UPDATE: Here is the tutorial about how to fix a shattered iPad screen.
I cracked my I Phone glass… twice. The first time I shattered it…the phone was unusable. The second time, it was at least still usable…see below. Both times, the BF came to the rescue! He is kind of a pro now 🙂 It takes 20 minutes (depending on crack severity), a few tools, a 10$ I Phone replacement glass, and patience!
Two things to remember before we start on the tutorial for how to replace a broken iPhone screen.
1. We bought the iPhone replacement glass from Amazon. For this tutorial, I used a repair kit for an iPhone 3G
. Andy says to read the reviews and make sure most people have good things to say about the company. Andy recently fixed an iPhone 8 Plus and used this kit. The kit includes the glass and all of the tools needed to fix the screen.This company has kits to fix most models.
. Andy says to read the reviews and make sure most people have good things to say about the company. Andy recently fixed an iPhone 8 Plus and used this kit. The kit includes the glass and all of the tools needed to fix the screen.This company has kits to fix most models.2. The glass repair kits are model specific (i.e. if you have an I-Phone 3G you will buy a different screen than if you have an I-Phone 3GS)
Andy also says the mini magnetic screwdriver is a MUST and he uses a kitchen towel so the tiny screws don’t roll around and fall off of the table.
The damage:
How to Replace a Broken/ Cracked iPhone Screen
Step 1- Remove 2 screws at the bottom of the phone
Step 2- Use suction cup to lift the glass out of the phone body
Step 3- There are 3 wires that attach the glass to the phone. You need to detach all of them. –WATCH you tube VIDEO at the bottom of post for more info!
Step 4- Remove the 6 tiny screws on the sides of the phone.
Step 5- Remove the glass from the touch screen…
This is the phone without the glass or touch screen parts… kind of neat, huh 🙂
Here is the old glass
Step 6- Heat up the old glass to melt the glue…You have to remove the metal frame from the glass
Still heating up 🙂
Step 7- Remove broken glass from metal frame
Step 8- Remove the goo. We attempted some vlogging…don’t laugh!
Step 9- Use supplied 3M adhesive to attach new glass to metal frame!
One more vlogging attempt 🙂
Step 10- Repeat steps 1-7 in reverse order. Easy Peasy!
This is the original You Tube video the BF watched to learn how to do it–super helpful!
While I hope that you never need this tutorial…
But, just know that it is here and is EASY and CHEAP to fix 🙂
Comments & Reviews
I just dropped my iPod touch and I started to panic but remembered this tutorial. I noticed you did it with the iPhone ( which has screws) so how do you do it with by iPod?
Now buy a Zagg protector screen. Those things are amazing.
Now if you could just show me how to replace the glass on an iPhone 4!!! I was told they can’t so I had to buy a new phone
have apple care insurance–it was free of charge.
P.S. My glass screen was so shattered there was no way a “suction cup” could have removed it!! However, it worked perfectly well shattered in side of a ziplock baggy!!
I broke my iPod screen and I have to wait until my bday to replace it sooooo….
just want to say thank you. i broke my screen on my iphone (3Gs) a couple weeks ago and went in to the apple store to see about having it fixed. they said it would cost me $100.00. i followed your link to amazon and ordered the new screen with the tool kit…a total of $7.27. the videos were very helpful. i panicked when you said to do the 7 steps in reverse to put it back together but then i realized that the last video showed step by step how-to. my iphone is as good as new…:) thank you so much for sharing this information.
You are welcome! I’m happy it worked well for you 🙂
i can’t get my screen off because there is so much cracking the suction cup won’t stick… what do i do?
Use tweezers and a sharp pointed object (ice pick) to carefully pick it all out 🙂
J,
the link you sent for the replacement glass from Amazon, is it the “real thing” or a chinese rip-off? How reliable is the quality? Also what about about replacing the back of the phone if that gets cracked?
Huge help thanks
I’m honestly not sure. I do know that the kit I linked to worked for us. Make sure you buy the right kit for your model of phone!
Would love to give this a try! …but what are you using to heat up the screen so you can pull the glass off?
I’ve never used/seen something like that. Thanks again!
It’s just a blow dryer for your hair 🙂
Thanks so much for posting this….you gave me the courage to replace my own Droid Bionic glass! Just got the kit in and followed a similar method I was able to look up on you tube. It works great! And I’m a GIRL who did it all by herself lol!
Awesome tutorial, found it on Pinterest. Wish Pinterest was around when I cracked my 3G screen back in the day 🙂 Any plans to do a 4 or 4s tutorial? Would it be the same as the 3G/3GS, does anyone know?? I haven’t cracked the glass yet and hope never too but hey…things happen LOL
I have not looked into the 4x tutorial… but I have that iphone and its bound to crack! (knock on wood) I’ll defineitly diy it when if it happens!
We must have done something wrong, cannot power the phone back on, any suggestions?
it costs a bit more, but it’s alot easier process to just order the screen assembly that comes with a new LCD screen and replace them both as well. I have replaced several of these for my self and for others and I have found that it can be frustrating when trying to separate the lcd screen from the digitizer glass. It’s also possible to unintentionally break the lcd in the process. That’s why I find it a lot less stress full to just buy the whole assembly and replace that instead. Just a thought! 🙂
Joanne-how much I the assembly and where do you buy it? :o)
Can you do this with iPod touch??
Will this work with iPod screens too?
Will this work for an ipod touch? My daughter smashed hers 🙁
I’ve heard it will. Google it 🙂
Will this work with the Touch screen? Anyone have instructions?
I think it will work with an iTouch. This looks like a good video!
Thanks so much for sharing…Can this apply in like with cracked Laptop Screens? HP wants $385… ouch
I am not sure if it would work on a laptop… i would google it or look for a you tube video!!!
I replaced my hp laptop screen with one I bought on ebay for only $90 including s&h. It was not hard to do just taking out screws and attaching a few wires.
I have the iPhone 4 and the back of it shattered. Can that too be fixed? Right now it works, but little glass pieces keep coming out so I have it covered with a rubber cover to hopefully keep it together until the iPhone 5 comes out…soon I hope!
Did you ever find out the answer to this question? I just dropped my phone today and the back is shattered and little bits of glass are chipping out. I too thought I would buy a case that encloses the back to keep it together.
(currently have a “bumper”.
The best way is to replace the I phone with a Samsung android phone with Gorilla glass face and not have to worry about it I’ve dropped mine several times and it’s still fine
I wish I would have known this when I broke my iPhone!! ):
I was so heartbroken when it happened.
Will this work for an iPod touch??
will this work for an I pod touch?
See commebt 25 above. (There is a link to a tutorial)
whoa! you’re an aggie! whoop (saw the ring…..hopefully)
I’m a longhorn, but the husband is aggie 🙂
And you will void your warranty and pay full price for any serious repairs you (god forbid) might need.
I did not have warranty on my phone, so it was perfect! If you have the warranty, it’s free to get your screen fixed!
How is it free? Do you send it in or take it to your wireless carrier? Mine isn’t broken, but is scratched and driving me crazy 🙁
Yes you can fix an iPad! Check out the comment from lifewithabean (2 below this one)Here is the link she left: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnGZy74xMOY
What did you find out? My son just stood on my iPad and cracked the screen all to crap. uggh. It's going to cost me anywhere from $79 to $279 (best buy and apple care) to fix, and my darling husband didn't buy the blacktie insurance. GAH!!! So—did you replace the glass yourself or what??
And seriously, you would think that they would make it PLEXI glass, not actual glass. idiots!!
feel free to email me!
see comment 25 🙂 it can be fixed.
too much work, that's why I bought the warranty! also, if your phone is under a year old all warranties are void when you mess with the phone. Of course, if money is not an object – who cares?
Agreed. A lot of people don’t realize that by tampering with it- any other issues you ever have with the phone will void out the warranty- regardless of whether or not you spent the money on the Apple Care extension plan. NOT a good idea if you plan on being able to use the Genius Bar for any other issues.
We thought the same and have paid for the warranty for over two years without using it, My husbands screen cracks and they tell us its $199 copay to fix it. Not worth paying the warranty through AT&T all that time so we cancelled the warranty. I never knew this was even a possibility , just ordered the kit today.
That is crazy! Good luck with the DIY 🙂
Hmmm my son cracked his ipad about a month after he got it. It still works fine and he has been living with it since the cost of fixing it was close to buying a new one. I might just have to see if he and dad are up for a project!!
Working on this as we speak…but I think my glass may be too shattered to get a good seal on the suction cup. No luck getting the glass up. Ugh. Any tips?
Try applying an adhesive screen protector to your cracked screen. It may stick to the cracked glass in enough areas, that the suction cup will work when you put it on the screen protector.