Calling all Apple Experts....

Calling all Apple Experts! Anyone know anything about iPad glass screens?

My daughter had (I have it now as she's replaced it) a 2018 iPad Pro. Nice bit of kit. Unfortunately she dropped it and it cracked the glass screen. in one corner of the screen tha glass is badly damaged and trying to get out, plus there are a couple of cracks going across the screen, otherwise the screen is OK and the iPad seems to function OK with no problems.

I have booked an appointment with the Apple Genius bar at an Apple store to discuss/arrange a repair of said screen next Tuesday. However, looking at it tonight, and finding the tablet works OK, I am tempted to just pour some glass epoxy resin in where the screen is damaged and call it done and save the cost of the repair (if I am honest!!). I have been told that the repair, if it can be done, is in the region of £450-500, so not an inconsiderable amount

Anyone had any experience of a cracked iPad glass screen and tried what I am suggesting, or some other work around?

Chris

Our lads at work say Apple computers are getting to the stage where much of the stuff is non repairable. The drive for thinner and thinner devices has meant that much of the device is bonded together and nigh on impossibe to dismantle. That and the extreme measures required to get the heat out of the device which causes more complications. The Lab has been servicing and repairing Macs since the early days but they are really starting to struggle even on laptops. It's easy to say but don't drop them. They are very reliable electronically and software wise but you really don't want to throw then around. We do use an awfull lot of Macs.

regards Martin

This site has a lot of detailed information about what’s involved in repairs to Macs and iOS devices: **LINK**

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iPad

... Much of it is pretty scary

MichaelG.

If you have a Timpson store in the area ask them about it because they repair phones and tablets (Apple screens included).

I’m no expert just a satisfied customer.

Edited By V8Eng on 26/08/2020 23:54:48

Five hundred quid or a roll of sellotape...

True for their electronics as with any other (decently manufactured) electronic device.

Software .... mmmm

Why are the mechanicals always ignored?. They are the weak link reliability-wise in any electronic device (switches etc).

With their excessive use of the switches **, Home-Button particularly, Apple goes out of its way to ensure a limited device lifetime. By also making it difficult/impossible to dismantle and repair, they guarantee follow-on sales within a reasonable (as defined by Apple) period of use.

** an example .... why, when I pickup my sleeping iPad and press the home button, do I have to press it again to log in? What does Apple think I want to do at that point? Come to that, what else could I do at that point (other than change my mind about using the device which probably does happen in a vanishingly small percent of cases). (I could be wrong but I don't think that earlier versions of iOS did this but Apple changed it at some point).

Edited By Bandersnatch on 27/08/2020 01:10:30

Get a quote from one of the 3rd party repairers. Much cheaper than an Apple store.

Paul

There is a solution between these options, but sellotape is closer to the answer.

Stick a glass screen protector on it. Should be £5-10. Just search something like 'apple ipad glass screen protector 2018' on a well-known auction site.

And, frankly, if anyone is using an iPad without one of these, they should do the same.

Cheers, Colin

I have an iPad 6th generation and don’t have to log in.

I think you can still switch off the log-in function but I may be wrong.

+1 for using a cheapo screen protector, im using a phone and a tablet like this at the moment....have been for over a year now.

Chris, the iPad I use has six transverse cracks, three of them full width, and a couple of spider's web-like cracks about an inch across in one corner, where the glass is distinctly uneven and spongy.

It has been that way for about two years. Since the damage has never, as far as I can tell, affected the functioning of the device, I have not felt the need to attempt a repair.

Chris H, is the iPad pro significantly different in its construction from earlier models? I've personally dismantled mk 2 and 3 models to replace a cracked screen, a battery and other components. It's quite easy provided you use the easily obtainable and cheap tools and you'll save an awful lot of money.!

Trevor

Don't really think a screen saver is going to help shock treatment of dropping unit, of course this depends on drop height. Yes, hindsight is a great teacher.

Specialist tools required are a Credit (OR Debit) card, any bank type and a hot air gun.

Regards Ian.

.

That’s why I posted the IFIXIT link

This may [or may not] be the very model which Chis owns: **LINK**

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Pro+11-Inch+Teardown/115457

MichaelG.

Check out Louis Rossmann on Youtube for the trails and tribulations of fixing Apple products.

I have also removed screens - it’s a bit daunting when the screen you are removing is perfect and you want to stick it back in place, but in this case as it is broken and you will already have the replacement ready to fit I don’t see the problem - as Circlip says, you will need a hot air gun and a few other tools (mainly plastic spudgers and/or old credit cards. I always use the iFixit site for repairing Apple stuff - the photos are clear and the instructions good.

Oh, you can, and that would be an option if I were only using it from home. But taking it along to public places?

Depending which iPad/phone you have fingerprint recognition seems a good way to get around multiple button pressing.

Apple bought out a reduced price iPad a couple of years back which had a different type of screen which I think is easier to repair? I personally like the home button on my iPad Pro, not sure how I’d get on without it as on the latest models?

Hi - and thanks to all who have commented. I actually did write a reply after Colins post, but like an idiot forgot to post it so it is lost. Never Mind.

Quite reassuring that some of you have had iPads and iPhones with cracked screens and carried on no worries for years in some cases.

I think Micheal G's Infixit teardown of an iPad Pro is the one I have got, but the thought of actually stripping it down scares me!

I do like the idea of a screen protector but.

The screen I have is cracked and breaking up in only one corner and mostly on the little black margin there anyway, plus several cracks across the screen, and a screen protector might just hold it all together. If it lasts another 3 years then it will be due a renewal then anyway. I think Apple are quoting about £400-450 for a screen repair over the phone.

I am going to their "Genius Bar" next week with my wife's MacBook Air which has a touchpad problem so will get an upto date quote then, but the screen protector option at about a tenner is looking good at the moment!!

Chris