It’s your worst nightmare come true—you drop your phone flat on its face, and when you pick it up, you see a spiderweb of cracks splitting across the screen. But don’t panic—you may have more options with your broken screen than you think. Read on to find out what to do with a cracked screen—and when to throw in the towel and get a new phone.
What do you do if your device screen is cracked?
First things first: check your phone warranty timelines, and if you have phone insurance, check what it covers. Taking this first step could save you money and headaches. If you’re an AT&T customer, then click here to see if you are enrolled in AT&T Protect Advantage.
But if your device’s cracked screen is not covered by a warranty and you don’t have insurance that covers that type of damage, things get a little trickier. You may need to take care of the repair yourself.
Do your research to find a reputable phone repair shop that specializes in fixing a cracked screen, or contact the manufacturer to see if they can recommend a certified repair shop that’s local to you. You could repair it yourself, but fair warning—broken screen repair isn’t for novices. But experience or not, you may also run the risk of voiding any applicable warranty. Your safest bet is to take your phone to a professional repair shop.
Will a cracked device screen get worse?
Even if you only have a little crack in your screen, it may grow and spread—especially if you continue using your phone. If cracks grow and spread on your screen, they may also impact your phone’s touchscreen capabilities—and may make it easier for dust and water to get inside.
How much is it to fix a cracked device screen?
It may depend on the phone and the damage, but it can scale up to several hundred dollars. But if you have to go out of pocket on repair costs, make sure you get an estimate from the repair shop, so you can decide whether you’d prefer to fix your phone or just get a new one.
Should you repair a cracked device screen?
If you have experience in repairing device screens, then by all means, go for it. You should be able to find the materials you need online. But if you’re not experienced in repairing phones, it’s best to leave it to the professionals—and don’t try any of the DIY suggestions you find online that tell you to fix your cracked screen with toothpaste, baking soda, or other household items.
If you’re debating whether or not it’s worth it to repair the screen, that’s a different conversation. A lot of this will come down to cost. If your phone is an older model and the screen is severely damaged, it might make more sense to replace your phone instead of repairing it. You could get a new phone, or if cost is a major issue, you could look into getting a certified pre-owned smartphone. This allows you to replace your phone without paying full, retail price for a replacement device. But a way to determine whether or not it’s worth it to repair the screen is to have a repair shop assess the damage and give you an estimate.
So, how can you help protect your phone? Here are some tips and tricks that may help save you from a cracked screen in the future:
- Get a screen protector: A tempered glass screen protector is a great way to help safeguard your phone screen.
- Get a phone case: A durable phone case may add a layer of protection to your device in the event it’s dropped.
- Get phone insurance that covers cracked screens: Consider device insurance that not only offers coverage to fix a cracked screen but that also provides coverage if your device is lost or stolen, or even needs a battery replacement. AT&T Protect Advantage comes with unlimited screen repairs with a $29 deductible.
This article is AT&T sponsored content written by Carly Milne, a TechBuzz contributor. The statements in this article are her own and don’t necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of AT&T.
