How to replace a cracked phone screen (and prevent it from happening again)

Hey, it happens. You’re on a hike, trying to capture a picture of the perfect sunset, when a bird startles you and you drop your phone… right onto a strategically placed sharp rock. You hope and wish and pray to whoever will listen as you slowly reach down to pick it up but it’s too late—your screen is cracked. A cracked phone screen can definitely ruin your day but if handled correctly, it doesn’t have to ruin your phone. In this blog, we’ll cover options for repairing a cracked phone screen, tips to keep it from getting worse and how to keep it from ever happening again. Now, let’s get cracking, er… started. 

How to replace a cracked phone screen

You may not need to replace the whole phone just yet. Here are a few repair options for a cracked phone screen that you can explore first: 

Check your manufacturer’s warranty

Your phone screen might be covered under your manufacturer’s warranty. You could reach out to your manufacturer or the company you purchased your phone from to see if that’s an option.

Replace the screen yourself

If you’re in the mood to go full-DIY, you could purchase a replacement screen from a third party and repair it yourself. This can be especially tricky, so we recommend finding the steps for your specific phone online first to decide if you’re up for it.

Take it to a repair shop

There are professionals out there who replace phone screens every day. You can find a local phone repair shop online and reach out to them for a price and timing estimate. You’ll probably want to check out those customer reviews too.

Replace the phone

If the cost or effort to replace the screen seems more than it’s worth, or you’re just ready for a phone upgrade anyway, you could use this opportunity to treat yourself to a new (or refurbished) phone.

How to protect a phone screen from cracking more

If you aren’t ready to repair or replace the screen but want to keep the phone a bit longer, there are some steps you can take to keep the screen from getting worse while you decide what steps you want to take next.  

Put a screen protector on it

As long as the screen isn’t too destroyed (with shards missing or anything), a new screen protector should still stick to it. This can slow the spread of cracks in the screen and protect your fingers when swiping. 

Use packing tape

Similar to a screen protector, you can cover the screen with a clean piece of packing tape to slow the spread of the cracks. You can apply it like you would a screen protector and trip it with a precision knife.

Be mindful of pressure

A cracked screen will only get worse the more it’s used, so be extra careful when swiping and tapping on the screen. We understand wanting to passionately double tap your partner’s latest selfie, but we don’t want the damage to spread.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Glass is very sensitive to extreme temperatures, so you’ll want to be mindful of heat and cold. Your screen can sustain damage if your phone gets too cold, and an already-cracked screen would just get worse under certain conditions.

How to prevent a phone screen from cracking

If you’re reading this blog preemptively (or already followed the steps above to repair or replace your screen), there are a few tricks we recommend to keep your phone screen from getting cracked:

Use a screen protector

If this answer seems obvious… we agree. But that’s also why we had to mention it. You can order one online or you may be able to find one that fits your specific device at an electronics or  retail store.

Get a sturdy phone case

Protecting your phone beyond just the screen is important. A strong, well-fitted phone case can act as a bumper if the phone is ever dropped or mishandled. And one with a handle, loop or socket on the back can make it easier to hang on to as well. 

Be careful with your phone

Yes, we know “just don’t drop it” is an obvious answer too. But you should also be careful not to bump into anything with your phone in your pocket. Don’t set it on the floor of the gym while you curl big weights above it. If you get bad news via text message, don’t throw the phone across the room in anger (just scream into a pillow instead).    

Consider phone insurance

So phone insurance won’t necessarily stop your phone screen from getting cracked, but it could certainly make taking care of a cracked screen much easier if it happens again. Look into what your wireless carrier offers as far as insurance goes. For example, here at Mint we offer Phone Protection by Allstate. 

No need to scream over a cracked screen

Now you not only know how to fix a cracked screen but also how to keep it from happening ever again. So if you’re reading this blog through a cracked screen, now you know what steps to take to remedy that. And if you feel a cracked screen might be the least of your worries with your active lifestyle, feel free to check out our other blogs to find out how to keep your phone safe at the beach or see if your phone is waterproof. We also have an in-depth article about phone security, because keeping the data inside your phone is even more important than protecting the hardware. Speaking of what’s inside your phone, have you put a Mint Mobile SIM in there yet? Click below to see why bringing your phone to Mint is kinda like putting a screen protector on your wallet.