A broken screen is a common issue with cell phones. It’s one of the parts that are easiest to break. Simultaneously, since it’s the biggest part of the cell phone, the repair costs can quickly skyrocket. The expenses will depend on the size of the screen, its refresh rate, and its type.
That’s why many people opt for fixing or replacing a screen on their own. They simply don’t want to deal with any additional costs with the repair. If you belong to this group, you’ll appreciate our cell phone screen repair guide, as we’ll cover all the essentials.
Keep reading to learn all the steps you’ll need to take when repairing your cell phone’s screen.
Assess Damage
The first thing you need to do is take a closer look at the type of damage. That’ll give you a clear picture of what are the further steps. In general, you’re going to deal with:
- A scratched screen
- A smudged screen
- A broken or shattered screen
You‘re going to handle each issue differently. But before we jump into details about all the repair methods, let’s take a brief look at the things that you’ll need to finish the job.
Prepare Everything You’re Going to Need
To make sure that the whole process runs smoothly, you’ll need to plan everything. In this case, that means that you should get all the tools and parts before you start the screen repair.
Tools
Prepare a couple of essential tools (link to the tool piece can go here) that’ll allow you to open up your cell phone quickly.
Some of these include:
- Screwdriver
- Hairdryer
- Pry open tool
- Suction cap
- Tweezers
- Adhesive
Tools are not the only thing you’ll need. Remember to prepare the replacement parts.
Parts
The last thing you want is to have to stop in the middle of your repair. Get all the spare parts that you are going to change. Additionally, make sure to organize all the parts that you take out of the cell phone. You’ll return everything in its place quickly.
Replacing the Screen
Cell phone screen replacement is a process that requires a lot of patience. That’s because companies glue many components together. It’s why you’ll need a hairdryer ready to weaken the adhesive.
Before you take any steps, you should prepare an anti-static mat. You don’t want any kind of discharge to fry your cell phone. You can then start your screen replacement procedure.
1. Remove the Screen From the Cell Phone’s Body
The first step you should take is to remove the screen. Even though all modern cell phones have a tight seal, you can use a couple of tools to separate the screen from the body.
Use the hairdryer to warm up the cell phone. Do it evenly across its whole surface—you want the adhesive to weaken evenly.
It is time to use the prying tool and slowly separate the screen from the cell phone. After finishing this step, it’s time to use the suction cup to completely split the screen from the body.
Keep in mind that the screen connects to the rest of the cell phone. It’s now time for the next step.
2. Disconnect All the Cables
The display connects to the motherboard and the battery. Before you remove it, disconnect these cables from the rest of the cell phone. A front camera or some of its parts are likely a segment of the screen. Remove it if possible.
Don’t forget to memorize where all of the cables connect. The same goes for screws and any other parts. It’s a good idea to use a smartphone and take pictures throughout the whole process.
3. Connect the New Screen
It’s now time to connect the new screen with the rest of the cell phone. Use tweezers to simplify the process, as all of the cables are tiny.
4. Put Everything Back in Its Place
As you’ve memorized where everything goes, slowly place everything back as it was. That refers to cables, parts, and adhesive.
5. Turn on the Cell Phone
Once everything’s back in its place, it is time to turn on the cell phone. If it’s working normally, that’s it. Your screen replacement was a success.
If there are some problems, you’ll have to open the cell phone again.
To make the whole process easier, find a disassembly guide for the cell phone you are repairing.
Scratch and Smudge Repair
While replacing the display is necessary with severe damage, smaller issues require a little bit of repair. These include smudges and scratches.
When that’s the case, you can use the oleophobic coating kit to make the display shine again.
- You first need to clean the screen with isopropyl alcohol.
- Wipe the screen until it is dry.
- You’ll need to be quick with applying the oleophobic liquid.
- Put plastic wrap on your finger. Drop the liquid on display and spread it across the screen evenly.
- 10-15 drops are enough for the screen. If it’s a tablet, you’ll need more.
- Once the liquid evaporates, you can use a dry microfiber cloth to dry the display off gently.
- Do not use the device for 8 to 12 hours. Once the time passes, clean any residue and repeat the process two more times.
That way, the liquid will bond with the screen, removing any scratches and smudges.
A Thing to Consider
There are cases in which repairing your phone is not the best decision. Original parts can often be pricey, and if your cell phone is two or there years old, it might be better to sell it as broken. It is still worth some money because of its parts.
Of course, that’ll depend on your phone’s model and make.
Get in Touch
We hope that you’ve found our cell phone screen repair guide helpful. In case you need any help with cell phone screen replacement, you can always book a repair with us. We’ll gladly help you restore your cell phone to its previous condition.