Cracked or broken mobile device screens can be costly to fix, but a few inexpensive do-it-yourself strategies can eliminate a repair shop visit and salvage your tablet or phone.
Third-party repair shops typically replace glass on a tablet for about US$100-$200, depending on the model. Replacing the tablet's touchscreen can cost $50-$75 extra.
Replacing the cracked glass with a functioning touchscreen is much cheaper. You usually can find suppliers online for $6 to $20 for a phone. A tablet replacement digitizer can cost about $50 or more if you perform the work.
It is relatively easy and cheap to replace the glass on a phone once you get the hang of it. Tablets are a bit more involved because of the larger size and added components.
Tools might require an additional monetary outlay if you do not have a well-functioning workbench. Depending on the device involved, you need a phone opener pry tool, little tweezers to deal with small cables inside, a Torx screwdriver, flat-head screwdriver and a precision screwdriver kit.
Add to that list either a variable hair dryer or a heat gun to soften glued phone parts. Also add scissors, double-sided adhesive tape, canned air and work gloves.

Assess Your Repair Needs

It is first things first when it comes to fixing cracks on a smartphone's screen. Often, the actual screen is not cracked at all. You may have installed a glass screen protector when you purchased the phone.
Carefully pry off the plastic bezel that covers the front of the device. Chances are the screen under it is perfectly intact.
That usually is not the case with tablets. So-called screen protectors on those devices are durable clear transparent film.
The film covers can become cloudy or scratched. They usually help absorb shock from items dropping on the tablet to lessen risk of cracking the touchscreen glass under it.
It is relatively easy to peel off the old film cover and replace it with a new cover. Problem solved!

Fix vs. Replace

When the culprit really is a damaged screen, choosing one of the next three approaches can help you solve the problem. You might be able to repair the damage rather than replace it.
For instance, is the screen clouded or otherwise damaged from your mistaken use of harsh cleaning fluids or coarse paper towels to clean the screen? If so, there is a fix for that.
Is the screen merely cracked or full-out broken -- as in massive spider cracks from being smashed? You can cure a cracked screen on a phone or tablet more easily with Sugru, a commercial product. A fully cracked screen on either type of device is a solid candidate for a screen replacement.

Unsmearing the Smudges

If your phone or tablet screen shows signs of cleaning abuse or wear from heavy handling, return its condition to nearly new with an oleophobic coating kit. This is an oil-repellent coating that protects the screen, along with adding smoothness and reducing fingerprints.
The coating, a thin layer of fluoropolymer-based solids, is similar to Teflon and is bonded to the glass. You can buy the coating kit from a variety of electronic supply stores and online outlets.
You need these tools to apply the oleophobic coating: microfiber cleaning cloths, zipper plastic storage bags, 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.
Follow these steps:
  1. Thoroughly clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Then wipe the screen dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
  2. Prepare a wiping finger. The oleophobic coating's liquid solvent evaporates very quickly when applied, so once you start, work quickly. Wrap one finger with plastic wrap or a sandwich bag. Use this finger to rub the coating liquid onto the screen.
  3. Apply 10-15 drops of the coating to the screen's surface. If the phone or tablet screen has a large surface, apply 10 drops to a portion of the screen, working on one portion at a time.
  4. Lightly and swiftly distribute the coating by wiping your plastic-covered finger over the surface until the liquid evaporates.
  5. Wipe the screen dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Then give the coating time to dry. Do not touch the screen for 8-12 hours to allow the coating to bond to the surface.
  6. When the bonding time is completed, wipe off any residue remaining on the touch screen with a clean microfiber cloth.
  7. Repeat this process 2-3 times to fully maximize the oleophobic coating performance and film durability.

Two More Options

If your only complaint involves tiny scratches and cracks on a smartphone screen or a tablet glass, there are remedies that work with varying degrees of reliability. You can use a household eraser pad or an actual pencil eraser.
Magic eraser products clean up screen scratches in just a few seconds. Moisten a corner of the cleaning pad and apply gentle rubbing pressure.
Pencil erasers also work reasonably well in making scratches disappear. Simply rub the scratch left and right with the eraser for about 60 seconds. Then rub it up and down for 60 seconds.

Dental Care Alternative

Does using toothpaste to fill in the cracks really work? I put that fix in the category of more "mythful" thinking, but I know people who swear that this method is a cheap fix that works.
I consider toothpaste as a scratch remover a temporary fix. It works on small scratches and cracks.
It is not a permanent solution for a touchscreen that is constantly handled. At best, the paste-over process will make the cracks less obvious.

Sugru to the Rescue

Sugru is a moldable glue kit for repairing rather than replacing cracked screens. Actually, the product was not created with phone and tablet repairs in mind. Its intended purpose is more in the line of general repairs where bonding surfaces together and filling surfaces are needed.
I am sure similar pliable glues exist, but having stumbled on Sugru, I see it as a good starting point.
Depending on how badly the screen is damaged, it can be a good solution for cracks that spread from the phone or tablet screen's edges. However, for massive cracks that spread over the entire screen -- as spider cracks tend to do over time -- it will be a short-term fix at best.
Follow these steps:
  1. Wipe and clean your screen with a soft cleaning towel. Be careful not to pick up any loose glass in the process.
  2. Use transparent adhesive tape around the area to be patched. This works best when the phone is turned on.
  3. Mark over the tape to show the border around the patch area. This keeps the Sugru patch from getting where you do not want it.
  4. Apply small quantities of the patch to the cracked area of the screen. Be sure to apply the patch thinly. Gradually add more as needed