You just dropped your iPad and the screen is broken. When your iPad screen is shattered, it can be difficult to figure out what you should do, which repair option is best, or if you should even repair it at all. In this article, I’ll explain what to do when your iPad screen is cracked and walk you through the different repair options.
First Of All, Stay Safe
When an iPad screen cracks or shatters, there are usually a lot of sharp glass shards poking out. The last thing you want to have happen after you’ve dropped your iPad is cut your hand on broken glass and have to go to the emergency room.
If your iPad screen is completely shattered, take a piece of clear packing tape and put it over the screen.
If the screen isn’t significantly cracked, you may be able to skip this step until you figure out whether the screen is usable or if you want to have it replaced.
Assess The Damage: How Broken Is It?
The next question you want to ask yourself is this: How broken is the screen? Is it a single hairline crack? Are there a few cracks? Is the screen completely shattered?
If the damage is minor, it may be worth a trip to the Apple Store to see if an exception can be made — but those cases are extremely rare.
Apple doesn’t cover physical damage to iPads under its standard limited warranty — there’s still a service fee even if you have AppleCare+. Most of the time, impact points are obvious and an Apple technician can spot them right away. If you have a cracked iPad screen, you won’t be able to talk your way out of it.
Back Up Your iPad, If You Can
It’s a good idea to back up your iPad after the display cracks. It’s possible that whatever cracked the screen may have done some damage to your iPad’s internal components too. At any time, your iPad may turn off and not turn on again until it’s repaired.
Saving a backup now will ensure you won’t lose any of the important data on your iPad, including your photos and contacts. You can back up your iPad to iCloud by going to Settings, tapping your name, tapping iCloud, then tapping iCloud Backup and selecting Back Up Now. If you want to back up to a computer instead, use Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on a Windows PC. If your iPad is too cracked to read the display, it should still be recognized by your computer.
Find The Best Repair Option For You
As an iPad owner, you have lots of different repair options — so many in fact that sometimes it can become overwhelming. In all, you have several main repair options and we’re going to quickly walk you through each of them below.
Apple
It’s important to know that when you bring a broken iPad to Apple, they typically don’t repair it in the traditional sense. Instead, Apple offers a whole-unit replacement — they swap your damaged iPad for a replacement device of the same model and specifications. The replacement unit may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple’s functional requirements.
If you have AppleCare+, the cost depends on your iPad model and the type of damage. For newer iPads launched after May 2024 — including iPad Pro (M4 and later), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16) — a screen-only repair costs just $29, and other accidental damage costs $99. For older iPad models with AppleCare+, all accidental damage costs $49 per incident. AppleCare+ now includes coverage for unlimited incidents of accidental damage, each subject to a service fee.
If you don’t have AppleCare+, you’ll pay Apple’s out-of-warranty fee, which varies significantly by model. Basic iPads may cost around $249, while iPad Pro models can run anywhere from $499 to $799. That’s just if the screen is broken.
If there’s any other damage to your iPad, such as a dent or bend in its frame, the repair cost will likely be even higher. If the issue with your iPad is deemed ineligible for standard service, you might have to pay the full replacement value.
Apple also has a mail-in repair service, but return time can take several business days or longer.
If you have AppleCare+, Apple is likely your best and least expensive option. If you don’t have AppleCare+, or if you need to have your iPad screen fixed quickly, there are a few other options you may want to consider.
Apple Authorized Service Providers
Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) like Best Buy are another convenient option. These providers use Apple-certified technicians and genuine Apple parts. AASPs must undergo a comprehensive certification process, and their repairs are backed by the same guarantee as Apple’s own service — 90 days or the remaining term of your Apple warranty or AppleCare+ plan, whichever is longer.
Apple has significantly expanded its repair network in recent years. A global network of more than 5,000 Apple Authorized Service Providers supports over 100,000 active technicians. In the U.S., Apple says that eight out of ten customers are located within 20 minutes of an authorized service provider. If you have AppleCare+, your service fee per incident will be the same at an AASP as it would be at an Apple Store.
Independent Repair Shops
Another option is your local independent repair shop. As Apple products have become more popular, more repair stores have opened up.
In the past, using a third-party repair shop carried serious risks — Apple might refuse future repairs on your device if they discovered it had been serviced with non-genuine parts. Apple’s stance has softened somewhat in recent years, partly due to right-to-repair legislation passed in states like Oregon and Colorado, and in the European Union. Apple now says it "will not actively disable a third-party part unless it impacts customer security and privacy, such as parts used in biometric authentication (Touch ID and Face ID)."
Additionally, Apple launched its Genuine Parts Distributor program in 2025, which allows independent repair businesses to purchase genuine Apple parts through authorized third-party distributors, even without a direct service agreement with Apple. This means more independent shops may now have access to genuine Apple parts.
That said, third-party parts and repairs performed with third-party parts aren’t covered by Apple’s product warranty or an AppleCare+ plan. And the quality of independent shops still varies widely. If you believe this option is best for you, do some research and read some reviews of your local store before going in.
Apple’s Self Service Repair
Apple launched the Self Service Repair program for iPad on May 28, 2025. The program provides iPad owners with manuals, genuine Apple parts, Apple Diagnostics troubleshooting sessions, tools, and rental toolkits to conduct their own repairs.
As of mid February -2026, Self Service Repair supports select iPad models, including iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro (M5), iPad mini (A17 Pro), and iPad (A16). Available components include displays, batteries, cameras, and external charging ports. You can also rent a repair toolkit from Apple.
This is a significant development for tech-savvy iPad owners, but keep in mind that repairing an iPad is still a delicate process. There are dozens of tiny components inside your iPad, so it’s easy to make a mistake or leave something out of place. If a tiny cable gets even the slightest of tears, you could be without your iPad until you find a replacement part or purchase a new device.
If your Self Service Repair goes wrong, it’s important to understand the limitations. The replacement parts aren’t cheap, and the process requires significant technical skill.
Mail-In Repair Services
Mail-in repair services like iResQ are another option for cracked iPad screens. Mail-in repair companies are convenient for people who live far away from an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider and want to save some money.
The main downside of mail-in repair services is the turnaround time — returns can take up to a week or even longer. Ask yourself this: When was the last time I didn’t use my iPad for a week?
Don’t Fix It
When your iPad screen is cracked, you always have the option to do nothing. If the screen is still functional and the crack is minor, some people simply live with it.
You may as well fix your iPad now if:
- You plan on giving the iPad to someone else.
- You plan on trading it in through Apple Trade In or another service.
- You plan on reselling it.
- You plan on upgrading to a newer iPad in the future.
Fixing a cracked screen sooner rather than later tends to be the smartest move. A cracked screen can worsen over time, potentially causing further damage to internal components. And if you ever want to trade in or resell your iPad, a cracked screen will significantly reduce its value — or in some cases, make it ineligible for a trade-in program entirely.
Best Of Luck
I hope this article helped you figure out which repair option is best for your broken iPad screen. It can be incredibly frustrating when your iPad screen is cracked, so I wish you the best of luck in getting it repaired. Leave a comment down below and let me know what your experience has been like with cracked iPad screens and getting them repaired!
