Is there anything more disappointing than when your iPhone screen gets cracked? While we do everything we can to protect our phones from damage, unfortunately, cracked screens are bound to happen from time to time–especially for devices that we use as frequently as our phones! So, what do you do when your iPhone screen is cracked or broken? In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about iPhone screen repair, as well as how to protect your iPhone so that it doesn’t happen again.
First Of All, Stay Safe
iPhone screens are made of glass, and when broken can create dangerous shards and sharp edges.
If your iPhone screen is completely shattered, cover up the screen with a clear packaging tape so you don’t get cut.
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?
A lot of the time, a cracked iPhone screen is the result of a bad drop on a hard surface. Before exploring your repair options, try and assess the damage of your iPhone.
Is your iPhone’s screen completely damaged? Are shards of glass sticking out of the screen?
If it’s only a small crack, you may be able to just put up with the problem. Shortly after getting my iPhone 16 Pro Max, it fell out of my jacket pocket as I started to ascend the Manhattan Bridge on my bike. Unfortunately, I hadn’t purchased a case yet, so my iPhone got a small crack at near bottom of the display.
Since then, I’ve gotten a new case and hardly even notice the crack! If the crack or cracks on your broken iPhone screen are small, try putting up with it for a few days — you may not even notice it.
However, if your iPhone screen is completely, move onto the next step — backing up your iPhone.
Back Up Your iPhone, If You Can
Even though your iPhone’s screen is broken, there’s a decent chance it’ll still get recognized by iTunes or Finder. If your iPhone is recognized by iTunes or Finder, I recommend backing it up immediately.
Back up iPhone using Finder
- Connect iPhone and your Mac with a cable.
- In the Finder sidebar on your Mac, select your iPhone.
- At the top of the Finder window, click General.
- Select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.”
- Click Back Up Now.
Note: To use the Finder to back up iPhone, macOS 10.15 or later is required. With earlier versions of macOS, use iTunes to back up iPhone.
Back up iPhone using iTunes
- Connect iPhone and your windows computer with a cable.
- In the iTunes app on your PC, click the iPhone button near the top left of the iTunes window.
- Click Summary.
- Click Back Up Now.
How much does it cost to replace a cracked iPhone Screen?
After backing up your iPhone, the next thing you probably want to know is how much it will cost to fix it. How much you have to pay will depend on if you have purchased AppleCare+. The standard warranty that comes with the iPhone does not cover accidental damage, like cracked screens. In general, the more expensive iPhone have more expensive repair costs.
Here’s the estimated costs to repair iPhone screen according to Apple’s “Get an estimate” tool if you get service directly from Apple. Note: fees may vary if you choose another service provider.
iPhone Model | Estimated Cost – No AppleCare+ | Estimated Cost with AppleCare+ |
---|---|---|
iPhone 16 Pro Max | $379 | $29 |
iPhone 16 Pro | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 16 Plus | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 16 | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 15 Pro Max | $379 | $29 |
iPhone 15 Pro | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 15 Plus | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 15 | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 14 Pro Max | $379 | $29 |
iPhone 14 Pro | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 14 Plus | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 14 | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 13 Pro Max | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 13 Pro | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 13 | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 13 Mini | $229 | $29 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 12 Pro | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 12 | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 12 Mini | $229 | $29 |
iPhone 11 Pro Max | $329 | $29 |
iPhone 11 Pro | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 11 | $199 | $29 |
iPhone XR | $199 | $29 |
iPhone XS Max | $329 | $29 |
iPhone XS | $279 | $29 |
iPhone X | $279 | $29 |
iPhone 8 Plus | $169 | $29 |
iPhone 8 | $149 | $29 |
iPhone 7 Plus | $169 | $29 |
iPhone 7 | $149 | $29 |
iPhone 6S Plus | $169 | $29 |
iPhone 6S | $149 | $29 |
As you can see in the chart, the cost of repairing a screen increases with a larger screen size and depends on whether the iPhone is a Pro model. The cost with AppleCare+ is the same for all models because the (upfront) cost of the AppleCare+ plans are different.
Find The Best Repair Option For You
The next thing you probably want to know is what your options are for getting your cracked iPhone screen fixed.
There are four options for getting your iPhone screen repaired.
1. Schedule a visit at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider
Apple offers a one-year limited warranty for new iPhones. This only covers defects in hardware and workmanship. It does not cover any accidental damage, so it doesn’t help you get your screen repaired.
If you paid for AppleCare+ coverage, your iPhone is covered for unlimited incidents of accidental damage with only a $29 fee added for screen repair, so by all means use Apple to fix that broken screen.
You can schedule a visit at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to have your iPhone’s screen replaced.
2. Send your iPhone in for repair
Apple will send you a box, and you will mail your iPhone to Apple. It is estimated to take 5-9 days. If you live in an area without easy access to Apple stores or partnered locations, this is a fine option. You can arrange for your iPhone screen repaired from Apple’s iPhone screen replacement page.
3. Local iPhone Repair Shops
If your iPhone doesn’t have a coverage plan, then you can try bringing it to a cheaper screen repair shop.
4. Fix it yourself
While Apple is the most trusted source for iPhone screen replacement, Apple isn’t exactly known for providing cheap repairs. If you don’t have AppleCare+ and are hoping for a cheaper option than a visit to the Apple store, try a screen repair kit. Screen repair kits are typically less expensive, with various options available for less than $200 on Amazon.
If you choose to try repairing your iPhone screen yourself, keep in mind that there is some risk involved. If you don’t have experience repairing screens, attempting to fix the screen yourself may result in even more damage to your phone. This is why it’s important to weigh the risk against the cost of hiring a professional to take care of it for you.
When fixing an iPhone screen, you have to be careful with the heat gun – the clue is in the name.
If you overheat the handset you can damage the insides even before you can lever off a cracked screen, let alone replace it with another. And then you have to remember which screw is which.
Apple stresses that the Self Service Repair is not for have-a-go enthusiasts but for “individual technicians with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices”.
First of all, you must don some protective goggles and a pair of latex gloves (to shield yourself from the broken screen’s glass). There are other basic equipment needs: three different screwdrivers; a magnetic mat; a heat gun (to loosen the glue that attaches the screen to the phone); and plectrum-like plastic pieces to lever out parts.
Once you’re in the innards of the phone, you have to undo more screws and detach connectors – which link the screen to the main body of the phone – as well as the face ID sensor. The process is then reversed (reattaching the connectors to a new screen, putting back in the right screws, pressing the new screen into place) before pressing the power button to see if the process has worked.
Here is an approximation of the steps required to fix a cracked iPhone screen.
- Under a bright light, lay out a magnetic mat to stop screws from rolling away and make it easier to identify them (label the screws on the mat with a wipe-clean pen). Put on protective goggles and latex gloves.
- Take out the two screws next to the charging port (these help attach the screen to the phone).
- Hold the screen under a heat gun at 50-60C to loosen the glue that attaches the screen to the phone and then, using a suction cup and a plectrum, lever off the screen (which will still be attached to the phone by connectors).
- Holding the screen open with a plastic separator, unscrew the shields for the connectors (touch screen, backlight and front camera). Detach the connectors. You can now lift off the screen.
- Detach the Face ID sensor from the broken screen by removing four screws and then heating up the glue that partly attaches it, using the heat gun. You can now discard the screen.
- The process is now reversed, starting with reattaching the face ID sensor. But before you press the new screen into place, press the power button to see if it works.
Don’t Fix It
When your iPhone screen is cracked, you always have the option to do nothing. I don’t recommend attempting to fix it yourself unless you’re 100% OK with the worst-case scenario: a bricked iPhone.
You may as well fix your iPhone now if:
- You plan on giving the iPhone to someone else.
- You plan on trading it in.
- You plan on reselling it.
- You plan on upgrading to a newer iPhone in the future.
How to protect an iPhone screen
The best plan for dealing with a cracked iPhone screen is to prevent the damage in the first place. Always use a screen protector, and consider using a rugged case that fully encapsulates the phone, like an OtterBox Defender Series case.
Just make sure you replace a screen protector or case if it’s damaged, as it won’t perform as well thereafter.
Final thoughts
Although it’s disappointing when your iPhone screen cracks or shatters, rest assured that there are plenty of ways not only to repair it, but also to prevent it from happening again in the future. Be sure to follow the tips we’ve covered here to repair your iPhone screen and protect it going forward.
In the meantime, if your cracked screen makes it difficult to interact with your iPhone, but you still want to use it, you can mirror your iPhone to your Mac. This allows you to do everything you would normally do on your iPhone, just using your Mac screen.
If you have any other questions about the repair options for your cracked iPhone screen, leave us a comment down below!