Modern iPhones are incredibly complex devices that sandwich hundreds of delicate parts between two thin sheets of glass. Given their intricate nature, it’s no surprise that damage can happen for a variety of reasons. Luckily, most types of damage can be fixed in a single visit.

What are the most common types of iPhone Repair?

The most common causes for broken phones are cracked screens, water damage, broken home buttons, and battery degradation over time. Fittingly, these are also the most common types of repairs performed on iPhones.

Given that repair costs vary depending on what’s being fixed and the age of the device, it doesn’t always make sense to repair every broken iPhone. You may be able to find a replacement on Swappa for less than what it costs to fix your old phone.

Although all modern smartphones are relatively fragile, there are certain models that are more prone to specific issues than others. These issues are often rooted in design decisions made by product engineers, and show themselves down the line after extended use and abuse.

One notable example is “touch disease,” which affected the touch controllers on a large percentage of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus phones. This progressive condition impacts touch screen performance, and often results in a completely unusable device after enough time has passed.

This same generation of iPhones is also particularly prone to bending due to poor internal bracing. In addition to design flaws, iPhones didn’t feature IP67 certification for water and dust resistance prior to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. As a result, inadvertent submersion is often met with disastrous consequences. Even the latest iPhones with IP68 certification aren’t truly “waterproof.”

Apple iPhones are premium devices. They aren’t cheap, so it’s natural to want to keep them running as long as possible. Although you can almost always pay to fix a broken iPhone, out-of-warranty repairs can get quite expensive depending on which iPhone you have and what’s wrong with it. Sometimes it costs more to repair a broken device than it does to replace it--especially given the abundance of cheap used iPhones on Swappa.

The average cost to fix a broken iPhone varies depending on which specific model you have and what’s wrong with it. Because of the availability of less-expensive internal parts, it’s generally cheaper to repair an older iPhone versus a newer model.

Fixing a cracked screen on an older iPhone with an LCD such as the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8 costs around $150. The same repair on a newer iPhone with an OLED screen such as the iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone Xs, or iPhone X will set you back about $300. Newer, budget-conscious iPhones with LCD screens such as the iPhone Xr are somewhere in between, typically around $200 to fix.

How much does it cost to fix my broken iPhone?

Costs for other types of repair vary considerably. Fixing an iPhone with water damage costs more than fixing a cracked screen. Out-of-warranty fixes for water damage on the latest iPhones can cost upwards of $600. While fixing water damage on older iPhones typically costs about a third of this, this is still generally more expensive than purchasing a replacement iPhone on Swappa. Battery replacement ranges from $50-70.

Consult the Apple Repair Costs page for average iPhone repair costs, and check out the Swappa Repair Calculator to find out how much repair will cost for your specific model.

Depending on what’s wrong with your phone, out-of-warranty repair service can get fairly expensive. If your iPhone is a bit older and nearing the end of its planned software updates, it’s probably better to ditch your broken phone and get a cheap replacement on Swappa. Deciding what’s best for you depends on a number of factors such as which iPhone you currently own, what’s wrong with it, and whether you’re already thinking of upgrading. The Swappa Repair Calculator makes things easy by giving you a repair cost estimate and showing you what your phone is worth once repaired, so you can figure out whether it’s better to repair or replace your broken iPhone.

In general, it costs less to replace an older iPhone than it does to repair it. The most common type of cell phone repair is screen replacement. A typical screen replacement from Apple for an older iPhone such as an iPhone 6S costs $149. A local repair shop can usually bring this down to around $100. However, this is still more expensive than picking up a replacement iPhone on Swappa for as little as $75. Alternatively, you can upgrade to an iPhone 7 for just $90 and still save money compared to a third-party repair. Not only is the iPhone 7 more powerful, it will also receive iOS software updates longer than the iPhone 6S.

On the other hand, if you have a recent iPhone such as the iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone Xs, it is probably cheaper to repair your existing device. For example, fixing a broken screen on an iPhone Xs costs $279 at the Apple Store. While this isn’t cheap, replacements go for at least $300 on the used market thanks to the high resale value of modern iPhones.

Ultimately, whether it’s cheaper to repair or replace boils down to what phone you have and what’s wrong with it. If you have a newer phone or your phone only has a minor issue, repair may be worth looking into. But if your device is a few years old, you’re better off finding a cheap replacement on Swappa. So be sure to check out the Swappa Repair Calculator to find out which makes more sense for your particular phone.

At first, you may feel tempted to take your broken iPhone to the Apple Store for repair. This makes sense for a lot of users, particularly those still covered by AppleCare. After all, Apple built the phone, so they’re more than capable of fixing it when problems arise.

However, reputable cell phone repair shops, such as those listed on the Swappa Repair Network, can perform a wide range of diagnostics and repairs to get your phone up and running again in no time. Since there are fewer than 300 Apple Stores spread across the entire country, getting a same-day appointment at the Genius Bar can be tough. Third-party repair shops can usually fix your broken iPhone faster than the Apple Store while potentially charging less. For example, a typical out-of-warranty screen repair on an older iPhone with an LCD screen such as the iPhone 6 Plus costs around $150 at the Apple Store. The same repair with similar or identical replacement parts could cost $100 or less at a local repair shop. Naturally, prices will vary; so make sure to contact your local repair shop to get a better idea of what to expect.

If you decide to get your broken iPhone fixed, rest assured knowing that all repair shops listed in the Swappa Repair Network use quality replacement parts and offer 30-day guarantees on their work.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best cell phone repair shop for your broken iPhone. Swappa is here to help you pick the best repair shop for your needs.

1. Find an iPhone repair shop near you. The Swappa Repair Network features cell phone repair shops in nearly all states and metropolitan areas, so you’re covered no matter where you are.
2. Not all cell phone repair shops are created equal. There are many types of repair, and not every repair shop is equipped to fix every type of problem that may occur. Contact the location to make sure they can actually perform the repairs you need.
3. Call or email to find out estimated repair costs, how long it’ll take, if the required parts are in-stock, and whether they offer a service guarantee on their work.

Asking the right questions before taking your broken iPhone in for repair will help you get a better idea of what to expect in terms of costs, repair time, and more. Here are a few questions that you should ask before taking your broken iPhone in for repair:

• After describing your phone and what’s wrong, ask if the repair shop can perform the repairs you need. Be specific! Provide the exact model number and storage capacity, and be prepared to discuss what is wrong and when the damage occurred.
• Ask how much it typically costs to fix your specific issue on your iPhone.
• Ask how long the repair will take, and whether the required parts are in stock or have to be ordered. Follow up in person when getting your written estimate by making sure it lists the estimated costs and repair timeline.
• Make an appointment to bring in your device. Most repair shops allow walk-ins, but providing all the relevant details beforehand will streamline your experience.
• Ask about their service guarantee, and whether it covers both parts and labor in case the problem returns. In order to be eligible for the Swappa Repair Network, repair shops must offer at least a 30-day guarantee. Find out how long your local shop’s guarantee works, and whether it covers both parts and labor.

Although most types of repair don’t involve clearing your device’s storage, it’s always a good idea to back up your iPhone in order to prevent data loss. iPhones have always made it incredibly easy to perform a backup, and modern versions of iOS have taken this a step further with automated backups to iCloud. Here’s how to manually back up your iPhone to your computer:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes if you’re using a PC, or Finder if you’re on macOS 10.15 or later.
2. Locate your iPhone on your computer and enter your device passcode if necessary.
3. Locate the “Backups” section within Finder or iTunes and click Back Up Now. We recommend encrypting local backups for increased data security.
4. Once your backup is complete, a message will appear in the “Backups” section stating when you last backed up your iPhone.

Newer versions of iOS also allow you to perform automatic backups to iCloud. To enable this, select iCloud from the Settings menu. From there, tap iCloud Backup and enable automatic backups. Be aware that since these automated backups rely on your personal iCloud account, your backups are limited by your storage plan.

If you are unable to perform a manual backup and can’t find your cloud backups, we recommend that you let your repair shop know, and ask how to proceed.

Most cell phone repair shops will ask for your password when you drop off your broken iPhone. Sharing this information helps the repair shop perform diagnostics and verify functionality once the repair has been completed.

Understandably, not everyone will feel comfortable sharing their device passcode. If you would rather not share this information, you can either temporarily change your PIN code or remove lock screen protection altogether. Alternatively, you can back up and clear your iPhone prior to sending it in for repair.

You’ve determined that repair is right for you. You found a suitable repair shop, backed up your iPhone, and now it’s time to drop off your device. Make sure to get a written estimate stating how much the repair will cost and how long it will take. Follow up with the repair shop once the repairs are scheduled for completion. Finally, make sure to thoroughly inspect your iPhone while you’re still in the repair shop to make sure that everything went as planned and your phone works as expected.

iPhone repair fees can get out of hand pretty quickly. Next time, ditch the repair bill with a Used Phone Protection Plan.

It doesn’t matter if you have a cracked iPhone screen, a broken home button, or water damage. For just $5.99 per month, you get full coverage for almost anything that could go wrong with your phone. Coverage is fully refundable for 30 days, and you stay protected even when you upgrade phones.

Download the WarrantyLife diagnostic app and get coverage today!