone Screen Broken? Just Buy a New Device!

And, of course, the most obvious option: buying a new phone. Sometimes you just need to admit defeat and replace your damaged device.

Sure, it might be painful to spend that much money. But it might be cheaper than buying a replacement and upgrading a few months later anyway. Instead of upgrading soon, it might be best to just do it now.

If you do decide to buy a new phone, don't automatically buy one from your carrier. Buy an unlocked version instead; it'll save you a lot of money, even though it seems more expensive.

If youre looking for a new phone, take a look at our best budget smartphones list.

8. Just Put Up With Your Broken Phone Screen

Short of money? Not keen on DIY solutions or paying for repairs? If your phone is still working, and the screen doesn't appear to be in danger of completely falling apart, why not just keep using it? Sure, it'll be annoying to look at for a bit, but you'll get used to it.

Saving the money it would cost for a new phone is always nice. If you're on a contract that's soon expiring, this is your best option. You can always put a piece of sticky tape across the crack in the screen. Keep your phone otherwise protected with a protective case, and it should see you through to the next upgrade.

Don't Let a Broken Phone Screen Ruin Your Day

While broken smartphone displays are frustrating, ugly, and kill your phone's resell value, don't let it cast a shadow. Firstly, if applicable, leverage your phone insurance to address the issue. For a hands-on approach, weigh the pros and cons of repairing the screen yourself or seeking professional repair services. Moreover, explore options like trading in or selling the phone, or even securing an upgrade with your carrier.

Should none of these avenues be viable, don't forget the option to keep using the phone despite the blemish. The choice is yours, but keep in mind that a cracked screen doesn't have to mark the end of your phone's story.