Who needs a back glass repair
You probably need a back glass repair if:
- The back of your phone is cracked, crazed or missing pieces.
- Sharp glass edges catch on your hand or your pocket.
- The camera lens covers on the back are chipped as well.
- Wireless charging has stopped working since a drop.
- The back glass is lifting at the edges. If it is lifting without a drop, the battery may be swelling: see the safety note below.
People often live with a cracked back for months because the phone keeps working. That’s understandable, but a cracked back lets moisture and dust in, offers less protection to the battery, and can shed small glass shards. It also reduces resale and trade-in value; most trade-in programs grade cracked backs heavily.
Safety first: is the back cracked or is it being pushed?
Look at the phone from the side. If the back glass or the screen is bulging away from the frame, or if the phone rocks when it lies flat, the battery may be swollen. A swollen battery is a fire risk. Stop charging and using the phone, keep it on a non-flammable surface, and read the battery safety advice before transporting it.
How phones are built: why back glass repair varies so much
The repair depends entirely on how the manufacturer attached the back glass.
| Design | Examples | What the repair involves |
|---|---|---|
| Back glass glued to the frame | Most Samsung Galaxy S models, Google Pixel, OnePlus and many Motorola phones | Heat, soften adhesive, remove glass, clean frame, fit new glass with new adhesive. Relatively straightforward |
| Back glass removable as a separate panel | iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, and every iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 model including Pro and Pro Max | The back opens like a door. Straightforward, with official parts available for some models |
| Back glass fused to the frame | iPhone 8 through iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max | The glass is bonded to the metal frame. Options are laser removal of the glass, or full rear housing replacement |
| Plastic or composite back | Many budget and mid-range phones | Usually doesn’t crack; scuffs and cracks are fixed by replacing the back cover |
This is why a back glass repair can be a short job on one phone and a much bigger job on another.
Laser removal on older iPhones
On iPhones where the glass is fused to the frame, specialist shops use a laser machine to weaken the adhesive bond so the broken glass can be removed and new glass fitted. It’s precise work, and it carries some cosmetic risk to the frame finish. We’ll tell you whether we offer it for your model and what the alternatives are.
Rear housing replacement
The alternative is to replace the whole rear housing: the frame with the back glass already fitted. Every internal part moves from the old housing to the new one. It takes longer and costs more than glass alone, but it also fixes a bent or dented frame and gives you new buttons and new side finish. If your frame is bent, a housing replacement is often the only proper fix.
Drop damage and bent frame assessment
A drop that cracks the back can also bend the frame, especially on aluminium phones dropped on a corner. A bent frame causes problems:
- A new screen or back glass may not sit flat, which can lead to cracks or lifting.
- The phone may rock on a flat surface.
- Buttons can feel stiff or stuck.
- Internal parts can be stressed.
We check the frame on every back glass and screen repair. If the frame is bent enough to cause problems, we’ll tell you before starting and recommend whether straightening, housing replacement or leaving it alone makes the most sense.
How a back glass replacement works
For the most common case, an Android phone with glued back glass:
- Power off and inspect for battery swelling and frame damage.
- Tape the cracked glass so it lifts off in larger pieces rather than shards.
- Heat the edges to soften the adhesive and lift the glass with a suction handle and thin picks.
- Remove all remaining glass and old adhesive from the frame. This is the slow part, and it matters, because leftover glue stops the new glass sitting flat.
- Check the wireless charging coil, NFC antenna and camera covers underneath for damage.
- Fit the new back glass with new pre-cut adhesive and clamp it while the adhesive sets.
- Test wireless charging, NFC payments where possible, the cameras and the flash.
Back glass part options
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original back glass | Correct colour, finish and fit. Availability varies |
| Aftermarket back glass | Usually close in colour and fit; frosted finishes and colour matching can differ slightly |
| Back glass with camera lens covers | Some replacement backs come with lens covers already fitted, which is handy if they’re also cracked |
| Full rear housing | Frame plus back glass; includes new buttons on some models |
What affects back glass repair cost and time
- How the glass is attached (see the table above).
- Whether the frame is bent.
- Colour and finish availability. Less common colours can take longer to source.
- Camera lens cover damage.
- Wireless charging coil damage.
- Model. Larger and newer phones cost more.
Glued Android back glass replacements are typically done the same day once the part is in. Full housing replacements take longer, often several hours of bench time. Diagnostic fee: [DIAGNOSTIC FEE].
Back glass notes by brand
iPhone
Apple changed iPhone construction with the iPhone 14 in 2022, and extended it to the Pro models with the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023. On the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, and on every iPhone 15 and 16 model, the back glass is a removable panel held with screws and adhesive, which makes back glass repair simpler. On iPhone 8 through the iPhone 13 series, and on the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, the glass is bonded directly to the frame. On those, repair means either laser removal and new glass, or a full rear housing. The iPhone 17 Pro models and iPhone Air use new designs again, so ask with your exact model. MagSafe models have a magnet ring under the back, which is part of the housing and has to align properly for MagSafe accessories to work after the repair.
Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S models use glass backs held on with adhesive. Because the phone opens from the back, removing the back glass is also the first step of most Samsung repairs, such as batteries and charging ports. That’s one reason we fit new adhesive every time. Galaxy A models often have plastic backs that scuff but rarely crack, or glass-like backs that are easier to replace.
Google Pixel
Pixel 6 and later models have the camera bar running across the back. On most Pixel models the back glass and camera bar glass are separate parts, so we check both. Pixel backs need care during removal because the wireless charging coil and NFC antenna sit right underneath.
Motorola and OnePlus
Motorola phones vary from plastic backs on moto g models to glass or vegan leather on edge models. OnePlus phones mostly use glass backs, some with a frosted finish that’s hard to match exactly with aftermarket glass. We’ll tell you when an original-finish back is available.
Repair it or live with it?
Not every cracked back needs fixing straight away. This guide may help:
| Situation | Our usual advice |
|---|---|
| Hairline crack, no sharp edges, no missing glass | Optional. A case will contain it. Repair before selling or trading in |
| Spider-web cracks, glass flaking | Repair soon, to avoid cuts and glass shards getting into ports |
| Cracks around the camera | Check the lens covers. Repair soon if the lenses are affected |
| Wireless charging stopped | Repair. The coil may be damaged |
| Back lifting, no drop | Safety: possible swollen battery. Stop charging and contact us |
| Bent frame plus cracked back | Housing replacement is often the right fix |
What moves across in a rear housing replacement
In a housing replacement, almost everything inside the phone moves to the new frame: the logic board, battery, cameras, speakers, Taptic Engine or vibration motor, charging flex, antennas, SIM tray and the screen. It’s close to rebuilding the phone. That’s why it takes longer and costs more than glass alone, and why it’s only worth doing when the frame is damaged, or when the glass can’t be removed separately. A good housing replacement also gives the phone fresh buttons and a clean, undented frame, which helps resale value.
Cosmetic damage beyond the glass
Drops also leave dents and scratches on the frame, chipped paint around the edges and scuffed buttons. Frame dents can’t be "popped out" on aluminium or steel phones without risking further damage, so the options are to leave them, or to replace the housing. Small scratches on stainless steel frames can sometimes be polished, although that changes the finish. If you’re preparing a phone for sale, we’ll tell you whether a housing replacement is likely to pay for itself in a better trade-in grade or not.
Supported devices
We repair back glass on Samsung Galaxy S, A and Note series, Google Pixel models, OnePlus and Motorola phones with glass backs, and iPhone models from iPhone 8 onward through glass or housing replacement, depending on the model. Foldables have very different back panels; ask with your model.
Before your appointment
- Put clear tape over the cracked back to keep glass in place.
- Remove the case carefully; broken glass can stick to it.
- Back up the phone. Back glass repairs don’t normally touch data.
- Remove MagSafe or magnetic accessories and wallets.
- Tell us if the glass is lifting without a drop, which may indicate a swollen battery.
Warranty and parts
Back glass and housing repairs warranty: [CONFIRMED WARRANTY]. This covers part defects and adhesive failures; it doesn’t cover new drops, cracks or liquid damage. Any phone that has been opened can’t be guaranteed to keep its original water-resistance rating, even with new adhesive.
How to protect a new back glass
- Use a case with a raised edge around the camera. Most back cracks start at a corner or at the camera bump.
- Avoid hard sliding. Glass backs crack when a phone slides off a table and lands on its back on tile or concrete.
- Be careful with magnetic accessories. Cheap magnetic plates stuck to the back can scratch glass and block wireless charging.
- Use a back film or skin if you prefer a thin case. It won’t prevent cracks from hard drops but helps with scratches.
Booking a back glass repair
- Request a quote with your model, colour and a photo of the back, ideally one from the side too.
- We reply with the right repair for your model, glass only or housing, plus price and timing.
- Approve and book. You can [REPAIR MODEL: in-store / mobile repair / mail-in / combination].
- We repair and test wireless charging and cameras before returning the phone.
Frequently asked questions about back glass repair
Is a cracked back glass worth fixing?
Usually, yes. It keeps moisture and dust out, removes sharp edges, protects the battery and restores trade-in value. If the phone is very old and worth little, a good case may be enough.
Why is back glass repair more expensive on some iPhones?
On iPhone 8 through 13 and some Pro models, the glass is fused to the frame. Removing it needs a laser or a full rear housing replacement, both of which take more time than replacing glued glass.
Will wireless charging still work after a back glass replacement?
Yes, if the wireless charging coil isn’t damaged. We test it after every repair. If the coil was damaged in the drop, we’ll tell you before replacing it.
Can you match my phone’s colour?
For most popular colours, yes. Rare colours and special editions can be harder to source. We’ll tell you which colours are available when quoting.
Will my phone still be water-resistant?
We use new adhesive designed for the phone, which restores dust and splash resistance, but we can’t guarantee the original IP rating after the phone has been opened.
Can you fix my camera lens at the same time?
Yes. If the camera lens covers are cracked, we can replace them during the same repair. On some phones they come with the replacement back.
My phone rocks on the table after a drop. What does that mean?
Either the frame is bent or the battery is swelling. If the back or screen is bulging, treat it as a battery safety issue. Otherwise, we’ll assess the frame.