You've cracked your cell phone screen. Whether information technology slipped out of your hand while you were on a call or you left it on height of your auto when you drove away, the glass is smashed.

Fortunately, the display still works, and perhaps the touchscreen controls too. So, what do you do at present? Hither are some things to do right after cracking your phone's screen.

1. Does Phone Insurance Cover a Cracked Telephone Screen?

The first thing to do is check if your telephone insurance covers croaky phone screens, and under what weather condition.

If so, arranging a fix should be straightforward. In most cases, if your telephone screen is broken, the main problem is going to be living without it for a few days. That'south equally bad every bit it gets (although y'all might have to pay an backlog charge).

The issues with cracked smartphone screens start when information technology transpires you cannot get a replacement screen on the insurance. When this happens, you lot'll need to take matters into your own hands.

2. Stop Using the Phone With a Cracked Screen, Use an Quondam Phone Instead

Yous have a broken telephone screen but still need a phone. So, what tin you practise? Well, a good choice is to just utilise an old phone instead.

Whether yous can't make calls due to the smashed telephone screen, or information technology has been sent away for repairs, yous'll demand a replacement. The best identify to find ane is unremarkably stashed away in the dorsum of a drawer.

Even if you don't take an old telephone you can switch to temporarily, a friend or relative might. Ask, and you'll take a handy replacement until yous've decided what to do with your telephone and its broken screen.

3. Put a Screen Protector on a Cracked Screen

Cracked phone screen
Image from Pixabay

Wondering if y'all can put a screen protector on a cracked screen? You can, but yous should only do this in certain circumstances.

For displays where chips and shards of glass are loose or missing, calculation a screen protector is pointless. It won't be able to adhere properly equally the glass is in motion. The outcome: yous wasted coin on a screen protector.

But where the cleft is minimal, putting a screen protector over a cracked screen might help proceed the glass from cracking further. It might prevent farther spidering.

4. How to Fix a Croaky Phone Screen

By now, yous might have realized (or decided) that yous don't actually need a new phone. But how would you go nearly replacing the screen if you croaky your mobile phone display?

Thanks to the internet, the chances are you'll discover a DIY fix for everything online. iFixIt is a great identify to start, as information technology provides both instructions on how to fix a broken screen, along with links to the parts. Our ain guide to repairing a cracked smartphone screen is besides worth reading.

YouTube is another great resources for repair tutorials. Replacement screens can be bought online, via sites similar eBay and AliExpress. Benefits of a DIY fix include the keeping downward the toll of repair, as well as a feeling of accomplishment.

It's worth keeping in mind that without the right preparation and skills, you lot might mess it upward.

5. Pay for a Broken Prison cell Phone Screen Repair

Uncertainty over DIY ("can I really put a screen protector on a cracked screen?") might atomic number 82 you to an alternative solution: paying someone else to do it.

Merely how much is it to replace a phone screen?

While you could ship your phone to the official manufacturer, you're going to pay through the olfactory organ for that pick. Look at Apple tree's repair fees – information technology'south not cheap to get a repair if the cracked screen is out-of-warranty.

In that location's probably a local phone repair shop that you lot can endeavor, and a Google search will testify you where to discover one, as well equally client reviews. Although y'all'll probably be paying past the hour, a skilled technician tin can supercede a screen pretty chop-chop.

Check the prices and compare the repair shop's competitors before you endeavor them out. Our guide to places that ready broken iPhone screens tin help here.

6. Sell Your Phone to Fund a Replacement

Broken iPhone screen
Image from Pixabay

Thinking nearly raising funds for a replacement? Several sites will purchase your croaky phone, and even pay for a broken one. These sites include:

  • SellCell
  • Gazelle
  • Gizmogul

You can even sell your broken stuff on eBay? Y'all probably won't become a lot of money for it, merely what you lot do make yous tin can put towards a new phone.

Many sites will also requite you credit for ownership a used phone when you trade yours in. You'll probably get a better deal if you take credit instead of greenbacks, so go on that in heed.

With greenbacks raised, cheque the web's most popular online stores for a replacement, such as eBay and Amazon. You may even find the same phone in used, just otherwise good condition. Merely pay attention to the particular description. You don't want to end up buying a damaged phone!

What should you check? Well, the details should tell yous:

  • If the phone is working
  • Does it have a functioning screen?
  • If it has any scratches

At the correct toll, buying a like-for-like, second-hand replacement can be a better option than buying a new phone.

vii. Phone Screen Broken? Just Purchase a New Device!

And, of course, the most obvious option: ownership a new telephone. Sometimes you but need to acknowledge defeat and replace your damaged device.

Sure, it might be painful to spend that much money. Merely it might be cheaper than buying a replacement and upgrading a few months after anyway. Instead of upgrading soon, it might be all-time to simply exercise it now.

If yous do decide to buy a new phone, don't automatically buy one from your carrier. Buy an unlocked version instead; it'll save yous a lot of money, even though information technology seems more than expensive.

If you lot're looking for a new telephone, have a await at our best budget smartphones list.

8. Just Put Up With Your Broken Phone Screen

Short of money? Not keen on DIY solutions or paying for repairs?

If your telephone is withal working, and the screen doesn't appear to be in danger of completely falling apart, why non just go along using information technology? Sure, it'll be annoying to look at for a scrap, but yous'll become used to it.

Saving the money information technology would toll for a new phone is always nice. If you're on a contract that's presently expiring, this is your best selection. You lot can always put a piece of sticky tape across the crack in the screen. Keep your phone otherwise protected with a protective case, and it should encounter you through to the next upgrade.

Don't Permit a Broken Telephone Screen Ruin Your Day

While broken smartphone displays are frustrating, ugly, and kill your phone's resell value, don't let it bandage a shadow. A broken smartphone screen is simply a challenge to exist overcome.

Now you lot know what to practice with a cracked phone screen:

  1. Claim on your phone insurance
  2. Discover or borrow an old phone
  3. You can put a screen protector on a cracked screen
  4. Repair the cracked screen yourself
  5. Pay for the screen to exist repaired
  6. Trade in or sell the phone and purchase a replacement
  7. Contact your carrier for an upgrade
  8. Carry on using your phone

Somewhen your phone is going to be replaced, and so if the other options don't piece of work out, take a autumn-back plan. Yous might contact the carrier for an upgrade, or but carry on using the phone with the damaged screen.

When the time comes to move on from the phone, don't only throw it in a drawer.

10 Creative Means to Employ Your One-time Smartphone

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About The Author

Christian Cawley (1579 Articles Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software support. A contributor to Linux Format mag, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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