Cracked Phone Screen? Here's What You Should Do Before Repairing It

A cracked phone screen is one of the most common repair requests - but before handing it over, a few quick checks can save you money and avoid data loss.

Before you go for a repair

• Back up your data - photos, contacts, and messages, in case the repair process requires a factory reset or something goes wrong
• Check if the touch still works - a cracked-but-functional touchscreen is a cheaper glass-only repair; if touch has stopped responding, the full display module usually needs replacing (more expensive)
• Note if the phone still powers on and charges normally - this tells the technician whether it's purely a display issue or something else too
• Avoid pressing hard on the cracked area - this can push glass shards further into the display or damage the touch layer underneath

Screen protector vs. no screen protector

If you had a tempered glass screen protector on, check if that's what actually cracked - sometimes the protector absorbs the impact and the actual phone screen underneath is fine, saving you a repair entirely.

Genuine vs. copy parts

Ask directly whether the replacement part is original/OEM or an aftermarket copy. Copy screens are cheaper but often have slightly worse touch sensitivity, colour accuracy, and durability. For newer or higher-end phones, it's usually worth paying more for a genuine part.

After the repair

Test the touch responsiveness across the entire screen (corners especially), check the camera and speaker still work, and confirm the fingerprint sensor or Face ID is functioning before leaving the shop.