How to Fix a Cracked iPhone Screen

One of the reasons iPhones have a growing global market share—6% over the past four years—is their user-friendly iOS interface. The iPhone experience tends to be seamless and intuitive, making them easy to use.

Of course, that only works for as long as your screen holds up, and one accidental drop can be enough to ruin all of that simple functionality!

Whether or not you come away with touchscreen issues, dealing with a shattered screen can cause frustrating problems with usage and visibility. Worse, the steps to fix a cracked iPhone screen can feel complicated if you’re struggling on your own. What should you try first, and which specialists are worth partnering with?

If you’re not sure how to repair your phone, we’re here to help. Check out the simple tips below to repair, replace, or upgrade your screen as needed.

Consider Your Safety First

Before you jump in, make sure to consider your own safety. Depending on the severity of the crack, you may be dealing with glass shards poking out of your phone. This is of particular concern if you don’t have a screen protector, which can keep broken glass behind a safe plastic barrier.

If the glass of your cracked phone screen is completely shattered, or if there are small pieces jutting out, use some clear packing tape to keep it in place. This is a temporary solution that may make it difficult or impossible to use your touch screen, but it can protect your screen for long enough for you to decide on the next steps.

Back Up Your Phone

If your iPhone is still functional after its fall, make sure to back it up as soon as you can.

Apple has a simple walkthrough on backing up your phone via iCloud, but you have other options as well. You can perform a manual backup by using iTunes, or you can use third-party apps like Google Drive or Google Photos. By doing a backup, you’ll ensure that you won’t lose any crucial data, even if the damage to your phone causes irreparable errors down the line.

See if Your Phone Is Under Warranty

All iPhones come with 90 days of AppleCare product support as well as a one-year warranty. However, this basic warranty only covers bugs and defects, not an iPhone screen cracked via accidental damage.

AppleCare+, on the other hand, is a paid warranty that does cover screen damage, though you’ll have to pay a nominal fee associated with your claim. This coverage extends your standard coverage by two years, provided that you pay for it within 60 days of purchasing your phone. If you have this coverage, sending your phone in for a quick repair will be a safer bet than moving on to the tips below.

Try a DIY Fix

If you’re feeling confident, you can try fixing your phone screen on your own. This works best if your device has suffered minimal damage, such as a small hairline fracture or a few small cracks. Here are the best tricks to try:

Super Glue

For tiny cracks, cyanoacrylate glue can help, though there are a few drawbacks.

First, the results won’t be invisible—and they may not be pretty. Second, if your phone has an existing warranty, it may make you ineligible for a screen repair. However, if you know you don’t want to pay for an iPhone repair, this can be an easy option that keeps your phone functional until you have a chance to upgrade.

Replace the Glass Yourself

If you’re tech-savvy, you might want to try replacing the screen on your own. There are plenty of affordable DIY repair kits online for easy iPhone screen repair, and they can save you hundreds of dollars.

However, there are several drawbacks to this option as well.

Opening up your phone will void your warranty, and it can also make it easy to further damage your screen or device if you don’t know what you’re doing. Though most kits come with demonstration videos, struggling with tiny specialized screws and cable connections can be nerve-wracking and difficult. Try it at your own risk!

Talk to a Repair Specialist

If your phone isn’t under warranty and you don’t want to attempt a DIY fix, your best bet will be to take it to a repair shop.

Apple does its own repairs, of course, but working with its screen replacement options without a warranty can be costly. Depending on your phone model, you may pay over $300.

As an alternative option, third-party repair shops can be an easier and more affordable solution. These professionals can deal with iPhone screen repair and replacement, and they can also fix touchscreen functionality issues as well. For an example of an expert third-party repair shop, visit Fruit Fixed.

Upgrade Your Phone

If it seems like too much of a hassle to fix your cracked iPhone screen, especially if you have an older model, you might want to consider a trade-in. This will allow you to make some money on your unwanted device and put the cash toward a better phone.

Apple offers its own trade-in program, of course, but you can also shop around with third-party specialists to get a few different quotes.

Don’t Settle for a Cracked iPhone Screen

We all know someone who’s resigned themselves to using a cracked iPhone screen for weeks, months, or even years—but you don’t have to join them. Fixing a broken screen isn’t as hard as it seems, and there are plenty of simple steps you can take. Be sure to consider working with a tech repair expert as needed!

Want more of the tech tips and tricks you need to know? Be sure to take a look at our product and gadget guides for additional insights.