A cracked phone screen is one of the most common smartphone problems — and one of the most commonly misunderstood. Many people assume a small crack is cosmetic and can wait. Others reach for DIY kits hoping to fix cracks on their phone screen without a repair bill. This guide explains what cracked screens actually mean for your device, which limited home options exist, and when a professional repair is the right call. For a complete overview of all phone screen damage types, see our guide on how to fix a phone screen.
Understanding the Types of Phone Screen Cracks
Not all cracks are equal. Understanding exactly what is broken is the first step toward deciding how to fix cracks on your phone screen.
Surface Scratch (Not a True Crack)
Fine hairline marks that have not penetrated the glass are surface scratches. They are cosmetic and can be minimized with a tempered glass screen protector placed over them. They do not affect touch sensitivity or display quality and do not require screen repair.
Crack in the Outer Glass (Display Still Functional)
The most common scenario when people search to fix cracks on a phone screen. If your display still works — colors are accurate, touch responds normally, no lines or dark spots — the damage is limited to the outer glass layer. The underlying display panel is intact, which opens up more repair options.
Crack Affecting the Display Panel
If you notice dark spreading spots, discoloration emanating from the crack, white or colored horizontal lines, or dead zones where the touchscreen no longer responds, the internal display panel is also damaged. This is a different and more serious category — fixing the cracks on the phone screen’s outer glass alone will not resolve it.
Can You Fix Cracks on a Phone Screen at Home?
For some types of crack damage, limited home options exist. It is important to understand what each option actually does before committing.
Tempered Glass Screen Protector (Immediate First Step)
Applying a screen protector over the crack is the most practical immediate step for anyone trying to fix cracks on a phone screen temporarily. It will not repair the crack, but it:
- Holds the fractured glass together and reduces the risk of glass shards cutting your finger.
- Creates a barrier against dust and moisture entering through the crack.
- Slows the crack from spreading under the daily flex stress of normal use.
Think of it as damage control while you arrange a proper repair — not a permanent fix for cracks on the phone screen.
DIY Repair Kits
Replacement screen kits are available for many Android models online. For technically confident users with the right tools and a mid-range Android device, DIY screen replacement is feasible. However, there are important caveats when trying to fix cracks on a phone screen this way:
- Flagship iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices use proprietary bonding and calibration difficult to replicate without manufacturer tools. Face ID, under-display fingerprint sensors, and True Tone calibration can all be affected by an improperly installed replacement screen.
- Third-party screen quality varies widely. Budget replacements often have inferior color accuracy, lower brightness, and reduced touch sensitivity compared to the original panel.
What Does Not Work
Toothpaste is a persistent internet myth for how to fix cracks on a phone screen. It cannot polish out a crack in hardened glass — and its abrasive particles can work their way into the crack, worsening the damage. Clear nail polish has no structural benefit on glass and can interfere with touch sensitivity. Avoid both.
The Real Risks of Leaving Cracks on a Phone Screen Unrepaired
Many people delay fixing cracks on their phone screen for weeks or months. This carries compounding risks:
Cracks Spread
Phone screens are under constant low-level stress from being carried, flexed, and thermally cycled throughout the day. A crack creates a structural weak point. What starts as one small crack almost always grows — sometimes suddenly after a minor incident.
Liquid Damage Risk Increases
Even a hairline crack creates a direct entry point for moisture. Once the glass is cracked, liquid can reach internal components through the gap — even from light rain or a brief splash. Liquid damage to a motherboard or battery is almost always more expensive to repair than the original cracked screen would have been.
Display Damage Can Follow
Continued use of a phone with cracked outer glass transfers additional mechanical stress to the underlying display panel. A crack that today affects only the glass can evolve into full display failure — complete with horizontal lines, dark spots, and touch dead zones — within weeks.
Physical Injury Risk
Cracked glass produces micro-sharp edges along the fracture lines. Many users report small cuts on their fingertips from prolonged daily use of a cracked screen.
Professional Screen Repair: What the Process Looks Like
For a cracked phone screen, a professional repair follows a clear, established process:
- Damage assessment — the technician determines whether fixing the cracks on the phone screen is glass-only or requires a full display assembly, and checks for secondary issues such as battery swelling or moisture exposure.
- Part selection — either a glass-only replacement where the device design permits, or a full display assembly including glass, digitizer, and panel.
- Safe disassembly — using controlled heat, precision prying tools, and anti-static equipment to separate the screen without damaging surrounding components.
- Installation and testing — the new screen is tested for touch sensitivity, display uniformity, and brightness before the device is returned. Biometric feature behaviour after repair depends on the device model and should be discussed with your technician beforehand.
Many common models are repaired within the same visit.
How to Get a Repair Quote
The cost to fix cracks on a phone screen depends on your device model, the extent of the damage, and whether it requires a glass-only or full display replacement. Contact your nearest repair branch for an assessment. A technician will examine your device and provide a quote before any work begins. Before your repair, it is also worth backing up your Android data as a precaution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a cracked screen affect phone performance?
The crack itself does not affect processing speed or app performance. However, the secondary consequences — moisture ingress, spreading display damage, or a compromised touch sensor — can progressively degrade usability. The longer cracks on a phone screen go unrepaired, the greater the cumulative risk.
Can I trade in a phone with cracked screen cracks?
Trade-in values for phones with cracked screens are significantly reduced. In many cases, the cost of professionally fixing the cracks on the phone screen before trading in can be recovered in the higher trade-in value received.
How do I know if the crack is on the screen protector or the actual glass?
Remove the screen protector carefully from a corner. If the phone’s display beneath is completely intact, you only need to replace the protector — a much simpler fix.
Conclusion
Fixing cracks on a phone screen deserves prompt attention. Temporary measures like screen protectors have real value, but they are not repairs — and the risks of leaving a crack unaddressed compound over time. Professional repair remains the safest, most reliable solution, particularly for modern flagship devices. Getting it fixed quickly is also the best way to prevent a manageable glass crack from escalating into a far more expensive display replacement or water damage situation. Return to our full phone screen repair guide for a complete overview of all screen damage types and repair options.