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Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement

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  1. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement, Front Glass: paso 1, imagen 1 de 1
    • If your phone already has a protective screen applied to it, you are ready to begin.

    • If it doesn't, cut a piece of packaging tape the size of the screen and apply it to the screen. This will help you remove the broken glass later.

  2. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 2, imagen 1 de 2 Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 2, imagen 2 de 2
    • With a plastic opening tool, pry open the back case. It will come out very easily.

  3. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 3, imagen 1 de 1
    • Take out the battery. There are no cables attached.

  4. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 4, imagen 1 de 2 Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 4, imagen 2 de 2
    • If your provider/version of phone takes a SIM card, remove it by pushing it in a bit until you hear a small click, and then slide it out.

    • Sprint USA does not use SIM card.

  5. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 5, imagen 1 de 2 Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 5, imagen 2 de 2
    Herramienta utilizada en este paso:
    Heat Gun
    $24.99
    Comprar
  6. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 6, imagen 1 de 1
    • You need to have lots of patience in this procedure. Take your time.

    • Using an infrared thermometer heat the surface to 170-180° F (roughly 70-80° C). This will loosen the glue but not damage the electronics.

    • Hold the gun at about 3 inches from your phone (in this picture it looks like its right on top). With the heat gun set to low, heat up the borders for about 3 to 5 minutes depending on the strength of your heat gun.

    • You must be careful when using the heat gun on this device. If the device is heated up too much then it may melt the digitizer and cause discoloration. If you start to see any discoloration then shut off the gun immediately.

    • If you are working with a hair dryer, it might take up to 1 hour.

    • This melts the glue that holds the glass to the frame and to the display. The glass is glued to them.

    Hi, regarding Step 6, I haven't got a heat gun and I'm not going to use a hair-dryer since I would be sitting there for hours. I noticed someone talking about the iOpener cushion(?) and wanted to know if it would be an effective substitute? Since it looks like a pretty wide item and could heat up not just the borders but the entire front?

    Also people are saying there is some sort of gel on the actual LCD while others are saying there is only adhesive on the edges? Which is it and what should I do to not damage the actual LCD?

    MPPP - Contestar

    Hi Minesh! I have not tried to open a samsung with te iopener but i do think it would be a safer way to soften up the glue at the borders.

    In my experience, the "gel" that goes between the glass and the lcd does need to be heated up so that it loosens up. It feels like a gel but its a layer of a special glue that is used to fill that air gap. That glue comes in layers and it might be a little hard to find and to apply. If you search the comments on the different steps there is a hack that involves putting a screen protector on the back of the glass, Dan Phillips posted it up.

    Angela Penaherrera -

    Here is the original comment by Dan:

    Ive replaced a few of these screens with new glass and the double sided tape. Only issue that has always happed is that the glass will touch the digitizer in the middle once in awhile. This registers a touch that is stuck on and locks up the rest of the touch screen. The only work around is pressing on the glass around the outside of the lcd to release the unwanted touch. Tonight I discovered a great method for curing that problem. I removed the glass and cleaned up very well. Then applied a cut down screen protector for a LG spectrum to underside of the glass to bridge the gap between the glass and the digitzer. Retaped and assembled. This has worked perfect to correct and the screen looks great! Make sure to buy a screen protector that is clear. A protector that is anti-glare would dim the display. With the clear you cant tell its there. Very happy with the results!! Dan

    Angela Penaherrera -

    Because i had problems and the touchscreen still sticks on the glas, i highly recommend the following video!

    It shows how you separate the whole glas - not just the top, edge and side. You have to unglue the the touchscreen too!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANL9MgegX...

    Here you can see how the touchscreen unglues from the glas by heating the glas (1:40) (german):

    http://youtu.be/icxls5923O8?t=1m40s

    ezkay - Contestar

    I used a meat thermometer (range 0 to 120°C) to watch the temperature (placed the tip of the thermometer directly on the front glass in order to stay within the range of 70-80°C). Worked fine - everthing is working like before the replacement.

    WZett - Contestar

    Dude! good call. As long as you don't hold the thermometer in the hair drier/gun's heat you can easily save $20 by not buying the IR thermometer. That said, I really like my IR thermometer, very handy to have around the house if.

    Jon Bosche -

    Rather than use the wire mentioned to separate glass from LCD I used dental floss. I'm really curious though as to whether you can actually use the double sided 3M tape that comes with the kit to glue the glass to the LCD, not just the little bit that goes around the edges but the whole LCD. No idea how to get it on though with out it being all bubbly or would reheating it help? any ideas

    janferrari - Contestar

  7. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 7, imagen 1 de 1
    Herramienta utilizada en este paso:
    iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
    $4.99
    Comprar
    • Using a guitar pick or a plastic opening tool, very carefully start to work separating the edges of the glass.

    • Make sure to go from top to bottom.

    • You will need to use the heat gun a number of times as you go down separating the glass. For glasses with lots of damage you will need to go extra carefully as to not damage the LCD with the shattered glass pieces.

  8. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 8, imagen 1 de 1
    • When you start separating the screen, you need to start from the top borders and work your way to the center, ungluing the whole screen from top to bottom. Leave some opening tools in to prevent the glass from bonding again to the LCD.

    • Be extra careful when you get to the bottom because the menu buttons are glued to the glass.

    • Do not pull the glass just yet, you might damage the cables. Pull the screen from the top to the bottom to the point where you can see the menu and return button cables.

    I followed these instructions but when I pulled up the digitizer was still attached to the front glass. I don't know what I did wrong. I didn't see any tips in the main article that mentioned this could happen. The digitizer was to thin to detach from the screen after and broke when I gently tried to remove it.

    Bryan Gray - Contestar

    I did the same... Digitizer came up with my front glass. FOR THE UNAWARE (as I was), the digitizer is a rectangle panel that looks like glass and is very easy to accidentally pull up and crack (especially if you are wedging guitar picks and the like in there). The bottom right corner of the phone (where the Back button is located) is where the digitizer ribbon is located. The fat, yellow digitizer ribbon is actually UNDER the digitizer panel, and the black ribbon for the Menu & Back buttons is located between the digitizer panel and the front glass. You will not be able to use your phone if you break the digitizer or its ribbon so bear this in mind when removing the glass. :(

    Jess -

    I too did the same thing. No where was there ANY mention of the digitizer. Now I need to order a part that's over $100 compared to the $8 for just the screen. Siver lining....learned for future DIY screen repairs...I figured out that using a very thin piece of wire was much easier in seperating the screen from the phone.

    Tonya. Nov. 21

    Tonya - Contestar

    Oh, oh, oh my!!! So stinking excited to have found this!!! Ordering a kit on ebay that seems to have all the necessary pieces and supplies. I own a heat gun...Bring on The Geek!!!

    Dev Rajhansa - Contestar

    We followed a different guide (from another site) and didn't know that the button cables were attached......sliced right through it! Now the lcd screen is displaying purple-ish/magenta streaks, anyone else experience this too? If we replace the button cables, is there then a way to "fix" this problem other than replacing the lcd?

    Mom of 3 - Contestar

    I got the same yesterday. It is due to too much heat of LCD. Unfortunatelly irreversible.

    Umit Arabul -

    hi i changed the screen "plastic" but i have a problem with the display now. it doesn't work at all. how can i check if the display is not working anymore or just the connection with it is lost??????? help pls ASAP!!!!!! THANK YOU! :))))))

    bernadettanzik - Contestar

    Hi, was the display working before you changed the front glass? There is no "plastic", you should had taken out the front glass that was glued to the display. I would recommend checking all the connections to the logic board.

    Angela Penaherrera -

    Wear safety glasses, set your work area up right, and ensure the area you are working on is a high enough temperature (be patient!). I started with a simple horizontal crack, and because I wasn't working at a high enough temperature the entire top half finely cracked into a fine spiderweb, and accompanied by a rainbow shower of extremely fine glass flakes. The showering glass flakes made me immediately reach for safety glasses, and the spiderweb yielded over an hour of fine tweezer-work and a finely scratched digitizer. I also highly recommend setting up your work area with the heat source suspended at an appropriate distance (so that the maximum temp is not above 200F) above your work area. With the heat source hands-free you can hold the phone with a gloved hand while gently working with your other hand.

    Jacob - Contestar

    Soooo, what do you do if you slice through the return and menu buttons?

    Sam - Contestar

  9. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 9, imagen 1 de 2 Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 9, imagen 2 de 2
    • Extra attention is necessary with this step, don't damage the buttons or cable! With a spudger, detach the buttons from the inner side of the glass. This might require a little extra heat. Also, the best strategy is to start in the middle, under the black ribbon that connects the two buttons, and then move sideways to separate each one.

    • *Edit* Thanks to the awesome guy or gal who uploaded the missing pics ^__^

  10. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 10, imagen 1 de 1
    • Take out the broken glass. I was able to take it all in one piece.

    • If your glass is very shattered you will need to pick up the small pieces with tweezers, one by one or stick tape to the glass before you take it out. You can also use screen protectors.

    Hi! Do i need bonding adhesive digitzer to LCD?

    service - Contestar

    Hello,

    No, you don't need bonding adhesive =)

    Angela Penaherrera -

    Removed the front glass off my S3 left with what looks like a plastic sheet what is part of the button ribbon. Should this have lifted? Can this still be replaced?

    Karl - Contestar

    Hi! I would recommend that you post a question and attach pictures of what happened.

    Angela Penaherrera -

    1st of all folks who are having trouble removing the glass and pulling up the lcd with it you didn't heat it long enough or hot enough the lcd is capable of handling temps of over 100 I use a hot air soldering station and gave it set @ 105 Celsius and if u heat not only the front glass but also the back of the frame this will help the loca adhesive melt also once its hot enough instead of using a pry tool all the down the screen try to get a thin metal wire like the thinnest guitar string or something close to it then wrap each end around your index fingers of each hand and slide it back and forth between the lcd and glass work you way towards the bottom use ur heat gun or blow dryer if it gets hard to move towards bottom in a minute you will have the glass off. This is nearly the same method they use in . A shop expect they heat the screen using a heat table. It much safer then prying your screen up and it will work with a hair dryer or heat gun too.

    Dean - Contestar

    I am also having this kind of problem. I've been following guides to a T and it always seems there is something I am not doing right. I did a good glass swap on a s4 and the touch isn't very responsive. It works for the most part, but instead of being able to press and hold apps in order to move them around, it just opens them.

    I began thinking I needed to apply new adhesive to the body of the glass (where your finger would touch) and it looks so incredibly awful I'm to embarrassed to even list it for sale. Works perfectly, but looks terrible.

    What am I doing wrong!!??

    jeremiahcrosby87 - Contestar

  11. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 11, imagen 1 de 1
    • Take this small metal piece from your old glass, you will need to put it in the new one.

    Remove the Earpiece Speaker Mesh Cover for Samsung Galaxy S3.

    Properly place it in the frame.. Align before installing the new glass!

    ross - Contestar

  12. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 12, imagen 1 de 1
    • Clean up the glue that remains on the borders. A small microfiber with a bit of WD40 or windex can help you take all the glue off.

    • Be sure to not use too much WD40 or windex.

    • When cleaning out the glue, do NOT attempt to scrape glue out of the cracks between the LCD and the frame. A very small amount of force toward the center or from underneath will crack the LED.

    • Cut up two small 1mm pieces of the sticker tape and glue the buttons to the phone to keep them in place.

    • It's very important to make sure the buttons line up exactly with the picture.

    I found that the best technique here (if using the tape shown in the picture) is to cut a piece longer than you need. Leave the backing on the tape. Then, start on one end and place the tape like normal. This will result in extra tape dangling on one side. If you touch the sticky side of the extra tape, it will stick to your finger and separate from the paper. Pull the paper off, and then cut the tape to the correct size.

    Christopher Nies - Contestar

    Great, works perfect.Only comment I have is with the new screen, if you push a bit hard (like when to move a pictogram) the fhone blocks, put him in standby (button right on the fhone) en back ok when you start again. I don't now why, that wasn't before. Possible no gel between the glas and LCD the reason ??

    wilf - Contestar

    Hi Angela, I have fixed about 10 galaxys 3 now. But lately the last two I have, I have been having trouble with the touch screen after I fixed it. But only on certain areas. Like on the bottom right and left corner. Everywhere else its fine. What do you think Im doing wrong? Too much heat? (whats the temp you use?) I use the old adhesive and I apply new adheasive on top? I dont used LOCA glue? any suggestions will help. Thanks

    ro1and - Contestar

    Hi! It could be too much heat, I try to use just enough to separate the glass with a little effort. My heat gun has only 2 temperatures.

    "Ive replaced a few of these screens with new glass and the double sided tape. Only issue that has always happed is that the glass will touch the digitizer in the middle once in awhile. This registers a touch that is stuck on and locks up the rest of the touch screen. The only work around is pressing on the glass around the outside of the lcd to release the unwanted touch. Tonight I discovered a great method for curing that problem. I removed the glass and cleaned up very well. Then applied a cut down screen protector for a LG spectrum to underside of the glass to bridge the gap between the glass and the digitzer. Retaped and assembled. This has worked perfect to correct and the screen looks great! Make sure to buy a screen protector that is clear. A protector that is anti-glare would dim the display. With the clear you cant tell its there. Very happy with the results!! Dan"

    Angela Penaherrera -

    That comment was from Dan Phillips, I would try that out too! ^_^

    Angela Penaherrera -

    Nice guide. My phone is fixed now and back to normal operation. Thanks :)

    Although I would have liked to be informed about that gel layer between the display and the glass cover before. Nobody talked about that. Everybody just talks about the glue. But there is only adhesive tape on the edges ... The main part of the screen is the gel layer to separate. This is not glue. With this procedure you will loose the gel layer and therefore have an air gap between the display and the glass cover. This results in more reflections and might lead to dust particles sitting between the screen and the glass layer as well.

    I took some shots of the process ... In the lower right picture you can see the gel layer I am talking about https://www.flickr.com/photos/d5e/138409...

    muham3661 - Contestar

    Tru, this guide doesn't mention the gel layer and it really should cos without that gel leyer the end result is really bad! Faded, washed out screen that will break too easily. Watch this video to find out why: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxQ76Rxe1...

    matt -

    Hi there,

    I recently replaced the front panel glass on Samsung Galaxy S3. I used a heat gun to remove the broken glass. I used isopropyl alcohol to clean the surface underneath the glass. I also used 2mm double sided sticky tape in the borders to sit the new glass down on top. I used an Optically Clear Adhesive OCA Film Sheet to bond the new glass to the LCD screen. You can find more info on the Optically Clear Adhesive OCA Film Sheet at this link http://www.replacebase.co.uk/samsung-gal...

    The phone boots up fine. The screen is crystal clear however the screen is not responsive to touch.

    Any ideas why this might be ?

    Jason McCutcheon - Contestar

    I found that a small of Goof Off on a cloth worked great for removing the glue.

    Gerald Maurer - Contestar

  13. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 13, imagen 1 de 1
    • Put pieces of the sticker tape along the inner frame of the phone.

    • Clean up the digitizer with lint free wipes or a clean microfiber towel. I used some lens cleaner to leave it spotless and smudge free.

    hi, i must use LOCA or OCA? i have watched lots of video about this but most of them didnt use LOCA and OCA. Is it problem if i dont use OCA? thx for answer.

    Hakan Guzel - Contestar

  14. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 14, imagen 1 de 1
    • Take out the plastic from the new glass, make sure you dont touch the inner side of the screen.

    • There are thin protective plastic layers on both sides of the glass. Peel them out before placing the glass on your phone.

  15. Samsung Galaxy S III Broken Front Glass Replacement: paso 15, imagen 1 de 1
    • Check the glass against the light to make sure it is streak free before applying. If packaging left noticeable marks clean with glass cleaner and let dry before applying

    • Peel off the paper from the sticker tape and put on the new glass. Press on the edges to secure adhesion.

    Is it not necessary to use glue for these repairs? I did a S4 and it seems as if the touch isn't working properly.

    John Maynard - Contestar

    I am also having this kind of problem. I've been following guides to a T and it always seems there is something I am not doing right. I did a good glass swap on a s4 and the touch isn't very responsive. It works for the most part, but instead of being able to press and hold apps in order to move them around, it just opens them.

    I began thinking I needed to apply new adhesive to the body of the glass (where your finger would touch) and it looks so incredibly awful I'm to embarrassed to even list it for sale. Works perfectly, but looks terrible.

    What am I doing wrong!!??

    jeremiahcrosby87 -

    My S3 the glass is broken but it works perfect i want to replaced it but i don't know where to get the original glass please help

    Anna - Contestar

    I've replaced the glass just fine. Now I find that the touchscreen will go out from time-to-time. The home button works fine but the screen is unresponsive until I restart the phone and then it works fine. Any clues? Has anyone else found this a problem?

    Paul - Contestar

    Yep, have had this problem with both phones I replace the glass on, one of them mine. I often have to reboot to get the screen working again. I once realized that it seems to happen when the glass actually touches the digitizer, as there is a thin layer of air in between. Not really sure the reason, but sure if annoying.

    Norman Shafto -

    Is there any way to do it if you don't have a heat gun? My brother cracked his screen pretty bad! It still works but was trying to find out if he can replace it himself. Thanks

    Cynthia Campbell - Contestar

    In a pinch you can use a hair dryer. It just takes a really long time. Watch the temperature and DO NOT GO OVER 180 F. You'll need to periodically re-sweep the dryer on the glass to keep it warm as you pry off the glass from the LOCA glue.

    Jon Bosche -

    Worth mentioning but I have found that LOCA is hard to get in some locations. A possible substitute at own risk is to use uv nail polish filler and do this under a safe light ie red so you don't let the varnish begin to set. Note that using LOCA where it wasn't before is bad and vice versa.

    Andre - Contestar

Conclusión

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

271 personas más completaron esta guía.

103 comentarios

I replace too many Galaxy screens and I'm sure that anyone else that has done this procedure wants to know, is there any way to bond the glass with the LCD to make it look original again?!?

LOCA is the most popular method I see and would love to learn how to use it correctly before ruining any more LCDs, or any way to use the Optical Adhesive film and remove the bubbles correctly without an expensive autoclave from China.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated!!

James - Contestar

Yes its in how you apply the glue. A certain pattern to place it is really helpful ill send you a youtube link: http://youtu.be/ca2x94OQa2c There is a better one that makes two Ys opposite each other.

Julio -

Hi there,

I have ventured into replacing Glass and bonding with LOCA. One thing I did learn is that. Don't be cheap with buying LOCA. Find a good supplier that will supply you with LOCA. Also, minor smudges is not your enemies, LOCA actually covers them and becomes clear. The problem is the dust and dirth. If you have a control environment that can do suction of air. You will pretty much have a good job everytime. Also for cleaning LCD use 100% alcohol and 100% Acetone. They go side by side. Acetone removes residues of glue better than alcohol while 100% does a better job in removing streaks or smudges.

Aquiles -

Great guide, your photos are very clear. Well done!

Kyle Wiens - Contestar

Hello, could one use the ifixit gadget instead of a heatgun to loosen the adhesive? Would that make things easier?

John - Contestar

Are you talking about the iOpener heat pack? If yes, I would recommend using that instead of the heat gun, but nothing would really make it easier. Watch out with the heat gun if you use it, heating the adhesive too long will result in damage to the screen.

erebis671 -

So the LCD is totally fused to the glass or is it just the outer perimeter that has the adhesive?

Frank - Contestar

Yeah, the LCD and the glass are held together by that adhesive. The outer perimeter has the same kind of glue than the LCD area.

Angela Penaherrera -

The LCD is not fused to the glass... Once you loosen the adhesive, you can pry the glass off, CAREFULLY, the LCD will not come out, it's only the outer perimeter that has the adhesive.

erebis671 -

See step 9 to see the glass being separated from the housing AND from the LCD.

erebis671 -

My bad, misinterpreted fused with being bonded.

Angela Penaherrera -

After following this guide, is the phone's screen supposed to appear like it did originally? I ask because people act like it does, but mine (and apparently James') does not. It's much less crisp, less bright, and when the screen is off, it looks less black than originally. Also, the responsiveness to touches is now a bit buggy. My impression is that this is either do to removing the adhesive layer, leaving an air gap between the glass and the digitizer, or me buying a low-quality replacement glass.

Dylan S - Contestar

It's not a matter of the quality of the glass, removing the adhesive layer has nothing to do with it, because you will most likely have replaced the lost adhesive (unless you've done as some of the youtube videos described and used the old adhesive, even so, that would have left less space between the glass and digitizer, invalidating one of your point of the air gap). Chances are you made the same mistake I did, if you heated the adhesive to long or held the heat gun at the wrong angle you probably melted part of the digitizer or LCD (probably both, because they are part of a single assembly on this phone.) I make this presumption based upon your last description stating that the screen is less black when turned off than originally, mine is the same. If you did inadvertently melt the digitizer that would explain your issue with responsiveness, once again, mine is the same.

erebis671 -

erebis674, thanks for your response, but what do you mean "you will most likely have replaced the lost adhesive...". I don't see that step anywhere in this guide. The adhesive is removed completely in Step 12 and new adhesive is only placed around the border, not above the digitizer.

Are there any other indications that the digitizer or LCD has been melted besides a less-dark screen when off?

Dylan S -

Following up for everyone, turns out my issue was due to another this piece of plastic still attached to the under-side of my replacement glass. I double-checked for this piece a week ago and didn't find anything, but upon removing the glass from the phone today, I saw it start to peel off. I removed it and after re-attaching the glass, the screen now performs as it did when new.

Dylan S -

There really should have been a comment in the guide about overheating the LCD and ruining it. Also, I'd recommend sticking the buttons to the glass when you put them back on instead of the phone casing itself, to ensure they are aligned properly.

John - Contestar

is Samsung SIII SGH-i747m and Samsung SIII GT-i9300 front glass same?

Saily - Contestar

Followed guide exactly and 20-30 mins later I had a working phone that looks new again! Thanks so much!

Chadwick Gibby - Contestar

If I do this right will my phone still have all my stuff (photos , apps, contacts)

Joanna Garcia - Contestar

You will not lose any data performing this repair unless any damage occurs to the internal storage, or the Micro SD card under the battery.

As always, keep a valid backup before doing any repair.

skelly2007 -

If I do this right will I loose any of my stuff (contacts, photos, apps)?

Joanna Garcia - Contestar

Hi nice post Angela :) Ive done the change and all looks good, turned phone on and screen comes up like new. only one problem the touch screen doesnt work for some reason. doesnt matter how hard you press so not the air gap. any help would be great thankyou

Richie - Contestar

Hi! Did you make sure to peel off the plastic from both sides of the screen? if you are sure it has no plastic covers on both sides check the connections to the logic board. Sometimes the natural oil from our fingers can get in the way of the metal pins that connect from the screen to the logic board. Just to make sure try cleaning each connector with isopropyl alcohol (90% pure or higher). Hope this helps you!

Angela Penaherrera -

how do i know if i need a full screen or just the glass..?

tay - Contestar

Hi Tay,

If your screen works completely fine but the glass is cracked then you just need to change the glass. If your screen has black spots or doesn't light on then you need to change the whole LCD.

Angela Penaherrera -

Really !@#$%^ that I didn't read these comments. Equally !@#$%^ that the tutorial says nothing about the digitizer being right up against the glass. Phone beyond repair.

Danny Lion - Contestar

My galaxy s3 mini has a shattered screen and the display won't come on. However, the menu and the back lights work and I can still receive calls and emails. Would I need to get a screen digitizer or would replacing the glass screen be enough??

Se Chang - Contestar

Hi! I haven't had the chance to open up a S3 mini but if it's structure is similar to the S3 I suggest to open it up an check if the display data cable is securely connected to the mainboard. Did it fall? Sometimes connectors can get unplugged by drops. I sure hope that's the case! If the screen still doesn't turn on then yeah, you need to replace the LCD. Be sure to look for the right part for your model!

Angela Penaherrera -

Great Guide, i used it to swap the broken glass of a friends s3 with a new one.

Using a hair dryer was more than sufficient for this job, the adhesive came off rather well after about 1 minute of applying heat to the glass. I had to apply heat about 3 times to have the whole glass come off.

Awesome guide and good pictures, thank you verry much!

Andreas - Contestar

I have a galaxy s3 and I want to try to replace the outer screen. ive looked around for one with the digitizer but cant seem to find any. in the pictures it doesn't show but I know there is one but to wat screen is it attached too?

martin - Contestar

Hi! I am not clear on what is it that you need. Do you want to replace the whole LCD or just the glass that covers it? If it's just the glass, in the tools section there is a link to a replacement glass. If it's the whole LCD then you can go to the device page and ifixit's store has an LCD replacement part for the S3. Hope this answers your question!

Angela Penaherrera -

Just thought I would point out that this is the EXACT same procedure as the Galaxy S4. I just did it to an S4 following this guide, and it worked great! Thanks!

Kyle Clark - Contestar

Hello, I have replaced the screen according to the guide. however the middle of the screen touches the LCD behind the glass. therefor i get an ugly spot in the middle of the screen. if put some torsion on the complete phone i can remove the spot.

Anyone has had this problem before? and knows a good way of preventing this?

Danny Z - Contestar

Amazing guide, this was my first attempt to fix something this hi-tech/ expensive/ whatever, and it worked.. You've saved me a lot of cash:) Thanks again..

Michal Danek - Contestar

Hello all. Sadly, I junked the LCD screen on my phone while trying to remove the glass. Since a new (second hand) galaxy 3 is about the same price as a new lcd screen, I'm just going to get myself a new handset. I took my motherboard out before I began heating my screen. If i put the old mother board in the new phone, will it effectively transfer my data and settings, or is there a reason why this wouldn't work? Thank you :)

William - Contestar

Hello Can you please do this repair for me?

Joanna - Contestar

I would love to but I live in Ecuador, South America. Look for videos on YouTube, study them and look carefully at the whole process. It's not difficult once you understand how the components are put together. Good luck!

Angela Penaherrera -

So if my screen has a minor crack and the picture will not show (I guess the LCD is broke) will this procedure allow me to use all my apps and such without losing any of my memory?

mattgreezicki - Contestar

Is it possible to use the screen , lcd parts from an Emoto handset to fix SG3

nittynoo2002 - Contestar

Just to let you know, I've been putting this project off for 2 months now and finally decided to do it. Wasn't too hard, and got everything back in its place with the new screen. BUT, not my digitizer doesn't even !@#$%^& work. I don't know if it was the hair dryer or what, but my screen is completely black even though it is on. How can I tell its on? I keep getting texts that I can't see. PLEASE HELP.

Chris Trimble - Contestar

Ive replaced a few of these screens with new glass and the double sided tape. Only issue that has always happed is that the glass will touch the digitizer in the middle once in awhile. This registers a touch that is stuck on and locks up the rest of the touch screen. The only work around is pressing on the glass around the outside of the lcd to release the unwanted touch. Tonight I discovered a great method for curing that problem. I removed the glass and cleaned up very well. Then applied a cut down screen protector for a LG spectrum to underside of the glass to bridge the gap between the glass and the digitzer. Retaped and assembled. This has worked perfect to correct and the screen looks great! Make sure to buy a screen protector that is clear. A protector that is anti-glare would dim the display. With the clear you cant tell its there. Very happy with the results!! Dan

Dan Phillips - Contestar

To be clear what LG Spectrum model? I'm coming across the clear screen protectors for the Spectrum 2 VS930. Dan, will this work?

Anthony -

I bought the replacement glass and with it came tools and what looks like a screen sized sheet of adhesive(?) with sections on it that look like cut outs that should fit in certain places and I'm not sure what all the pieces are for. I see you are just using a roll of adhesive. Thanks for any info!

dbbarney - Contestar

I tried heating up the phone with the heating gun but i feel like even after 20 mins of evenly heating it nothing is comming loose. the phone still works fine turns on no problem but the adhesive refuses to come off

ara - Contestar

Hi need some advise ASAP I broke my screen last year I changed the screen my self It is working fine but now my sis drop a cup on it an back to square 1 can I change d screen a 2nd time if the digitizer is still working

gersh - Contestar

I think you can do it, don't see any reason why it would not work a second time.

Angela Penaherrera -

Hi Angela, I have fixed about 10 galaxys 3 now. But lately the last two I have, I have been having trouble with the touch screen after I fixed it. But only on certain areas. Like on the bottom right and left corner. Everywhere else its fine. What do you think Im doing wrong? Too much heat? (whats the temp you use?) I use the old adhesive and I apply new adheasive on top? I dont used LOCA glue? any suggestions will help. Thanks

ro1and - Contestar

Great... now the display will not turn on at all. Capacitive buttons and LEDs work fine... but it just stays black. All connections are fine. FML, now I gotta pay $150 for a new display. I should have read the comments.

Dylan Mullaney - Contestar

I dropped my galaxy s3 on its back and it wouldn't display anything (only some small pixel sized lights). I tried to do my combo (the dot thingy) and it wouldn't respond. Thinking that it can't get any worse and I may as well drop it again and hope everything falls back into place, the bottom half of the screen is purple (lol fail). But I still keep getting notifications so the phone must still be working, so the only thing that is probably messed up is the LCD thingy.

Anyways, my question is how much do you think it'll cost to fix it? If it can be fixed, like will they not be able to fix it since it's like 2-3 generations old?

Naser Abdulrahman - Contestar

Hi! I can't tell you how much it cost because that changes through countries and states. I live in South America and I am not an authorized technician so I don't really know about prices. What I can tell you is that a complete screen assembly (LCD + touch glass) costs about $140 on ebay and is sooooooo much easier to replace than only the glass.

Ifixit even has a guide on how to do the front panel replacement and sales the parts necessary on their online store. Even though their parts are a bit higher in price you have warranty that they will work perfectly. Ebay is kinda of a gamble since some are shipped directly from China and may not work correctly or have low quality. Check out ifixit's guide! Samsung Galaxy S III Front Panel Assembly Replacement

Angela Penaherrera -

Hello Angela !

Thanks to you and your clear guide i could fix a Galaxy S3 from a friend of my.

He was very happy with it and i was very proud i could do it and now 3 more friends came to me with similair requests.

Thank you again.

Regards, Eric.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Eric - Contestar

Hi. Can I check if the digitizer works without the front glass? If I touch it with the front display glass removed will it still work or does it need the glass to function properly? Thanks.

Galaxy - Contestar

Hi, I recently attempted to fix a galaxy s3 that my cousin said she dropped the screen was cracked and when i took off the glass there was even a crack on the digitizer so what I thought would work is to replace the digitizer for the Galaxy s3 after the repair, the screen is still not showing. It vibrates and makes noises but the picture won't show. Help please !

Jocelyn - Contestar

hi. i have a samsung galax s3, my screen got broken , i can just see a small part of the display but i can do any thing on it. it can vibrate if someone calls but i can't pickup the call, so do i need to change the whole screen or just a cover glass? help me friends

uwizeye - Contestar

does anyone know if you can just replace the cracked glass on the galazy 4? everyone else is telling me I would have to replace digitizer as well... the images still show on the phone its just the screen has a crack? thanks

vikki - Contestar

does anyone knoe if the digitizer has to be replaced when replacing a cracked screen? the phone screen still displays images but the screen is cracked? ive had some tell me you have to replace the screen glass and digitizer together?

thanks

vikki - Contestar

Just fixed my cracked screen with this guide, it worked perfectly. It was time consuming only because I was too cautious with the heat gun so the glue took a while to liquefy. If you have access to an infrared thermometer it would be a huge help, I've read you need the front to be somewhere between 160 - 180.

Thanks for putting this guide together!

Ken - Contestar

Nice guide. My phone is fixed now and back to normal operation. Thanks :)

Although I would have liked to be informed about that gel layer between the display and the glass cover before. Nobody talked about that. Everybody just talks about the glue. But there is only adhesive tape on the edges ... The main part of the screen is the gel layer to separate. This is not glue. With this procedure you will loose the gel layer and therefore have an air gap between the display and the glass cover. This results in more reflections and might lead to dust particles sitting between the screen and the glass layer as well.

I took some shots of the process ... In the lower right picture you can see the gel layer I am talking about https://www.flickr.com/photos/d5e/138409...

muham3661 - Contestar

Great guide, I've done it a couple times for myself and friends (cha ching!) and the guide is spot on! Cheers!!

jawa7609 - Contestar

Hey all, nice guide, but i need some helps please

Just replaced the front glass and now when i switch on the phone the display is dead, i can hear it starting up but no display?

Did I bust my display?

pof - Contestar

The fact that this guide completely miss the really important stage of gluing the glass to the digitizer it is rather useless and risks resulting in wasting all work and parts used, having to re-do it all. Since not gluing the glass to the digitizer may (will) cause spots and colorized effects in areas where the glass and digitizer get in contact with each other versus aeras where they don't have contact.

It is also important to heat to temperatures of at least 180 F and preferrably up to 200 F, below 180 F there is no difference in glue stiffness compared to room temperature, in my experience. It is also important to heat very frequently as the temperature drops very quickly.

Thomas - Contestar

Everything worked out as advertised. On the issue of whether to buy a heat gun or not, along with the predicted one hour plus if using a hair dryer, I watched a Utube video where one guy measured the temperature needed to loosen the adhesive and it's around 160-175 degrees F. Using a candy thermometer, I measured the temperature of my wife's Revlon hair dryer. At the hot/high setting, it reached 150. On the hot/low setting, the magical number, 165! The low or high setting is just airflow and with the lower airflow on low, you get a higher temp at the nozzle.

The instructions warn against exceeding 300F so that's telling me the hair dryer cannot hurt the phone. I applied the heat from the hair dryer, hot/low, 1/4" from the edge of the screen for a bout 30 seconds. I had the broken glass off in about 15 minutes from when I started the project.

Dan Johnson - Contestar

WARNING: Post isn't accurate. Needs to sort out the biggest issue with this post.

The action involved in the screen/digitizer separation is of greatest significance, and this post lacks the emphasis it needs. After heating the glue, have a photo distinguishing where the separation has to occur. Not ones that are overviewing the device with tools sticking out of it (Step 8). The step is where the tools go, not how they look. And, (Step 9), don't you think a, "now that you've already done it, here's what it should look like," pic is kind of immature? You want to be a leader, or are you a leader? Have some respect for the folks who have never done this and are risking their expense to respect your guidance. You can get mad at me or try to understand the problem. Your choice.

Fhakxu2den - Contestar

Instructions are great.

I overdid it with the heat gun and melted the casing:-(

also got a silver patch on the edge of the digitizer. :-(

Got to say it took no time at all to melt the glue with a hairdryer, nowhere near an hour:-)

Think you should stress cleaning the digitizer of old glue - other guides suggest that the glue will all remelt, this is not true:-(

Still I have a working phone, you can hardly see the distortion on the frame or th eglue left-overs, if you could see the mess I made trying to do same with an iPod (the devils work I tell you...) then you'd know why I am so happy

pete - Contestar

Fiddly job but worth the time & effort in money saved. Didn't have a heat gun so I used a hair dryer to soften the glue, only took 15 mins. Finished result is excellent, you wouldn't know it is a replacement. Thanks to all who contributed in this guide. Cheers :)

Oziam - Contestar

What if my screen went gray? It's all back together now, turns on, but the screen is a gun metal gray color...

Michelle Sobala - Contestar

Worked perfectly until I somehow managed to get my pick under the LCD itself :/ But otherwise a great guide.

Aleksander Birkeland - Contestar

I see some great results here. But I'm amazed everyone would remove the glass that is bonded to the whole LCD with LOCA glue, to reinstall the new glass with 3M tape along the borders.

Wade - Contestar

Hi I replaced the front screen on my i9300, the touchscreen was working fine and the colour fine. Turning on the device after replacement the touchscreen is not working and everything is green :( what happened?!

Kim - Contestar

Thank you so much. This repair guide is exactly what I needed and gave me the confidence to do it myself. I ordered a repair kit off Amazon for $17 by ECO-FUSED with the new screen and tools. Only thing I can think of recommending to add in the kit or in these instructions would be floss or heavy duty upholstery thread (that is what I used) to slide under the glass once the top is loose. I held it near the hair dryer while sliding the thread down to remove the broken glass. Glass was shattered into so many pieces on mine that even with packing tape over the broken glass, this was the best process for me.

beckywashington - Contestar

Hi, I'm about to replace the glass on my Samsung. I don't own a infrared thermometer, just wondering if this is an absolute must? Has anyone fixed a screen properly without using the thermometer(like what were your techniques maybe?)?

And if the thermometer is a must, do you guys have any recommendations for a cheap/affordable quality brand?

Thanks!

Tiffany - Contestar

If you attempt this be prepared to part ways with your phone. Controlling the heat is critical in not damaging the electronics. That said, if you have an oven thermometer you can make contact with the surface of the glass as you're heating it up to get an accurate gauge on the temperature. An IR thermometer is under $20 on Amazon (linked in the supplies of this teardown). It is an extremely useful tool to have around the house (also doubles as Cat laser pointer). Keep it under 180 degrees F.

Jon Bosche -

hey, dose any one know what temperature the heat gun or hairdryer needs to be at to safely melt the adhesive ?

alyssa - Contestar

I'm starting a small repair business and I'm having 2 repair issues I'd like to get some help with, please.

1) I've been using the process outlines here and have notice an issue were if I press firmly on the screen I get whats like oil under the screen however it immediately fades once I release the pressure. How can I stop this from happening?

2) It is very challenging cleaning the glass/lcd and getting it dust/streak free. Currently I use a combination of: microfiber cloth, prepackaged/moistened lens cleaner, can of compressed air. Does anyone have any tips for making this part easier?

kodydigre - Contestar

I had broken s3 (whole display and touch) and i tried to remove the glass (broken)(to learn how to do it) i set my hot air at 70 °C and after 20min 80°C for another 10 ! And it didn't help much i destroyed whole screen becouse i pulled glass and touch...

Maybe should i set the temperature higher? (yes it was 70-80°C whole phone) becouse i need to fix s3 for real soon that works but has broken glass

Mateusz - Contestar

Matt - 70 - 80 C should be plenty fine. In fact, you're taking too long to heat the phone. All that is needed is to melt the LOCA glue that connects the LCD to the Glass and body. How you managed to get enough leverage to lift both LCD and glass is beyond me. Start at the top, heat the glass to 160 F (sorry got tired of converting from freedom units). You should be able to get between the glass and the bezel with the spudger. After that use the heat gun to progressively move down and you should see it separate rather easily. Cleaning it, though, is a different story. Buckle up.

Jon Bosche -

Cleanap dosent worry me...

Should i start from upper corner? Or from side? With spudger??? How?? There is no place to stick it in... The screen I'm going to repair is cracked near home button and is white (dubble unluck) tutorials say that if i have much resistance i should try another spot becouse i may be lifting glass and touch...

Should i heat up evenly or only top and rest a little bit?

(bloody °F and °C... Why we can't use °K everywhere...)

Mateusz -

Heat the whole thing up. Start from the top by the speaker for your ear. Use the spudger to get leverage between the glass and bezel. Add heat if there is too much resistance (the glue is at/neat it's melting temp so this doesn't take long). Work your way down with the heat gun as you get the glass to pry up.

Also, K and C are on the same scale... K is just based off absolute zero.

Jon Bosche -

Ok i'll try that and i let ypu know whatever i broke or fixed it...

I know that but i think we all should use °K or °C or °F and not some country that another that... Same with inches and floors like 1st is 0 or smth weird....

Mateusz -

For a more detailed tutorial check out this youtube vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oWrIxEZ...

Nick - Contestar

Hi, I've replaced probably 50 or 60 Apple screens, but this is the first Samsung. I took off the front glass, but I think I took off a second layer with it. There's two layers of glass--a clear, colorless one on top (the glass?) and another one (a bit tinted) that's glued underneath the top layer. The digitizer maybe?

Both of them came off together. The LCD remains on the phone.

Was I supposed to separate the top layer from the bottom layer??? Thanks for your help

Peter Scioneaux - Contestar

Please, PLEASE, do yourself a favour and DO NOT attempt this guide unless you are prepared to break the LCD in the process. It looks easy, but in practise with a shattered screen, it is VERY EASY to break the LCD as I have just done. I don't blame the author (nor any of the other similar guides), but the screen in the guide has just a couple of cracks. With mine being shattered I broke the LCD almost immediately with a tiny shard of glass.

Nick Barrett - Contestar

You should definite add in thr fact that the entire glass has adhesive holding it down not just the edges! Just broke my screen in the process as I did not know this still a great sight but I feel this is a very important fact!

Justin Brown - Contestar

Its possible i did for the first time ...just have to be veryyyy patience !!!

Have to heat and begin separating the glas with a paper business card or with guitar pick...

Have glue between the glass and the lcd so that can be made for a maximum 10 seconds after that need to heat again ...to melt the glue again and so on until u finish .

If you glass is broked into small pieces as mine, that will take more than 1 hour ...so be calm .

At the bottom have to stop breath and one buy one the button contacts from the glass.

OLM - Contestar

شكرا لكم علي الطريقه

azooze620 - Contestar

واتمنه انا اشوف اشياء احسن من كذا

azooze620 - Contestar

I am very confused because every tutorial I watch uses tape to stick the phone to the glass, but my kit ibought just sent me glue as the adhesive. Can someone help?

The Four Stooges - Contestar

please i saw your post and its areally ok to me

please i have a samsung galaxy x3. It fell down and the screen just went off just like that please how can i fix it

jerryisaiac120 - Contestar

hi ....I Am Ratheesh, i have a samsung galax s3, fell down my phone & screen got broken , i can't see the display but i can vibrate & Ringing tone if someone calls but i can't pickup the call, so do i need to change the whole screen or just a cover glass? whats rate & repairing charges, yeaseterday got one shop , shpkeeper sad service & repair charges almost 5000 above plz help actul coast.

Ratheesh Ayoki - Contestar

Hi Ratheesh,

Is the top right corner of your glass very damaged? There is a sensor located there that detects whether or not the phone is against your face. This sensor, when active, will shut off the screen. It is likely this is the issue. If you carefully remove the cracked glass from the area you should get use of the screen back.

Once you are able to activate the LCD you can enter the diagnostic mode by pressing *#0* # . The sensor diagnostic test is the one that will tell you if the sensor is active or not. If the phone vibrates and the screen is green it means the sensor is active.

To answer your question on cost. The glass is available online for 8-10 dollars american. The first replacement will take someone skilled at least 1-2 hours because of the LOCA glue removal. I'm taking a guess you are from India - which puts your cost at around $75. Most shops here in the US charge around $50 so the quote does sound high.

Jon Bosche -

This is a good guide for removal and preparation, but without the liquid optically clear adhesive, it is a terrible installation of the screen. I did my first one simply with a small UV flashlight to tack the corners down while slowly working the bubbles to the edge. Using a shape of the liquid like this - Ж - with the straight line pointing to the left and right of the screen, I was able to work it all to the edges. Not too much on the top center or bottom center of screen though, because it can get into important parts below. Once the bubbles are gone toward one corner or edge, hold the UV flashlight on it. Then, start walking closer to a window on a sunny day, but not full exposure to the light. Once the bubbles stop jumping back to the center, you can apply much more pressure and walk outdoors to full sun to cure. Keep moving your fingers, don't leave anything un-exposed.

jschaudt - Contestar

Instead of a heat gun, could one use a heat plate set at 190F. I would think you would have better control over maintaining a consistent temperature and prevent excess temp that would damage the digitizer.

mikealorenz - Contestar

As an alternative to a heat gun, has anyone tried using a hot plate set for 190F to distribute the heat evenly and prevent hot spots that could damage the digitizer screen?

mikealorenz - Contestar

Great instructions. If you're going to embark on this fix you really need to observe the suggestion about being patient. Some zoom pics would help too. I got a new glass that came with all the tools and the adhesive went all the way around. Keeping the lower buttons down can be tricky but again, patience is the key. And have the right tools. No probs with the LCD. Just need to be careful. thanks again.

pep073 - Contestar

Will this mechanical procedure of removing a glued on glass help me prove the Riemann-Zeta hypothesis I have stored on my motherboard data? Can I send the proof to you in Ecuador? I love these comments.

John Palermo - Contestar

LOL haven't checked this guide in months xD

Angela Penaherrera -

How to put back the gel layer between the lcd and the outer glass??

Where to get it?

ALOSIOUS BINOY - Contestar

How do I put back the gel layer between the LCD and the outer glass? and where do you get it?

Colin Martin - Contestar

I did without it and it worked like a charm

Refhi Verner -

Precise derscriptions My galaxy is now as new one. !!

thanks

Denis Dupont - Contestar

hello my s3 docomo its nt sensing,wat may bi the problem

Hasib A Koncepts Film - Contestar

Nice post i was searching for this so hard now i got the xact thinng which i was serching for thanks for sharing this article. I am basically a Smartphone seeker and i would love to share the [|Upcoming Samsung Galaxy C series] Model Samsung galaxy c10, its an amazing phone with extra amazing features.

hamad sher - Contestar

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