When your phone breaks, at-home repairs can save you from a total loss. While there are easy fixes for wet phones, you’ve even got solutions for a dead battery or catastrophic damage. And if all else fails, cell phone repair shops offer comprehensive service.
Before chucking your device in the e-waste bin, consider fixing the problems yourself and avoiding an upgrade when you really don't need to. Here’s what to do if you break your phone.
Fixing your phone at home
If you already have a malfunctioning device due to water, a fractured screen, or a depleted battery, we’ve got you covered.
Dealing with water damage
Electronics and liquids don’t mix. Perhaps you hopped in the pool with the phone in your pocket or dunked it in a beverage during Happy Hour, you’ll want to address the moisture issue right away. And although many handsets offer water resistance, IP-rating protection only goes so far.
When you drop your phone in water, you should first power your device off. Then, dry it off as much as you can. If possible, remove the battery (though unfortunately, most modern smartphones lack user-removable batteries). Then, submerge your phone in a bag of rice and place it in as much sunlight as possible.
Depending on the liquid damage, you might need to wait a few days to see results. If your phone still isn’t working, try a professional repair shop.
Replacing a cracked screen
We’ve all been there: The phone falls out of your pocket or cascades off a table, seemingly in slow motion, landing on a hard surface below. Upon picking it up, the screen looks like Spider-Man splattered it with web-slinging. We recommend using a case and screen protector for maximum protection, but sometimes that’s not enough.
While swapping screens sounds intimidating, it’s not terribly tough. Thankfully, many official and third-party screen replacement kits let you fix the problem for less than the price of a new smartphone. Just follow the instructions, which are often incredibly precise and available in video format, to make your repair. While the pros offer screen replacement services, it’s typically cheaper to do it yourself.
Swapping out the battery
When your phone battery dies completely or loses capacity, it effectively transforms into a landline. Carrying around an external power pack is a hassle, so consider swapping out your battery. For phones with a user-replaceable battery pack, that’s an easy fix—merely purchase a replacement and insert it into your device.
However, most recent handsets feature embedded batteries, and you’ll probably need to roll up your sleeves and crack the phone open. Luckily, battery replacement kits are available for most popular devices such as the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S22.
Generally, replacing your phone’s battery is simpler than it sounds. Just pop the back of your phone off, disconnect some wires, then swap the stock battery for the new one. Taking pictures during the process may help you remember how the pieces fit together. Mobile phone repair stores can replace depleted batteries, though it’s cheaper to perform electronics surgery yourself.
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Professional phone repair service
Sometimes, at-home fixes simply won’t work. For more comprehensive damage, or when you’ve tried everything yourself, we suggest turning to certified technicians. A repair service shop offers battery replacement, cracked screen fixes, and water damage troubleshooting. Our favorite smartphone repair stores include uBreakiFix, the Apple Store, and Staples, all of which use quality parts. In addition to mobile devices, locations such as uBreakiFix How to choose a repair location
When choosing an independent repair store, first consider your phone type. For iPhone repair, we recommend an Apple Store assessment. Directly dealing with Apple is easy if your phone is covered by an AppleCare+ protection plan or under warranty. You’ll likely enjoy free or cheap iPhone screen repair and other services.
As an alternative, Staples provides quality Android and Apple repair services for phones that fall outside the warranty period, including battery repair and screen replacement. Likewise, uBreakiFix remedies many issues with popular handsets from Apple, Samsung, Google, and other manufacturers. They also offer game console, tablet, and computer repair. In addition to nationwide companies, there are many independent phone repair shops. Before choosing one, always read reviews and call to verify pricing.
The cost of cell phone repairs
The cost of cell phone repairs varies based on the issue, and a DIY fix is usually cheaper since you’re paying for parts, not labor. Here’s what you can expect to pay for common phone repairs with the professionals:
- Cracked screen: $50–$300+
- Phone battery replacement: $50–$100+
- Small component repair (i.e., faulty charging port or headphone jack): $20–$100+
- Water damage correction: $20–$100+
Repair warranties and phone insurance
Although most new phones come with store and manufacturer warranties, extensive damage or issues outside the warranty window aren’t covered. Therefore, extended warranties and phone insurance provide peace of mind.
Usually, warranties cover manufacturer-caused malfunctions, both mechanical and electrical. Manufacturer and store warranties may expire after about 30-90 days.
On the flip side, phone insurance operates like home or auto insurance. Plans usually cover comprehensive damage, loss, or even theft. You’ll pay a monthly premium for a certain deductible or maximum out-of-pocket amount before your insurance provider covers the remainder.
All major carriers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—offer cell phone insurance you can opt into. Alternatively, there are device-specific phone insurance options like AppleCare+, Samsung Care+, and Google Preferred Care. Allstate’s SquareTrade, AKKO, and Progressive also deliver phone insurance packages. Ultimately, cell phone insurance is only worth it if you actually file a claim, so we recommend it if you’re concerned about outside-of-warranty damage, loss, or theft.
Best phones
When the cost of fixing a phone gets too high, or the device is beyond repair, buying a new device is best. If you really want to prevent a broken phone, check out the best rugged smartphones on the market. Otherwise, here are some of the more popular smartphones on the market to choose from.
Moto G 5G (2025) 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
Moto G 5G (2026) 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 32MP
Galaxy A26 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP, 2MP
- Front Camera: 13MP
Moto G Power (2025) 128GB
- 6.8 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP
- Front Camera: 16MP
Edge (2025) 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 50MP, 10MP
- Front Camera: 50MP
Fixing a cell phone: FAQs
Is it worth fixing a phone?
It depends! Often, cracked screen repair or battery replacement still costs less than the price of a new phone. However, several factors, including the price of a replacement phone compared with the device restoration bill, dictate whether it’s worth fixing a phone or not.
Is it cheaper to repair a phone or get a new one?
Typically, it’s cheaper to repair a phone than buy a new one.
How much does it cost to repair an Android phone?
The cost of repairing an Android phone varies based on the specific fix and whether you’re performing a do-it-yourself remedy versus relying on a repair shop. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere as low as $50 to more than $300.
How can I fix my cracked screen?
Cell phone screen repair requires purchasing a display fixing kit, removing the broken parts, and installing the new screen. Alternatively, leave it to the pros and drop your mobile device off at a cell phone repair shop to handle the replacement.
What are the best cell phone repair services?
The best phone repair stores include:
- uBreakiFix
- AppleCare+
- Samsung Care
- Google Preferred Care
- Staples
You can also find many reputable independent electronics repair shops with certified technicians that use high-quality parts.
Moe Long
Senior Writer
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