possible to replace a broken lcd panel for an iphone supplier

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 fee by using an incident of accidental damage from handling that comes with your AppleCare+ plan.

The Apple Limited Warranty covers your iPhone and the Apple-branded accessories that come in the box with your product against manufacturing issues for one year from the date you bought them. Apple-branded accessories purchased separately are covered by the Apple Limited Warranty for Accessories. This includes adapters, spare cables, wireless chargers, or cases.

Depending on the issue, you might also have coverage with AppleCare+. Terms and Conditions apply, including fees. Feature availability and options may vary by country or region.

We guarantee our service, including replacement parts, for 90 days or the remaining term of your Apple warranty or AppleCare plan, whichever is longer. This is in addition to your rights provided by consumer law.

Replacement equipment that Apple provides as part of the repair or replacement service may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements.

Apple has determined that some iPhone X displays may experience touch issues due to a component that might fail on the display module. An affected device may exhibit the following:

Choose one of the options below to have your iPhone X serviced. Your iPhone will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program.

If your iPhone X has any damage which impairs the ability to complete the repair, such as a cracked screen, that issue will need to be resolved prior to the service. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the additional repair.

The Apple Limited Warranty covers your iPhone and the Apple-branded accessories that come in the box with your product against manufacturing issues for one year from the date you bought them. Apple-branded accessories purchased separately are covered by the Apple Limited Warranty for Accessories. This includes adapters, spare cables, wireless chargers, or cases.

We guarantee our service, including replacement parts, for 90 days or the remaining term of your Apple warranty, whichever is longer. This is in addition to your rights provided by consumer law.

Replacement equipment that Apple provides as part of the repair or replacement service may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements.

Use our “Get an Estimate” tool to review potential costs if you get service directly from Apple. 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. We"ll inspect your product when we receive it. If additional damage is found, you could pay an additional fee.

The Apple Limited Warranty covers your Apple Display and the Apple-branded accessories that come in the box with your product against manufacturing issues for one year from the date you bought them. Apple-branded accessories purchased separately are covered by the Apple Limited Warranty for Accessories. This includes adapters and spare cables.

Depending on the issue, you might also have coverage with AppleCare+. Terms and Conditions apply, including fees. Feature availability and options may vary by country or region.

If your situation isn’t covered, you’ll pay a fee. If the issue with your Apple Display is ineligible for service, you might pay the full replacement value.

We guarantee our service, including replacement parts, for 90 days or the remaining term of your Apple warranty or AppleCare plan, whichever is longer. This is in addition to your rights provided by consumer law.

Replacement equipment that Apple provides as part of the repair or replacement service may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements.

As a supplier of wholesale iPhone parts to repair shops nation wide, we understand how important it is to provide only the highest quality products, at the lowest prices possible. Unlike many other sites, or eBay/Amazon sellers, at RepairPartsUSA we test all parts before

The good manufacturer must have a good supply chain, so he can control the whole production line, to make good quality products, to deliver bulk orders on time, and to have a good after-sale service team.

Good manufacture must have a professional sales & marketing team, so they know what customers want most to develop & launch new tech on their new products and service, to help their customers best.

When it comes to good iPhone wholesale replacement screen manufacturer, the manufacturer must have a good supply chain & professional sales & marketing team, iTruColor has been in the mobile parts aftermarket industry for 12 years. They are determined to provide the highest quality iPhone LCD Replacement Screens with cheaper prices possible. iTruColor iPhone LCD Screen has won a lot of good reviews from phone parts distributors, especially iPhone LCD screen replacement repair chain stores clients.

I assume there"s not a tempered glass screen protector on it? They come in 0.2mm and 0.3mm thicknesses typically and so stand off a fair bit. But I"d guess they"d tell you if they gave you one for free or something.

Otherwise yes, it should fit the same. If it isn"t it"s likely because the refurbisher (the company that provided the screens to your repair shop"s supplier, or the repair shop itself if they did glass-only repairs) messed up. Either the frame wasn"t glued properly (most likely) or they have too much LOCA (liquid glue, which they shouldn"t be using anyway) or a double OCA (sheet glue) layer. I can guarantee you that they didn"t put extra thick glass on the screen.

Bring it back. All of the major parts suppliers will RMA faulty parts and give them a new one so it won"t cost them anything other than time. And they should have seen the problem before they started.

There have been a spate of iPhone 6 replacement screen issues as of late, the most common of which is screen to frame separation. The problem is that the design of the iPhone 6 leaves very little area of contact between the frame and the glass. Original Apple screens don"t have a problem with this as they use a special type of glue that is held in a press while it sets, which can take hours. Aftermarket manufacturers don"t want to deal with that so they use hot glue. But the type of hot glue they were using they found ineffective at holding the frames on, so to increase strength they made the frames thicker. These thicker frames allowed greater glue contact (in theory), but they caused the LCD to protrude past the original. Most manufacturers have since solved this issue by switching to a stronger glue.

As it turns out, this didn"t work either, and now there have been numerous failures. So if you find your screen separates from the rest of the phone bring it back and get it replaced. In fact, if you call your installer they may be able to swap yours out for a replacement as their supplier (if they"re using a reputable supplier) will likely issue an RMA without any problems for the old screens.

Cracked screen? Touch not working? Bad OLED display? Use this guide to restore your iPhone X to working order with a new OLED screen and digitizer. Trying a new screen may also help if your iPhone X seemingly won’t turn on.

Note: The combined earpiece speaker + sensor assembly affixed to the back of the display is paired to your individual iPhone from the factory, so you must transfer it from your old display to your new one as instructed below during any display replacement. It contains the flood illuminator, which is part of the biometric Face ID security feature. If it is damaged or replaced, Face ID will cease to function, so take extra care not to damage any of these components during this procedure. If damaged, only Apple can restore Face ID function.

Note: If your iPhone’s auto brightness feature does not work properly after your screen repair, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 12. True Tone functionality is disabled after a screen replacement, even when using an original Apple screen.

Have a broken iPhone screen? Here are three iPhone screen repair options and how much each costs, plus a breakdown of whether you should fix it or sell it.

NOTE: If your iPhone is still under warranty, check with Apple to see if you can get your screen fixed for free. Here’s Apple’s warranty coverage checker.

You can replace your own iPhone screen with a little tech savvy and a bit of patience. The repair requires disassembly, however, so you shouldn’t attempt this fix if you’re not comfortable doing that.

Your best bet is to buy a complete screen assembly, which is a much easier repair than replacing just the front glass or digitizer. Expect to pay between $45 and $280 for a new iPhone screen, depending on your model, where you buy parts and whether you buy a standard LCD or premium OLED screen. Toolkits start at $5 if you don’t already have the necessary tools.

WARNING: This can be a difficult repair, especially if you aren’t experienced. Understand the risk of additional damage that could void any warranties and insurance policies.Rather buy a new iPhone? Save with these iPhone deals

The process differs slightly by model, but generally involves these steps:Use a hair dryer, heat gun or iOpener tool to heat the front glass and soften the underlying adhesive

You can find detailed step-by-step instructions on sites like iFixit and YouTube. Here are some example videos for the iPhone 12, iPhone 11 and iPhone X.

Don’t want to fix your own iPhone screen? You can opt for professional repair instead. Local repair shops can often replace your screen in a few hours, either in-store or at your location. Online mail-in repair services take longer, but they’re good options if you don’t have a local repair store.

Expect to pay between $119 and $520 for professional iPhone screen replacement, depending on your model and repair shop. Note that Apple’s own repair service tops out at $329 for out-of-warranty screen repair. Apple also uses OEM (original equipment manufacturer parts), while many repair shops use less expensive aftermarket parts.

Mail-in repair services like iFixYouri and My Broken Phone typically charge between $100 and $200, but they don’t always list pricing for every repair on their websites. Sometimes, it’s because they haven’t updated their service offering lately, especially if newer devices aren’t listed. Other times, they can make the repair, but it’s too uncommon to stock parts.

In some cases, the repair is difficult and likely to damage the device, so it’s not profitable for the company to offer it. Or, the required parts are so expensive it’s not worth fixing. Either way, if the repair you need isn’t listed on a repair shop’s website, it’s a good idea to contact them anyway to see if they offer it.

It’s a good idea to ask about warranties on parts and labor before you choose a repair company. You should also inquire about your service tech’s experience, credentials and quality of parts.Interested in a refurbished iPhone 12? See where to get it for less

Do you have iPhone insurance? If so, you can file a claim directly with your insurance company, who might offer a choice between mail-in, in-store or on-location repair services. Some companies will overnight a refurbished replacement iPhone rather than repair and return yours.

Expect to pay a deductible ranging between $29 and $149, depending on your model and insurance company. Here are some example iPhone screen repair deductibles.InsureriPhone Screen Replacement Deductible

Should you fix your iPhone screen or sell it broken? You can base your decision on how much your iPhone is worth broken versus repaired, especially if you plan to upgrade soon.

For example, at the time of this writing, an iPhone X 64GB on the Verizon network was worth $255 in good condition. Here’s a breakdown of its net value after different repair options.

Next, compare the net value after repair to what your iPhone is worth in broken condition. At the time of this writing, a broken iPhone X 64GB on the Verizon network was worth $110.

As the table shows, our example iPhone will have significantly more value if you repair it yourself or file an insurance claim through AppleCare+ or Verizon.

However, SquareTrade insurance leaves a net value of $4 less than the phone is worth broken, while out-of-warranty Apple repair leaves a net value of $134 less, which means you’d lose money by going with those repair options.

The independent repair shop option leaves a net value of just $26 more than selling it broken, which might make you question whether repair is worth the hassle.

Of course, your decision depends not only on the value, but also how long you plan to keep your iPhone. If you intend to hold on to it for a few years, it’s cheaper to repair it than to buy a new iPhone.

If you plan to upgrade soon and trade in your old phone, however, it’s worth comparing your options to see whether you’ll get more value after repair or selling it as-is.

After going 0-for-2 on cracked screens, I decided to lay down my screwdriver. I’m not going to quit my day job anytime soon to work as a freelance phone fixer. I don"t relish the idea of handing malfunctioning smartphones off to co-workers.

1. Before you set out to perform DIY repairs on your smartphone, do a trial run on an old one. Even with clear instructions, it"s easy to make a mistake that leaves the device inoperable.

3. Be prepared to spend a few days on the project. That requires having a dedicated workspace in a low-traffic area of your home. If you start out on the kitchen table, all those tiny parts can easily get knocked around or lost.

While they may look the same at first glance, they’re different sizes. A screw that’s too short won’t hold your phone together. And a screw that’s too long can drill down until it pierces the phone"s motherboard—which could be one reason I ended up with two flawed phones in the end.

The technician in the iCracked video uses a magnetic board to stay organized. You can buy one through the company"s website for as little as $10. I didn’t have one, so I put the screws on a sheet of paper and labeled them, trying to diagram where they appeared on the phone. This went downhill pretty quickly. Just brushing the paper was enough to send them rolling out of place. To prevent this, I eventually started taping them down.

You may want to think about organizing the replacement screws, too. When I had to pull one from the tiny bag, they were all lumped together, so I often ended up guessing which to use.

One last thing: When you buy a screen replacement kit, keep in mind that you"re not guaranteed to get parts of the same quality offered by the manufacturer or a certified repair shop.

While the screens in the kits I bought looked very nice, I had no way to tell what kind of glass was used to make them. And the appearance of cables and connectors on the replacement screen did not perfectly match those of the iPhones.

With all that said, even if I had received parts identical to the ones I owned and pulled off the repairs flawlessly, I"m not sure the DIY screen replacement would have been worth the time and aggravation to save roughly $75.

I will admit, though, that I found this project kind of fun, at least until I started running into problems. If you’re a handy person who enjoys a good challenge, this might be your kind of thing. Just accept from the start that there’s a decent chance you might damage or destroy your phone in the process.

Most of us will fall victim to a broken iPhone at some point. You’ve probably had to get your phone fixed at some point, whether because of a broken screen or a dying battery.iPhone repairs, though, maybe a bit of a gray area, with warranties and insurance policies coming into play with manufacturers typically holding all the cards.Concerns that an Apple Store might not acknowledge often find eager investigators among independent parties.Apple repairs were notoriously difficult because of the focus on the battery & screen, such as fixing a broken Wi-Fi antenna or reviving a phone with extensive damage.

Depending on the nature of your issue, this adaptability could prove useful. However, the main difference between the two relies on mainly credibility part.Third-Party Apple Repairs could get your things fixed, however, they don’t guarantee anything from the brand itself. In some cases, there might be major concerns related to the warranty as well if a customer chooses to go through third-party repairs.Apple Repairs on the other hand might be costly, but they follow proper procedures which are a part of the official standard of procedures.

Apple-approved service centers employ only certified technicians who are authorized to work on Apple products and who only use Apple-supplied replacement components.Apple only guarantees repairs made by authorized service centers. You may rest assured that your product will be restored to full functionality regardless of which route you take.If you have a problem with your Apple product, you can schedule a shipment to an Apple Repair Centre online or over the phone. Many Apple products are supported by this service.

Access to a wide variety of repair centers for Apple products is made possible via their network of Apple Authorized Service Providers.It is possible to arrange for an iPhone screen replacement expert to come to your house or place of business in some locations.There’s more to do than just browse and learn skills at an Apple Store. Make an appointment with a Genius to have hardware fixed by starting a repair request.

There is quite a difference when it comes to Apple Third Party repairs, as it involves such stores which have received certain certifications from Apple itself.But one thing to keep in mind is that, despite receiving the certification, it does not involve the policies and conditions which Apple provides on their goods (i.e., iWatch, iPhone, etc)These third-party repairs are considered to be useful when your Apple Products are out of the warranty period and you have faced some sort of operations and functional issues with them.

Apple Standard Repairs policy includes fixing faults that are caused at a manufacturing level, which are absolutely free of cost to repair at times.However, that’s not the same case when it comes to third-party repairs, you will be charged but might get a better turnaround time for the fix.Apple has argued that unofficial repairs could leave its products vulnerable to hackers and usage of poorer-grade parts.Additionally, Apple has defended its battery warning signal as a “safety” feature, which it has implemented to notify consumers if their phone’s replacement battery did not originate from an authorized Apple service provider.

It’s an old dilemma for iPhone users. When you need a repair badly, from a cracked screen to a malfunctioning port, where do you head to? An Apple Store or an eager third-party phone repair shop that’s not exactly Apple certified? We’re not going to make the decision for you – but we are going to make the decision easier. Check out the advantages and disadvantages of choosing either!

You can get great bargains: Third-party repair ships are more likely to offer repair discounts and lower repair fees overall. If you don’t have much money for repairs but really need your phone working again, then third parties are usually a better place to start.

Better availability: Apple Stores aren’t everywhere, and shipping your iPhone may not be an option, especially if time is an important consideration. It’s often easier to find a third-party service. Also, most third parties just let you walk right in with your phone, while the repair process is a little more complicated with Apple Stores.

A broader scope of repairs: Third parties are often willing to look into issues that an Apple Store doesn’t usually recognize (Apple repairs famously revolved around the battery and screen) – such as repairing a faulty Wi-Fi antenna, resuscitating a massively damaged phone, etc. This flexibility may be valuable, based on your problem.

Saving data: It’s often Apple Store policy to erase a phone when significant repairs are made. Third-party shops are generally more willing to save your valuable data and work with you to make sure you don’t lose anything.

Warranty issues: Using a non-certified third-party shop is a great way to void pretty much all of the warranties on your iPhone. That means you won’t be able to turn to Apple for any sort of screen replacement, model replacement, or anything else. This is more important in the first year or two of use when warranties are still active, but much less important afterward.

Third parties can make mistakes: It isn’t as common as you might be afraid of, but it does happen. A good example is the iPhone 8 screen repair debacle, where users found that third parties hadn’t properly replaced the screens, which continued to suffer problems until a further fix was found. Of course, certified third parties are far, far less likely to make such mistakes.

Apple still doesn’t like third-party repairs: At all. In fact, they have recently started locking MacBook Pros and iMac Pros from being repaired at all by third parties who do not have full access to Apple Service Toolkit 2. Battery and screen features often won’t work with third-party replacements, either – although this is probably due to compatibility problems rather than strategy.

Reliable parts: Apple components are frequent targets of counterfeiting, and third parties may use cheaper parts to fix problems as a shortcut. This could lead to faster breakdowns in the future or compatibility issues.

Trained experts: This is a pretty obvious advantage in most cases. Apple technicians have exactly the right training and tools to perform repairs. This is very important when it comes to replacing iPhone batteries and other tricky tasks.

Keeping up with technology: New iPhone models tend to be on the cutting edge, and a lot of third-party repair shops may not have caught up. This means that problems with advanced features like OLED screens or high-tech dual cameras should probably be left to Apple’s professionals.

Easy replacements: In case of internal damage, Apple can send your phone in for an easy replacement, a service that third parties can’t offer. Of course, if your warranties are out of date, this move could cost you, but at least it’s always an option.

Setting up appointments: For any type of serious iPhone repair, Apple generally has you set up an appointment to bring your phone into the Store, which can make scheduling tricky. Another common option is to mail your phone in for repairs, but this tends to lengthen the process – sometimes by weeks. The advantage of this process is that you can check online to see what your current repair status is, but that’s not exactly a great trade-off.

Costs: Apple repair fees do tend to be higher than third-party costs (a basic replacement can cost several hundred dollars on newer iPhones), and they aren’t going down any time soon. This could make even minor repairs painful for your wallet.

Repairs and service are not guaranteed: You can still have failed repairs at an Apple Store, and experiences that are messy and disappointing. An Apple Store is no guarantee of quality, especially during busy times of the year. Although Apple is more likely to rectify a mistake should one occur.

Apple & Third-Party repair are two separate things, which benefit consumers based on different requirements.Customers need to understand when to choose either of the two options. In conclusion, it’s a battle between warranty period, price, and time.If you have faced an issue related to functionality within the warranty limit, it’s better to go for the Apple Official Repair.However, if you have fallen out of the warranty zone and need a quick repair, then it would be best to choose a third-party Apple Certified Repair Shop in the region.

Apple Self-Service Repair allows you to make an out-of-warranty repair on your Apple product with access to original Apple components, tools, and repair manuals, provided you have the necessary expertise.

It really depends on the experience of the technicians. There are numerous repair shops present in the marketplace that perform outclass screen repairs that make your iPhone look as good as new.Make sure to check the repair experience of the Repair shops and whether they are certified by some authorities for validations purposes.Last but not least, make sure to check whether the screen repair of the respective third party has better reviews or not, before making a decision.

A cracked LCD can be fixed with a replacement screen. You can find an iPhone screen replacement kit on eBay. There are many kits available to get your phone back to full functionality. Here are a few things to take into consideration before making your purchase.Should you replace both the LCD screen and digitizer?

When you purchase an iPhone screen replacement screen, you can get your device back to full functionality. You need to determine if only the screen needs replacing or if you need a digitizer replacement, too. The digitizer is a critical component for any iPhone as your touch converts into a digital pulse with this part. If your screen is cracked and still responds to your touch commands, you can purchase an LCD replacement, doing so with a few simple steps. If the screen fails to respond, you need to buy the screen and the digitizer. A replacement kit usually contains both components for your phone. Even if your digitizer works, it is recommended to replace it. You never know if there was damage to the digitizer along with the screen. It is better to replace both components with one repair.How do you find a compatible iPhone screen replacement?

Apple products all look the same, but they are slightly different from each other. You want to make sure you find the right iPhone replacement screen for your device. Any replacement part needs the right fit, so the home button and camera can still function. You can find the model number of your device on the back of the iPhone. Once you have that number, you can find a replacement screen to fix your cracked device.Is the screen replaceable on all iPhones?

You can replace the glass screen of most Apple products. Gorilla Glass has been the standard glass component since the first iPhones hit the marketplace. You can find iPhone screen replacement kits for the following models:iPhone 5/5s/5c

Once you have finished your repairs, you want to protect the screen. It is critical to attach a screen protector on the glass, as it can protect the device from scratches and drops. You should also consider purchasing a case for the phone. They usually have bumpers that can limit any direct damage to your iPhone.Content provided for informational purposes only. eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple.

Apple surprised us last year when it announced a new self-service repair program to allow iPhone owners to replace their own broken screens, aging batteries, and other key components.

That program finally launched last month, although, at this point, it’s limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 families. Nevertheless, if you’re thinking that this may finally let you fix your own screen, you might want to take a closer look at the various other service options available. Apple’s new Self Service Repair program isn’t for the faint of either heart or wallet.

The cost is more reasonable for older iPhone models, especially those without OLED screens. For instance, while an iPhone 11 Pro screen replacement will set you back the same $279 as the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro, you can get the LCD-equipped iPhone 11 screen replaced for only $199. Set the Wayback Machine to an iPhone 5S or an iPhone 6, and it drops to $129.

Note that this assumes your screen is the only thing that’s damaged on your iPhone. You’ll pay more if there’s anything else wrong. Apple calls these “out-of-warranty prices,” but except in very rare cases, a damaged screen is never covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, so if you’re walking into an Apple Store, expect to pay. Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) usually follow Apple’s repair pricing, but they aren’t bound by it, so they’re free to charge different rates.

At these prices, you might think Apple’s self-service repair program is a breath of fresh air. After all, shouldn’t it be cheaper to repair your iPhone screen on your own? You’d think so, but in a perhaps misguided desire to ensure that you have everything you need to do the job properly, Apple is making the process nearly as expensive and considerably more cumbersome than visiting your local Apple Store or AASP.

For one thing, genuine Apple parts don’t come cheap. An iPhone 12 Pro display bundle, which gives you a replacement screen and all of the pieces that go with it, costs $270 upfront. That’s only $10 less than having Apple repair it for you, although you will get a $33.60 credit after returning your old display to Apple. This still brings the out-of-pocket cost to $236.35.

A total savings of $42.65 isn’t too bad if you’re already a keen do-it-yourselfer. Still, even then, you’ll probably want to avail yourself of Apple’s repair toolkit, which the company is happy to rent to you for an extra $49 per week — plus a deposit held on your credit card for the replacement cost of the tools.

This kit comes in two separate cases, collectively weighing 79 pounds and measuring 20 inches wide by 47 inches high when stacked. They’re also specific to each iPhone model, so you won’t be able to use the same kit to repair additional phones for friends or family members unless they all happen to be using the same iPhone.

It’s almost as if Apple doesn’t really want you to repair your own iPhone, but what could possibly be its motivation for that? It’s not like it hasn’t spent years lobbying against people’s right to repair their own devices. Apple’s stated rationale for this has always been that it doesn’t want its customers to hurt themselves by trying to fix their own iPhones without the proper tools and “Genuine Apple Parts.” Apple’s new Self Service Repair Program provides both, but in doing so, it also looks like the company wants to tacitly make a case for why its repair services are so expensive.

Screen replacement costs from most AASPs are in the same ballpark as what Apple charges. Large national AASPs like Best Buy charge identical prices, while smaller local and regional AASPs may sometimes charge $10 to $20 less depending on the model and other factors.

However, AASPs generally have stringent requirements they must follow to be approved by Apple. This not only includes regular training and certifications for repair technicians ,but even things like laying out their business in a way that’s “consistent with the Apple brand.” All this drives up their costs.

In 2019, Apple introduced a new program for Independent Repair Providers (IRPs), offering a way for smaller repair shops to get their hands on genuine Apple parts without jumping through the hoops required to become a full AASP. While the Independent Repair Provider Program has been described as somewhat onerous — Apple still reserves the right to conduct surprise inspections, for instance — the lower barrier to entry allows many small businesses or even independent technicians to offer out-of-warranty Apple repairs, bringing the costs of these repairs down.

Unfortunately, these IRPs pay the same prices for genuine Apple parts and the necessary tools that AASPs do, and it’s not much less than what Apple charges in its Self-Service Repair Store. A survey of about a dozen IRPs across the U.S. revealed iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 screen repair pricing in the $230 to $300 range. Yes, some IRPs are charging more than Apple, most often those located in areas far from an Apple Store or AASP.

Some of the IRPs I’ve spoken with since Apple introduced the program have told me that it’s not worth it from a profitability point of view. Many have only remained in the program hoping to use iPhone repairs as a “loss leader” to bring in new customers.

You can shave quite a bit off your repair costs if you’re willing to seek out an unauthorized repair shop that’s not part of one of Apple’s repair programs, but you’ll also be doing so at your own risk. Apple isn’t lying when it says that genuine Apple parts work better for screen and battery replacements, but it is being slightly disingenuous. While there are dangers to using substandard parts, not all unauthorized parts fit into this category.

For one thing, many repair shops will salvage screens and batteries from iPhones that are otherwise unserviceable. Despite being used, these are still genuine Apple parts, and there’s no reason they can’t be repurposed to repair another iPhone as long as the shop is honest about it. There are networks of repair shops that work together to take advantage of trading in these types of replacement parts.

Apple’s repair costs have also created a significant gray market for genuine iPhone screens and batteries. In these cases, the parts are legitimate, but the sources of the parts aren’t. These methods, along with using parts legitimately manufactured by third parties, allow unauthorized repair shops to offer screen replacement prices significantly below those found in the AASP and IRP market. In my research, I encountered iPhone 12 screen replacements offered for as little as $120, although the median price from more reputable repair shops hovered closer to the $200 mark.

Unfortunately, to try and prevent this dealing in gray market and used parts, Apple has made it progressively more difficult each year to use “non-genuine” parts. Replacing a battery, screen, or camera system on recent iPhone models requires the service technician to pair the new component. If that’s not done, the iPhone will regularly alert you that it’s “unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple part” and may even cause features like Face ID to fail entirely.

These high repair costs make a good case for buying AppleCare+ for your new iPhone. That will cover you for two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months for a deductible of only $29 per incident for a screen replacement or $99 for other types of damage.

Two years of AppleCare+ costs $199 for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro models (and their “Max” counterparts), or $149 for the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13. Compared to the screen replacement costs, which start at $279 for an iPhone 12 Pro or $229 for an iPhone 12 mini, it’s easy to see how AppleCare+ is a bargain if you break your screen even once.

Of course, like most insurance plans, unless you’re accident-prone, you’re mostly paying for peace of mind here. Apple is hoping that you don’t break your screen while you’re betting that you will break it at least once during the life of your iPhone. However, AppleCare+ isn’t the only option. Most carriers offer protection plans for an additional monthly fee on your regular bill, most of which will let you take your iPhone to an Apple Store for the same level of service you’d get with AppleCare+.

There are also independent insurance programs like Allstate’s Squaretrade that may offer better options for your individual needs. For instance, some charge a fixed deductible regardless of the type of repair; these usually work out higher for screen replacements, but can save you money for other types of damage. They may also offer a higher number of incidents or different types of coverage. So, it’s worth shopping around to see what’s available. Repairs under these programs are still conducted by an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Service Provider; either the company has an AASP it deals with, or it reimburses you directly for the cost of the out-of-warranty repairs.

What’s the takeaway here? If you break the screen on your iPhone, you’ll probably wish you had AppleCare+ or a similar extended warranty. What you may not want to do is try to repair it yourself unless you’re very handy with some rented spanners.

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.

JUMP! ®, JUMP on Demand®, and Trade-In devices with damage will be assessed at a lower value or require a fee. See your program terms & conditions for details.

The warehouse will check the device condition when we receive it. If it’s damaged, you may receive a reduced trade-in value or be required to pay a fee on your bill statement. (Prepaid customers will have the defective device shipped back instead.)

If the device was sent for in-store pickup, a Mobile Expert will conduct a device condition check. If there"s damage, the Mobile Expert will inform you of your options.

When inspecting a screen, remove any screen protectors and cases first. Tilt the device under good lighting conditions and inspect it at multiple angles. Screen damage includes hairline cracks that are difficult to see.

Mobile devices have a Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI) to show if the device has contacted any liquids. The indicator is white when it"s new, and it turns pink or red when it contacts water.

iPhone® X and above do not have a visible LDI. If you cannot identify your LDI on an iPhone X or above, we ask you to confirm the device has not been exposed to liquid.

Wearables like Apple & Samsung watches often don"t have visible LDIs. Check for moisture under the display screen, as well as corrosion, discoloration, and fuzzy growth on the charging connection.

If the device does not fully turn on and load the home screen or if it cannot stay on without being connected to a charger, it"s considered not able to turn on.

No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Screen damage and liquid damage are not covered under the warranty, so T-Mobile can"t exchange devices with this damage. But, we don’t want you to be stuck with a broken phone, so you have two options to replace or repair your damaged device:

Before visiting a T-Mobile Store, please file a claim with Assurant, our Protection and Repair vendor. This will expedite your repair process and minimize your time in the store. Below are two convenient ways to file a claim.

Once the claim is filed, be sure to schedule an Assurant Repair appointment at one of our T-Mobile Device Service Locations via the text message or confirmation email sent from Assurant.