Cracked Phone Screen? Your 5 Best Options in 2026

Cracked Phone Screen? Your 5 Best Options in 2026

A cracked screen is one of the most common and most frustrating phone problems you can face. One drop, one moment of bad luck, and suddenly you are staring at a spiderweb of broken glass every time you check a message.

Before you panic or rush to the nearest repair shop, take a breath. A cracked screen does not always mean an expensive fix, and depending on the damage level, you have more options than you think.

How Bad Is the Damage? (3 Levels of a Cracked Screen)

Not every cracked screen is the same. Before you decide what to do, figure out which level you are dealing with — it changes everything about your next step.

Level 1 — Surface Crack (Glass Only): The top glass is cracked, but the display underneath still works perfectly. Colors look normal, touch response is fine, and there are no dark spots or lines. This is the least urgent situation and the cheapest to fix.

Level 2 — Display Affected: You may see discoloration, dark patches, dead pixels, or lines running across the screen. The touch may still work in some areas but not others. The LCD or OLED panel beneath the glass has taken damage. This needs proper repair.

Level 3 — Fully Unresponsive The screen shows nothing, or the touch does not register at all. The phone may still be alive — you might hear notifications — but the display is gone. At this level, repair or replacement becomes urgent.

Knowing your level upfront saves you time and money. A Level 1 crack has five real options. A Level 3 crack narrows it down to two or three.

Option 1 — Use a Screen Protector as a Temporary Fix

If your crack is Level 1 — glass only, display still working, a tempered glass screen protector can buy you time. It will not repair the crack, but it will hold the broken glass in place, prevent further shattering, and protect your fingers from sharp edges.

How to apply it:

1. Clean the screen gently with a microfiber cloth
2. Apply a tempered glass protector directly over the crack
3. Press down firmly, especially over the cracked area

This costs between £5 and £15 and takes five minutes. It is not a permanent solution, but it keeps the phone usable while you decide what to do next.

Works best for: Level 1 cracks, tight budgets, or when you are waiting for an upgrade anyway.

Does not work for: Level 2 or Level 3 damage where the display itself is broken.

Option 2 — Repair It at a Local Shop

For Level 1 and Level 2 cracks, a local phone repair shop is usually the fastest and most affordable professional solution. Independent shops can replace a cracked screen in 30–60 minutes while you wait, and prices are significantly lower than those of manufacturer repair centers.

What to look for in a repair shop:

• Do they offer a warranty on the repair? (30–90 days minimum)
• Do they use OEM or aftermarket parts? (OEM is of better quality)
• Do they have reviews on Google Maps?

Average turnaround: 30–90 minutes Average cost: £40–£150 depending on model (see full price breakdown below)

Before you go: Back up your phone first. Any competent shop will tell you this themselves, but do not rely on it.

Option 3 — Use Your Warranty or Insurance

Before you spend a penny on repair, check whether you are already covered. Many people forget they have protection in place.

Manufacturer Warranty Standard warranties (Apple, Samsung, etc.) cover manufacturing defects — not accidental damage. A cracked screen from a drop is not covered under a standard warranty. However, if the crack appeared without any impact and the phone was never dropped, it may be worth contacting the manufacturer.

AppleCare+ / Samsung Care+. These paid protection plans do cover accidental damage,e including cracked screens, usually for a small service fee:

• AppleCare+: screen repair fee ~£29 per incident
• Samsung Care+: screen repair fee ~£29 per incident

If you have either of these, this is almost always your cheapest option.

Home Insurance Many home insurance policies include personal possessions cover, which can include your phone. Check your policy documents or call your provider. The excess may be £50–£100, but for an expensive phone repair,ir it can still save you money.

Network or Carrier Insurance. If you pay monthly for phone insurance through your carrier (Vodafone, EE, O2, etc.), a cracked screen is typically covered. File a claim through their app or website.

Apple — check your AppleCare coverage status (official Apple tool)

Samsung — check your Care+ plan (official Samsung support)

Option 4 — DIY Repair (Is It Worth It?)

YouTube is full of cracked screen repair tutorials, and replacement screens are available on Amazon and iFixit for the most popular models. But is DIY actually worth it?

The honest answer: rarely, unless you are technically confident.

Here is why:

• Screen replacement requires opening the phone, disconnecting delicate ribbon cables, and often applying adhesive correctly
• One wrong move can damage the battery, front camera, or Face ID components
• On iPhones specifically, replacing the screen with a non-Apple part can disable True Tone and Face ID
• Voiding your warranty is guaranteed

When DIY might make sense:

• You have done it before on the same model
• The phone is old and out of warranty
• The replacement part is cheap, and you are prepared for the risk

Cost of DIY: £15–£80 for parts,s depending on model. Risk level: Medium to high

iFixit — free repair guides for every phone model (the most trusted source for DIY phone repair)

Option 5 — Sell It and Upgrade

If the repair cost is too high, the phone is old, or you were already thinking about upgrading, selling your cracked phone and putting the money toward a new one is a completely valid option. You will be surprised how much a damaged phone can still fetch.

Trade-in platforms and second-hand buyers purchase cracked-screen phones every day. They either repair and resell them or strip them for parts. Either way, they will pay you real money for a device you might otherwise throw in a drawer.

Where to sell a phone with a cracked screen:

• WeBuyAnyPhone — instant online quote, free shipping
• Decluttr — similar process, worth comparing quotes
• eBay — higher potential payout but more effort
• Facebook Marketplace — fast local sale, zero fees
• Local repair shops — walk in and ask

Tip: Get at least two quotes before committing. Prices vary significantly between platforms, especially for popular models like iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.

How Much Does a Cracked Screen Repair Cost? (By Model — 2026)

This is the section most people scroll to first. Here are realistic price ranges for professional screen replacement in 2026, using a local independent repair shop as the benchmark.

Prices vary by region and repair shop. Always get a quote before committing. Official manufacturer repairs are significantly more expensive but use genuine parts and preserve your warranty.

Related reads: How to Sell a Damaged Phone in 2026

Which Option Is Right for You?

Final Word on Cracked Screens

A cracked screen is not a death sentence for your phone. In most cases, you have a real choice — and the right one depends on how bad the damage is, whether you have coverage, and how much the phone is worth to you.

If you are in any doubt, start by getting a quote from a local repair shop. It costs nothing, takes five minutes, and gives you the information you need to make the right call.