Apple Stores Can Now Replace iPhone Displays While You Wait
For many of us, the iPhone has become a staple item in our daily assortment of tech gear. Like any product that gets heavy use on a daily basis, sometimes it can fail. For the iPhone, that means a trip to the often-crowded Genius Bar for help. Now, as more consumers are adopting the digital device, Apple is facing an increasing number of iPhones in need of repair. The good news for consumers is, the majority of those repairs can now be done by your local Genius.
When the iPhone first launched, Apple offered a “loaner” program (with a fee) for consumers who had iPhones that needed to be repaired. This program, which received little attention in the press, finally disappeared from Apple as it began offering instant iPhone swaps, instead of asking a consumer to wait a few days for an offsite repair. (Come to find out, the “waiting” technique may work well for iPods, but doesn’t fly for iPhones). In an even more efficient move, Apple now offers a new service allowing Geniuses to perform actual repairs of the screen assembly to your iPhone at the store.
What? No more free swaps?
For the business-minded, the talk of your Genius Bar appointment being even longer while a Genius dissects and operates on your iPhone may make you scream, “No fair! Usually you just give me a new one and I’m on my way.” We all knew, though, that it would not be cost-effective for Apple to simply swap out an iPhone on a whim when things went bad. With the ability to perform certain repairs in-house, this means you keep your original iPhone and won’t need take the time to sync up a replacement iPhone before you are back in the game.
Cracked screen? No worry!
The biggest component likely to either fail or be damaged is the screen. Similar in construction to the screen on the iMac (minus the touch-sensitive components and newer oleophobic coating on the iPhone 3GS), the screen can be removed from your iPhone via a large suction cup. (Though I’m sure Apple has a very “specialized” device that does this — much like the infamous unbent paper clip that doubles as the SIM card ejection tool). Geniuses can now replace a defective screen for free if your iPhone is under warranty or, if not warranty-related, for a nice hefty $199. (Standard disclaimer: Defective doesn’t mean cracked beyond belief because your estranged ex drove over it in her Hummer. That does void your warranty, as does liquid damage and jailbroken phones.)
Before Apple began offering this service, consumers faced choices like iFixIt or iResQ, which offer similar repair services (or just components) at rates cheaper than Apple. However, such solutions do void your Apple warranty. These solutions also require you (in repair instances) to send off your iPhone, so you will be without it for a few days. Going the Apple route, provided you can actually find a Genius Bar appointment at your local Apple Store, they should be capable of (provided the parts are in stock) replacing your screen assembly within five to 10 minutes. When a Genius graces your iPhone, your warranty remains intact.
Apple’s talented Genius team can also perform other repairs to the iPhone, as the screen assembly contains other parts that can fail, including the receiver or touch sensors. In order to continue to reduce costs and provide quicker turnaround to consumers, Apple will likely follow its trend of performing more repairs in store. As crowded as the Genius Bars usually are, Apple will have to keep repair times under consideration. Most stores allocate 10 minutes per iPhone or iPod appointment. When times are busy and the Geniuses get behind, taking the time to swap the screen may only extend wait times for others. At the time of this writing, the Apple Store is unable to do screen replacements on the iPod touch or the classic iPhone due to slight construction differences. (Hint: These models do not feature the same two screws found on the bottom of the 3G and 3GS.)
Most importantly, please remember to back up your iPhone before going to the Genius Bar. You never know when your iPhone may need more than just a simple screen replacement.
Kenneth on July 6th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Good article but it is an urban legend that jailbreaking voids your warranty. Jailbreaking is a SOFTWARE change and can always be undone. If you have a jailbroken phone that needs service just restore back to it’s original software prior to service and everything will be fine. Obviously if you don’t do this step then Apple might refuse service so better safe then sorry – but I am annoyed when people think somehow changing software on a phone magically taints it or something!
foodiedad on July 6th, 2009 at 9:34 am
so what constitutes “breaking the warranty”? If I dropped my phone and the screen cracked are they going to charge me $199?
rich uk on July 6th, 2009 at 10:08 am
smashed my iphone screen (left on roof of car!) but just booked in to a uk apple store for screen repair or replacement iphone (!) for £139
*told that smashed screen glass is accidental damage so not covered under warranty*
worth the money though i think (obviously hoping for replacement iphone!) as a replacement 8gb 3g is £342 here
wil on July 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Just called my local (Northern California) Apple store and their Genius told me that a cracked screen was NOT covered by warranty. There are a few known defects that present themselves in the form of a cracked screen that are covered, however if your screen is cracked from a fall or impact you need not apply.
Ryan Arter on July 6th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hello all, we perform these iPhone 3G screen repairs for $99 installed. Wil said it: “if your screen is cracked from a fall or impact you need not apply” when visiting an Apple Store. If you take your iPhone into Apple and they see your screen cracked, they will void the warranty on your iPhone. We are half the price and if you’re local to Kansas City, we will also do your repair while you wait. Otherwise, we perform these repairs within 1 business day from any location in the US. Thanks!
Omar on November 8th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
My screen is cracked. Hit me on my email with contact info so i could send my phone to you.
Alla on July 6th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
It’d be nice if they could do battery replacements while you wait, too.
John on July 8th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Just had this happen to me for the second time. They’re great phones, but this time it cracked when I dropped it in the grass. The first time this happened, I paid $200 at the Apple Store for a swap. However, this time, I found a more affordable solution. If you are in the Dallas area, I would recommend CrackedPhoneScreen.com. They will replace the cracked face for $89.99 while you wait. It took the technician a few minutes and the phone is as good as new. You can even mail them your phone and they will fix it and mail it back. Their number is (214) 550-0707 and their web site is http://www.crackedphonescreen.com
DC on July 12th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I had my iPhone 3GS lcd screen replaced by a Apple Genius because of a dead pixel.. And do you know what happen when I got my phone back? Dents on the bezel and back cover, I only found out next day, because my 3GS is always in a case.
DC on July 12th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Ding marks
Danny on July 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
They should do battery replacements if they can take screens out… All you have to do is take out 8 tiny little screws after the screen is out, pull out the motherboard(easy as cake) and the battery is just stuck down. Pop it out, pop in the new one…. bet i could do the whole process in LESS then 5 minutes… (of course i have done a LOT of them for friends) Putting in the bigger 1600maH battery, instead of the 1150maH stock one…
Oh and Quit dropping your iPhones!! :)
Josh on July 15th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
This article mentions “liquid damage,” and I just wanted to add, that earlier this year Apple changed course and also allows these situations to be fixed for $199 as well.
http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/05/apple-changes-water-damaged-iphone-replacement-policy.ars
iPhone 3G Screen Repair on July 17th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
we do this repair for only $69.99 and we offer a 1 year warranty on our products. We also do same day repair. Check us out, click on our name above. Thanks!
-Jeremy
april wilson on September 13th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
where are you located at
Jeff on July 20th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
So..
If I drop my phone, crack my glass and let a “genius” repAir it, my warranty is voided on the phone?
Why on earth would I let a “genius” do what I can do, for much less $, if the phones warranty does not remain??
Jake on August 1st, 2009 at 10:09 am
these things are crazy i was sitting at my office desk and the phone dropped very lightly and the next thing i knew the screen had cracked I took it into apple and they tried charging me $199 WOW the phone it self only cost $99 with a contact…. anyways the same thing had happened to my friend and she had hers fixed locally by Phone Repair Depot… I contacted them and sent in my phone to them and they fixed it the same day and shipped it back to me within 2 days I had my phone on my ear I would recommend them to everyone they charged half the price and got it done in the same time it would take me to make an appointment call them (214)550-0404 or visit their website http://www.PhoneRepairDepot.com
len koester on August 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 pm
i bought a iphoe in late nov. 2008 my screen cracked when i dropped it. how much will it cost to fix & how long will it take to get back?
Jill on August 3rd, 2009 at 6:23 pm
SO, if I get my screen replaced somewhere else that will void my waranty thru apple however is there a way apple can tell the screen was replaced!?! I sure the hell am not going to tell them, so I am assuming they will never know and my waranty will be valid til it runs out???? right????
Joanna on August 8th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Well…i had my visit with a ‘genius’ today and much to my dismay….they DO NOT fix the screens for free unless it is a hairline crack which is a manufacturer’s defect. If it’s personal damage they do not cover it. In Canada, they charge $256. He said it wouldn’t void your warranty if you get it repaired somewhere else, though if it was damaged in the process, it wouldn’t be covered.
Randy on September 1st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I broke my iPhone screen a little while ago and instead of going through all the hastle of buying a new screen i just searched around for a little while and found magicphonerepair.com they had the best prices along with 24 hour turn around and free insured return shipping.
Sarah on September 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Don’t go to these imature places all these places use the cheap parts go to godaddy and check out the record for how long these websites have been in exiatance and you will notice that they have only been registered for less than a couple weeks make sure you do your research before getting your phone fixed anyone can do it it’s not that hard you just go to you tube and watch the video it’s not rocket science
Paul on September 7th, 2009 at 11:59 am
The iPhone is a piece of shit as far as durability goes. I recommend not getting an iphone until they can do a better job of making these things not break so damn easily.
John on September 9th, 2009 at 10:22 am
i Just got my iPhone back from Magic Phone Repair. They charged $69.99 with free return shipping. Great job, and my phone looks new. Check them out.
http://www.MagicPhoneRepair.com
Eric Thomas on September 29th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I recently had the same issue, took my phone into the apple store, and found out they wanted $199 for the repair. I then heard about http://www.iphone3gscreenrepair.com They repaired my phone same day and had it back to me in a flash. The best part is that I only paid $69.99! I was very impressed
-Eric
Mark on October 8th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I was visiting a friend in Dallas, tx and he told me about a place that could repair my phone for 79.99. They repairs the cracked glass on my iphone 3gs in about 15 mins. Quality of the new glass was great. looked like it did when i got it new. the website is http://www.texasphonerepair.com
guava on October 10th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I just dropped my iphone 3GS and bought it 2 months ago with the ext warranty. I went to the genius bar, and they will not replace the screen for free, it costs $199. but they can do it while you wait. I had the soft rubber case, and it still slipped and fell on wooden ground from about 4 feet height. Im going to get a hard case now for $30, but if the phone falls flat on its face on the screen that wont cover it either. and if i break the screen again, its another 199. this is the only thing that sucks about iphone and apple. another option would be to get insurance on the iphone via your credit card for broken damage etc. i will do that this time, because im sure ill drop it and break it again. goodluck to all.
John on October 29th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Dont pay Apple $200!
http://www.MagicPhoneRepair.com
fixed mine quick for less than half the price!
Ronnie on October 25th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
My LCD in my 3G just split one day, never dropped it, no cracks in the glass screen, anyone know if the warranty will cover this?
linda on November 18th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
my iphone is is broken from the top don’t now what to do .the sim card is getting out