Cracked or broken mobile device screens can be costly to fix, but a few inexpensive do-it-yourself strategies can eliminate a repair shop visit and salvage your tablet or phone.
Third-party repair shops typically replace glass on a tablet for about US$100-$200, depending on the model. Replacing the tablet’s touchscreen can cost $50-$75 extra.
Replacing the cracked glass with a functioning touchscreen is much cheaper. You usually can find suppliers online for $6 to $20 for a phone. A tablet replacement digitizer can cost about $50 or more if you perform the work.
It is relatively easy and cheap to replace the glass on a phone once you get the hang of it. Tablets are a bit more involved because of the larger size and added components.
Tools might require an additional monetary outlay if you do not have a well-functioning workbench. Depending on the device involved, you need a phone opener pry tool, little tweezers to deal with small cables inside, a Torx screwdriver, flat-head screwdriver and a precision screwdriver kit.
Add to that list either a variable hair dryer or a heat gun to soften glued phone parts. Also add scissors, double-sided adhesive tape, canned air and work gloves.
It is first things first when it comes to fixing cracks on a smartphone’s screen. Often, the actual screen is not cracked at all. You may have installed a glass screen protector when you purchased the phone.
Carefully pry off the plastic bezel that covers the front of the device. Chances are the screen under it is perfectly intact.
That usually is not the case with tablets. So-called screen protectors on those devices are durable clear transparent film.
The film covers can become cloudy or scratched. They usually help absorb shock from items dropping on the tablet to lessen risk of cracking the touchscreen glass under it.
It is relatively easy to peel off the old film cover and replace it with a new cover. Problem solved!
When the culprit really is a damaged screen, choosing one of the next three approaches can help you solve the problem. You might be able to repair the damage rather than replace it.
For instance, is the screen clouded or otherwise damaged from your mistaken use of harsh cleaning fluids or coarse paper towels to clean the screen? If so, there is a fix for that.
Is the screen merely cracked or full-out broken — as in massive spider cracks from being smashed? You can cure a cracked screen on a phone or tablet more easily with Sugru, a commercial product. A fully cracked screen on either type of device is a solid candidate for a screen replacement.
If your phone or tablet screen shows signs of cleaning abuse or wear from heavy handling, return its condition to nearly new with an oleophobic coating kit. This is an oil-repellent coating that protects the screen, along with adding smoothness and reducing fingerprints.
The coating, a thin layer of fluoropolymer-based solids, is similar to Teflon and is bonded to the glass. You can buy the coating kit from a variety of electronic supply stores and online outlets.
You need these tools to apply the oleophobic coating: microfiber cleaning cloths, zipper plastic storage bags, 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.
If your only complaint involves tiny scratches and cracks on a smartphone screen or a tablet glass, there are remedies that work with varying degrees of reliability. You can use a household eraser pad or an actual pencil eraser.
Magic eraser products clean up screen scratches in just a few seconds. Moisten a corner of the cleaning pad and apply gentle rubbing pressure.
Pencil erasers also work reasonably well in making scratches disappear. Simply rub the scratch left and right with the eraser for about 60 seconds. Then rub it up and down for 60 seconds.
Does using toothpaste to fill in the cracks really work? I put that fix in the category of more “mythful” thinking, but I know people who swear that this method is a cheap fix that works.
I consider toothpaste as a scratch remover a temporary fix. It works on small scratches and cracks.
It is not a permanent solution for a touchscreen that is constantly handled. At best, the paste-over process will make the cracks less obvious.
Sugru is a moldable glue kit for repairing rather than replacing cracked screens. Actually, the product was not created with phone and tablet repairs in mind. Its intended purpose is more in the line of general repairs where bonding surfaces together and filling surfaces are needed.
I am sure similar pliable glues exist, but having stumbled on Sugru, I see it as a good starting point.
Depending on how badly the screen is damaged, it can be a good solution for cracks that spread from the phone or tablet screen’s edges. However, for massive cracks that spread over the entire screen — as spider cracks tend to do over time — it will be a short-term fix at best.
If your phone or tablet screen has suffered more serious damage, full scale surgery is the only option other than getting a new device. Repairing the device’s LCD screen is a complicated procedure due to the compact internal design.
The repair process involves completely dismantling the phone or tablet’s outer casing. It is particularly easy if the replacement screen comes with a top frame.
Otherwise, you may have to seal the layers to avoid loss of structural strength and moisture/dust protection. You can use either sealing pads for the size of the particular device at hand or double-sided sticky tape. A simpler solution for phone screen replacement is to use B-7000/T-7000 glue.
Before you roll up your sleeves to get started, take one huge safety step. Buy and use a static wristband and a static guard mat. This will ensure against accidentally frying any electronic components while disassembling and reassembling the devices. Disconnecting the battery is not always a guarantee that static discharge will not happen.
The first step is to tear down the device so you can assess the extent of the damage and determine what screen parts to order. Locate the model number for the LCD screen. Use this number in an Internet search to find a replacement screen.
The part or model number usually is printed on a label adhered to the sensor cable attached to the screen. You can access this cable after you separate the screen from the rest of the unit. Carefully disconnect the cable connector from the backside of the screen along the edge.
Step 1: Remove the device’s back cover and pull the main battery.
Step 2: Loosen any stuck-on cabling that is now exposed, like the camera cable. Then remove cables if the clasps are exposed. These cables simply slide out of any exposed sockets after clasps are released. The tape-style cables are often held onto the frame and parts by adhesive, so tug gently to release.
Step 3: Unscrew the Phillips or Torx screws that hold the motherboard-containing back frame to the LCD-containing chassis and place the screws in a bowl for safe-keeping. Then separate the back frame from the chassis by gently and carefully pulling the two apart.
Step 4: Remove any further cable assemblies that have become exposed by the separation of parts. Maintain visual cues as to which cable to reattach where. For example, place them on the work surface face-up in the order of removal. Or take photos with a digital camera or smartphone.
Step 5: Remove the LCD-containing chassis from the front frame or bezel and glass assembly by unscrewing a second batch of screws. Store the second set of screws in a second bowl. Remove any further parts such as the camera.
Step 6: Don’t touch the LCD face. Separate the existing, damaged glass from the bezel or front frame by waving the heat gun over the adhesive join and pulling apart. Wear gloves here because the process involves further breaking the glass.
Tip: Be patient while the heat gun loosens the adhesive and be careful not to break the bezel or front frame while removing the glass. You need the bezel intact.
Step 1: Attach fresh two-sided tape to areas of the bezel that have lost their stickiness. Use the existing adhesive where possible. Do not allow tape to overlap the visual part of the glass.
Step 2: Look for any foam padding or seals and reattach. Do not touch the inside of the glass. You won’t be able to get rid of the fingerprints after assembly.
Step 3: Thread the digitizer cable and remount the new digitizer glass to the bezel by firmly pressing it into place. Then remove any dust from the LCD and glass with canned air.
Step 4: Reattach any parts, like the camera. Then reassemble the chassis, frame and so on, in order.
You may have to assemble and disassemble a few times. The two sets of screws use similar holes. It is easy to insert the initial set of screws into the wrong holes. You will realize that only when the second set does not fit because you already used the hole.
Look for solid connections when attaching cables. Ensure that the clasps are open first. Usually the up position is open.
In general, firm snaps indicate a good assembly. Always reapply any existing metallic tape. Count the screws. If you have any left over, backtrack.
Replacing damaged touchscreens and digitizer panels is not rocket science, but the process does require careful attention to details. Following visual guides and screenshots can make the difference between initial success and having to make second or third efforts.
Visit iFixit for visual support. It offers many models of phones and tablets along with instructions on how to open the devices with the right tools.
Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open source technologies. He has written numerous reviews of Linux distros and other open source software.Email Jack.
Thank you Jack M. Germain, for sharing informative article for people who just want to change the cell phone screen. One more thing you need to remember is the Screw position because small tiny screws are really hard to manage. Keep sharing informative articles.
Please sign in to post or reply to a comment. New users create a free account.
When shopping online for the best price for a product, where to you normally check first? E-commerce marketplace e.g., Amazon, eBay, Etsy Price comparison site e.g., Google Shopping, PriceGrabber Retailer that specializes in the product Search engine Social media Loading ...
E-commerce marketplace e.g., Amazon, eBay, Etsy
Price comparison site e.g., Google Shopping, PriceGrabber
Retailer that specializes in the product
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/cyberwarfare-3-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/attacks-on-cloud-service-providers-down-25-during-first-4-months-of-2022-176678.html
Attacks on Cloud Service Providers Down 25% During First 4 Months of 2022
Canonical Lets Loose Ubuntu 22.04 LTS ‘Jammy Jellyfish’
Low-Code Platforms Help Ease the Shadow IT Adversity Pain
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Apple-Watch-Ultra-lifestyle-adventure-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/apple-refreshes-product-lines-introduces-new-ultra-watch-177074.html
Apple Refreshes Product Lines, Introduces New Ultra Watch
Study Finds Sports Is King Among Livestreamers
New Cisco Conferencing Devices Designed To Heal Meeting Fatigue
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/amd-and-intel-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/amd-vs-intel-suddenly-the-desktop-pc-is-in-play-177042.html
AMD vs. Intel: Suddenly the Desktop PC Is in Play
Electronics Will Cost More in 2023
Apple Shows Off Vast Upgrades to Software, Hardware, User Experiences at WWDC22
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/Intehill-QLED-Portable-Monitor-Review-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/intehill-15-6-portable-monitor-is-masterful-at-work-and-play-177050.html
Intehill 15.6″ Portable Monitor Is Masterful at Work and Play
How Not To Do CX, Lenovo Style
Coding Vulnerabilities, Linux Growth, FOSS Friction Cap Summer Highlights
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/2FA-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/evilproxy-phishing-service-threatens-mfa-protection-of-accounts-177061.html
EvilProxy Phishing Service Threatens MFA Protection of Accounts
Forrester Report Cautions About Web3 Security
IT Security Pros Push for Consolidated Standards, Vendor Products
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/server-room-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/security-demands-shifting-business-backups-away-from-on-prem-boxes-176873.html
Security Demands Shifting Business Backups Away From On-Prem Boxes
Data Observability’s Big Challenge: Build Trust at Scale
The Business Case for Clean Data and Governance Planning
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/devops-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/leapwork-ceo-no-code-platforms-democratize-testing-automation-176913.html
Leapwork CEO: No-Code Platforms Democratize Testing Automation
Cognitive Skills for Engineering Success
Apple and Microsoft Developers Conferences Exhibit Companies’ Strengths, Weaknesses
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/09/virtual-try-on-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/vr-platforms-deliver-metaverse-style-experiences-to-online-shopping-176865.html
VR Platforms Deliver Metaverse-Style Experiences to Online Shopping
The Coming Wave of Next-Generation Home Solar Companies
Accent Altering Voice Tech Aims To Replace Frustration With Communication
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/accountant-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/b2b-funding-firms-banking-on-embedded-finance-176805.html
B2B Funding Firms Banking on Embedded Finance
Unresolved Conflicts Slow eSIM Upgrade Path to Better IoT Security
Cryptocurrency Custody Concerns: Who Holds the Digital Storage Keys?
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/gaming-rig-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/cloud-gaming-poised-for-takeoff-177028.html
Cloud Gaming Poised for Takeoff
Qualcomm and the Mobile Video Game Revolution
Stat Firm Reports Less Than 1% of Subscribers Playing Netflix Games
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/cyberwarfare-2-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/chinese-hackers-deploy-fake-news-site-to-infect-government-energy-targets-177036.html
Chinese Hackers Deploy Fake News Site To Infect Government, Energy Targets
5 Cyber Safety Tips To Survive the Internet, Hackers and Scammers
Top Universities Exposing Students, Faculty and Staff to Email Crime
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/KYY-Portable-Monitor-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/kyy-15-6-portable-monitor-packs-value-with-a-healthy-feature-set-176836.html
KYY 15.6″ Portable Monitor Packs Value With a Healthy Feature Set
New Linux Laptop Line Advances HP, System76 Open-Source Collaboration
Microsoft’s Innovative 4-Processor PC
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/covid-news-smartphone-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/meta-moves-to-back-off-removing-covid-misinformation-from-platforms-176937.html
Meta Moves To Back Off Removing Covid Misinformation From Platforms
Hack Your Metabolism To Improve Health With the Lumen Smart Device
Amazon Rolls Out Alexa for Senior Living and Healthcare Providers
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/home-security-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/home-security-market-thriving-despite-dread-of-false-alarms-176935.html
Home Security Market Thriving Despite Dread of False Alarms
Digital Devices of Corporate Brass Ripe for Hacker Attacks
Home Automation Faces 3 Perpetual Problems
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/smartphone-user-puzzled-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/6-signs-cybercriminals-infected-your-phone-and-how-to-fix-it-176911.html
6 Signs Cybercriminals Infected Your Phone and How To Fix It
Start Here When Things Go Wrong on Your Linux System
Computers Use Processes, So Should You
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/06/canonical-ubuntu-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/ubuntu-core-22-release-addresses-challenges-of-iot-edge-computing-176583.html
Ubuntu Core 22 Release Addresses Challenges of IoT, Edge Computing
Foundries and Arduino Team To Patch IoT Devices
Remote Work Heightens Privacy and Security Anxiety Among Employees
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/press-conference-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/tech-whistleblowers-prefer-loud-exit-to-quiet-quitting-177039.html
Tech Whistleblowers Prefer Loud Exit To Quiet Quitting
Denmark Tops in Digital Quality of Life, US in Fifth Place
Unprotected Machine Identities Newest Enterprise IT Security Concern
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/microsoft-word-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/new-software-vulnerability-zeroes-in-on-microsoft-programs-176806.html
New Software Vulnerability Zeroes In on Microsoft Programs
Hackers Cast LinkedIn as Most-Popular Phishing Spot
Forrester Pegs B2B Fraud, Cyber Insurance Complacency as Top Threats in 2022
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/boy-screen-time-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/kids-screen-use-sees-fastest-rise-in-4-years-176735.html
Kids’ Screen Use Sees Fastest Rise in 4 Years
Sports Betting Platforms Gambling With Substandard CX
Appdome CEO on Mobile App Security: No Developer, No Code, No Problem
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/Titan-Linux-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/titan-linux-beta-brings-simplicity-finesse-to-kde-remake-176554.html
Titan Linux Beta Brings Simplicity, Finesse to KDE Remake
Linux Security Study Reveals When, How You Patch Matters
New Breeze Theme Gives KDE Neon Release Lots of Sparkle
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/04/personal-file-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/pii-of-many-fortune-1000-execs-exposed-at-data-broker-sites-176668.html
PII of Many Fortune 1000 Execs Exposed at Data Broker Sites
US-Led Seizure of RaidForums May Defy Lasting Effect on Security
Atlas VPN Debuts MultiHop+ for Added Layer of Internet Privacy and Security
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/05/innoview-pm004-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/innoviews-15-6-4k-portable-panel-could-be-the-ultimate-touchscreen-accessory-176726.html
InnoView’s 15.6″ 4K Portable Panel Could Be the Ultimate Touchscreen Accessory
Rebuilding Ukraine: 3D Printing and the Metaverse Could Help Create the Cities of Tomorrow
InnoView 15.8″ Portable Display: More Screen Space for Small Devices
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/Space-BACN-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/darpa-moves-forward-with-project-to-revolutionize-satellite-communication-177003.html
DARPA Moves Forward With Project To Revolutionize Satellite Communication
Science, Art Inspire Women in Tech Entrepreneurship
Why Commercial Space Travel Is Unlikely To Scale Up
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/microsoft-bing-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/microsoft-bing-yandex-create-new-search-protocol-87311.html
Microsoft Bing, Yandex Create New Search Protocol
Botify SEO Platform Helps Brands Navigate Organic Search Rankings
Google Cloud Seeks To Cure Retailers’ Search Woes, Help Compete With Amazon
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/server-admins-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/cyber-asset-management-overwhelming-it-security-teams-87457.html
Cyber Asset Management Overwhelming IT Security Teams
30 Years of Linux History Told via Distros
Stale Open Source Code Rampant in Commercial Software: Report
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/digital-wallet-qr-code-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/whats-in-store-for-next-gen-digital-wallets-87451.html
What’s in Store for Next-Gen Digital Wallets
Apple Refreshes iPhone SE, iPad Air, Debuts Studio Desktop
Tesla Smartphone Could Be a Game Changer
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/social-media-apps-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/a-third-of-us-social-media-users-creating-fake-accounts-176987.html
A Third of US Social Media Users Creating Fake Accounts
Amazon Lawsuit Fingers Facebook Groups Recruiting Fake Reviewers
Big Tech Firms Move To Squash Deceptive Info on Ukraine Crisis
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/global-disaster-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/nvidia-launches-earth-2-and-goes-to-war-against-climate-change-87336.html
Nvidia Launches Earth 2 and Goes to War Against Climate Change
Kuo Predicts ‘iPhone 13’ Will Support Satellite Calls and Texting
30 Years Later, the Trajectory of Linux Is Star Bound
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/handwrytten-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/robotic-letter-writing-lends-a-hand-to-personalized-marketing-crm-176595.html
Robotic Letter Writing Lends a Hand to Personalized Marketing, CRM
Don’t Become a Fool in the IT Gold Rush
Marketers: Beware Florida’s Mini-TCPA
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/surface-duo-2-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/microsoft-finally-has-truly-competitive-alternatives-to-apple-products-87282.html
Microsoft Finally Has Truly Competitive Alternatives to Apple Products
New iPad Mini Stars at Apple Refresh Event
Chromebook Shipments Jump 75% YoY in Q2
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/tug-of-war-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/musk-twitter-qualcomm-apple-netflix-microsoft-deciphering-the-insanity-176915.html
Musk-Twitter, Qualcomm-Apple, Netflix-Microsoft: Deciphering the Insanity
The World Is Not Yet Ready for Electric Cars
The Importance of the Metaverse Standards Forum
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/04/eu-gavel-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/new-eu-law-will-force-google-meta-others-to-expose-algorithms-176689.html
New EU Law Will Force Google, Meta, Others To Expose Algorithms
Pandemic, Compliance Driving Increased Privacy Spending
Report Argues Antitrust Bill Would Hurt Consumers, Stymie Innovation
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/Lucid-Air-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/lucid-nvidia-and-the-rapidly-changing-future-of-electric-cars-176927.html
Lucid, Nvidia and the Rapidly Changing Future of Electric Cars
Rapid EV Adoption by Low-Income Drivers Needed To Curb Climate Change: Report
BlackBerry and Preparing for the Software-Defined Automobile
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/metaverse-future-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/nvidia-and-disney-can-breathe-life-into-the-metaverse-176993.html
Nvidia and Disney Can Breathe Life Into the Metaverse
The Metaverse Future: Are You Ready To Become a God?
New Recipe for Marketing Success: Blend Digital and CX, Mix Well With AI
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/02/vr-metaverse-300x156.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/apple-mr-specs-will-shun-metaverse-report-87385.html
Apple MR Specs Will Shun Metaverse: Report
Apple Wearables Holiday Sales Knock It Out of the Park
5 Terrific Tech Gift Ideas for Your Holiday Shopping List
https://www.technewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/xl-2016-hacker-2-300x184.jpg
https://www.technewsworld.com/story/cybercriminals-employing-specialists-to-maximize-ill-gotten-gains-87200.html
Cybercriminals Employing Specialists To Maximize Ill-Gotten Gains
Encouraging Research Finds Brain Adjusts to ‘Third Thumb’
E-Commerce Tending to Health and Wellness Needs
Copyright 1998-2022 ECT News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Enter your Username and Password to sign in.