Is It Safe to Keep Using an iPhone With a Cracked Screen?
Quick answer: you can usually keep using an iPhone with a small crack for a short while, as long as the picture is clear, touch works everywhere and no glass is coming loose. It's not safe to keep using it if glass is flaking off, the screen is lifting, lines or blotches are showing, or the phone is touching itself. A crack also means you've lost water resistance. Back up today, cover the crack, keep it away from water and book a repair before the damage spreads.
A cracked screen rarely stops an iPhone working on the spot. That's why so many people carry on for weeks or months. Sometimes that's fine. Sometimes a R1,800 repair turns into a much bigger one. This guide helps you work out which situation you're in.
What to do in the first hour after the crack
- Back up straight away. Turn on iCloud Backup or plug into a computer and back up while touch still works. A crack that spreads can kill touch overnight, and then getting your photos off is much harder.
- Cover the crack. Put a cheap tempered glass protector or clear packing tape over the damage. This holds loose shards in place and protects your fingers and face. Our post on screen protector myths explains what a protector can and can't do.
- Keep it dry. Don't take the phone into the bathroom, the pool area or out in a Highveld storm without cover. More on why below.
- Test the whole screen. Open the Notes app and drag a finger slowly across every part of the display, edge to edge. Dead patches or jumpy lines mean the touch layer is already damaged.
- Check Face ID and the earpiece. Unlock with your face and make a quick call. If the crack is over the top notch or Dynamic Island, these are the first things to fail.
- Look at the edges. If the screen is lifting away from the frame, stop using the phone and don't charge it. A swollen battery can push a display up, and that needs attention quickly.
Signs it's no longer safe to keep using it
Use this table to judge how urgent your repair is.
| What you see | What's likely happening | How urgent | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairline crack, picture and touch perfect | Only the outer glass is broken | Book soon, cover the crack in the meantime | Glass-only repair or OLED screen refurbishment (assessment + quote) |
| Spiderweb cracks, glass chips coming off | Glass is breaking up, sharp edges | Stop using it against your face, repair now | Glass-only repair if the panel is fine, otherwise a full screen replacement |
| Green or pink lines, black ink-like blots | The display panel under the glass is damaged | Repair now, it usually spreads | Full screen replacement |
| Ghost touches, apps opening by themselves | Damaged touch layer | Repair now, the phone can dial or type by itself | Full screen replacement |
| Screen lifting or bulging from the frame | Possible swollen battery or bent frame | Stop using and charging it | Free diagnostic first |
| Back glass cracked as well | Both sides open to dust and moisture | Repair soon | Back glass repair |
Why a "small" crack causes bigger problems
Cracks spread
Glass under stress keeps cracking. Heat in a car, pressure in a back pocket and small knocks all push a crack further. Once it reaches the panel underneath, the cheaper glass-only option is off the table.
The OLED panel is fragile
On iPhone X and newer (except the iPhone XR, 11 and SE models), the screen is an OLED panel bonded to the glass. When the glass flexes, the panel underneath can crack inside. That's when green lines, pink tints and black spots appear, often days after the drop.
You've lost water resistance
Apple's own water resistance page says resistance "might decrease as a result of normal wear" and that liquid damage isn't covered under warranty. A crack is a direct path for moisture and dust. A splash that a sealed phone would shrug off can reach the board through a broken screen. If that has already happened, see our iPhone water damage repair page.
Glass splinters and ghost touches
Tiny shards can cut fingers and cheeks during calls. A damaged touch layer can also register touches you never made. That can mean calls going out, messages being sent or apps being deleted while the phone is in your pocket.
Repair options and what they cost
There are three main ways to fix a cracked iPhone screen. Which one suits you depends on whether the display under the glass still works.
- Glass-only repair or OLED refurbishment: the cracked glass comes off and new glass is bonded to your original panel. This only works if the picture, colours, brightness and touch are still perfect. Price is assessment + quote.
- Full screen replacement: the whole display is replaced. You can pick an OEM pulled display, an OEM brand new display or an aftermarket screen.
- Back glass repair: if the rear glass is also broken, that's a separate repair.
Here are some full screen replacement prices from our iPhone screen repair page, including parts and labour:
| Model | OEM pulled display | OEM brand new | Aftermarket |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | R1,500 | R2,400 | R1,200 |
| iPhone 13 | R2,500 | R3,800 | R1,800 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | R4,000 | R6,800 | R3,500 |
| iPhone 15 | R4,500 | R6,800 | R3,500 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | R8,000 | R10,500 | R6,500 |
For every model, see our full iPhone screen repair cost guide for South Africa. Not sure which screen type to choose? Read original vs replacement iPhone screens.
A note on the "Unknown part" message
On iPhone 11 and later (except the SE models), you can check repairs under Settings > General > About > Parts and Service History. Apple's genuine iPhone displays page explains that a non-genuine display may show as "Unknown", and a display taken from another iPhone may show as "Used" on iPhone 15 and later. Apple also says non-genuine displays can have issues with True Tone, brightness and touch, and that an Unknown part might affect trade-in value. Ask about this before you choose a screen, especially if you plan to sell or trade in the phone.
Is it worth waiting to repair it?
Waiting saves nothing if the crack is spreading. A crack that only needs new glass today can need a full display next month. On a newer Pro model, that difference can be thousands of rand. Waiting also leaves the phone open to water and dust the whole time.
Waiting makes more sense if the crack is tiny, sits in a corner, is covered with a protector and the phone stays dry. Even then, back up regularly and keep an eye out for lines or touch problems.
Getting it fixed at iAssist Repair
We're an independent repairer, not an Apple Authorised Service Provider. Our workshop is at Shop 4, Silvercrest Shopping Centre, 11 Swemmer Rd, Silvamonte, Johannesburg, 2192. We're open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturday 09:00 to 13:00, closed Sunday.
- Free diagnostic, so you'll know if glass-only is possible before you pay anything.
- 6-month written warranty.
- R300 flat collection anywhere in Gauteng, separate from the repair price.
- 4.9-star Google rating, repairing devices since 2003.
Worried about your photos and messages while the phone is with us? Read can an iPhone repair technician access my data. For other faults, browse all our iPhone repairs. Call 078 742 4769 or message us on WhatsApp.
Written by
Founder & Lead Technician at iAssist Repair. Repairing devices since 2003 with 10,000+ repairs. Former Senior Technician at iStore Eastgate, 4× Apple Certified Support Professional and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cracked iPhone screen get worse on its own?
Yes. Heat, pressure in a pocket and small knocks all make cracks spread. Once a crack reaches the display panel, you'll often see lines or black spots, and a glass-only repair is no longer possible.
Is my iPhone still water resistant with a cracked screen?
No, treat it as not water resistant. Apple says water resistance can decrease with normal wear and that liquid damage isn't covered under warranty. A crack makes that worse, so keep the phone away from water until it's repaired.
Can I just put a screen protector over the crack?
As a short-term fix, yes. A protector or clear tape holds loose glass in place and protects your fingers. It won't stop the crack spreading underneath or bring back water resistance.
How much does it cost to fix a cracked iPhone 13 screen?
A full iPhone 13 screen replacement is R1,800 with an aftermarket screen, R2,500 with an OEM pulled display and R3,800 with an OEM brand new display. If only the glass is broken, glass-only repair is assessment + quote after a free diagnostic.
