How to Fix a Cracked iPhone Screen
Safely replace a cracked iPhone screen using proper pry tools, precision screwdrivers, and replacement adhesive to restore full touch and display functionality.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free voice help.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ P2 Pentalobe screwdriver
- ✓ Tri-point Y000 screwdriver
- ✓ Suction cup handle
- ✓ Plastic spudger / opening picks
- ✓ Heat gun or hair dryer
- ✓ Precision tweezers
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Replacement iPhone screen assembly
- ✓ Pre-cut perimeter display adhesive gasket
- ✓ Clear packing tape
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Discharge the iPhone battery below 25% prior to repair to minimize thermal runaway risk if punctured.
- • Cover severely shattered glass with packing tape before using suction tools to prevent eye injury and maintain suction.
- • Always disconnect the battery flex cable before disconnecting or connecting screen ribbon cables.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (7 Steps)
Prep the Broken Glass and Power Down
Power off the iPhone completely. If the front glass is severely fractured, apply overlapping strips of clear packing tape across the entire face of the screen. Press the tape down firmly to keep glass shards bonded together and to provide a smooth surface for suction tools.
- • The device is fully powered off with no backlight.
- • The front panel is completely sealed under smooth packing tape.
- • Skipping tape on shattered screens, causing suction cups to lose grip and flinging sharp glass splinters.
Remove Pentalobe Screws and Warm Perimeter Adhesive
Use a P2 Pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two screws located on either side of the Lightning/USB-C charging port. Next, use a hair dryer or heat gun set to low heat to warm the bottom and side edges of the phone for roughly 60 to 90 seconds until the frame is warm but comfortable to touch.
- • Both lower Pentalobe screws are set aside in a secure tray.
- • The lower perimeter of the phone is uniformly warm to the touch.
- • Stripping Pentalobe screws by using the wrong screwdriver size or tilting the bit while turning.
Separate and Open the Display Panel
Attach a suction cup handle to the lower third of the glass and pull upward firmly to create a hairline gap between the display assembly and the aluminum housing. Insert a thin plastic opening pick into the gap, then gently slice around the lower and side edges to sever the adhesive seal. Swing the screen open like a book from the side according to your specific model's hinge orientation.
- • Adhesive is cut cleanly around the bottom and sides.
- • The display opens smoothly to roughly 90 degrees without tearing any internal cables.
- • Inserting opening picks too deeply along the right edge, slicing delicate display and sensor ribbon cables.
Disconnect Battery and Screen Cable Connectors
Use a Tri-point Y000 or Phillips screwdriver to remove the metal shield bracket securing the battery and display connectors. Use a plastic spudger to pry the battery connector directly upward from its socket first, completely cutting power to the logic board. Once isolated, gently disconnect the display and digitizer ribbon cable press-fit connectors.
- • The battery connector is physically lifted off the motherboard socket.
- • The cracked screen assembly is completely detached from the rear housing.
- • Using metal tweezers to disconnect connectors, creating an electrical short circuit on the motherboard.
Transfer Upper Sensor / Earpiece Assembly
Remove the mounting screws securing the front speaker/sensor assembly on the top of the old display panel. Apply mild heat to the front glass to soften the adhesive holding the microphone and ambient light sensor, then gently lift the components out with precision tweezers. Align and secure this assembly into the corresponding bracket on the new replacement screen.
- • Sensors and speaker seat flush into the new screen's mounting brackets without bent pins.
- • All small retaining screws are reinstalled securely.
- • Tearing the fragile proximity sensor flex cable by pulling upward before adhesive is adequately softened.
Apply New Perimeter Adhesive and Connect New Screen
Scrape away remaining old adhesive residue from the frame perimeter and apply a new pre-cut waterproof adhesive gasket. Connect the new display and sensor flex cables to the logic board by aligning them and pressing down until they snap into place, then reconnect the battery. Reinstall the metal bracket and screw down all retaining plates in their exact original screw holes.
- • Each flex connector produces a crisp, tactile click when seated.
- • Metal bracket is firmly screwed down with no loose fasteners.
- • Mixing up screw locations; installing a long screw into a short hole can cause permanent motherboard damage (long screw damage).
Perform Dry Test, Close Housing, and Fasten Screws
Press the power button to turn on the iPhone and test touch response, display color, brightness, and front sensor functions before final closure. Once confirmed, power off the phone, align the top retaining clips of the screen into the chassis, and gently press around the perimeter until the screen snaps flush into the housing. Finish by reinstalling the two lower Pentalobe screws beside the charge port.
- • Apple logo appears and the touch interface responds fluidly across all quadrants.
- • The screen sits completely flush with the aluminum housing around all four edges.
- • Forcing the screen down when top alignment tabs are misaligned, which cracks the new OLED or LCD panel.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by HowToBasic — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Suction cup handle? Clean automotive suction mount or heavy-duty bathroom suction hook
- No Plastic opening pick? Trimmed plastic gift card or thin guitar pick
- No Heat gun? Standard hair dryer on low setting or a heated dry cloth/rice bag