Does this sound familiar?
- A spider-web crack spreading from a corner
- Tiny bits of glass coming off onto little fingers
- Touch works everywhere except for one dead strip
- The screen shows lines or goes black, but you can still hear sound
- The picture looks fine, but the glass is badly cracked
What actually breaks
The top glass of a tablet carries the touch sensor, and under it sits the display. On some tablets those are separate pieces, and you can replace the cracked glass by itself. On others they're bonded, so the entire screen assembly gets replaced. A quick look tells us which kind you have, and that's the biggest thing that changes the time and parts involved.
If the picture still looks good and you only have a small crack, you may have some time. If there's a dark spot spreading or lines are showing, the display under the glass has been hurt, and it usually gets worse quickly.
Should you fix it or replace it?
A fair question, and one we'd rather answer honestly than dodge. A newer iPad or a Galaxy Tab S is nearly always worth repairing. A low-cost tablet from a few years back may not be. Tell us what you use it for and we'll tell you what we'd do. If a replacement makes more sense, we can help move your photos and apps to it.
What we check afterward
After the new screen goes on, we test touch all the way across and into the corners, then check the cameras, speakers and buttons that sit around the edge. We also check for dead pixels and look at the seal, so the glass is flat and even all around.
Gus has excellent customer service and a very impressive service timeline. My iPad was diagnosed and fixed within 3 hours of drop off! Highly recommend. I came here when I needed my iPhone 5c screen repaired over 10 years ago and the inflation here has barely changed. Good prices, good services, quality customer care.
Questions we get a lot
Is it dangerous to keep using a cracked tablet?
Cracked glass can leave splinters, and that matters most if little kids are using it. Until it's fixed, a strip of clear packing tape over the crack can help keep the slivers contained.
How long does a tablet screen take?
Longer than a phone, usually, since tablets are glued together and the glass is large. Sometimes we'll have your part on hand, and sometimes we'll need to order it. We'll tell you what to expect when you come in.
Does the brand matter?
It matters for the parts, the time it takes and whether the repair makes sense. iPads, Samsung and Windows tablets are the most common here. Amazon Fire and kids' tablets can be harder to justify, so ask us and we'll be straight with you.
What case should I buy so this doesn't happen again?
For kids, get a thick foam or rubber case with a handle and a raised edge around the screen, plus a glass or film protector. For adults, a folding cover protects the glass inside a bag.