Since mobile phone displays are much tougher than before, they seem to be indestructible. Unfortunately, it is not. If you drop your phone, it may damage the display. Your phone can no longer be considered useful.
Want to replace your damaged smartphone display? This is a relatively cheap and simple process. Here’s how to do it.
Costs to replace your phone screen
Has your mobile phone display been hacked? Dumped on the street or crushed while playing football? Sat on it even? You already know that you have a headache. Can the phone be repaired, and if so, what are the costs?
Many services available online and locally will repair your cell phone for a price. But if you have access to spare parts, and they are inexpensive, why not do the procedure yourself?
Non-monetary costs should also be considered: time spent without a phone, data that needs to be archived from a device. Hopefully your mobile platform’s cloud service will help you, or maybe a desktop utility can check the contents of the phone.
Installing a new display that costs the same as replacing a phone doesn’t make sense. However, if a cell phone screen replacement is closer to $15, it makes sense to try it yourself.
If you don’t want to try to recover data, here’s how to recover data from jailbroken phone
Where to find a phone replacement screen
The most obvious place to get a replacement display is eBay. Simply searching for a mobile phone model and displaying the word will lead to the details you need. Just remember to shop safely when using eBay.
In my case, «Nexus 5 display» gave a lot of accurate (and unfortunately a bit inaccurate) results. Take the time to make sure the component you choose is really the right fit for your device. Often components can appear in the results due to a poorly written list.
Amazon is also a resource for screen replacements, but you should also consider a general Google search as this will bring up specialized vendors who may be able to offer a lower price.
Note that you may find listings that only offer a display, compared to listings with half a phone body. What you buy depends on how complex you want it to be. For example, just a display means melting the glue with a heat gun or hair dryer.
Alternatively, a replacement display kit that includes half of the phone’s body will require replacement parts from the old body to the replacement.
Tools to replace your phone’s screen
Often, replacement displays come with tools included. Typically you will receive:
- Mini screwdrivers
- Mini Torx Drivers
- plastic tweezers
- Plastic wedges
- Guitar pick / plectrum
You must also have:
- curved tweezers
- Precision knife or craft scalpel
- Hair dryer or heat gun
These tools are included for removing the case and unscrewing any components that prevent the display from being replaced. For example, a mobile phone will have Torx screws under the battery cover that will need to be removed before the case can be carefully unfolded.
Please note that spending money on these tools is optional. Sanding the ends of a pair of plastic bicycle wheel arms will yield alternatives that can be used, otherwise obtainable relatively cheaply.
Phone screen replacement basics
There are so many different models of mobile phones (new or used) on the market that it is almost impossible to provide a standardized guide. In addition, some models cannot be repaired without being sent back to the manufacturer.
Check out YouTube to see how you can replace your phone’s display. You will find many detailed instructions for specific devices.
Most smartphones are basically made up of several layers of components. Each layer must be carefully separated to replace the glass display.
