Cracked iPhone Screen? What To Do Before The Repair
A cracked iPhone screen is one of the most common repairs we see, and it's also one of the most confusing to shop for. This guide explains, in plain language, what to do right after the crack, what Apple's own repair manuals say happens during a screen replacement, and how to choose between screen options without getting talked into something you don't need.
First: Stop Using Cracked Glass
Apple's safety guide is direct about this. It says not to use an iPhone with cracked glass, because it may cause injury. If you think anything else is damaged, like the battery, Apple says to stop using the iPhone, since it may overheat or cause injury. (Apple iPhone User Guide)
Apple's broken glass safety page adds that iPhone displays are made of glass, which can break if the phone is dropped, hit hard, crushed or bent, and it warns not to try removing chipped or cracked shards without protection. (Apple Support 104942) A clear screen protector or a piece of packing tape over the crack is not a repair, but it can keep loose glass off your thumb until the phone is fixed.
Second: Back Up While The Touchscreen Still Works
Cracks tend to spread, and a screen that responds today may not tomorrow. If you can still use it, back up now:
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
A good repair shouldn't touch your data, but a fresh backup protects you if the phone gets worse before the appointment. For a full checklist, see before your iPhone repair.
Is It Just The Glass, Or The Display Too?
Look at the screen with the phone on. If the picture is clean and touch works everywhere, the damage may be limited to the outer glass, but on modern iPhones the glass and display are replaced together as one assembly. Why together? iFixit's iPhone 12 guide treats the screen as one part, the display assembly, and warns that if the display panel separates from its bezel while the phone is being opened, you'll most likely need to replace the entire screen. (iFixit Guide 140572) Lines, black spots, green or white patches, flicker, or touch that responds in the wrong place mean the display underneath is damaged too.
Some things that look like damage are normal. Apple says OLED screens can show a slight color shift when viewed off-angle, and a temporary faint image can persist after a static image has been on screen for a while. (Apple Support 109039) If you see that without a crack, read iPhone screen flicker or color shift before booking a repair.
Third: Don't Open It Yourself
Apple says iPhone should only be serviced by a trained technician. Taking it apart can damage it, cause loss of splash and water resistance, or injure you. (Apple iPhone User Guide) That's not a scare line. A modern iPhone screen sits millimeters from the battery and the Face ID hardware, and a slip with a pry tool can turn a screen job into a much bigger one.
What A Screen Replacement Actually Involves
To most people, "the screen" is the glass. To a technician, it's a full display assembly: the glass, the panel that makes the picture, the touch layer and the cables that connect it all to the phone. Apple publishes a Display procedure for each recent model, and they show how much care is involved.
🔧 The Technical Side, Point By Point
1. Safety comes first in Apple's procedure. Apple's iPhone 13 Display procedure starts with the Repair Manual Introduction, Battery Safety, Broken Glass Safety and First Steps before any part is touched. (Apple Support 100408)
What You'll Notice: Nothing, if it's done right. Careful prep is invisible; skipped prep shows up as a damaged battery or a scratched frame.
2. The phone has to be off on newer models. For iPhone 15, Apple says to turn the iPhone off before starting, or the display and parts will be damaged. (Apple Support 104913) Apple gives the same warning for iPhone 16. (Apple Support 120646)
What You'll Notice: Your phone may be powered down when you hand it over. That's normal and expected.
3. Several cables come off, not just one. On iPhone 12, Apple's procedure disconnects the display, Multi-Touch and receiver flex cables. (Apple Support 100470)
What You'll Notice: Touch, picture and the earpiece all depend on those connections. If any one feels off after a repair, tell the shop right away; it's covered.
4. The Face ID camera stays put. Apple's display manuals keep the TrueDepth camera, Apple's name for the Face ID hardware, in the phone body and caution against touching it or the back of the new display, which may affect image quality. (Apple Support 100315)
What You'll Notice: Face ID should keep working after a screen-only repair. If it doesn't, see Face ID not working.
5. Some front sensor parts may move to the new screen. iFixit's iPhone 14 guide notes the front sensor assembly sits behind the screen and says to check whether the replacement screen comes with one installed. (iFixit Guide 152975) Depending on the model and the new screen, those parts may need to be moved over.
What You'll Notice: If the screen stays on during calls after a repair, a sensor wasn't seated right. See why the screen can stay on during calls.
6. Calibration finishes the job on iPhone 12 and later. Apple's Repair Assistant installs calibration data after a part is replaced. You'll find it in Settings > General > About > Parts & Service History. It needs Wi-Fi, more than 20% battery and the latest version of iOS. (Apple Support 120579) Apple recommends running it after a display replacement. (Apple Support 100408)
What You'll Notice: A "Finish Repair" prompt in Settings until the step is complete.
7. True Tone depends on the model, iOS version and screen. iFixit notes that on iOS 17.6 and earlier, True Tone is disabled after a screen replacement, even with a screen made by Apple. (iFixit Guide 152975)
What You'll Notice: The screen may look slightly cooler or bluer in warm light. More detail: True Tone after a screen repair.
8. Water resistance is likely reduced afterward. iFixit says the phone will work normally after a screen replacement but will most likely lose its IP rating. (iFixit Guide 152975)
What You'll Notice: No difference day to day. Just treat the phone as less water-resistant than it was new.
Which iPhones Have OLED Screens?
This matters when you compare options, because OLED and LCD phones are repaired with different kinds of panels. Apple lists OLED on iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11 Pro and later, except iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation). iPhone XR and iPhone 11 aren't on Apple's OLED list. (Apple Support 109039)
Screen Options, Explained Honestly
We offer four screen tiers. The posted menu price is the installed price: part plus labor combined. See the iPhone screen repair prices for your model.
- Standard (our usual pick): iTruColor Soft OLED. Good color and a sharp touch response for most OLED iPhones.
- Economy: costs less than Standard and works well for everyday use. You may notice small differences in color or brightness side by side.
- Budget (JK, 60-day warranty): available on iPhone 6S through iPhone 17, including iPhone Air. The lowest-cost way to get a working screen.
- Premium: quote-only, so no price is posted. Book an appointment and ask for a quote.
A Few Details Worth Knowing
- Why the glass and the OLED come as one part. The cover glass isn't a loose sheet on top of the screen. It's bonded to the display with an optically clear adhesive. iFixit's display teardown shows that separating them takes a heated vacuum plate and a 0.08 mm wire cut through the bond. (iFixit iPhone 6s Display Teardown)
- The glue does real work. In OLED displays, that adhesive bonds the cover window, the touch sensor and the polarizer together, and helps keep strain off the touch layer. (IntechOpen: Optically Clear Adhesives for OLED) That's why the right repair replaces the whole display assembly. Peeling the glass off an OLED panel and gluing on new glass can damage the panel or the touch layer.
Common Mistakes Other Shops Make
"Cheap isn't always cheap, especially if the work is done poorly." — Steve Franchitti
A screen job looks simple from the outside. These are the shortcuts that cause trouble later, and what you'd notice.
- Losing the earpiece and sensor assembly. iFixit says this assembly on the back of the old screen is paired to your iPhone at the factory and must be moved to the new screen. It holds the flood illuminator, part of Face ID, so if it's damaged, Face ID stops working. (iFixit Guide 140572)
- Skipping calibration. Apple says an uncalibrated part might not perform as well, and Parts & Service History shows Finish Repair until it's done. (Apple Support 102658) iFixit notes that on iOS 18 and later, Repair Assistant restores True Tone only on screens purchased from Apple. (iFixit Guide 140572)
- Skipping new seals. iFixit warns that opening the display compromises its waterproof seals, so replacement seals should be fitted. (iFixit Guide 140572) Apple notes water and dust resistance isn't permanent and can decrease with normal wear. (Apple Support 108039)
- Rushing the connectors. iFixit says a misaligned press connector can bend pins and cause permanent damage, and that if part of the screen doesn't respond to touch after a repair, the digitizer connector should be reseated. (iFixit Guide 140572)
- Mixing up screws. iFixit says every screw must go back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging the iPhone. (iFixit Guide 140572)
You can check any repair yourself in Settings > General > About. If a part shows Unknown, Apple says it might not be working as expected or hasn't been verified and linked to your iPhone, and it can lower trade-in value. If it shows Finish Repair, the calibration step was never done. (Apple Support 102658)
Our promise: we reseal every phone. We don't usually need your passcode, so when your model supports Apple's Repair Assistant, you can run it after the repair or we'll help you through it.
If Stolen Device Protection is on, some security steps need Face ID or Touch ID or a one-hour wait when you're away from home or work, so finishing setup at home can be easier. (Apple Support 120340)
The Tradeoffs
Cheaper isn't wrong, it's a choice. Budget screens show a wider black border around the picture, sit a little thicker and are less bright, with less rich color. If you're selling the phone soon or it's a backup device, that may be fine. If it's your daily phone and you watch a lot of video, Standard usually makes more sense. Economy sits in between.
The other tradeoff is time spent before the repair. Backing up, checking for battery damage and knowing your model makes the appointment simpler.
FAQ
Can I keep using my phone until the appointment?
Apple says not to use an iPhone with cracked glass because it may cause injury. (Apple iPhone User Guide) If you must, cover the crack and back up first.
Will I lose my data?
A screen replacement doesn't erase the phone, but back up anyway. (Apple Support 108366)
Will Face ID still work?
The TrueDepth camera stays in the phone during a display replacement. (Apple Support 100315)
What if I'm not sure it's just the screen?
Book a Diagnostics appointment. It's $35 on its own and free with any repair.
What warranty do I get?
1-year warranty against defects on undamaged parts and labor (60 days on Budget parts).
Related Guides
Cracked Screen Repair In San Diego
Franchitti's Fix is a home-based iPhone repair workshop in San Diego run by Steven Franchitti. Tell us your model when you book.
Ready to get it fixed? Book An Appointment. Reserved times get priority; walk-ins check in first.
Also see our shorter related post: Cracked iPhone Screen: What To Do (Quick Version).
Find more guides: All Repair Guides