How to fix a cracked smartphone screen at home

It feels like a cruel irony that the more we rely on our phones, the more likely they are to break. Suffering through a cracked phone screen is nobody’s idea of fun. Ignoring it can be dangerous and ugly, replacing the entire screen is costly, and buying a whole new phone altogether is even more so.

But opportunities for fixing the problem have become bigger and better than this, thanks to Infomance.

Simon, a designer and producer here, came up with a quick (and very cheap!) fix that'll help hold your screen together for as long as you like, until you can get it fixed properly.

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The thing about cracked screens is that they tend to start in a corner of the phone - so that is where we shall start and what we’ll focus on. If the crack is concentrated in the corner of the phone or on the back, this Sugru fix may work well enough to be pretty much permanent. If the crack has spread onto the usable display area, this Sugru fix is best used as a short-term solution to stop the crack spreading and splitting any further into the display area.

Step 1: Spring Clean

First up, wipe and clean your screen with toilet paper. Sugru bonds so much better when everything is clean and dust free, but be careful not to pick up any loose glass when you're rubbing!

Step 2: Sellotape Around the Patch

Switch your phone on so you can see exactly where the display screen begins. Now get some sellotape and mark over those areas, so that the Sugru patch doesn’t get in the way of your phone’s screen.

Step 3: Apply Sugru Patch

Now concentrate your attention to the crack in the corner of your phone. Tear open a pack of Sugru and grab a tiny amount from the package. Even the amount shown in the picture may be too big for some cracked screens!

Apply it thinly. A top tip is to start small and then gradually add more if you need to.

Final Thoughts

You may have to assemble and disassemble a few times. The two sets of screws use similar holes. It is easy to insert the initial set of screws into the wrong holes. You will realize that only when the second set does not fit because you already used the hole.

Look for solid connections when attaching cables. Ensure that the clasps are open first. Usually the up position is open.

In general, firm snaps indicate a good assembly. Always reapply any existing metallic tape. Count the screws. If you have any left over, backtrack.

Replacing damaged touchscreens and digitizer panels is not rocket science, but the process does require careful attention to details. Following visual guides and screenshots can make the difference between initial success and having to make second or third efforts.

While broken smartphone displays are frustrating, ugly, and kill your phone's resell value, don't let it cast a shadow. A broken smartphone screen is merely a challenge to be overcome.

• As we've seen already, you have several options:
• Claim on your phone insurance
• Find or borrow an old phone
• Repair the cracked screen yourself
• Pay for the screen to be repaired
• Trade in or sell the phone and buy a replacement
• Contact your carrier for an upgrade
• Carry on using your phone

Eventually your phone is going to be replaced, so if the other options don't work out, have a fall-back plan. You might contact the carrier for an upgrade, or simply carry on using the phone with the damaged screen.

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