A guide to iPhone repair
Most iPhone problems come down to a handful of parts: the screen, the battery, the charging port, the cameras, and the back glass. Here’s how to tell what’s wrong, what to expect from the repair, and when replacing the phone makes more sense.
Screen problems and what they mean
A crack you can see is the obvious one. The screen is also the problem when part of it stops responding to touch, when black or green spots appear and spread, or when the display goes dark while the phone still rings and vibrates.
Most iPhones since the iPhone 12 use OLED displays, while the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone SE use LCD. OLED screens cost more to make, which is why a screen for a newer or Pro model costs more than one for an older phone. More on that in our screen repair guide.
Tip If the screen is cracked but still works, cover it with a screen protector or clear tape so glass slivers stay off your fingers until you can bring it in.
Is it the battery?
Open Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health. If Maximum Capacity is below about 80 percent, or you see a Service message, a new battery will make a real difference. The iPhone 15 and newer also show the battery’s cycle count under Settings, General, About.
Other signs: the phone shuts off with charge left, slows down, or dies quickly in the cold. If the screen starts lifting away from the frame, the battery is swelling. Stop charging it and bring it in.
Charging port, back glass, and cameras
An iPhone that only charges at an angle usually has a port packed with pocket lint, and a careful cleaning fixes it. If cleaning doesn’t help, the port gets replaced. See charging port repair for the quick checks to try first.
On many newer iPhones, starting with the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, Apple made the back glass easier to remove, so a cracked back is a simpler repair than on older models, where the glass is bonded to the frame.
Cracked camera lenses are worth fixing early. Once the lens cover breaks, dust and moisture reach the camera, and photos turn hazy or won’t focus.
What to know about parts
iPhones keep a record of repairs. Under Settings, General, About, a Parts and Service History section can list parts that have been replaced, and some may show as unknown. Face ID parts are paired to your phone and can’t simply be swapped, so screen repairs are done carefully around them.
Before we start, we’ll tell you the part options for your model and what, if anything, you’ll see in Settings afterward. No surprises after the fact.
Repair or replace?
Apple usually supports an iPhone with software updates for six years or more after it comes out. If your phone still gets updates and the repair costs a fraction of a new one, fixing it is usually the better deal. If it’s an older model that needs several repairs at once, we’ll tell you honestly when it isn’t worth it, and you can check what we have for sale.
Before you bring it in
- Back up to iCloud or a computer if the phone still turns on.
- Know your passcode, so you can check that everything works after the repair.
- Charge it if you can. A phone with some battery is easier to test.
- Make a note of anything else that acts up, like a speaker or a camera, so we can check it at the same time.