Cracked Screen? What to Do Before Your Repair

Technician in gloves repairing a cracked phone screen

That sickening crack when your phone hits the pavement is a feeling we all know. The good news is that a cracked screen is one of the most common repairs we see at our Horsham shop, and a few smart moves before your repair can keep a small problem from turning into a bigger one.

First, Protect Yourself and the Phone

Cover the cracks

Broken glass can slice a fingertip or shed tiny shards into your pocket. If the screen is shattered, put a piece of clear packing tape or an inexpensive screen protector over it to hold everything together until your repair. Use light pressure, since pushing hard on cracked glass can damage the display underneath.

Figure out what's actually broken

Sometimes only the outer glass is cracked and everything underneath still works. Other times the display itself is damaged. Watch for:

Colored lines, black spots or ink-like blotches that spread
A green or flickering tint
Parts of the screen that don't respond to touch
Ghost touches, where the phone taps and swipes on its own

A drop can damage the touch layer even when the glass looks fine. Thankfully, a screen replacement fixes touch problems too, and it replaces the entire front glass no matter how badly the old one is broken.

Back Up Your Phone Now

Cracks tend to spread, and a phone that works today might be unusable tomorrow. While you can still see the screen, back up your photos, contacts and messages to iCloud, Google or your computer. With most repairs there's very little chance of losing data, but a fresh backup gives you peace of mind no matter what.

What Not to Do

Don't keep pushing it

Heavy use on a badly cracked screen invites more damage. Cracks also let dust and moisture inside, and a cracked phone has lost much of its water resistance, so keep it away from sinks, pools and rain until it's fixed.

Skip the DIY crack kits

Glue and resin kits that promise to fill in cracks rarely work on phone screens and can make the professional repair harder. Online videos that show how to replace a screen yourself make it look easy, but it's easy to tear a delicate ribbon cable or damage the Face ID or fingerprint components.

Don't ignore a screen that's lifting

If the screen is pushing up and away from the frame instead of cracking, the problem might be a swollen battery behind it. Stop charging the phone, don't press the screen back down, and bring it in right away.

Get Ready for Your Repair

Know your model. On an iPhone, check Settings, then General, then About. On Android, look under Settings, then About phone.
Bring your passcode. We test everything after the repair, from touch to cameras to Face ID.
Check your coverage. If you have a carrier plan, AppleCare or an AKKO device protection plan, look at your options before you come in.
Get a quote or book a time. You can request a quote online or book an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome, but an appointment gets your repair priority at the time you choose.

We handle screen repair for iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones and iPads and tablets, plus plenty of other models on our phone repair page. Diagnostics are free, and many repairs are done the same day.

After the Repair: Protect That New Screen

Our 90-day warranty covers parts and labor, meaning a rare defective part or a mistake on our end. It doesn't cover new drops or cracks, so a little protection goes a long way. We carry Axiom Armor screen protectors for $30, which come with a lifetime guarantee if they scratch or peel, and a tempered glass option for $15. Pair either one with a good case and you'll be in much better shape the next time your phone takes a tumble.

Visit Us in Horsham

We're at 801 County Line Rd in the Graeme Park Shopping Plaza, close to Warrington, Doylestown and Hatboro. Walk in Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm or Saturday from 9am to 5pm, or call 215-323-4750 to talk about your repair.