iPhone Screen Cracked? Here’s What You Should Do Next

If you have a cracked iPhone screen, every swipe and tap becomes a potential hazard. However, screen damage doesn’t have to mean the end of your device. There are multiple repair solutions that can restore your phone to perfect working condition. What matters most is picking the right repair method that fits both your needs and your wallet. This blog will walk you through how to fix a cracked iPhone screen and explore the repair methods that can bring your device back to life.

Why Cracked Screens Are the Most Common iPhone Issue 

Understanding why iPhone screens crack so easily helps you avoid the same problem in the future. Let’s look at what makes these screens so vulnerable.

• Design: Apple creates iPhones to be slim and lightweight, which means less protective material surrounds the fragile screen.
• Material: iPhone screens use glass that delivers excellent clarity and touch response, but it breaks easily from hard impact.
• Accidental drops: Your phone may slip from your hands and hit solid surfaces like concrete or tile floors, creating strong forces that shatter glass screens instantly.
• Pressure damage: Placing heavy items like books or laptops on your iPhone gradually builds pressure, potentially leading to screen cracking.
• Temperature fluctuations: Freezing weather makes glass stiff and more likely to crack, while extreme heat causes different parts to expand at different rates, resulting in stress cracks.
• Lack of AppleCare: People without AppleCare coverage must pay the full repair costs, which can be pretty expensive.
• User behavior: In some circumstances, phones break more easily, such as when children handle them, because they tend to drop phones more often. Bathrooms and kitchens also pose risks due to slippery surfaces.

What to Do Immediately After a Screen Cracks

If your screen just cracked, here’s what you need to do to prevent it from getting worse.

1. Power Off the iPhone

Turn off your iPhone immediately to prevent electrical issues. If the screen becomes unresponsive, perform a forced restart by quickly pressing the volume up button, then the volume down button, and then holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.

2. Avoid Touching the Cracked Area

Never touch the damaged portion of a screen because contact can cause existing fractures to spread. The cracked glass also forms jagged edges that can cut your skin when you attempt normal gestures like swiping or tapping. Pressing on cracked areas also pushes glass bits deeper into your device, which can make your phone completely unusable.

3. Use a Screen Protector or Clear Tape

For small cracks, apply a screen protector over the damage to hold everything in place temporarily. If your screen has significant damage, use clear packing tape to cover the entire screen.

4. Don’t Try to Remove Glass Shards Manually

Resist the urge to pull out visible glass pieces because this often damages delicate parts hidden beneath the surface. Small fragments that look easy to remove could be connected to crucial elements like the touch layer or display wiring systems. You should wait for qualified technicians to handle the job properly.

5. Back Up the Data 

Back up your phone as soon as you can because screen damage can suddenly spread and lock you out. To perform an iCloud backup, go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and choose “Back Up Now” while connected to strong Wi-Fi. You could also connect your phone to a computer to copy the files.

Repair Options for a Cracked iPhone

Here are the different ways you can get your broken screen fixed.

1. Apple Support

Apple uses genuine parts made specifically for your phone model. If you bought AppleCare+, you’ll benefit from discounted repair costs for accidental damage. However, to fix a cracked iPhone screen without a coverage plan, you’ll need to pay the full price, which varies based on the model you own, with newer phones costing more to repair.

Pros:

• Authentic parts that work perfectly with your phone
• Keeps your warranty valid
• Consistent, reliable service

Cons:

• Expensive without coverage
• You’ll need to book ahead

2. Authorized Service Providers (AASP)

Apple Authorized Service Providers are independent stores that Apple has trained and approved. They use authentic Apple parts and follow the exact repair process to keep their authorized status. Taking your device to an AASP protects your warranty just like going to an Apple store would.

Pros:

• Original Apple components
• Greater availability in many locations
• Maintains full warranty protection

Cons:

• Same cost as in Apple stores
• Service turnaround varies by location
• Limited to Apple’s approved methods only

3. Third-Party Repair Shops

Local repair shops offer more affordable pricing and complete repairs faster than official channels. Before choosing a store like this, check out their online reviews and make sure they offer a warranty for their repairs. A good shop should warrant repairs for at least 30 days.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly repair
• Same-day repairs are common

Cons:

• Voids your Apple warranty
• Component quality varies widely
• Might use knockoff Apple parts

4. DIY Repair 

Fixing a cracked screen yourself is the cheapest option if you have the skills to take apart electronics. For confident DIYers, Apple offers an option called Self Service Repair that provides genuine components and detailed instructions.

Pros:

• Lowest cost
• Done on your own schedule
• Valuable learning opportunity

Cons:

• Potential for additional damage
• Voids all warranty protection
• Requires specialized equipment and knowledge

Cost Breakdown: iPhone Screen Repair by Model

The cost you’ll pay for an iPhone screen repair depends on three factors: the device model, whether you have AppleCare+ coverage, and where you get it fixed. If you’re covered under AppleCare+, you’ll just have to pay a small service fee, but without it, you’ll pay the full out-of-warranty price. Newer models with OLED technology, particularly the Pro and Pro Max versions, cost more to repair than older iPhones that use LCD screens.

To verify your warranty status, open Settings > General > About > Coverage on your iPhone, or visit checkcoverage.apple.com.

Temporary Fixes

These steps help you keep using your phone safely until you can get it professionally repaired.

• Use a strong screen protector or case to prevent further cracking: A screen protector won’t reverse what’s broken, but it stops loose glass from coming off and keeps the cracks from spreading.
• Turn on AssistiveTouch if parts of the screen stop responding: In case of unresponsive cracked areas, enable AssistiveTouch. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on. You’ll get a floating button that gives you access to controls.
• Lower screen brightness to reduce strain and damage: Dialing down the phone’s brightness makes the cracked sections less visible and reduces pressure on damaged pixels.
• Protect your phone from moisture: If liquid gets on your device, switch it off immediately and place it in a bag with rice or silica packets to absorb the moisture.

What Happens If You Don’t Fix a Cracked Screen?

A damaged screen may not seem urgent, but leaving it unrepaired can lead to complications that go far beyond the initial crack.

1. Risk of Deeper Damage to Internal Components

The impact that cracked your screen probably also jolted internal parts. Sensors and connectors can shift out of place or develop weak points that fail gradually rather than immediately. Eventually, these hidden problems surface as unexplained glitches, freezing, or complete breakdowns that require professional troubleshooting and repair.

2. Touchscreen Failure or Display Blackout

Your phone may begin misreading your touch inputs, causing it to select icons you didn’t press or ignore the ones you pressed. Random activations happen frequently as the fractured glass sends false signals to the system. Dark patches, flickering, or total screen blackout can develop as the damage spreads through the display layers.

3. Loss of Resale Value

A visible crack tells buyers the phone wasn’t properly maintained, which decreases the amount they’re willing to pay. The money you lose from reduced resale value usually exceeds what a timely repair would have cost.

4. Reduced Water Resistance

Cracks create pathways for moisture to bypass your phone’s protective barriers. Once water reaches the internal electrical parts, it causes corrosion and short circuits that lead to permanent failure.

5. More Costly Repairs Later On 

Minor cracks spread with everyday use, allowing dirt to enter your phone. What starts as a single broken component multiplies into several damaged parts. Putting off the initial repair can often exceed the price of a new iPhone entirely.

Preventing Future Screen Cracks

Here’s how you can keep your iPhone screen protected from cracks and damage.

• Use a high-quality tempered glass protector: A tempered glass screen protector absorbs the impact when your phone drops, helping to prevent the screen from shattering or getting scratched.
• Choose shockproof or military-grade drop protection cases: Investing in a durable case made of shock-absorbing materials provides strong defense against falls. They make your phone bulkier, but they work.
• Avoid keeping your phone in your back pocket and near the edges of flat surfaces: Back pockets can lead to cracked screens when you sit down, and edges make it easy for accidental bumps to knock it off.
• Consider AppleCare+ if you’re accident-prone: AppleCare+ gives you coverage for accidental damage at a lower cost than regular repairs. This option works well if you frequently drop your phone or want affordable protection against future screen issues.

Final Thoughts

When your iPhone screen cracks, the worst thing you can do is put off getting it fixed, because small cracks can turn into bigger headaches quickly. Working with skilled professionals who use high-quality parts gives you the best results without risking your phone. At Cell Phone Hospital in Tulsa, OK, we handle all types of iPhone screen repairs with expert care and can complete most jobs on the same day. Visit us for a free inspection and let our 100% warranty back every iPhone repair we complete.