While the Apple Watch has a display made of toughened glass that is harder to break than regular glass, it’s still something that can happen if you’re not careful. Here’s how to fix a cracked Apple Watch screen.
The entry-level Apple Watch Sport uses Ion-X reinforced glass to prevent scratches and scuffs that can occur with regular glass. The stainless steel Apple Watch and Apple Edition use sapphire crystal glass on the screen, a much harder glass than the Ion-X.
However, even with this kind of screen-protecting technology, you can sometimes accidentally drop your Apple Watch or hit something at just the right angle, which shatters the screen and shatters the glass.
It’s unfortunate when this happens, but you may not be completely out of luck. Here’s how to fix a broken Apple Watch screen, including some of the options you have when it occurs.
Do You Have AppleCare+?
Perhaps one of the most important things to have when your Apple Watch screen breaks is AppleCare+. This is Apple’s kind of warranty that protects you from expensive repairs in case you accidentally break your device.
If you break your Apple Watch’s screen, you can replace it with Apple for $69 for the Apple Watch Sport and $79 for all other models.
This is a really cheap price to pay for a screen replacement, but you only get two events in your recordings, so use them wisely.
If you don’t have AppleCare+ you’re sadly out of luck, but it’s still a good idea to go to the Apple Store to find out what other options you have. Apple can still replace the screen for you, but it will cost you some shekels – $229 to be exact.
If you don’t have AppleCare+ for your Apple Watch and it’s been 60 days since you bought your Apple Watch, you can still get AppleCare+ at the moment.
Forget DIY
Replacing the Apple Watch screen yourself isn’t entirely impossible, but it’s not really recommended. Of course, this all depends on your own skill set, but you probably don’t have the tools, patience, and knowledge to replace an Apple Watch screen yourself.
However, there are doable and easy-to-follow instructions. available on iFixit. You will need a few specialized tools and this is not a job for the faint of heart so make sure you are absolutely sure it is a project you are comfortable doing.
If not, your best bet is to take it to the Apple Store and pay $229 to have the screen replaced. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s really your only option, and at least you won’t spend at least $350 on a brand new Apple Watch.
