How to Fix a Broken Apple Watch Screen

While the Apple Watch has a screen made out of toughened glass that’s harder to break than regular glass, it’s something that can still happen if you’re not careful. Here’s how to fix a broken Apple Watch screen.

The entry-level Apple Watch Sport uses Ion-X strengthened glass to prevent scratches and scuffs that could otherwise occur with normal glass. The stainless steel Apple Watch and the Apple Edition both use sapphire crystal glass on the screen, which is a much tougher glass than Ion-X.

Read: 10 Common Apple Watch Problems & Fixes

However, even with this kind of technology protecting the display, sometimes you can accidentally drop your Apple Watch or bang it up against something at just the right angle that breaks the screen and shatters the glass.

It’s unfortunate when it 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 that you have when it happens.

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 own warranty of sorts that protects you from expensive repairs if you accidentally break your device.

If you break your Apple Watch’s screen, you can get it replaced by Apple for a small $69 for Apple Watch Sport and $79 for all other models.

This is a really cheap price to pay to get a screen replacement, but you only get two incidents on your record, so use them wisely.

If you don’t have AppleCare+, then you’re out of luck, unfortunately, 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’ll cost you some shekels — $229 to be exact.

If you don’t have AppleCare+ for your Apple Watch and it hasn’t been 60 days yet since your bought your Apple Watch, you can still get AppleCare+ right now.

Forget About DIY

Replacing the Apple Watch screen yourself isn’t entirely impossible, but it’s not really recommended. Of course, it entirely depends on your own skill set, but it’s likely you don’t have the tools, patience, and knowledge to replace an Apple Watch screen yourself.

However, it can be done and there are easy-to-follow instructions available on iFixit. You’ll need a few specialty tools and it’s job not geared for the faint of heart, so be sure you’re absolutely positive that it’s a project that you’re comfortable doing.

If not, your best bet is to take it to the Apple Store and pay the $229 to get the screen replaced. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s really your only option, and at least you won’t be spending at least $350 for a brand-new Apple Watch.

Answer Calls on the Apple Watch

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You can answer a call on your Apple Watch using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. You only want to use this for shorter calls because the audio quality isn't as good as when you are talking on speakerphone on your iPhone.  The Apple Watch only allows you to answer your calls on Speakerphone, so you won't want to use this all the time. It is very handy when you are working on a project or busy with your hands. Definitely be conscious of where you are taking calls. If you wouldn't talk on speakerphone, you shouldn't talk on your Apple Watch. If you buy the new Apple Watch with LTE, you can even make calls on the Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for $10 a month. You cannot answer a FaceTime video call on the Apple Watch.

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