Two Ways to fix a chipped phonescreen
Phone screens commonly crack because of accidental drops, pressure, or impacts from hard and sharp objects, and minor cracks can only be temporarily secured rather than fully repaired.
If the screen develops black spots, colored lines, partial blackouts, or touchscreen problems, replacing the complete screen assembly is usually the most practical long-term solution, with options such as In-Cell, OLED, Soft OLED, and Hard OLED available for different models and budgets.
Using a protective case and screen protector, keeping the phone away from hard objects, and choosing a properly tested replacement screen assembly can help reduce damage and make future repairs easier.
The Three Most Common Causes of Screen Cracks
1.Accidental Drops
Accidental drops are one of the most common causes of cracked phone screens. When a phone falls from a desk, a pocket, or a hand onto the ground, the screen is subjected to a significant impact in a very short amount of time. If the phone lands on its corner first, the impact may concentrate on the edge of the screen, causing a crack; if the front of the screen hits a hard surface directly, it may shatter over a large area. Even if the drop is from a low height, screen damage can still occur if the angle of impact is unfavorable.
2.Pressure or Compression
A phone screen can also crack due to sustained pressure or sudden compression. For example, sitting on a phone in your back pocket, placing a heavy object on top of it, or stuffing it into an overpacked backpack can all subject the screen and body to additional pressure. Initially, this may manifest as only a small crack or display distortion, but with continued use, the crack may gradually widen and, in severe cases, affect touch functionality and screen display.
3.Impact from Hard or Sharp Objects
Keys, metal tools, stones, and other hard or sharp objects can cause direct damage to a phone’s screen. If these items are placed in the same pocket or bag as the phone, they may scratch or even shatter the screen when subjected to pressure or impact. A strong localized impact may not only damage the surface glass but also affect the internal display layer, resulting in issues such as black spots, colored lines, localized blackouts, or touchscreen malfunctions.
Temporary Repair
If your phone screen has cracked but you can’t replace it right away, you can try some simple temporary fixes. The purpose of a temporary repair isn’t to restore the screen to its original condition, but to secure the cracked glass as much as possible, prevent further shattering, and stop the crack from spreading in the short term. However, these methods should only be used as a temporary solution. If the screen displays black spots, colored lines, unresponsive touch, or a partial blackout, you’ll usually need to replace the entire screen assembly.
Transparent Tape
For phones with minor cracks where the screen still displays normally and responds to touch, you can apply a layer of transparent tape to the screen’s surface to temporarily secure any loose glass. This helps prevent broken glass from scratching your fingers and reduces the chance of dust entering the cracks.
The drawbacks are also quite obvious: transparent tape on the screen usually looks unsightly and may affect the screen’s tactile feel and clarity. Therefore, this method is better suited as a short-term emergency fix rather than a long-term solution.
A Small Amount of Super Glue
If there is only minor glass cracking or localized loosening along the edges of the screen, some people use a small amount of super glue for temporary repair. Before applying the glue, be sure to thoroughly clean away any dust and debris around the damaged area to prevent foreign particles from getting trapped in the crack along with the glue.
Exercise extreme caution when using super glue: do not use too much, and ensure the glue does not seep into the screen, the earpiece, the buttons, or the gaps in the device’s body. If the glue enters the display layer or touchscreen area, it may actually cause further damage and make future screen replacement more difficult. Therefore, this method is only suitable for very limited temporary repairs and cannot replace proper screen repair or replacement of the entire screen assembly.
Long-Term Repair
If the screen crack is already quite noticeable, or if issues such as black spots, colored lines, localized blackouts, or touchscreen malfunctions occur simultaneously, temporary fixes usually cannot truly resolve the problem. To restore your phone to normal use, the most appropriate long-term solution is to **replace the entire screen assembly**.
A smartphone screen assembly typically includes not only the outer glass but also components such as the display panel and touch layer. Therefore, when a cracked screen affects the display or touch functionality, simply repairing the external cracks will not address the internal damage; replacing the entire screen assembly is often a more straightforward solution.
When selecting a replacement screen, you must first confirm the specific model of your phone, as even within the same series, different models may use different screens. Some models also offer different types of screens, such as In-Cell, OLED, Soft OLED, and Hard OLED, allowing you to choose based on your budget and usage needs.
After purchasing a new screen assembly, if you have experience disassembling and installing devices, you can perform the replacement yourself; if you lack repair experience, you can purchase the appropriate screen assembly and take it to a local phone repair shop to have a technician install it.
How Should We Protect Our Phone Screens?
Phone screens are easily damaged during daily use due to drops, pressure, or collisions with hard objects. While it’s impossible to completely prevent accidents, adopting a few simple habits can significantly reduce the likelihood of scratches, cracks, or even display malfunctions. Especially if you frequently keep your phone in your pocket, backpack, or carry it with you, taking preventive measures is much less hassle than repairing a damaged screen afterward.
1. Use a Phone Case and Screen Protector
Using a suitable phone case and screen protector is a simple and practical way to protect your phone. A phone case can absorb some of the impact when the phone falls, particularly protecting the four corners of the device and the edges of the screen; a screen protector reduces scratches caused by daily friction and provides an extra layer of cushioning during minor impacts.
However, screen protectors and phone cases cannot guarantee that the screen will never shatter. If the phone falls from a significant height or is subjected to a strong impact, the internal display and touchscreen layers may still be damaged. Therefore, they are better suited to reducing the risk of damage during daily use rather than completely replacing normal usage precautions.
2. Avoid Storing Your Phone Screen Next to Hard or Sharp Objects
Avoid placing your phone in the same pocket or bag as keys, coins, metal tools, or other sharp objects. When you’re moving around, retrieving items, or the phone is subjected to pressure, these objects may constantly rub against the screen, which can lead to scratches over time.
If subjected to significant pressure, sharp or hard objects may also strike the screen directly, causing the glass to shatter or even damaging the internal display layer. It’s a good habit to set aside a separate storage space for your phone—especially in backpacks or tool bags—to minimize the chance of direct contact between the screen and other hard objects.
Q&A
Where can I buy a smartphone screen assembly?
If your smartphone screen is cracked, has black spots, color lines, a black screen, or touchscreen issues, you can purchase a screen assembly compatible with your phone model to replace it. We specialize in providing smartphone screen assemblies, offering a wide selection of models at transparent and affordable prices. You can visit our store to browse different models and screen types, and choose the right product based on your phone model and budget. All screen assemblies undergo quality inspection before shipping. Buyers with repair experience can install them themselves, or take the purchased assembly to a local phone repair shop to have a technician install it.
Can I fix a cracked phone screen at home?
If your phone screen has only a minor crack, you can perform a simple temporary fix at home, such as applying a screen protector or using clear tape to secure the crack. This helps prevent glass shards from falling out and stops the crack from spreading further. However, if the screen is black, displays color lines, has black spots, or the touchscreen isn’t responding, you’ll usually need to replace the entire screen assembly.
Can toothpaste remove cracks in a phone screen?
We do not recommend using toothpaste to treat cracks in a phone screen, as toothpaste cannot actually repair glass that has already cracked. Repeatedly rubbing the screen with toothpaste may also scratch the screen’s surface or even make the original crack worse.
