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Published on: 18.08.2023 | updated on: 09.04.2024
Want to save money by replacing the broken screen of your phone yourself? Here’s a DIY guide by Simply Fixable team on how to replace the phone screen using simple tools and techniques.
Phone screen repairs are getting too expensive to the point where screen replacement cost is almost half that of the new phone itself. Therefore, it is not feasible to pay for the unduly expensive repair. Problems can happen because of different reasons and situations, and we are trying to cover as many scenarios as possible and give solutions for all.
By DIY replacing the phone screen, you can save the labor cost and only pay for the parts that are needed for the repair. As a result, you will end up saving quite a lot of money.
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? So, without further ado, let’s get to it.
DIY phone repair is possible with the right tools and guides
Professional advice is available if you run into problems
Keep your workspace clear of clutter
Take your time and avoid rushing
The process can be complex so do your research first
It is cost-effective to replace a screen than buy a new phone
Visible damage or a screen not responding is a sign your screen is damaged
Note: This 7-step method works for all phone models. There might be some variation between the different phone models. However, the general process will remain the same.
DIY phone screen repair can save you time and money. However, one needs to have technical knowledge to perform the repair at home because one wrong move can further damage the components of your phone. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the process of DIY phone screen repair and then invest in a repair kit. The cracked phone screen repair cost varies as you’ve to buy a screen as well as a repair kit.
The cost of a screen repair kit starts from $24 but can go higher depending on your phone model. The kit includes all the necessary tools to replace a cracked screen on your phone, such as opening tools, precision bits, a knurled grip, a suction handle, and many other important items.
The price of LCD can vary depending on the model and brand of your phone. For instance, the average cost of an iPhone screen is $113, and for Samsung, it’s $144.
After looking through the steps and realizing you don’t have the confidence to go ahead with a DIY repair, you can opt for a professional repair. Even if you have started the repair, you can pack everything up and contact Apple or a third-party repair store like Simply FIxable. Apple offers screen replacements but expect the price to be higher than third-party stores as they use genuine parts. If you have Applecare+, you may get your repair at a cheaper rate. Another option is Simply Fixable, who works with partners that specialize in phone screen replacements for all different models. High-quality parts are used on every repair with a minimum 90-day warranty.
The Simply Fixable pricing for a screen replacement on average are listed below for the iPhone and the Samsung. For a further breakdown of costs, you can view our pricing article here.
|
iPhone |
Samsung |
Phone screen replacement |
$155 |
$163 |
Table. Phone screen repair cost
Apple's Self-Service Repair is a program that gives Apple users the chance to repair their own devices. It can be costly and require a lot of mucking around to take the phone to a repair store, but now you can do the repairs at home. The DIY repair program allows you to borrow tools, manuals, and equipment for the repair. It is cost-saving instead of buying a whole toolkit you may never use again. There are limitations, so be sure to check out if they service your area. Currently, the DIY program is available for iPhone 12 and up, but Apple will most likely bring out kits for other models in the future. Check out the website to get started.
It's important to check the warranty and insurance policies of your phone before attempting any DIY repairs. Keep in mind that attempting repairs on your own may result in voiding the warranty, and can also have an impact on your insurance coverage. Consider the potential cost savings against the risk of losing coverage before proceeding with any repairs.
There are some mistakes that are common for people who are doing a DIY repair job on the phone screen. Try to avoid these mistakes to ensure you get a successful screen replacement.
There are many tiny parts that come out of a phone, and each part is vital for the function of your phone. You need to ensure that you are working within a clean and clutter-free space to avoid old parts getting mixed up with new ones and keep small parts and screws safe.
If you are new to phone DIY repairs, it is advisable to look thoroughly through the step-by-step guides and even familiarise yourself with the new parts and the tools you will be working with. Make sure you understand each step before you start taking the phone apart, as it is possible to cause further damage that a professional will need to repair.
It is crucial to accurately identify the specific issue with your phone. Some problems, such as a cracked screen or a malfunctioning button, can be easily fixed by yourself, but more complex internal issues will require expert assistance.
Before attempting any DIY repairs involving electronics, it's important to assess your technical skills and experience. If you're not confident or experienced in handling delicate components, seeking professional assistance might be a safer option. Remember, it's always better to be constructive and prioritize your safety over taking unnecessary risks.
To achieve a successful phone repair, it is crucial to ensure that you have all the necessary tools and replacement parts. As some repairs may require specialized tools and genuine components, it is advisable to make sure that you can obtain these resources before starting the repair process. Taking these steps will help you increase your chances of completing a successful repair, and return the phone to normal function.
Research and gather reliable repair guides and tutorials specific to your phone model. Follow step-by-step instructions from reputable sources to lower the risk of mistakes.
Ensure that you are working within a clean and clutter-free workspace. It is important that you have good ventilation with no other tools and components on the table than what you are using for the repair. This will help to avoid mixing things up.
When your phone is being repaired, whether as a DIY or professional job, ensure you back up the device. Problems can occur, and phones can suffer glitches that can damage data. Ensure you create a backup if this does occur you can recover your data.
It is vital that you evaluate the risks associated with the repair. Do not proceed until you thoroughly understand the potential consequences of any mistakes, such as causing additional damage that cannot be fixed. Be fully prepared to accept these risks before moving forward. Remember, any error could have serious ramifications, so proceed with caution.
DIY repairs can take time, especially when you are referring back to the instructions or videos. Ensure your schedule is cleared for that day so you don't need to rush. Rushing through a DIY repair can see parts installed incorrectly or not installed at all.
If you're just starting out, it's crucial to begin with simpler repairs. Not only will this build your confidence, but it will also help you gain valuable experience that will be essential when tackling more complex problems.
Join DIY phone screen repair forums and communities. Seek advice from experienced individuals for troubleshooting. Community support is valuable.
Know your limits. Seek professional help if a repair is too complex to avoid permanent damage. Even if you have started the repair pack everything up into a bag so all the parts are together and take it to the repair store and explain the situation. They can help you.
To check if your new screen is working correctly, first turn the phone on. Ensure the phone’s logo appears on the screen. Once the home screen has loaded, check to see if all the colors are showing correctly, and you can see the whole screen. Test the touch function, click a few apps, and then swipe left, and hopefully, the touch responds as it normally would.
You will need the following tools for screen repair:
Many first-time DIYers overlook safety and often do not use goggles and gloves. These two are a must for screen repairs because the broken glass bits can fly out and hit the face or the hands, causing serious injury.
You can source your parts from a few options like Apple if you wish to use genuine parts but be aware they do come with a higher cost. Other third-party stores like MobileSentrix have repair kits and parts that are affordable and of high quality. Steer clear of extra cheap materials, as putting low-quality parts in your devices can actually cause irreparable damage to the device.
Replacing the phone screen is not a straightforward process. However, it is not as difficult as you think. To replace the phone screen, you will need to open the phone and get access to the internal hardware components.
There are also a number of things you will need to remove and re-attach during the repair process. On a difficulty scale from 1-10 (1 being least difficult and 10 being most difficult, the phone screen replacement repair gets a 6.
If you have not repaired a phone before, you might find DIY phone screen replacement overwhelming. So, replacing your phone will take a while. On average, it takes anywhere from 2-5 hours to complete the phone screen replacement repair depending on an individual’s capability and familiarity with the process.
You may experience several symptoms that can indicate you need a new screen, such as those listed below:
Touch screen not responding or moving itself
Dark ink colors on the screen
Dots or lines across the screen
A visible crack or smashed screen
Screen is dark
A screen protector is great for protecting the screen. In some cases, depending on how the phone is dropped, if it lands on the corner, the screen can still crack, but it won’t do as much damage as with no screen protector. Add a wrap-around cover for the phone, which will add that extra layer of protection to help protect the screen.
If the phone is working great but has a broken screen, then yes, it is worth fixing the screen rather than the added expense of buying the phone outright. It is significantly cheaper to repair than to buy a new one if the repairs are minor.
The repair can be done at home with the right tools and phone parts. As long as you have everything you need and follow the steps slowly, you can achieve a successful phone screen repair in the comfort of your own home.
With an easy-to-read step-by-step guide, you can prepare and fix the screen yourself. It can be a complex job so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time without rushing. It's important to seek advice from websites or forums if you are struggling. Professional assistance is available if you start to lack confidence.
If you don't have the skills or you feel uncomfortable committing to a DIY repair, you can always get the local repair technicians to carry out the job for you. Some people prefer to do this to avoid causing further damage to their phones, and so they don't have to buy the toolkits and source the parts.
If your phone has extensive damage, it may be worthwhile buying a new phone. If the phone has water damage, camera damage, and screen damage, it would not be worth repairing, especially if the phone is an older model. For minor repairs, it’s cost-effective to repair than to buy a brand-new phone.
When a screen is severely damaged, it will not be able to function normally, and you may get a black screen even with the phone turned on. The backlights and the internal parts can become damaged and pulled apart, which won’t allow the screen to work as it usually does.
When you drop the phone, if you don't have a wrap-around cover on the phone, you will most likely end up with a cracked screen. Unfortunately, this cannot be fixed with remedies and will need to be repaired. You have the option to get professional assistance, or you can try a DIY repair job instead.
If your screen is freezing, you can try a soft reset, but if you have recently dropped the phone, it may have damaged internal components, and the screen will not function properly. You will need a screen replacement to get the phone back in working order.
If you have a broken mobile phone screen, you can choose to have it repaired by the phone’s manufacturer, such as Apple or Samsung, or you can opt for a third-party option like Simply Fixable. Remember to take your time, research, and understand the steps and risks before taking on a DIY screen repair. If you need professional help, don’t hesitate to seek out community support or repair store help. The task can be complex, so ensure you understand everything before getting started on your phone screen repair journey.
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Professional Content Creator
LinkedIn: Hollie Spooner
Hollie is a technical writer with over 15 years of experience specializing in creating content to help keep the rest of the world informed and updated on all tech-related subjects. Hollie has created content for many writing platforms in the tech and IT industry, and her passion for turning words into helpful articles is still growing. Hollie holds several certifications, like "Professional Article and Blog Writing", "Writing Editing and Publishing", "Creative Writing" and "Technology Digital Solutions" by Open Education and Thompsons Education Direct. When she isn’t creating content for the web, she is enjoying a crazy life with her family and friends.
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