Shattered Screen? How To Fix A Broken Phone Screen

Did you know smartphone owners in the U.S. broke around 5 million screens in 2017 alone? Not surprising is the fact that accidental dropping was the leading cause.

It cost them $3.4 billion to have their screens replaced, which is not surprising considering that manufacturers don’t allow third-party merchants to repair screens without voiding the warranty.

What’s bad about this is that repair or replacement costs are at $170 on average. If you have the latest iPhone, costs can go over $300. You can buy a whole new decent smartphone with that,

If you want to know how to fix a broken phone screen, here’s a list of options you can take.

1. Prevent Further Damage in the Meantime

As we said above, having it fixed can be pretty expensive, so people might not be able to take it for repairs right away. In some cases, the touchscreen is still functional and the display isn’t too distorted. Many are still able to use their phones like normal sans a whole glass, and it’s not uncommon to find people who do.

If you can’t have it repaired yet, consider getting a screen protector to prevent further damage. Although it seems pretty late for that, this will allow you to use the phone without your finger sliding through the broken screen at all times.

This will also prevent cracks from growing and multiplying. If there are extensive cracks, it will prevent glass shards from falling. If you happen to drop your phone again, a screen protector will at least prevent more damages.

Some people also use packaging tape to keep the screen together. Like a screen protector, it will allow you to use your phone without hurting your finger. However, it won’t do much against hits, falls, and such.

Still, you should take it in for repairs right away – before the touchscreen deteriorates in full. A broken screen might also allow water to enter inside when your phone gets wet, even if it’s waterproof.

2. Consider Your Manufacturer’s Options

Sometimes, your manufacturer can offer reasonable prices for screen replacements and repairs. Most of the time, it would be more expensive to take it to the manufacturer, but many consider this the safest route.

For one, your warranty will still be intact even if it doesn’t cover the repair/replacement. The right to repair campaign is attempting to change this, though. You’ll also be sure they’ll be able to fix the screen according to the manufacturer’s standards.

If you have insurance, such as AppleCare+, you’ll get a good deal on the price. Apple, for example, only charges $29 for screen repairs on the iPhone 5 and newer models. For out-of-warranty repairs, their lowest is $129 while the most expensive is $329.

The out-of-warranty prices may be too much for some, but if you crunch some numbers, you may even be able to save. Some DIY repair kits, for example, may be more expensive than what it would cost you to take it to the manufacturer or authorized dealers.

The biggest advantage of this, though, is that you’ll get original parts. You won’t be able to get OEM screens from third-party manufacturers, so if this matters to you, this is the better option for you.

3. Go to a Local Repair Shop

For some people, though, they don’t care much about the difference in colors or hardness. They only want to be able to use their phones again at a smaller price. There are aftermarket screens that have good quality, and some people won’t even notice the difference.

If you cracked only the glass part, you won’t even have to replace the LCD. This means you can keep the original screen and turn the phone only for refurbishing.

Look for local repair shops near you. Even smaller cities have some shop that can repair your screen. This is the less expensive option if you don’t have insurance.

If you still have a warranty on your iPhone, a screen replacement or repair from a third party won’t void it anymore. However, if something goes awry during the process, the warranty won’t cover the damage done.

For this reason and many others, research for the best places to get your phone repaired. Look for shops that specialize in your phone’s brand and those that have prior experience. You want a technician whose hands have repaired the same phone over in over to minimize the risks of damages.

Check out for reviews from previous customers; websites like Yelp should have it listed, where customers can comment on service, price, etc.

4. Learn How to Fix a Broken Phone Screen

Learning how to repair a cracked screen yourself can be the cheapest route, but only if you don’t break something during the process. You’re looking at up to $100 or such in savings if you know how to do it right.

There are a lot of YouTube tutorials out there to guide you step-by-step. Seeing it in action can help you better learn.

Still, you must have some technical knowledge before you attempt to do this. You should also know how to pick the right screen for your phone.

Let’s take the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s as examples of phones that require you to make sure you have the right screen. Although they look similar in most aspects, they still have different screens. The LCD of the iPhone 6s is thicker, which means it might be impossible to make it fit into the iPhone 6 housing.

Furthermore, the connectors are different; you won’t be able to connect the screen to the board. If you bought the wrong screen, you might not find out until after you opened your phone.

You should also consider the risks DIYing presents. If you make one wrong move, you might turn your phone into a brick. Your manufacturer won’t be able to help you after that, as this voids the warranty.

In an attempt to save, you end up paying more for a professional to do it right or to buy a new phone.

Let a Professional Handle It

To be sure your phone is getting the right treatment it deserves, contact someone who has actual knowledge of how to fix a broken phone screen. Find a repair shop with a technician who knows how to fix shattered iPhone screen or Android screens. Contact us today and let’s bring your phone back to life.