Broken Screen?

Cracked glass? Lines on display? Here is what to do.

Difficulty

Advanced

Time Est.

Variable

Tools Needed

  • Backup Drive
  • Clear Tape

Step 1: Assess the Damage

Is it just the glass (top layer) or the display (image underneath)? If you see black ink blobs, vertical colored lines, or touch doesn't work, the LCD/OLED panel is broken.

Step 2: Secure the Glass

If the glass is shattering, place a strip of clear packing tape over it. This prevents glass shards from falling out and cutting your fingers while you back it up.

Step 3: Back Up Immediately

A damaged screen can fail completely at any moment. Connect your phone to a computer or enable iCloud/Google Photos backup NOW while you can still see the screen.

Step 4: Repair Options

Modern screens are glued shut. DIY repair is risky. Check if you have "AppleCare+" or carrier insurance. If not, a local repair shop is usually cheaper than the manufacturer.

Ghost Touch & Unusable Screens

Sometimes a crack causes “Ghost Touch”—the phone clicks things on its own.

  • Emergency Fix: If you can’t unlock your phone to back it up because it keeps typing wrong numbers, plug in a USB Mouse.
  • Android: Use a “USB-OTG” adapter to plug a standard mouse into your charging port.
  • iPhone: Requires a “Lightning to USB Camera Adapter”.

Should I Fix It or Replace It?

Use the “50% Rule”: If the repair cost is more than 50% of the current value of the device (not what you paid for it, but what it’s worth used today), it’s better to buy a new one.

  • Example: iPhone 11 screen repair = $120. Used iPhone 11 value = $200. Verdict: Repair is borderline.
  • Example: Laptop screen repair = $300. Laptop value = $250. Verdict: Replace.

Pro Tip: If you have a cracked laptop screen but the computer works fine, you don’t have to fix it. Just plug in an external HDMI monitor and use it as a desktop!