How to Fix a Broken Phone Screen with Things You Have at Home

Having a cracked or broken phone screen can be very frustrating. While professional screen repairs can be expensive, there are some DIY methods you can try at home to fix your phone screen using common household items. Here is a step-by-step guide on how I fixed my broken phone screen with things I had at home.

Assess the Damage

The first thing I did was assess the damage to my phone screen. This helped me determine how complex the repair would be.

• I looked at the type of crack - was it a small hairline fracture or a fully shattered screen?
• I checked if the screen was still responsive to touch and tapping.
• I examined the LCD display underneath to see if it was damaged.

This assessment helped me understand whether I could do a temporary DIY fix or if I needed professional repair.

Gather the Materials

Based on my damage assessment, I gathered some basic household items to fix my cracked screen:

• Clear packing tape - To tape over cracks and hold broken glass in place. The transparency maintains phone functionality.
• Credit card - To smooth down the tape and remove any air bubbles.
• Toothpaste - Squeeze out a small amount to fill cracks and minor fractures.
• Tissue paper/napkins - To wipe excess toothpaste.
• Isopropyl alcohol - To clean the screen before and after.
• UV phone screen protector - To add a protective layer over the cracked screen.

Clean the Screen

Before doing any repair work, I cleaned the phone screen thoroughly:

• I used a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any dirt or debris.
• I applied a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to the cloth and cleaned the screen to sanitize it.
• For small cracks, I used a toothpick to carefully clear any glass fragments or dust from the crevices.
• I let the screen air dry completely before moving to the next step.

Thorough cleaning helps the tape/toothpaste bond properly and prevents dust from getting trapped under the cracks.

Apply Tape as First Aid

For cracks that weren't too severe, I was able to temporarily fix it using tape:

• I cut small strips of clear packing tape and placed them over the cracked areas.
• I used a credit card to smooth down the tape and squeeze out any air bubbles.
• I added multiple layers, allowing each layer to bond properly before adding the next.
• This sealed the existing cracks and held the broken glass in place.

The tape provided a quick first-aid fix and allowed me to continue using the cracked screen.

Use Toothpaste as Filler

For hairline cracks and fractures, toothpaste acted as an effective filler:

• I squeezed out a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on my finger.
• Using my finger, I gently rubbed the toothpaste over the cracks, forcing it into the crevices.
• I used a napkin to wipe away excess toothpaste and blend it into the cracks.
• Once dry, the toothpaste hardened into the fractures, sealing them up.

The toothpaste filled up the cracks nicely and minimized their visibility.

Apply a Screen Protector

As an additional protective layer, I installed a screen protector:

• I cleaned the screen again with isopropyl alcohol before application.
• I carefully aligned and applied an UV tempered glass screen guard.
• Using the installation card, I smoothed it out to adhere properly, removing bubbles.
• The screen protector sealed the repaired cracks and prevented further cracking.

The screen protector allowed me to safely use my phone again with minimal risk of the repaired cracks worsening.

Test Phone Functionality

Once the repair was complete, I tested the phone thoroughly:

• I unlocked the phone and examined the screen under bright light for any cracks/gaps.
• I tapped lightly on the screen and tested for touch sensitivity.
• I made calls, sent texts, and used different phone apps to check for any issues.
• Everything worked normally, indicating my DIY fix was successful.

This functionality test is important to confirm everything is working before regular use.

Repeat Repairs if Needed

In some cases, the cracks may reopen or worsen again. If that happens:

• I simply repeat the toothpaste and tape application process.
• I apply an additional layer of tape over the reopened cracks.
• I may also apply superglue for a stronger bond before adding the new tape layer.
• With each repeated repair, the hold improves and cracks seal up tighter.

Don't get discouraged if you need multiple repairs. With some trial and error, the techniques work.

In summary, these DIY methods allowed me to fix my cracked phone screen using basic household items. While it may not be a perfect professional-grade repair, it was a quick and effective temporary solution. I was able to successfully use my phone again without spending a lot of money on a screen replacement.