Uh-oh, you're having technical trouble with your iPhone. Maybe the screen is cracked or the battery needs to be replaced. Where can you turn? Naturally, Apple has solutions, but there are other options, from Staples to a good independent repair shop. DIY methods also allow you to order parts from Apple or iFixit and perform the iPhone repair yourself. How do you decide?
If your iPhone is still under warranty, or you have the AppleCare+ protection plan, go with Apple. Covered devices cost only $29 for a screen or back glass repair or $99 to fix other types of hardware damage. If your phone is out of warranty and you don't have AppleCare+, a screen replacement will cost you between $129 and $379, depending on your model iPhone. Other types of hardware repairs can run as high as $699 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Staples isn't an authorized Apple service center, so this is only a viable option if your phone isn't covered. With the Staples cell phone repair service, the cost to replace the battery on certain model iPhones starts at $29. Screen repairs range from $90 to $180. Some independent repair shops are Apple-authorized service providers; many are not. The repair costs naturally vary by shop, but they're typically lower than the prices charged by Apple or Staples.
If your phone isn't covered by any warranty or protection plan, and you're skilled and adventurous enough, you may want to attempt the repair yourself. You may be able to avoid otherwise expensive repairs by purchasing the necessary parts from Apple's Self-Service Repair Store or iFixit and replacing the defective components.
How to Check Your Apple Warranty Coverage
An iPhone comes with one year of hardware repair coverage through a limited warranty; read the fine print to see if your specific damage is covered. AppleCare+ protection extends coverage to two years from the purchase date (or continuous coverage) and provides 24/7 tech support.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)Protection prices vary depending on the device you own. Protection for the 3rd generation iPhone SE runs $3.99 per month or $79 for two years. Covering an iPhone 13, 14, or 15 will run you $7.99 per month or $149 for two years. Coverage for an iPhone 14 Plus or 15 Plus will cost $8.99 per month or $179 for two years. And protection for an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max will set you back $9.99 per month or $199 for two years.
AppleCare+ grants you an unlimited number of incidents of accidental damage protection. Each incident is subject to a fee of $29 for screen damage or $99 for any other type of damage. You can buy AppleCare+ protection anytime within 60 days of the purchase of your phone.
To check your warranty status, open Apple's Check Coverage page and sign in with your Apple ID. Select the iPhone icon to view the warranty or AppleCare+ coverage. Alternatively, you can enter the serial number for any iPhone that doesn’t appear.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)The next window shows you your service and support coverage. If you're covered under the initial one-year warranty or AppleCare+ protection, you should be able to escape with minimal repair costs. If not, you'll have to pay the out-of-warranty price.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)To check for the information directly on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > About. The screen will indicate that coverage has expired or that you’re covered by a warranty or AppleCare+. Click whichever option appears to view the full details on it.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)Get Apple to Repair Your Phone
At this point, you can set up a repair case either at the website or through the Apple Support app, which you can download from the App Store. At the website, click the Start now link in the Get Support section. At the next screen, select the Repairs & Physical Damage option. In the Apple Support app, select your iPhone and then choose Repairs & Physical Damage.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)You’re then asked to choose an issue that best describes the type of physical damage to your phone: cracked screen, bad battery, damage to the front or back, the screen or display, or liquid or water damage. For this example, we’ll choose Cracked Screen. Click Continue.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)The next screen asks how you'd like to get your phone repaired. Depending on the type of problem and repair needed, as well as your warranty or AppleCare+ coverage, you’ll see as many as three choices: Schedule a Repair, Send in for Repair, and Get an Express Replacement.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)If you want to bring your phone to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider, select Schedule a Repair. You’re then prompted to enter your location to find nearby Apple Stores and other authorized repair centers. Select a store and pick an appointment date and time. Review the details and click Reserve now to book your appointment.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)If you’d prefer to mail the phone to Apple for repair, choose Send in for Repair. Confirm the problem and review the estimate. Choose whether you want to drop off your phone at UPS or have Apple send you a box to ship it, then click Continue and enter your credit card information to pay for the repair. Click the Review Repair Details button and confirm the work.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)If you want to mail your phone to Apple, but can’t be without one while yours is being repaired, select Get an Express Replacement. To use this method, your phone must be covered by Apple’s Limited Warranty, AppleCare+, or some type of consumer law dictating repairs.
Here, Apple will send you a replacement device. You then send Apple your defective phone. Apple temporarily authorizes your credit card until it confirms that your phone is covered for repairs. After you receive your repaired phone, you send back the replacement unit. If you select this option, you’re taken to a chat screen where you can work out the details with an Apple support rep.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)Order Parts From Apple or iFixit
If you’re ambitious and adept enough to try to repair your own phone, there are ways to purchase new (and used) genuine parts directly from Apple. Using this DIY method, you head to Apple's Self Service Repair Store and click the Start your order button.
Select your product and model, then enter the serial number for your iPhone. Select the type of repair you want to perform, such as a screen replacement, then add the necessary tools and parts to your shopping cart and check out.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)Once you receive the parts and are ready to begin the repair, Apple recommends that you review the repair manual for your model iPhone from its Documentation site and follow the specified steps. When you’re done, you can then use specific diagnostic tools to determine if the problem has been fixed. You’re also able to send any used and defective components back to Apple for a possible store credit.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Apple)If you prefer not to go through Apple directly, iFixit is another option. Once you know which parts you need, you can head directly to the Apple iPhone Repair section of the website. Choose the phone you have and the specific repair you wish to make. The iFixit website provides detailed repair guides and offers recommended parts and tools for purchase right on the same page.
However, keep in mind that there are caveats when going through third-party repair sources, such as iFixit. Due to Apple's practice of "parts pairing," your phone may restrict some features if it detects a part was replaced by someone other than an authorized service provider. For instance, replacing your battery will disable the phone's Battery Health feature in iOS. Replacing the phone screen will disable True Tone functionality and Face ID.
After Oregon passed a law banning parts pairing, however, Apple announced it would let customers and repair technicians fix select iPhone models with used genuine parts, rather than only new, authorized components. But that's not expected to start until the fall.
(Credit: PCMag / iFixit)Get Your Phone Fixed at Best Buy or Staples
Want another repair option? Best Buy is an authorized service provider that can repair your phone's screen in just a few hours—other repairs will be assessed in-store. To schedule an appointment, head to Best Buy's iPhone Service and Repair page. Use the drop-down menu to choose a model to view repair costs. My Best Buy Total members get AppleCare+ pricing. Click Schedule an Appointment to find a nearby location and set a date and time.
(Credit: PCMag / Best Buy)Staples is another option for iPhone repairs. You can drop your phone off at a store, and repairs are typically done within a few hours. Staples can replace the battery, fix cracked screens, and attempt to recover devices affected by water. All repairs are backed by a one-year warranty on parts. Staples isn’t an authorized service provider, so you would use the store only if your iPhone is no longer under Apple’s warranty or coverage.
To start, open the Staples Cell Phone Repair web page in your browser. Click the drop-down menu in the Find a Store section and choose your state. Before you make a trip, call the store to confirm its hours of availability and find out whether it still offers iPhone repairs.
(Credit: Lance Whitney / Staples)Find an Independent Repair Shop
One more option is to use a local independent repair shop. These can be private businesses or chain stores. Some are authorized by Apple as service providers, but even the ones that aren’t authorized can buy genuine parts from Apple. Search for an authorized service provider from Apple's support site to find a location in your area.
Otherwise, you can also do a search for “phone repair” on Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Yelp. This way you can find nearby repair shops and read customer reviews to gauge the quality and reliability of the business. Of course, you’ll want to call a shop beforehand to make sure it’s equipped to handle your particular repair.
(Credit: Lance Whitney)