Cracked glass but the screen works: can you replace just the glass?

The phone fell and the screen is a spider web, but the picture is fine and touch works. The first thought is "I'll have to replace the whole screen, that's expensive". Not always.

How a phone screen is built

A modern phone screen is a sandwich of layers bonded together:

1. Cover glass: what your finger touches.
2. Touch layer: registers your taps.
3. Panel (OLED or LCD): shows the image.

At the factory the layers are bonded with clear adhesive. If only the top glass is cracked and the panel is intact, the old glass can be removed and new glass bonded on, keeping the original panel.

How to tell if only the glass is damaged

Probably only the glass, if:

• the image is sharp, without spots, lines or black blots;
• touch works across the whole screen, including the edges;
• there's no flicker or green tint.

The panel is damaged, if:

• there are black or coloured spots or spreading blots;
• lines, flicker, or part of the screen doesn't light up;
• touch doesn't respond or registers taps by itself ("ghost touches").

Only a technician can say for sure. Sometimes the panel has a micro-crack that shows up later.

Benefits of a glass-only repair

• The original panel stays: the same colours, brightness, True Tone and refresh rate as from the factory.
• Usually cheaper than a new original screen.

When to replace the whole screen

• If the panel is damaged.
• If the glass is shattered to pieces and there's already damage underneath.
• If you need it faster: a complete screen swap is often quicker than re-glassing.

Why not to wait

Cracks spread and let in dust and moisture. It's easy to damage the panel through a crack with a fingernail or in a pocket, and then you need a whole screen instead of glass. Sharp glass edges can also cut your finger.

How we do it

The technician inspects the screen in front of you, tells you whether glass-only is possible, and gives the price before the repair. We film the intake. More: iPhone glass replacement and screen replacement. Screen types are explained in Original, OLED or copy.

Send a photo of the screen on Telegram and we'll tell you what needs replacing.

Read also

• Phone fell in water: what to do in the first 10 minutes (and why not rice)
• Phone dropped in the sea: why salt water is worse than fresh water
• IP68 water resistance: can you swim with your phone?
• Which replacement screen to choose: TFT, OLED, FOG or original