You have hacked your cell phone screen. Whether it slipped out of your hand when you were on the phone, or whether you left it in your car when you left, the glass was shattered.
Luckily, the display still works, and maybe the touch screen controls too. So what will you do now? Here are a few things to do right after hacking your phone screen.
1. Does phone insurance cover a cracked screen?
The first thing to do is to check if your phone insurance covers cracked screens and under what conditions.
If so, the fix should be simple. In most cases, the main problem will be without your phone for a few days.
It’s as bad as it gets (although you may have to pay an extra fee).
Smartphone screen cracking problems start when it turns out you can’t get a replacement screen in insurance. When this happens, you need to take matters into your own hands.
2. Use an old cell phone
You need a phone but your screen is cracked. So what can you do? Well, a good option is to just use an old phone.
If your phone is unusable due to a broken screen or has been sent in for repair, you will need a replacement. The best place to find it is usually hidden in the back of the crate.
Even if you don’t have an old phone, you can switch to a temporary, friend or family relationship. Ask and you’ll have a handy replacement until you decide what to do about your phone and its cracked screen.
3. How to Fix a Cracked Phone Screen
By now, you may have realized (or decided) that you don’t really need a new phone.
What’s more, you can fix a broken mobile phone display with the right instructions.
Thanks to the internet, chances are you’ll find a fix for everything on the internet. iFixIt is a great place to start as it contains instructions and additional details. Our own cracked smartphone screen repair guide also worth reading.
YouTube is another great resource for repair tutorials. Replacement screens can be purchased online through sites such as eBay and AliExpress.
The benefits of DIY repairs include reduced repair costs as well as a sense of accomplishment.
It is worth bearing in mind that without the right preparation and skills, you can ruin everything.
4. Pay for broken mobile phone screen repair
How much does it cost to replace a phone screen?
While you could send your phone to the official manufacturer, you will be charged through your nose for this option. Look at paying for Apple repairs — it’s not cheap to get a repair if you’re out of warranty.
You can probably go to your local phone repair shop and a Google search will show you where to find it, as well as customer reviews. While you’ll probably be charged by the hour, a qualified technician can replace the screen fairly quickly.
Check prices and compare competitors at a repair shop before trying them out. We have looked at a few places where you can fix broken iPhone screens. to give you an idea.
5. Sell your phone to find a replacement
Thinking about fundraising for a replacement?
Several sites will buy your phone and even pay for a broken one. These sites include:
Glyde
Gazelle
Gizmogul
But did you know that you can even sell your broken items on eBay? ? You probably won’t get a lot of money for this, but you will get something that you can put on a new phone.
Many sites also give you credit to buy a used phone when you trade in yours. You will probably get a better deal if you take out a loan instead of cash, so keep that in mind.
Once you’ve raised your money, check the most popular online retailers on the internet for replacements. The best places to start are eBay and Amazon.
You can even find a used but otherwise good version of your phone. Just pay attention to the product description. You don’t want to end up buying a damaged phone!
What should you check? Well, the details should tell you:
If the phone is working
Does it have a working screen
If there are scratches
At the right price, buying a used replacement may be a better option than buying a new phone.
6. Just buy a new phone!
And, of course, the most obvious option: buying a new phone. Sometimes you just need to earn money to replace a damaged device.
Of course, it can be painful to spend so much money. But it can be cheaper than buying a replacement and upgrading a few months later. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading soon, it’s best to do so now.
If you decide to buy a new phone, don’t automatically buy it from your carrier. Buy unlocked version instead of this; this will save you a lot of money, even if it seems like it’s more expensive.
7. Deal with a broken phone screen
Image credit: whatleydude/Flickr
Money is tight? Not keen on do-it-yourself solutions or paying for repairs?
If your phone is still working and the screen can’t completely fall apart, why not just use it? Of course, it will be a little unpleasant to look at, but you will get used to it.
Saving the money it will cost for a new phone is always nice. If you have a contract that is about to expire, this is your best option.
Adding a protective film can also help prevent further cracking of the glass. The glass protector can prevent further spider formation.
It depends a lot on how big the damage is, but adding a defender definitely won’t hurt.
Don’t let a broken screen ruin your day
While broken smartphone displays are frustrating, ugly, and kill your phone’s resale value, don’t let it cast a shadow. A broken smartphone screen is just a challenge to overcome.
As we have seen, you have several options:
Your phone insurance claim
Find or borrow an old phone
Repair a cracked screen yourself
Pay for screen repair
Trade or sell the phone and buy a replacement
Contact your carrier for an update
Keep using your phone
Eventually your phone will be replaced, so if other options don’t work, have a backup plan. You can contact your carrier for an update, or you can simply continue to use a phone with a damaged screen.
When it’s time to move away from your phone, don’t just throw it in a drawer. We have many suggestions on how to continue using your old smartphone.
