iPhone screen replacement cost: Apple, Best Buy and repair shops compared

A cracked screen is the most common iPhone repair, and the price range is wide. A basic model and a large Pro model can differ by hundreds of dollars, and the same repair costs far less with AppleCare+ than without it. This guide explains what drives the price, compares the places you can go, and helps you decide whether a repair makes sense or whether it is time to trade the phone in.

What decides how much a screen repair costs

• The model. Newer, larger and Pro models use more expensive displays, so they cost more to repair than older or smaller ones.
• Whether you have coverage. AppleCare+ turns a screen repair into a small flat fee. Without it you pay the full out-of-warranty price.
• Who repairs it. Apple, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, an independent repair provider and a general repair shop all price differently.
• Other damage. If the frame is bent, the back glass is cracked or the phone has liquid damage, the repair can cost more or Apple may offer a full replacement instead.
• Parts quality. Genuine Apple parts cost more than aftermarket ones. The difference shows up in brightness, color and touch response.

How to find the exact iPhone screen repair price

Apple, Best Buy or a repair shop?

Does AppleCare+ cover a cracked screen?

Yes. AppleCare+ covers accidental damage, including cracked screens, for a service fee that is much lower than the normal price. In the US, that fee has been a flat amount for screen and back glass damage and a higher amount for other damage. The amount can change by plan and model, and you can usually make only a limited number of claims, so confirm your own terms. If you are weighing whether to buy the plan, read the pros and cons of AppleCare+.

Will a cheap screen replacement hurt the phone?

It can. Non-genuine displays often differ in peak brightness, color accuracy and battery drain, and some cannot keep True Tone working. Poor installation can weaken the water seals, so an iPhone that survived a splash before may not survive one after. Apple's software also shows a parts and service history in Settings › General › About, so you may see a message that the display is not genuine. That does not stop the phone from working, but it can lower the resale value. If you plan to sell or trade in the phone, a genuine repair is usually worth the extra cost.

Is it worth fixing, or should you replace the phone?

A simple rule: compare the repair price with the phone's value and with how long you want to keep it. If the repair costs a big fraction of what a replacement would, or the phone is already several years old and slow, you may be better off upgrading. If the phone is recent, in good shape and covered by AppleCare+, repair is almost always the better deal.

• Repair if the phone is under three years old, the battery is healthy and the screen is the only problem.
• Think about replacing if the phone is older, the battery is weak, the phone no longer gets updates or the repair price is close to a used replacement.
• Do both jobs at once if you repair an older phone. A new battery and a new screen together can make an older phone feel new.

Not sure what the phone is worth? Check your iPhone's trade-in value first. A cracked phone still has some value, and a damaged iPhone may be worth more repaired than traded in as is. If the battery drains fast, see whether a battery replacement is worth it while the phone is already open.

What to do before you hand the phone over

How long does an iPhone screen repair take?

At an Apple Store or authorized provider, a screen swap is often done the same day if the parts are in stock, and the technician can usually give you a time when you check in. Mail-in repair can take several days each way. Independent shops may finish in under an hour. Ask for the time estimate when you get the price, and ask whether you can keep a loaner phone if the repair will take days. If you need the phone urgently for work, a same-day appointment is worth a small extra cost.

Also ask what happens if the technician finds more damage once the phone is open. A bent frame or a cracked back glass can change the quote, and a good shop will call you before it does any extra work. Get the final price in writing, so there are no surprises when you pick the phone up.

What to do while you wait for a repair

Cover the crack with clear packing tape or a cheap screen protector to keep shards from cutting you and to slow the damage. Avoid water, and do not press on the damaged area. Use Voice Control or AssistiveTouch if part of the screen does not respond. If the touch is erratic, see what to do when the touch screen is not working.