3 Myths About Fixing Cracked Phone Screens You Need to Stop Believing

So you’ve cracked your phone screen and are looking for a solution that will save you the most money. If you go to Google to search for DIY solutions, you’ll get all kinds of advice. Some of it might work. But for what doesn’t work, it can further damage your phone screen and even affect other internal components, potentially damaging your phone. People’s suggestions include using lubricants, adhesives, and even some cleaning, beauty, and health products that you can easily find at home. However, some of these suggestions are based on easily debunked myths.

It’s important to remember one thing when it comes to dealing with cracked screens: if you don’t have the technical know-how and tools for the job, don’t do it yourself. Although there are smart solutions to fix a cracked phone screen, none of them offer a permanent solution. Ultimately, the real solution is screen replacement, and that can be expensive, with repairs ranging from $70 to $400 depending on the phone you have. But in your attempt to save money on screen replacement, you should avoid some of the DIY solutions offered by the Internet.

It’s not uncommon to see someone using a phone with a screen full of cracks and chalk it up to a cosmetic issue. After all, the phone still works, right? But have you ever thought that the crack started small, with something like a hairline fracture that spread? So, when you notice a crack on your screen, you need to act immediately to prevent the damage from spreading.

For small cracks, you can hold the glass together while you find a permanent solution. For example, you can place a screen protector over the cracked screen or apply a small piece of clear tape to prevent the cracks from spreading. Both of these temporary solutions also protect your finger so you don’t end up cutting yourself when you swipe on the cracked screen. Super glue is not recommended because if you apply too much it can penetrate the inside of the screen and cause touch issues. If this is your only option, apply a very small amount with a cotton swab for precision.

If the crack is serious, you should replace the screen immediately. If you are confident in your skills, you can purchase a replacement screen and phone repair kit from Amazon and replace it yourself. Be careful and follow a step by step guide because if not done correctly you can damage some internal components of the phone. This is why it is best to call a professional repair service.

WD-40 is a popular multi-use product that lubricates, shines and greases metal and prevents rust and corrosion. There you have it, WD-40 is not intended for use with electronic devices. It’s a product that’s been around since 1953, and people have found many uses for it over the years, including removing crayons from walls, cleaning gardening tools, loosening stuck zippers, and removing ink stains from fabrics. Still, some corners of the internet seem to think that WD-40 can magically repair a cracked screen. However, according to Snopes, this is nothing more than a myth perpetuated by YouTube videos, advertisements and online forums. What actually happens when you put WD-40 on a cracked phone screen?

Well, WD-40 is a solvent. Your phone’s glass screen most likely has an oleophobic coating on the surface, which prevents fingerprints and smudges from sticking to the screen surface. This coating is easily destroyed by solvents, making the application of WD-40 on it unwise. In addition to making your phone look cloudy and trapping dirt and grime, once WD-40 wears off and removes the coating, you may find that those fingerprints and smudges are a little harder to remove and the phone’s screen is less smooth. Additionally, in case of larger cracks, if WD-40 gets inside the screen, it can damage other components of the screen.

Another DIY tip that often appears in internet searches for repairing a cracked phone screen is to apply toothpaste. It’s hard to understand the logic here since toothpaste is not an adhesive that will glue the cracks in your phone screen. However, many people recommend it. In reality, toothpaste is abrasive, so not only will it fail to repair cracks on the screen, but it may also scratch the part of the screen you rub it on. If you leave the toothpaste there, it will also slowly eat away at the coating because it is an alkaline substance that can reduce the coating’s resistance to acids. For this reason, it is also not recommended for removing scratches on your phone, even though it is a well-known polishing agent.

Nail polish is another recommended substance for repairing a cracked phone screen, as it can temporarily repair small cracks. However, nail polish can seep through these cracks, bringing moisture to the delicate phone screen. When moisture builds up inside the phone screen, you can experience a range of problems, from dark spots inside the screen to touchscreen issues.