It happens faster than you’d expect. Your Samsung slips from your hand, bounces off the corner of a desk, and you pick it up to find a spider’s web of cracks spreading across the display. It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a phone you rely on every single day.
Before you panic — or make the mistake of rushing to the nearest repair shop without thinking it through — here’s exactly what you should do, and what you should avoid, when your Samsung screen cracks.
Step 1: Don’t Keep Using It on a Cracked Screen
This sounds obvious, but most people carry on using their phone as normal after a crack appears. The problem is that a cracked screen isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Over time, pressure from normal use can cause the crack to spread, allow moisture to get in, and — in some cases — damage the AMOLED display beneath. What starts as a hairline crack can quickly turn into a full display replacement job.
If the crack is minor and the screen is still responding normally, try to minimise use until you can get it repaired. If the screen has gone dark, is flickering, or is unresponsive in places, get it looked at straight away.
Step 2: Back Up Your Data Immediately
Before you hand your Samsung to anyone for repair, back up your photos, contacts and important files. Most Samsung devices support backup via Samsung Cloud or Google Drive — you can set this up in Settings > Accounts and Backup. If the screen is badly damaged and you can’t navigate the menus, Samsung’s Smart Switch app (installed on a PC or Mac) can still access and back up the phone via USB even with a cracked screen.
This step is critical. A reputable repair shop will not touch your personal data, but it’s always sensible to have a backup in place before any repair work begins.
Step 3: Understand What You Actually Need — Screen, LCD, or Both?
There’s an important distinction between a cracked glass layer and a damaged AMOLED or LCD panel underneath. If your display still shows a clear image and responds to touch normally, it’s likely just the outer glass that’s cracked — and this is a relatively straightforward and affordable fix. If you’re seeing black patches, colour bleed, lines across the display, or areas that don’t respond to touch, the display panel itself is damaged.
At Phone Heroes London, our technicians will assess your Samsung screen in-store and give you a clear diagnosis before any work begins — so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Step 4: Avoid DIY Repair Kits
YouTube makes Samsung screen replacement look deceptively simple. In reality, modern Samsung devices — particularly the S-series and A-series — use high-quality AMOLED panels that are tightly integrated with the chassis. Getting the screen off without the right tools and experience frequently results in further damage to the display, the adhesive seal, or the waterproofing. A repair that started as a £80 job can turn into a £200 job very quickly.
Unless you’re experienced with phone repairs, leave it to a professional. You’ll almost certainly save money in the long run.
Step 5: Choose a Repair Shop That Offers a Warranty
Not all repair shops are equal. When choosing where to take your Samsung, always ask about the warranty on parts and labour. At Phone Heroes London, every Samsung screen repair comes with our One-Year Warranty as standard. We use quality replacement parts and our technicians are experienced across the full Samsung range — from the Galaxy S-series to the A-series and J-series.
Most Samsung screen repairs at Phone Heroes take around one hour, and we offer a walk-in service as well as a same-day courier option across London. You don’t need to be without your phone for days.
The Bottom Line
A cracked Samsung screen is stressful, but it’s one of the most common and fixable phone problems we see every day. The key is to act quickly, back up your data, and find a trusted repair shop that uses quality parts and offers a warranty. If you’re in or around London, bring your Samsung into Phone Heroes at Earl’s Court and one of our technicians will have it assessed in minutes.
Call us on 020 3397 7407 or book online — we’re open 7 days a week.