How to Temporarily Fix a Broken Phone Screen

Our smartphones are key to our daily lives, connecting us and boosting our productivity. Yet, accidents can happen, and a cracked phone screen is a common issue. Fixing a damaged screen can be a hassle and expensive, but there are ways to repair it affordably. This article will cover DIY and professional fixes for a broken phone screen, helping you save money.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the common causes of phone screen breakage and the various levels of damage.
• Explore DIY temporary fixes, such as using packing tape or screen protectors, to restore functionality.
• Learn about the costs and steps involved in replacing the screen yourself or seeking professional repair services.
• Discover preventive measures to protect your phone screen and minimize the risk of future damage.
• Weigh the pros and cons of repairing versus replacing a broken phone screen.

Are you ready to fix that cracked screen and keep your phone running well? Let’s look at the best ways to temporarily repair your broken phone screen.

Why Do Screens Break So Easily?

Our phones have become more fragile over time. We want sleek, compact designs with big screens, but this makes our screens more prone to damage. The truth is, phone screens break easily because of the materials used and design choices.

Understanding Phone Screen Fragility

Glass panels are a big reason why screens are fragile. Glass feels premium but isn’t as tough as plastic or metal¹. When we drop our phones, the impact can cause tiny stresses that lead to a broken screen.

Design Compromises vs. Consumer Desires

Companies like Apple and Samsung are trying to make glass stronger, but it’s hard. They have to balance making screens tough with the look we want¹. Slim, bezel-less phones are popular, but they’re hard to make strong without losing their look and feel.

It’s tough to find a balance between what’s possible and what we want¹. We want our phones to be powerful, small, and look great, but that means they might not be as durable. Knowing this helps us protect our devices better.

“It’s a difficult balance between engineering reality and consumer desire. We want our phones to be powerful, compact, and visually stunning, but that often comes at the expense of screen resilience.”

What to Do Right Away

First, check how bad the crack is. Look at the screen under bright light to see how serious it is. Is it just a small scratch, or is the glass broken in pieces²? Knowing this will help you figure out what to do next, like a quick fix or a full repair.

Assessing the Damage Severity

After looking at the screen, you’ll know what you’re facing. A small scratch might just need a screen protector. But if it’s badly cracked, you might need a pro to fix it². The good news is, you might not have to replace the whole phone yet.

Backing Up Data for Safety

Move your photos, videos, contacts, and important files to another place. This could be a computer, cloud service, or external hard drive³. This way, your data is safe if your phone stops working.

By checking the damage and backing up your data, you’re ready to fix your phone. Whether it’s a simple fix or a big repair, taking these steps early helps. It keeps you calm and avoids more problems later.

Option No. 1: Apply Packing Tape

If you’re looking for a quick and affordable way to fix a cracked phone screen, using packing tape could be the solution you’re searching for⁴. It’s not the prettiest fix, but it can hold the glass together and stop it from getting worse⁴.

To start, place the tape over the cracked screen, making sure it covers the whole area. Then, use an X-Acto knife or scissors to trim it. This will give you a smooth finish that looks almost like a real screen protector⁴. This DIY fix can help you wait until you can get a new phone or find a better way to fix it.

But remember, packing tape isn’t a permanent fix⁴. It might lose its stickiness over time, and your screen could get worse. Still, if you’re on a tight budget or just need a quick fix, it’s a cheap and easy way to use your phone until you find a better solution.

Prevention is always better than a cure⁴. Getting a good protective case or screen protector can really lower the chance of screen damage⁴. By protecting your device, you can avoid using temporary fixes like packing tape and keep your phone in great shape for longer.

Option No. 2: Use a Screen Protector

If you’re looking for a polished way to fix your cracked phone screen, a screen protector is a great choice. It’s better than using packing tape because it looks professional⁵.

Putting a screen protector over the cracked screen helps keep it stable and protects it from more damage. It makes your phone look clean and uniform, unlike other quick fixes. Plus, a good screen protector can protect your phone from future drops⁵.

Choose a tempered glass screen protector for its strength and resistance to damage⁶. Liquid ceramic glass protectors are also good, balancing protection with looks⁶.

To fix a cracked phone screen with a protector, clean the screen well, then put on the protector carefully. Make sure there are no bubbles or misalignments. If the cracks are big, you might need special glue for phone repairs before adding the protector⁵.

A screen protector won’t fully hide the damage, but it makes your phone look better and work well. It’s a good short-term fix until you get professional help⁷.

Remember, a screen protector isn’t a permanent fix. You should still get your phone’s screen fixed or replaced soon. These temporary fixes can help, but they’re not a long-term solution⁵.

Option No. 3: Replace the Screen Yourself

If you’re up for a challenge and want to save cash, you can try fixing your phone’s cracked screen yourself. But first, know the costs and tools you’ll need for this DIY⁸ project.

Replacement Screen Costs

Don’t think replacing a phone screen is cheap. DIY fixes for Android screens can set you back $50 to $150 for the screen and tools⁸. Professional fixes can cost $100 to $300, and high-end phones might be even pricier⁸. Make sure you’ve got the budget for this before you start.

Specialized Tools Required

You’ll need more than just a new screen to fix your phone. You’ll need tools like suction cups, prying tools, screwdrivers, and adhesive strips⁹. Without these, you might damage your phone further or void its warranty.

There are kits out there that have everything you need for a DIY screen fix⁹. For fixing an iPhone SE, a display bundle costs $129.56 plus tax, similar to Apple’s repair service⁹. Or, you can rent a tool kit for $49 and pay $178 for parts and the kit⁹.

Doing it yourself can save you money, but think about the risks and your skills first. A cracked screen can get worse, exposing your phone to dust and moisture⁸. Fixing it quickly can prevent bigger problems and data loss⁸.

To avoid future damage, use a tough phone case⁸. Adding a tempered glass screen protector can also protect against scratches and minor drops⁸⁹.

Option No. 4: Call in a Pro

If your phone screen is badly damaged or DIY fixes don’t work, it’s time to get professional help. If your phone is still under warranty, go to an authorized service center¹⁰. These places have the right skills and genuine parts for a safe and effective fix¹⁰.

For a cheaper option, try third-party repair shops. But make sure they use quality parts and have a good reputation¹⁰. Choose a service that promises to keep your data safe and has a good track record¹⁰.

When picking a pro for your phone screen repair, check their reputation and reviews¹⁰. Make sure they have good data protection policies¹⁰. This ensures a smooth and successful repair¹¹.

“At Mobile Phone Doctors, we focus on fixing screens and making them work better. Our skilled techs use the latest gear and real parts for top-notch results.”¹¹

Prepare for the Drop

Preventing damage to your smartphone screen is key. Simple steps can greatly lower the chance of needing an expensive fix. Buying a top-notch phone case and tempered glass screen helps a lot. These items offer smartphone drop protection and keep your phone safe from drops¹².

Importance of Protective Cases

Having a strong case means your phone is more likely to bounce back from a drop without a damaged screen¹². Brands like ESR, Otterbox, and Spigen have many phone case importance options. They can absorb shock and protect your screen. Picking the right case for your phone can make it last longer and keep its value¹².

Adding a screen protector benefits your phone too. It stops scratches, cracks, and other damage. Tempered glass protectors are great because they’re tough yet don’t affect how you use your phone¹².

“Using a case and a screen protector can extend the lifespan of a smartphone and protect it from damage.”¹²

With a strong case and a good screen protector, your phone gets much better smartphone drop protection and screen protector benefits. This means less chance of expensive repairs later¹².

By acting ahead, we can prepare for the drop and protect our smartphones from a broken screen¹².

How to temporarily fix a broken phone screen?

Accidents can happen, and a cracked phone screen is both frustrating and costly. Luckily, you can try DIY phone screen repair methods and home remedies to fix it temporarily. This way, you can wait until you get it professionally fixed. Let’s look at some of these options.

DIY Screen Repair Options

For small cracks or scratches, using clear adhesive tapes or screen protectors can help. Surprisingly, toothpaste or baking soda can make minor scratches less visible.¹³ You can also use glue or resin made for phone screens to fill in small cracks¹⁴.

Home Remedies for Temporary Fixes

Some home remedies can offer temporary relief for cracked screens, even if they’re not very effective. The rice method, rubbing vegetable oil, or using egg whites on the screen are some examples¹⁴¹³.

While these DIY fixes can help in a pinch, it’s key to check how bad the damage is and if the screen still works well. If it’s really bad or you’re not sure about fixing it, getting professional help is best¹³.

The aim is to fix the screen until you can get a professional repair or replacement. These DIY methods aren’t a lasting fix. Knowing what options you have and their limits helps you decide the best way to temporarily fix a cracked phone screen¹⁴¹³.

Professional Repair Services

If your phone screen is badly damaged or DIY fixes didn’t work, think about professional repair services. These services can fix your device well and quickly¹⁵.

Authorized Service Centers

Take your phone to an authorized service center if it’s still under warranty. They have trained techs and use real parts for a solid repair¹⁵. They fix many brands like Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and more¹⁵.

Third-Party Repair Shops

Third-party repair shops are cheaper and quick¹⁵. Make sure they’re known for good work and use quality parts before you go¹⁵.

Replacement vs. Repair

Choosing between fixing or replacing a broken phone screen can be tough. We must think about the phone’s age, how well it works, and any other problems it might have¹⁷.

Cost Comparison

Looking at the cost of a new phone versus fixing it can help us decide. Apple sells genuine displays that meet their high standards, and they offer a one-year warranty¹⁷. But, this warranty doesn’t cover damage from accidents. Yet, AppleCare+ can protect against accidental damage for a fee¹⁷.

The cost to fix a screen can change a lot based on the iPhone model and the parts used. For instance, fixing the iPhone 6 screen with original parts costs $95¹⁸. But, fixing the iPhone 14 screen with original parts is $520¹⁸. Usually, this repair takes about an hour¹⁸.

Environmental Impact

Choosing to fix a phone is better for the planet than getting a new one. It helps us use our devices longer and cuts down on waste from making and throwing away new phones. This is good for the earth and shows we care about being responsible consumers.