how to fix broken lcd screen on phone manufacturer

This article was co-authored by Linh Le and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Linh Le is a Certified Mobile Repair Specialist and the Owner of SC Mobile Repairs in San Clemente, California. With more than 12 years of experience, he specializes in smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch hardware repair. Linh has an iTech Mobile Device Repair Certification and an iOS Certification. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Franciscan University of Steubenville.

You could almost see it happening in slow motion: your smartphone is in your hand one moment, and the next thing you know, it’s 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, cracked, or broken phone 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, there’s an option for everyone.

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, it’s 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 phone’s 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.

Broken screens come in various levels of severity—from light scratches, to spiderweb-like patterns, to entirely missing chunks of glass—and 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 a 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, 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 can’t get the phone working again. If it’s already stopped functioning, then a professional repair is probably your best bet.

The name of the game here is, “hold out until I’m eligible for an upgrade.” If you want to keep using the cracked phone, and don’t 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 almostlike a real 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 there’s a spiderweb of cracks underneath.

It’s possible to replace a broken phone screen on your own. We’ll 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. Today’s phone screens, which incorporate touch interaction and possibly biometric sensors, don’t come cheap.

You should also look into the warranty situation. If you’re the kind of person who is willing to fix a phone yourself, you’re probably not too worried about maintaining your warranty—but it still can’t hurt to know if you’re going to void it.

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

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

Kevin is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn. In past lives he’s been an economist, computer salesman, mathematician, barista, and college football equipment manager.

Before joining Pop Mech, Courtney was the technology reporter at her hometown newspaper, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied English and economics. Her favorite topics include, but are not limited to: the giant squid, punk rock, and robotics. She lives in the Philly suburbs with her partner, her black cat, and towers upon towers of books.

The first thing you need to do when your LCD screen gets broken is to check your phone insurance. You’ll need to know whether it covers your cracked screens and the specific conditions that surround them. Doing this helps you make the most out of the money you paid for your phone insurance.

If the insurance covers the LCD screen, arranging for a repair will be straightforward. In a lot of situations, your main issue will involve going about your day without a phone. You can expect it to return within a few days.

Take note, you might still need to pay for the excess charges. The only time problems start is when you can’t get any replacement when your screen breaks. In that case, you’ll need to do the repairs on your own.

A good option while putting your cracked phone to the repair shop is to use an old phone. If you still have your old phone stashed away somewhere, it might be your best bet for now. Look at your drawers and check whether your old phones are still functional.

If your old phones aren’t there anymore, you still have friends and relatives. Ask them if they have gadgets they’re willing to lend. That way, you’ll have something to use while you decide what method to use to repair your cracked LCD screen.

In 2017 alone, around 5 million smartphone owners in the United States broke their phone screens. That shows how likely it is for you to break yours too. Accidents can happen even when people are careful.

It can get difficult, especially when the screen itself cracks instead of the glass cover. Repairing your screen will need you to take it apart using these steps:

Remove your battery cover as well as the battery and all the cards from the device. Once done, you can now unscrew the back of the device as well as remove the screws around the LCD. The screw types will depend on your phone brand and model, but the most common ones include T4, T6, or #00 Phillips screws.

Using a pry stick, take the housing off your device. Insert the stick between the two pieces of housing. Move it around the housing perimeter so the two pieces get disconnected.

Most devices have a cable that runs from the LCD to the control board. Disconnect the cable by lifting up on the connector. You also need to do the same on the cable that runs from the glass to the control board.

Try using a pry stick to remove the LCD from its own housing. Some devices might require you to remove the glass off first. If so, you need to use a heat gun on the glass for about half a minute to make the adhesive loose enough.

It’s important to remember that some devices like the iPhone combine the glass and the LCD together. That’s why it’s important to look at your replacement LCD and see if it also has the glass with it. If they’re connected, there’s no more need to pry them apart.

Put the replacement LCD in the housing of the cracked one. Once you’re finished, you can now reassemble the device. It’s easy as long as you reverse the steps you took when taking it apart.

There is always the option to send your phone to its manufacturer for the repair. But if you don’t want to pay a lot, you should try a local repair shop. The great thing is that it only takes a short Google search to find the ones near your area.

It’s always important to check the customer reviews before you commit your phone to an expert. Not all repair shops are the same. But if you find a skilled technician, you can rest easy since they can repair your screen fast.

In some scenarios, your phone will sustain irreparable damage alongside its LCD screens. You might think that it’s already worthless and hopeless. But the truth is that there are some websites out there that will pay for your broken device.

A good example is the shopping platform eBay. Some people buy broken phones since they want to salvage other parts to repair their own phone. It won’t net you a lot of money, but you can at least save some money when you need to buy new phones.

Some will also give you credit if you’re buying a used phone. Keep in mind that you might get a better deal if you take that instead of getting cash. But it’s only good if you’re buying a used device.

You have a lot of options if your phone’s LCD screen gets broken. No matter what you choose for your LCD phone screen repair, keep in mind that these options are always available for you. Look for the best option and commit to it as soon as you can.

As mobile phone displays are much tougher than they used to be, it seems like they"re indestructible. Sadly, they"re not. Dropping your phone can often break the display. Your phone can no longer be considered useful.

Cracked your mobile phone display? Dropped it in the street, or crushed it playing football? Sat on it, even? You know by now that you"ve given yourself a headache. Can the phone be repaired, and if so, what are the costs?

Many services available online and locally will repair your mobile phone, for a price. But if you have access to the parts and they"re inexpensive, why not perform the procedure yourself?

You should also consider the non-monetary costs: time spent without a phone, data that needs archiving from the device. Hopefully your mobile platform"s cloud service can help here, or perhaps a desktop utility can check the phone"s contents.

Fitting a new display that costs the same as a replacement phone is pointless. However, if replacing the mobile phone screen is closer to $15, it makes sense to have a go yourself.

The most obvious location for a replacement display is eBay. Simply searching for the mobile phone model and the word display will turn up the required parts. Just remember to shop safely when using eBay.

In my case, "nexus 5 display" returned a wealth of accurate (and, sadly, slightly inaccurate) results. Take the time to check that the component you choose is genuinely for your device. Often, components may appear in the results thanks to a poorly written listing.

Amazon is also a resource for replacement screens, but you should also consider a general Google search as this will turn up specialist suppliers who might be able to provide a lower price.

Note that you may find listings that offer just the display, versus listings with half the phone"s chassis. Which one you buy depends on how complicated you want things to get. For example, just the display means melting the adhesive using a heatgun or hairdryer.

Alternatively, a replacement display kit that includes half the phone"s body will require components being transferred from the old body into the replacement.

These tools are included to remove the case and unscrew any components that obstruct replacing the display. For example, a mobile phone will have Torx screws under the battery cover that will need removing before you gently prize the case apart.

Note that spending money on these tools isn"t totally necessary. Sanding off the ends of a couple of plastic bicycle wheel levers will produce usable alternatives---otherwise, they can be sourced relatively cheaply.

There are so many different mobile phone models on the market (either new or used) that providing a standardized guide is next to impossible. Additionally, some models cannot be repaired without sending them back to the manufacturer.

To begin, remove (where possible) the rear cover, battery and identify where the Torx (or standard) screws might be hidden. Look under labels and beside USB ports. You might find screws in the battery cavity if you have a device with a removable cell.

These are often threaded through the different layers of hardware within the phone. Ribbon cables are delicate; easily broken, take care as damage to these could change the dynamic of the repair considerably.

Persuading your phone"s display to part with the body isn"t usually difficult. Pushing through the camera hole against the glass to begin with, slowly prize the glass display away from the body.

In this case, you won"t need to remove the display, but you will need to remove components (and even the motherboard) from the damaged device into the new body.

Narrow rolls of replacement adhesive can be bought online. Have some double-sided sticky tape laying around? Cut this into narrow 1 mm slivers, then apply the adhesive to the phone"s frame, rather than the glass.

Apply light pressure where the display meets the adhesive. Take care not to put pressure on the middle of the glass display. Excessive force can break even the strongest Gorilla glass.

Reconnect the relevant cables, locking them down where necessary. Place the components back in the case with care, checking that there are no cables or screws left over. Test the phone to check that it works.

The moment of truth: does the new screen work? Remember, a touchscreen display has two purposes: touch interaction, and displaying the phone"s operating system.

However, it isn"t always plain sailing. I"ve fitted a replacement display that caused the phone to overheat. Therefore, it is important to buy components from reputable sellers, and ensure you"re buying the right parts for your phone.

Most importantly, don"t walk into performing such a repair without some device-specific research first. Video guides are particularly useful; once you"re ready, get hold of the right tools and surprise yourself!

Here"s another tech problem you can solve yourself with a bit of time and effort: phone display flickering. And if you drop your phone into the water, don"t panic, follow these tips to help save it.

Many Android phones are a bit more durable than iPhones, but that doesn"t mean they"re immune to damage. Phone screens are made of glass, after all, and glass breaks when you drop it.

So. You dropped your Android phone for the 60th time and you now have a beautiful spider web pattern blooming across your home screen. If you don"t have month-to-month phone insurance, here are your options for getting it fixed -- or dealing with it.

If your Android device is relatively new (read: still under manufacturer"s warranty), the first place you"ll want to go for your phone fix is the manufacturer. The price for a broken screen will vary depending on your device, but for a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge you"re probably looking at around $270 plus a day or two without your device. Going to the manufacturer is almost always going to be more expensive than a third-party repair shop, but your warranty will stay intact and your phone will be fully restored (possibly even replaced with a fully refurbished model) to its pre-broken-screen excellence (and waterproof phones, like the Galaxy S7 Edge

Samsung owners might want to consider purchasing Samsung Protection Plus -- it"s like Apple Care, but for your Galaxy phone. Samsung Protection Plus is an extended warranty available for all of Samsung"s high-end smartphones that covers everything from mechanical breakdowns to accidental damage (e.g., broken screens). It costs between $99 and $129 for two years of protection -- during those two years, you"ll get two accidental damage claims per year and you"ll pay a $79 deductible per incident. So one broken screen replacement on the Galaxy S7 Edge will cost you $208.

If you have a Google Pixel, Google has paired up with third-party repair chain uBreakiFixto offer walk-in screen repairs for the relatively affordable price of $129 for the PixelGoogle offers a Device Protection Plan for the Pixel and the Pixel XL. The Device Protection Plan costs $99 for two years" worth of coverage, and covers up to two incidents of accidental damage (but you"ll pay a deductible for each incident -- $79 for the Pixel and $99 for the Pixel XL). In other words, one broken Pixel screen will cost you $178, while one broken Pixel XL screen will cost you $198.

If you have an HTC 10HTC"s Uh Oh Protection plan. Uh Oh Protection will repair or replace your HTC 10 one time (within the first 12 months of ownership) if the screen breaks, or if there"s damage due to water/moisture, extreme thermal or environmental conditions, corrosion or oxidation. HTC will even send you a replacement device before you send in your damaged phone (within one business day), but you"ll have to agree to a $599 credit card hold until HTC receives your device.

If your Android device is older (out of warranty) or a less popular model, you"ll probably be able to save money by going to a third-party repair shop. I called a few local repair shops in the Los Angeles area and got quotes for between $100 and $250 for a Samsung Galaxy S5

There are a couple of benefits -- aside from price -- to using a third-party repair service. If you go to a local repair shop, they"ll be able to fix your phone quickly (some in less than an hour; one local LA shop even offered to come right to my apartment and fix it on the spot), which means you won"t be stuck without a phone. Most third-party repair shops also offer a warranty on the parts they replace, which means you can call them if your replacement screen stops working for any reason (aside from, you know, dropping it and breaking it again).

Some places will also offer a slightly lower price for repairing broken glass (as opposed to broken glass anda broken LCD) -- uBreakiFix, for example, charges $180 to repair the glass on an LG G5to repair the glass and the LCD on the same phone.

Using a third-party repair service to fix your device"s broken screen will almost certainly void your manufacturer"s warranty, so if your phone is new it"s best to first check out the manufacturer"s quote. Some new phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, are very difficult to repair, so you may find that the manufacturer has a better price than any reputable third-party service.

Assuming your device"s broken screen isn"t drastically interfering with your ability to use your phone, or making your fingers bleed, you may want to just ride out the cracks until you get a new phone (or until it does make your fingers bleed). To make your device last as long as possible, cracks and all, I suggest putting it in a sturdy, shockproof case, because any bumps or drops could cause more damage. If the cracks on the screen cross usable area, you may also want to look into a glass screen protector -- to protect your fingers from cuts and to protect your screen from more damage.

If your smartphone doesn"t have a protective case, scratches and cracks on the screen are inevitable. There"s no shortage of screen repair shops, but knowing how to fix (or at least deal with) a cracked phone screen could save you a few hundred dollars.

If your phone is leaking liquid, it could be from the battery. Stop using your phone immediately and put it in a plastic bag until you can get it professionally fixed.

Use packing tape. Cut out a small piece of packing tape and place it over the cracks. If the damage is along the phone"s side, use an X-Acto knife to trim the tape.

Use super glue. Cyanoacrylate glue, better known as super glue, can seal small cracks. Use as little as possible, and carefully wipe the excess adhesive with a cotton swab or cloth.

Ask the manufacturer to fix it. If your phone is still under warranty, the manufacturer may replace your device for free. Even if it has expired, the manufacturer may fix it for a price. Most manufacturer warranties don"t cover accidental damages, but you can purchase secondary warranties that do.

Ask your mobile carrier to fix it. Your mobile provider may offer phone repair services at a discount to customers. Call customer support or visit a local store for help.

Take it to a repair shop. Depending on your device"s model, screen replacement can run about $50-$200. If the touchscreen functionality is damaged, there will be an extra charge.

Trade in your phone. If you"re due for an upgrade, you might as well trade in your broken device and use the money you get to buy a new one. Websites like uSell and Glyde will buy your broken phone for about half the price you paid for it. There are also sites specifically for selling used iPhones.

If you don"t want to fix or replace your phone"s screen after it cracks, gently apply a small amount of vegetable oil or other petroleum jelly products on the screen. This won"t fix anything or protect your phone from further damage, but it may make the cracks less noticeable.

As long as the glass isn"t chipped or breaking off, apply a screen protector to safeguard against further damage and slow down or prevent the cracks from getting worse. Or try using a very tiny amount of clear nail polish (containing cyanoacrylate), being sure to carefully wipe off any excess and let it dry to shore up small screen cracks.

If the glass on the back of your phone cracks, use something like food coloring or markers to go over the damage, then wipe the excess away with a paper towel or napkin. Be advised that while the results may look interesting, they will not repair any of the damage and will not make the broken glass less sharp. There"s still a very real chance that colored-in cracks will continue to spread and cut your fingers.

However, if the digitizer or LCD is also damaged during a fall, that screen no longer carries value because it cannot be refurbished. Repair shops cannot sell broken LCDs to refurbishing companies; therefore, they cannot offset the cost of an LCD repair. That is why repair stores often charge a little extra if there is damage to the LCD or digitizer, to make up for that loss. Repair stores that don’t have an additional charge for an LCD repair typically inflate their glass repair price to make up for the loss from damaged LCDs. If they have one price, that means everyone is paying more to cover the cost of customers who have damaged LCDs and customers who only have cracked glass. This is why TCR separates the price of glass and LCD repairs for you! If you only have cracked glass, you only have to worry about paying to replace the cracked glass.

If your phone or tablet’s glass is shattered there will be cracks or chips on the screen itself. If it is just the glass that is damaged, the device may still function and you may be able to use it normally. If this is the case, it is likely that only the glass needs to be replaced. To prevent further damage to your device it is best to get it repaired quickly. For example, if liquids seep through the cracks it could cause permanent damage to the LCD.

Many people may continue to use their touchscreen with shattered glass and delay fixing the glass on their devices; however, if the touchscreen isn’t responsive, it could be a sign of more significant damage to the device’s digitizer which is integrated with the LCD screen.

A pixelated screen can indicate LCD damage. This would look like a patch of multicolored dots, a line or lines of discoloration, or a screen with rainbow colors. For many people, these colors are an easy way to know that their LCD is broken and that they should get it repaired.

Dropping your phone isn’t the only reason you’ll end up with a pixelated screen. Over time, your screen’s LCD may break down through regular use. This happens to other devices aside from your smartphone or tablet. Pixelation can happen to TVs and computers, too. People typically decide to buy a new device when this happens. Fortunately, with an LCD repair, you can fix the device without needing to replace it.

A black screen or black spots on your smartphone or tablet is an indication of a damaged LCD. Often with a bad LCD, a phone may still turn on and make noises, but there is no clear picture. This does not necessarily mean any other part of the phone is damaged and a simple screen replacement will get it functioning again. Sometimes it can mean a battery or other internal component is damaged. It is best to have a highly qualified phone repair technician diagnose what is wrong so the appropriate repair can be made.

Fortunately, your mobile device is fixable whether you cracked the glass or damaged the LCD. Stop by or call TCR: Triangle Cellular Repair at (919) 263-2699 for a free diagnostic and quick, affordable cell phone repair in Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. We’re always happy to help!

There"s nothing that can ruin your day quite like cracking your smartphone screen. Whether it was a fall, a throw, or just cosmic misfortune, you"re going to want it fixed fast. But you have a decision to make: Should you do it yourself or turn to a repair professional?

Believe it or not, everything you need to replace your cracked phone screen is available online, but it"s not as easy as it sounds. Before you head to eBay®, ask yourself these questions to make sure you"re ready to take on this challenge:Do you have any electronics repair experience?If your only electronics repair experience is changing the batteries on the remote, then you probably aren"t qualified to take a screwdriver to a smartphone. Smartphones are complicated machines, and one teeny-tiny misplaced screw or damaged flex wire could cause the device to no longer work. If you do have some electronics repair experience, a phone screen replacement is among the simpler smartphone repairs to complete.

Do you have a safe workspace available?Professional repair experts have workspaces set up with everything they need to complete cracked screen repairs safely. This usually includes helpful items like a magnetic work mat, suction cups, and an antistatic wrist strap that keeps repair experts grounded so they don"t accidentally zap the electronics they"re working on with electrostatic discharge, or ESD. Without these workspace essentials, it"s difficult to complete a safe cracked iPhone screen repair or Samsung cracked screen repair that will hold up over time.

Are you worried about voiding your warranty?Before starting a DIY cracked screen repair, it"s important to check the device"s warranty. If it"s a relatively new device, it may still be under warranty, and you might be eligible for a free or low-cost repair or replacement. Once a device is worked on by anyone other than a certified repair provider, the warranty on that device is void and the manufacturer will not be able to help if there are any other problems with it.

Do you want to risk the device"s water resistance?Certified repair providers are given specialized tools and equipment so that their repairs meet the high standards of big manufacturers like Apple®, Google®, and Samsung®. One of those tools is a special sealer that allows a device to retain its water-resistance after a repair. Without this machine, a device will no longer be resistant to water damage and the chances of inflicting further damage are much higher.

The internet is a strange place, and you shouldn"t trust everything you read when searching for how to fix a cracked phone screen. This especially applies to DIY fixes related to electronics. We"ve seen some funny ones, but these are mostly tips that will do more damage to your device than help. Here are some of our favorites and why they"re false.

While cracks in a screen could be equated to cavities, toothpaste will do nothing but create a giant minty mess on your screen. Some types of toothpaste are grainy and could be considered mildly abrasive. The thought is that rubbing this abrasive into the screen will buff the cracks out, but the screen is too thick, the cracks are too deep, and most kinds of toothpaste aren"t abrasive enough for this hack to work.

The thought behind using an eraser is similar to the toothpaste hack. The thought is that the eraser can buff out the cracks. While it"s true that an eraser will have more buffing power than toothpaste, the screens on electronics are just too thick and most cracks and scratches are too deep for this to have any effect.

Nail polish is great for fixing runs in pantyhose, but it won"t do the same for your phone screen. Please avoid using it or any other beauty products on your broken phone screen.

No. While using a liquid glass screen protector could potentially help to prevent screen breaks, it will not help much if the screen is already cracked. It could make a tiny, hairline crack less visible, but it will not fix it and will likely just make matters worse. If the liquid glass were to seep into the already present screen crack or the surrounding housing and touch any of the internal components, your phone could stop working altogether.

No. It may help to make your phone clean look really clean, but that’s about it. You should always avoid using abrasives and liquid on your device—if any were to get into the speakers or the ports of the device, you’d have a much bigger problem on your hands.

Cost is always an important factor when deciding whether to do something yourself or go to a professional. When it comes to repairing phone screens, there are two main components that can affect the price:

The age and brand of the broken device have the most impact on what the price will be. Parts for older devices will be cheaper than newer devices, but the parts for older devices might be more difficult to find. Repair professionals often have deals with companies like Samsung and Google to receive parts directly from their manufacturer, a perk not available to a person buying a part online.

A device with extensive damage is more likely to have collateral damage to other parts that may need to also be repaired. The more that needs to be replaced, the more expensive a repair would be.

The only way to know for certain the cost of fixing your broken phone is to price out the parts, or to bring your device to a repair expert for a diagnostic test.

Now you have the information you need about repairing your broken phone screen. If you decide that a DIY replacement is not the route you want to take, we"re here to help. Stop by the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion or Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions™ store for fast, affordable cracked screen repair.

Whether you decide on a DIY fix for your cracked phone screen or to bring it to a repair professional, be sure to take steps to prevent another mishap in the future. Here are some great ways to prevent a cracked screen from ruining your plans.Get a protective phone case.A case that protects every edge of a device and has a lip over the screen is the best tool in protecting your device from damage. They"re so widely available and can be customized in any way imaginable. This one feels like a no-brainer!

Use a screen protector.A protective accessory for your smartphone that might not be so obvious is a screen protector. The best and most resilient are made of tempered glass, but other more affordable materials will also provide protection against scratches and cracks.

Protect your device with phone insurance.Drops, spills, and breaks happen to all of us. Phone insurance from Asurion provides coverage not only for a cracked screen but also other common mishaps like water damage, loss, and theft. Learn more about Asurion phone insurance plans today.

Cracked or broken mobile device screens can be costly to fix, but a few inexpensive do-it-yourself strategies can eliminate a repair shop visit and salvage your tablet or phone.

Third-party repair shops typically replace glass on a tablet for about US$100-$200, depending on the model. Replacing the tablet’s touchscreen can cost $50-$75 extra.

Replacing the cracked glass with a functioning touchscreen is much cheaper. You usually can find suppliers online for $6 to $20 for a phone. A tablet replacement digitizer can cost about $50 or more if you perform the work.

It is relatively easy and cheap to replace the glass on a phone once you get the hang of it. Tablets are a bit more involved because of the larger size and added components.

Tools might require an additional monetary outlay if you do not have a well-functioning workbench. Depending on the device involved, you need a phone opener pry tool, little tweezers to deal with small cables inside, a Torx screwdriver, flat-head screwdriver and a precision screwdriver kit.

Add to that list either a variable hair dryer or a heat gun to soften glued phone parts. Also add scissors, double-sided adhesive tape, canned air and work gloves.

It is first things first when it comes to fixing cracks on a smartphone’s screen. Often, the actual screen is not cracked at all. You may have installed a glass screen protector when you purchased the phone.

The film covers can become cloudy or scratched. They usually help absorb shock from items dropping on the tablet to lessen risk of cracking the touchscreen glass under it.

When the culprit really is a damaged screen, choosing one of the next three approaches can help you solve the problem. You might be able to repair the damage rather than replace it.

For instance, is the screen clouded or otherwise damaged from your mistaken use of harsh cleaning fluids or coarse paper towels to clean the screen? If so, there is a fix for that.

Is the screen merely cracked or full-out broken — as in massive spider cracks from being smashed? You can cure a cracked screen on a phone or tablet more easily with Sugru, a commercial product. A fully cracked screen on either type of device is a solid candidate for a screen replacement.

If your phone or tablet screen shows signs of cleaning abuse or wear from heavy handling, return its condition to nearly new with an oleophobic coating kit. This is an oil-repellent coating that protects the screen, along with adding smoothness and reducing fingerprints.

The coating, a thin layer of fluoropolymer-based solids, is similar to Teflon and is bonded to the glass. You can buy the coating kit from a variety of electronic supply stores and online outlets.

Prepare a wiping finger. The oleophobic coating’s liquid solvent evaporates very quickly when applied, so once you start, work quickly. Wrap one finger with plastic wrap or a sandwich bag. Use this finger to rub the coating liquid onto the screen.

Apply 10-15 drops of the coating to the screen’s surface. If the phone or tablet screen has a large surface, apply 10 drops to a portion of the screen, working on one portion at a time.

Wipe the screen dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Then give the coating time to dry. Do not touch the screen for 8-12 hours to allow the coating to bond to the surface.

If your only complaint involves tiny scratches and cracks on a smartphone screen or a tablet glass, there are remedies that work with varying degrees of reliability. You can use a household eraser pad or an actual pencil eraser.

Pencil erasers also work reasonably well in making scratches disappear. Simply rub the scratch left and right with the eraser for about 60 seconds. Then rub it up and down for 60 seconds.

Does using toothpaste to fill in the cracks really work? I put that fix in the category of more “mythful” thinking, but I know people who swear that this method is a cheap fix that works.

Sugru is a moldable glue kit for repairing rather than replacing cracked screens. Actually, the product was not created with phone and tablet repairs in mind. Its intended purpose is more in the line of general repairs where bonding surfaces together and filling surfaces are needed.

Depending on how badly the screen is damaged, it can be a good solution for cracks that spread from the phone or tablet screen’s edges. However, for massive cracks that spread over the entire screen — as spider cracks tend to do over time — it will be a short-term fix at best.

If your phone or tablet screen has suffered more serious damage, full scale surgery is the only option other than getting a new device. Repairing the device’s LCD screen is a complicated procedure due to the compact internal design.

The repair process involves completely dismantling the phone or tablet’s outer casing. It is particularly easy if the replacement screen comes with a top frame.

Otherwise, you may have to seal the layers to avoid loss of structural strength and moisture/dust protection. You can use either sealing pads for the size of the particular device at hand or double-sided sticky tape. A simpler solution for phone screen replacement is to use B-7000/T-7000 glue.

Before you roll up your sleeves to get started, take one huge safety step. Buy and use a static wristband and a static guard mat. This will ensure against accidentally frying any electronic components while disassembling and reassembling the devices. Disconnecting the battery is not always a guarantee that static discharge will not happen.

The first step is to tear down the device so you can assess the extent of the damage and determine what screen parts to order. Locate the model number for the LCD screen. Use this number in an Internet search to find a replacement screen.

The part or model number usually is printed on a label adhered to the sensor cable attached to the screen. You can access this cable after you separate the screen from the rest of the unit. Carefully disconnect the cable connector from the backside of the screen along the edge.

Step 2: Loosen any stuck-on cabling that is now exposed, like the camera cable. Then remove cables if the clasps are exposed. These cables simply slide out of any exposed sockets after clasps are released. The tape-style cables are often held onto the frame and parts by adhesive, so tug gently to release.

Step 3: Unscrew the Phillips or Torx screws that hold the motherboard-containing back frame to the LCD-containing chassis and place the screws in a bowl for safe-keeping. Then separate the back frame from the chassis by gently and carefully pulling the two apart.

Step 4: Remove any further cable assemblies that have become exposed by the separation of parts. Maintain visual cues as to which cable to reattach where. For example, place them on the work surface face-up in the order of removal. Or take photos with a digital camera or smartphone.

Step 5: Remove the LCD-containing chassis from the front frame or bezel and glass assembly by unscrewing a second batch of screws. Store the second set of screws in a second bowl. Remove any further parts such as the camera.

Step 6: Don’t touch the LCD face. Separate the existing, damaged glass from the bezel or front frame by waving the heat gun over the adhesive join and pulling apart. Wear gloves here because the process involves further breaking the glass.

Tip: Be patient while the heat gun loosens the adhesive and be careful not to break the bezel or front frame while removing the glass. You need the bezel intact.

Step 1: Attach fresh two-sided tape to areas of the bezel that have lost their stickiness. Use the existing adhesive where possible. Do not allow tape to overlap the visual part of the glass.

Step 2: Look for any foam padding or seals and reattach. Do not touch the inside of the glass. You won’t be able to get rid of the fingerprints after assembly.

Step 3: Thread the digitizer cable and remount the new digitizer glass to the bezel by firmly pressing it into place. Then remove any dust from the LCD and glass with canned air.

You may have to assemble and disassemble a few times. The two sets of screws use similar holes. It is easy to insert the initial set of screws into the wrong holes. You will realize that only when the second set does not fit because you already used the hole.

Replacing damaged touchscreens and digitizer panels is not rocket science, but the process does require careful attention to details. Following visual guides and screenshots can make the difference between initial success and having to make second or third efforts.

So, is it possible to repair your broken screen or need to replace it with a new one? Here"s everything you need to know about fixing broken smartphone screens.

We’ve all thought of all those crazy ideas of repairing a broken phone screen when we mistakenly smash our phone screens. Had it been one could repair a phone screen only with some chemical components (say Superglue) purchased from a local store, no one would have time to visit the repair center.

However, based on how modern smartphone screens are manufactured, it’s impossible to repair but replace them. After all, it’s not quite easy to restore broken pieces of glasses without passing through industrial chemical processes.

Getting straight to the point, a broken phone screen cannot be repaired but replaced. That’s because the phone screen is made of glass materials that cannot be joined together again once shattered, without undergoing industrial processes.

And, talking about melting a broken screen together by an industrial process, it cannot the applied to a broken phone screen unless you want to damage it totally. That"s why your broken phone screen is recycled to make another spare part once replaced.

There’s also a notion that the touchscreen is different from the visual display. Yes, that’s true as the screen is made up of two layers – the Touch and the LCD.

On many older phones, a technician could replace the touchpad easily without affecting the actual screen (LCD). That"s because older phones screens are split into two layers as mentioned above. However, it"s another story on modern phones.

Modern phone screens have gotten better and better over the years, and now, these two layers cannot be separated. That means: if your phone screen cracks (even slightly), you cannot change the touch panel alone. You would have to change the whole screen.

Was that a stupid and expensive move? Probably not. By fusing the digitizer (touchpad) with the LCD, manufacturers have been able to make thinner and robust screens to use on smartphones. Had it been you can separate your phone screen, it probably would have lacked special features like Gorilla Glass, high touch-sampling rate, and others.

Another advantage is, by fusing the screen with the touch panel, your phone screen would still respond to touches accurately, even when it"s broken. With that, you could choose to continue using your phone for a while after breaking its screen. That"s what you don"t get on older phones with separable displays. Even a slight crack could render the touch screen useless.

To sum up, it’s impossible to repair your broken screen, and you can’t replace only the touchpad if that’s what’s broken. Once you break your phone screen accidentally, you’ll need to replace the whole screen from an authorized repair centre. That"s how to keep enjoying your phone after breaking its screen.

To replace your broken phone screen, all you need is to visit the cell phone repair centre where the technician would access your phone and fix the broken screen.

To replace your cracked phone screen without recurring problems, we recommend you visit the official service provider for your brand. They’re the best place to get genuine screen replacement parts. Otherwise, you may end up with various display problems after fixing your phone screen from an unauthorized repair shop.

Meanwhile, the cost of screen replacement service from the official service provider may be reasonably higher than the local shops in most cases. That"s to be expected, given the quality of spare parts, professionalism, reliability, and warranty you’d get afterward.

Do you have a TECNO, Infinix, or itel smartphone with a cracked screen? You’ve taken the right step to be here. Carlcare is the only service provider to repair smartphones and other gadgets from these brands.

We"re the only official repair centre to get the factory-made screen for your TECNO, Infinix, and itel devices, as well as a specialized technician, to fix it for you in the shortest possible time.

Now that you know it’s not possible to repair your broken TECNO, Infinix, or itel phone screen, all you need to do is walk into any Carlcare-accredited repair shop near you for screen replacement. You can also book an appointment with us to enjoy our priority service and reduce your waiting time and stress when you visit our centre.

A cracked cell phone screen can deal a devastating blow to your ability to connect with business, social, and entertainment interests. You have to get your cell phone back in working order fast, but it can be difficult to determine the best way to do that: should you repair your cell phone, or sell it and purchase a new device? A lot of factors go into answering that question, including price, speed, and convenience. The following compares the repair and sales options you have for a cell phone with a cracked screen so you can make the best decision for your specific situation.

Repairing your cracked cell phone screen is the first option we"ll review; and as you"ll see, this option really breaks down into several more options: warranty/insurance repair, manufacturer repair, mail-in repair, on-site/kiosk repair, and do-it-yourself repair.

If your cell phone is still covered under warranty or an insurance policy, you can likely get your phone repaired for free or a reduced price. Apple Care+, for example, provides repairs for $79 for iPhone users. If you have a Samsung Galaxy, HTC One, LG G3 or other cell phone, you can check your manufacturer"s warranty and your insurance policy for specific pricing and terms.

Warranty and insurance repairs can take anywhere from several days to several weeks. Moreover, some insurance policies won"t actually repair your phone and return it to you; rather, they"ll overnight the same model phone that"s been refurbished. This is a quick way to get back on a cell phone, but it"s not your cell phone.

Keep in mind that many warranties will not cover accidental damage and cracked screens are often included in that category. In addition, even reduced-price repairs conducted via warranties and insurance policies can be more expensive than do-it-yourself repair.

You can send your cell phone in to your manufacturer for repair. Again, costs vary by manufacturer. Apple charges $269 to repair out-of-warranty iPhone 5"s, while reports indicate LG charges approximately $150. Samsung likewise charges around $150. Apple aside, these figures are culled from forum groups rather than the manufacturers themselves, so your actual cost might vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your cell phone. Still, we can reasonably estimate the cost of manufacturer cracked screen cell phone repair to be between $150 and $300. Again, you"ll wait several days to several weeks to receive your phone (of course, you can always have your wireless provider switch service to an older phone or temporary phone while you wait).

There are many mail-in cracked screen repair companies online, and each has its own pricing structure. Most promise to return your repaired cell phone to you within three to five days. You can get your iPhone 5 screen repaired for $130 at iFixYouri, which also charges $250 for Samsung Galaxy 4 screens. imobileRescue, on the other hand, charges $120 to replace a cracked iPhone 5 screen.

Like warranty/insurance and manufacturer repair, mail-in repair requires you to mail your broken device in to have its screen replaced. However, some companies have their own retail stores that handle on-location repair – a convenient way to quickly get your cell phone back in good working condition.

Another cracked screen repair option is to take your phone to a local service center or repair kiosk, often located in shopping malls. Apple Stores, for example, will repair iPhones on-site; while independent service centers and repair kiosks will repair any brand of phone. Some repair centers and kiosks can repair a cracked cell phone screen in an hour or less; others might need a day or two to repair your phone. On-site and kiosk repair requires you drive to their location and aren"t available everywhere, but their pricing is comparable to mail-in repair so they can prove to be quick repair options for cracked cell phone screens.

Finally, if you"re somewhat tech-savvy you can repair your own cracked cell phone screen. This typically involves purchasing a new screen (often a combination of an LCD display and digitizer) and disassembling your phone, swapping the screens, and reassembling it. The degree of difficulty varies by model – some screens are relatively easy to replace, others are quite tedious.

You can order repair parts online and have them delivered in just a few days, even overnight from some stores; thus, DIY cracked screen replacement is one of the fastest repairs. Replacement screens typically cost just a fraction of the price of paying a third-party for repair – some are even available for under $20, though others can cost as much as $100 or more, particularly for the latest cell phones.

You"ll also need a set of tools specific to cell phone assembly, available for under $15 at many online stores. The following three online retailers sell kits and replacement screens for many different cell phone models:

The second option is to sell your cracked screen cell phone, and like screen repair there are multiple ways to do it. The most popular ways to sell are via trade-in/buyback companies and on the private market.

Many online companies are interested in purchasing used cell phones, even if they have broken screens. These companies either recycle the parts or, more often, they repair the phones and resell them for a profit. You can instantly compare trade-in/buyback offers from dozens of buyers on Flipsy.com. The process typically works like this:

It"s important to check each buyer"s payout policies before you decide which to sell your phone to. Some buyers pay via check, money order, PayPal, or direct deposit; while others pay in store credit. Nearly all buyers cover shipping costs, but payout time frames vary.

Even broken cell phones have value, often more than one might expect. An iPhone 5 with a cracked screen can be sold to buyback companies for as much as $125, for example, while a Galaxy S4 with a cracked screen could command as much as $70. At those rates, selling your broken phone will go a long way toward paying the subsidized price of a new phone.

Selling to trade-in/buyback vendors is the most convenient method, since you can complete your entire transaction on your computer, tablet, or other device; and all you have to do is ship your phone and wait for payment. Plus, because you"re declaring your phone"s condition to be “broken,” there"s little chance a buyer will give your phone a lower valuation, which could potentially delay payment.

Without doubt, the private market will pay more for your cracked screen cell phone than trade-in/buyback companies; however, the difference is often negligible for broken phones. Flipsy.com lets you identify the private market value for your phone, and reveals that the value of a cracked screen Galaxy S4 on the private market is only $6 more than what buyback vendors are willing to pay. At the same time a broken iPhone 5 is worth $38 more on the private market, so it"s worth investigating the actual private market value of your phone and comparing it to buyback offers before you sell.

Thus, while you could potentially make more money by selling your cracked screen cell phone on the private market you might also have to wait weeks or months before you"re able to find a buyer you can trust.

It"s helpful to compare each option in order to make a choice that best fits your specific situation. The following table helps you compare different repair and sales options for your cracked screen cell phone.

Determine which attributes are most important to you, then make a selection by using the table to find the method best suited to those attributes. You also need to consider the cost of a new phone when selling; that is to say, would you rather have your used phone repaired or would you rather have a new phone purchased, in part, by the proceeds from selling your phone?

Ultimately, choosing whether to repair or sell your cracked screen cell phone is your decision to make; when you analyze the pros and cons of each option you can make an educated choice the best fits your specific situation.

It"s the scenario that haunts every smartphone owner"s dreams. You"re sending a text, or you"re taking your phone out of your pocket, and then bam—gravity does its thing and your phone is on the ground with a screen full of spiderweb cracks. Taps plays in your head.

So what now? You know you"ll need to get your phone repaired, but you"ve got questions. How much will it cost? Which services do you really need? Should you use a case from now on? (We"ll just go ahead and say that yes: you should use a case from now on.) Keep reading our guide to cell phone repair to find out.

Truthfully, it depends. Lots of different factors have a hand in how much you"ll end up having to shell out to get your phone up and running again, such as:

What kind of phone you have. Older (but not too much older) models tend to be cheaper to fix than newer ones. You"ll also see different repair prices for Apple, Android, and Windows phones.

What all you"re having fixed. A general cell phone repair—which can include everything from screen and battery replacement to repairs made to buttons—will cost somewhere in the ballpark of $150-$200, but that price can rise if your phone has other/more problems.

Ah yes, the almost inevitable cracked phone screen. For as common as cell phone screen repair is, your options for where to take it, how much you"ll wind up paying, and how long it"ll take can vary wildly.

Where should I take it? You essentially have two options here: manufacturer or a third-party repair store. The benefit to going the manufacturer route is that if your phone"s still under warranty or a supplemental protection plan, you can save a good chunk of change on the repair. The downside, though, is that you may have to mail in your phone for the fix, which obviously will take a bit of time. Along with being able to shop around (or find local deals on our site), the draw to making an appointment at a third-party store is that frequently, your phone can be fixed in as little as a few hours.

How much will it cost? Fixing a broken phone screen can cost anywhere from $100 to nearly $300. If you have an iPhone 6S, for example, you can have Apple repair it for $129, which is considered relatively inexpensive for a manufacturer repair. Taking your phone to a third-party store via a deal on our site, though, will frequently only cost somewhere between $45 and $80. Note that that price can jump up if you end up needing a replacement battery or other essential hardware.

As with almost any cell phone repair, the cost of fixing water damage in your device varies. Here, though, is where the extent of the damage has the most impact.

The extent of the damage really matters. Many repair shops will either give you a free diagnostic check or charge you a refundable payment when you bring in your water-damaged device. After they take a look at your phone, they"ll let you know what you can expect to pay for the actual repair, or if a successful repair is even possible.

Not all water-damage symptoms are seen right away. Unfortunately, even after you"ve taken your phone to a shop, the effects of water damage you thought you rid yourself of (like a broken camera or blank screen) can crop up again in the days or weeks following the initial repair.

Bottom line: be prepared to pay according to how badly your phone"s damaged. A "simple" water-damage repair can run as little as $49, while complicated fixes can cost $100 or more.

They might, but not for the reason you might be imagining. It"s a common misconception that taking your device to a repair shop to get it fixed will negate the device"s manufacturer warranty. The good news is that this isn"t true! The bad news? It"s the damage itself that likely voided your manufacturer warranty. As with all high-end consumer electronics, be sure you know the fine print of any warranties or protection plans you decide to get with your phone.

If you"re reading this through a web of cracks or on a friend"s phone instead of your own, it"s probably time to get yours fixed. To give you an idea of the great phone-repair savings that can be had on our site, check out the below collection of top deals that are live right now. Not in one of these cities? Click here to search for great phone-repair deals near you.

We are also a family owned and operated business out of Boca Raton, FL, and our business is refurbishing large volumes of salvageable combos (Cracked Glass Good LCD) such as the ones that you buy. We can give you a credit for each combo that we refurbish based on the units that you provide for us to work on. We have a very transparent process and would like the opportunity to serve you. We have the capacity to handle large volumes and would very much like to get in touch with you to discuss our capabilities and show you how we could improve the margins in your buyback business and possibly reduce your need for working capital. Please reply if interested so that we can set up a time to talk. I assure you that it will be a good use of your time.

On top of call difficulties, a broken speaker can also cause problems when watching videos or listening to podcasts. First, carefully check your phone to determine if there is any external damage. If nothing is visible, make sure the latest software update is installed on your device. In addition, try some basic troubleshooting by turning your phone on and off while leaving it unplugged.

If you’re covered by one of the Verizon device protection plans such as Verizon Protect or Total Mobile Protection, you can always reach out to Tech Coach. This personalized support service connects you with live, US-Based tech experts who can walk you through next steps on repairs. If you don’t have either plan, the app is also available for purchase separately for $9 per month. For New York residents, Tech Coach is available for $4 or $5 per month depending on the type of device.

Once a phone has water damage — from small spills to a full liquid plunge — there’s often no easy fix. The first step should be to check if your smartphone’s Liquid Contact Indicator has been activated. Most models, including Apple, LG and Samsung, have small visible indicators to show whether water damage has occurred. Consider peace of mind for those inevitable accidents with Verizon’s Verizon Protect or  Total Mobile Protection. Not only is your phone covered if it gets water damage, you may be eligible for a full replacement that same day.

From the rays in a hot car to a sunny day spent at the beach, high temps and direct sunlight can cause serious and lasting damage to a smartphone. Extreme heat can damage a smartphone’s internal components and result in slower speeds or even loss of data. And often the damage is not visible from the outside.

Before you panic, get your phone back to room temperature and exit all apps. Look over the exterior of the phone to see if the battery, which is especially sensitive to extreme heat, has leaked. And in all future situations, make sure to follow manufacturer recommendations. For example, Apple recommends not using a smartphone in temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use our “Get an Estimate” tool to review potential costs if you get service directly from Apple. The prices shown here are only for screen repair. If your iPhone needs other service, you’ll pay additional costs.

If you go to another service provider, they can set their own fees, so ask them for an estimate. For service covered by AppleCare+, your fee per incident will be the same regardless of which service provider you choose.

Your country or region offers AppleCare+ for this product. Screen repair (front) is eligible for coverage with a