Phone screen replacement

What are the symptoms of a broken Phone Screen

• Shattered or deep scratched glass (Sharp to touch)
• Phone screen does not turn on but you are still able to receive phone calls.
• Phone screen is completely blank
• Black spots have appeared on the phone screen
• Multicolored lines cover part of the phone screen
• The backlight no longer works on phone
• Phone touchscreen no longer responds
• Certain areas of phone screen are no longer tactile
• Screen randomly self types
• Screen glitches

Want to save money by replacing the broken screen of your phone yourself? Here’s a DIY guide 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. 

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. 

What are the parts needed for phone screen repair? 

You will need the following tools for screen repair:

• New Replacement Screen 
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Suction Cup
• Triangle Opening Pick
• Flathead Pry Bar
• Heat gun or Hair dryer
• Tweezer 
• Isopropyl alcohol wipes 
• Safety equipment (Goggles and Gloves) 

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. 

What is the Difficulty level of phone screen replacement? 

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. 

What is the Average Time needed to complete the repair?

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. 

Phone screen replacement DIY Guide 

Source

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. 

Step 1: Remove the Screen Panel 

• To open the phone, you will either need to remove the back panel or the front panel. To take apart an iPhone, you will need to remove the front panel while all Android phones open from the back panel. 
• The removal process of either the front or the back panel is quite similar. 
• Heat up the panel to soften the adhesive while simultaneously prying the edges with a pry bar. Divide the panel by the side and work in small sections to eliminate the chance of damaging anything. 
• Once a side of the panel is partially open, place a triangle opening pick between the panel and the frame as you begin working on the next side. 
• Keep prying until the entire panel separates from the phone’s frame. However, at this point, the screen will not detach from the frame because the display cable is still attached.

Step 2: Disconnect the screen panel from the motherboard

• After removing the screen panel, you will need to disconnect the display cable that connects the screen panel to the motherboard. Getting to the display cable is the hardest part of the entire process. 
• To disconnect the display cable, you will need to remove the battery, speaker, and the camera module. Unscrew these components by using a Phillips or a Torx screwdriver. A tweezer may also be required. 
• After removing the battery, speaker, and camera module, disconnect the display cable from the motherboard. Now you should be able to fully detach the screen from the phone.

Step 3: Clean the surface area before installing the new screen

• Remove any leftover glass bits that may be stuck around the edge of the phone’s frame. 
• Clean the edges of the phone using isopropyl alcohol wipes so that the new screen that adheres well to the surface. 

Step 4: Install the new screen 

• Before installing the new screen, make sure to remove the protective film on the underside of the adhesive. 
• Align the new screen with the frame and set it in place.
• Press on the edges of the screen to secure it in place. 

Step 5: Connect the display cable 

• To get the screen to work, connect the display cable to the motherboard. 

Step 6: Put back the components removed earlier

• Re-install the battery, speaker, and camera module into their respective places.

Step 7: Close the phone and test the new screen

• Plug-in all the screws back into place to close the phone. Make sure all the panels align properly. 
• After the phone is completely ready, turn it on and test the new screen. 

Is it cheaper to repair the phone screen or get a new phone? 

Repairing the phone screen can be quite expensive if you get it repaired from a store. However, if you repair the phone screen yourself, the cost is considerably less, which makes repairing the screen less costly and worthwhile than buying a new phone. 

Can you really fix a cracked screen? 

A deep crack in the screen is permanent and cannot be fixed. You might be able to decrease the sharpness of the crack. However, under proper lighting, it will still be seen. In case of a minor crack that is similar to a scuff or blemish, it can be fixed by polishing. That being said, if a phone screen gets cracked, it is better to replace the entire screen than fix a crack.