Since my post a while back providing video tutorials on how to replace a cracked iPhone screen seems to be a more popular post I thought it might be helpful for some who are looking to do this difficult repair to have a guide on how to go about fixing the iPhone. This do it yourself project should only be attempted by those that are confident in their ability to work on delicate electronics and are willing to void the warranty for their iPhone. This project should cost between $50 and $150 depending on where you get your parts and which ones you will need to get.
Where Do You Get the Parts to Fix Your iPhone Screen
Of course when you attempt to do this project you are going to make sure you can get all of the tools required to replace the iPhone screen. First thing is first though, you need to determine whether you have broken just the front panel (glass covering the display) or the actual display (lcd) itself. The easiest way to tell is if everything still looks clear aside from the broken glass. If all of the pixels appear undamaged and there are no odd colors then you are probably in luck and it is only the front panel that needs to be replaced. This could save you around $70 since the display is the most expensive part. The guide to fix the screen is the same with the exception of actually using the new display or not; the video in this post does a great job of explaining that as well.
There are a few places that you can go to get iPhone parts and tools. Without a doubt, iFixit is your best place to start your search for parts and tools for the repair. iFixit has plenty of parts for most anything that you need Mac related and they also provide repair guides for the DIY project you are planning to do. Although iFixit is a great place to get these items, there are other places that may have the parts and it may be a good idea to shop around so you get the best price on your iPhone parts. Rapid Repair is a great site which has iPhone parts and also offers repair services if you think that you may be in over your head. eTech Parts looks to have a good selection with some good prices and there is always eBay. iFixit and Rapid Repair are probably the best places to get the necessary tools if you do not have them already.
How Do You Replace the iPhone 3G Screen
This guide will be very similar to the one for the iPhone 3GS, but you should make sure that you use the guide that applies to your specific model of iPhone if you are still using a first generation iPhone.
There are a few tools that you will need a also a couple of parts. You will need a Phillips #00 Screwdriver, a small suction cup, and a spudger. The parts required would of course be the display and the front panel which is actually the covering for the display. Once you have these items you should head on over to iFixit for the full guide on how to repair the screen. There is also a somewhat humorous video below that goes through the process for an iPhone 3G. It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with both before attempting to do the repair.
Can You Replace An iPhone Screen Yourself
At this point you may be asking yourself, "can I replace the iPhone screen myself?" The video above should make you a little more confident in your ability to do this repair, but if you do feel uncomfortable it may be a good idea to get a professional to repair it. Apple will of course do the repair for you, but it will cost you about $100 more to get them to do it for you. This will allow you to retain your warranty though, and it also could give you peace of mind. Unfortunately, there is no fun in that approve at all. If you are good with gadgets and think that you can be careful when doing the repair then you are probably going to be just fine.
