What is the best way to fix a cracked cell phone screen?

[desura]

Moto X has a cracked screen. What's the best service to fix it? Can I just replace the outer glass cover, keep the AMOLED layer, or do I have to replace the entire thing? Do replacement screens have the same gorilla glass 3? Do they behave the same? etc etc.

 

[Mopetar]

I know that you can do it through Motorola, but there may be a repair shop in the area that can handle it. You could also buy a new screen (just the glass) and do it yourself, but it looks to be a bit of a process.

 

[desura]

It seems that the phone still works, so the digitizer still works, so I only need to replace the glass...

 

[KillerBee]

Wondering the same thing if anyone has replaced a cracked screen a Galaxy S3

What kit did you use and do you have any lessons learned?

 

[kyrax12]

How expensive is the glass itself? I know the digitizer is the expensive part.

 

[KillerBee]

How expensive is the glass itself? I know the digitizer is the expensive part.

It's not my phone but I'm pretty sure it's just cracked glass - the touch stuff apparently works.

Just wondering if anyone has done it on their own on an S3 or should it be taken to a professional?

 

[kyrax12]

It's not my phone but I'm pretty sure it's just cracked glass - the touch stuff apparently works.

Just wondering if anyone has done it on their own on an S3 or should it be taken to a professional?

There are various tutorials on Youtube. Not sure how credible those are, but I would reckoned you are going to be paying with your proverbial arm if you are taking it in to a professional.

 

[KillerBee]

Yes I've watched a few and had the same credibility questions which is why looking for some recommendations on what actually worked for someone without making a mess of it.

 

[s44]

The glass itself should be straightforward and cheap (glass itself, plastic screen protector to keep the pieces together, "guitar pick" tool, and a heatgun/hair dryer to slowly loosen the glue so you can remove the pieces from the actual digitizer). The trick is replacing this glue - I know modern Samsung units use/require "liquid optical clear adhesive" (LOCA) to work again like new... which takes some practice to avoid bubbles, care to avoid spilling excess on the mobo/sensors, and a UV lamp to cure it when done. Not sure whether Moto works the same way... you could see if there's an XDA thread on self-repair.

Cell phone repair places should charge you about $75+ to do the glass. Check your local Yelp!

 

[soccerballtux]

ifixit.com but it depends on the phone. Nexus 5 what I have for example hard to fix big pain

 

[mmntech]

Like most mobile devices today, the display on the Moto X is fused to the digitizer using adhesive. Which means you can't simply pry them apart without damaging something. The whole damn thing has been glued together, but it can be taken apart using a heating pad. It's not one of the worst devices I've seen to repair. That crown goes to Apple's iPads. Very poor design.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Motorola+Moto+X+Display+Assembly+Replacement/16976

A new display assembly will set you back in the ballpark of $130-$150.

 

[KillerBee]

Like most mobile devices today, the display on the Moto X is fused to the digitizer using adhesive. Which means you can't simply pry them apart without damaging something. The whole damn thing has been glued together, but it can be taken apart using a heating pad. It's not one of the worst devices I've seen to repair. That crown goes to Apple's iPads. Very poor design.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Motorola+Moto+X+Display+Assembly+Replacement/16976

A new display assembly will set you back in the ballpark of $130-$150.

ifixit looks like cool site to start looking for actual experience
hopefully can get away with just the $10 glass replacement - thanks

 

[Oyeve]

Good luck. I just tried with an iPhone 5s.got really frustrated and threw the whole thing out. It was one of my users at work so I figures wth , and it didn't go well at all.

 

[sonitravel09]

Check the iFixIt software for the repair guide to take their phones apart and to repair the damaged or cracked screen. YouTube videos are another great way to repair process.