iPhone Back Glass Cracked? Is It Safe to Use? (Vancouver)

A cracked back on an iPhone usually looks worse than it is, and in many cases the phone keeps working normally. But a broken back is not just cosmetic: it can cut your fingers, let moisture in and get worse every time you set the phone down. Here is how to judge how serious your crack is, what to do today, and when it is time to get it repaired.

Why iPhones have glass backs at all

Since the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, iPhones have used glass backs largely so they can support wireless charging, which needs a material that lets the charging signal pass through. Later models added MagSafe, which works the same way. The trade-off is that glass, even strengthened glass, can crack when the phone lands flat on its back on concrete or tile, or when it takes a hard knock on a corner.

That is why a phone can survive a drop with a perfect front screen and a shattered back. The two panels are separate pieces of glass, and the back usually takes the hit when a phone slides off a table or out of a pocket face up.

Is it safe to keep using an iPhone with cracked back glass?

For most people, for a short time, yes, as long as you take a few precautions. The phone’s internal parts sit under the glass, so a crack on its own does not usually stop calls, apps or the camera from working. The real risks are:

• Cuts. Small glass splinters can flake off along the crack, especially near the edges. They are easy to miss and easy to pick up on a fingertip.
• Water and dust. iPhone water resistance depends on the housing being intact. A crack breaks that seal. In Vancouver, where a phone gets rained on during a walk along Granville Street, that matters.
• Spreading damage. Every small knock puts stress on the cracked area. A hairline crack can turn into a spider web quickly.
• Camera problems. If the crack runs near the camera area, glass pieces or dust can end up affecting the lenses or the camera cover glass.

If the back glass is lifting away from the frame, the phone looks bulged, or it feels unusually warm, stop using and charging it. A swelling battery can push the back glass out and crack it from the inside. Don’t press on it or try to flatten it. Bring it in to be checked.

What to do right now

1. Cover the crack. A case is the best option. If you don’t have one, a strip of clear packing tape over the back is a reasonable short-term fix to hold loose glass in place. Avoid tape over the camera lenses.
2. Check for loose pieces. Run a soft cloth (not your fingertip) over the back. If bits catch on the cloth, the glass is shedding and needs covering now.
3. Keep it dry. Skip the bathroom, the pool and taking calls in the rain without cover. Don’t rely on the phone’s water-resistance rating any more.
4. Look at the camera area. Open the Camera app and take a few photos with each lens. Note any haze, spots or focusing problems.
5. Test wireless charging carefully. If you use a wireless or MagSafe charger, watch for heat. If the phone warms up more than usual, switch to a cable until it has been repaired.
6. Back up your data. It is good practice before any repair. See our guide on backing up your phone before a repair.

How to tell how bad the damage is

Probably fine for now

• A single hairline crack or a small chipped corner
• No loose glass and no sharp edges
• Camera photos look normal
• No heat, no lifting at the edges

Get it looked at soon

• A web of cracks across the whole back
• Glass flaking or missing pieces
• Cracks running into the camera area or photos that look hazy
• Wireless charging that stopped working or became unreliable

Stop using it and get it checked

• The back is lifting, bulging or separating from the frame
• The phone gets hot, smells odd or the battery drains suddenly
• The phone got wet after the crack happened

Back glass repair: what is involved

How back glass is replaced depends on the model. On many older glass-back iPhones the back glass is bonded firmly to the frame, which makes the job more involved. Apple redesigned the inside of some newer models so the back glass can be removed and replaced on its own more easily. Either way, it is delicate work: the battery, wireless charging coil and camera parts sit close to the back panel.

That is why the first step is having someone look at your exact model and the extent of the damage. A repair shop can tell you whether it is a back glass job only, or whether the camera cover glass or anything underneath was damaged as well. If you want to know what to expect for your phone, ask for a quote with your model and a description of the damage.

A few things worth knowing before you go in:

• Remove your case so the damage can be seen properly.
• Know your passcode, since the phone may need to be unlocked to test that everything works afterwards.
• Mention anything else that’s been off lately, such as battery life, charging or the camera. It’s easier to check everything at once.

Should you DIY it?

Online kits make back glass replacement look simple, but it is one of the trickier home repairs. Older models often need heat and careful work to remove the bonded glass, and slipping with a tool near the battery is a real risk: a punctured lithium-ion battery can catch fire. If you are not experienced, the safest choice is to cover the crack and leave the repair to someone who does it regularly. Our article on what to do after cracking a phone screen covers similar first steps for the front of the phone.

How to prevent it happening again

• Use a case with a raised back edge, so the glass doesn’t touch the ground when the phone lands flat. Our guide to choosing a phone case that actually protects explains what to look for.
• Watch for slippery surfaces. Glass-backed phones slide off car seats, sofa arms and café tables more easily than you’d think.
• Don’t stack phones with keys or coins in the same pocket or bag compartment.
• Add a camera lens protector if your case leaves the camera bump exposed.

You can browse phone cases and other accessories at the kiosk.

Get your cracked iPhone back checked in Downtown Vancouver

If your iPhone back glass is cracked, MyChoice Mobile Repair can take a look. We’re a phone repair and accessories kiosk in Downtown Vancouver on Granville Street, open every day from 9 AM to midnight. See our back glass repair service, call (236) 785-8300 to check your model, or bring it to the kiosk at 798 Granville St and we’ll check it.