Galaxy S3 Cracked Glass (Read this if it has happened to you!)

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johnyardavid

Senior Member
Sep 9, 2010
273
150
San Antonio
Ok everybody, the purpose of this thread is to dispel the MYTH that you can not replace just the front glass. Good news for my brethren who as I, have learned that Gorilla Glass hardly deserves the moniker.

My phone was dropped from a height of less than three feet with a Speck Candyshell case installed and the screen cracked. Luckily the digitizer and SAMOLED were still fully functioning. I wondered if there was a way to replace just the glass. If you take the time to google Galaxy S3 replacement glass, you will find a mixture of threads on the subject with most saying that only a professional could do so. There are a few youtube videos on the matter, including one proclaiming that it is impossible to separate and replace only the outer glass without destroying the digitizer. This simply is NOT true. Not less than one hour ago I did exactly that.

Supplies:
Replacement Glass (Can be found for less than twenty dollars complete with a plastic separator, phillips screwdriver, and 3m tape cut fit.)
Hair Dryer
Painter's Tape (Or any semi-sticky tape that won't leave residue)
Gloves
Small Flathead Screwdriver

What I did:
First I removed the back cover and battery from the GS3. I went into my small bathroom and misted it with a spray bottle in hopes that it would reduce the dust in the air. I set my wife's hair dryer to high heat and low speed. I heated the bottom corner of my phone first because there was a small chip that looked like it would be a good place to start prying the screen off. I used the small flathead to start the prying because the provided plastic separator was not sturdy enough to initiate this. You don't have to worry about scratching the display during this step because there is that nice gap between the display and the actual bottom of the phone as well as the top. So either of these two places would be an ideal starting point. As you SLOWLY pry the screen up you will notice a small gap of air forming between the glass and the display. As soon as the screen is just high enough to fit a plastic separator between the glass and display, do it. I can not stress enough, go sloooowwwww. If you do not remove the glass strategically and smoothly you will cause scratches or cracks in the SAMOLED glass (The actual display). Pry from the largest shards first. Once the screen was high enough for the separator I applied a lot of heat again, and especially focusing on the gap so more heat would reach the glue directly. Heat, pry, heat, pry, heat, pry. When the glass is almost separated resist the urge to speed up, it was hard for me too... It is OK if the original glass cracks a little more as you remove it, when this happens change spots where you are prying. The glass should come off as one sheet held by the glue and colored portions. Undoubtedly you will find tiny shards and perhaps a fleck or two of dust. This is where the painter's tape comes in. Use the tape to remove any debris off of the SAMOLED screen. Do not touch the actual display, not even with gloves. This will smudge what is left of the original adhesive and will lead to annoying marks under your glass after the process. I am not sure of a good solvent that would not damage the screen or I would have used it, mine has a few smudges under it. However, they are only visible when the screen is off. I then took the 3m tape provided with my glass and applied it to the two appropriate places on the phone. Next, I removed the backing off of the new glass and carefully applied it from the top to the bottom. I had to use my screw driver to keep the capacitive button ribbons under the new glass in their proper positions. Once the glass was on the phone I heated it all up one more time to make the leftover glue and the new adhesive softer. Then I applied firm pressure around the circumference of the phone only. I let my phone cool down and then replaced the battery and cover. Finally I turned my phone back on and enjoyed all the glory of my achievement when EVERY aspect of my phone was fully functional. My phone is now a hybrid pblue/white because for whatever reason the white glass was eight dollars cheaper than the blue glass. In my opinion, it looks great.

Ps For this operation the provided phillips screwdriver is not needed.

A couple of photos...

The original cracked blue glass after removal.
Snapshot_20120916.JPG

My new hybrid phone.
Snapshot_20120916_2.JPG
Snapshot_20120916_3.JPG

The screen on and app drawer open to show that the touch still works.
Snapshot_20120916_5.JPG

It was brought to my attention that I may want to add a disclaimer.

Disclaimer: You could f*c* up your phone even more than it it already is if you do something hastily or fail to adapt your methods to a situation different than mine. All of the above as well as 99.9999 percent of f*c* ups in the universe are not my fault.
 
Last edited:

Wond3r

Senior Member
Aug 24, 2008
1,457
179
Ok everybody, the purpose of this thread is to dispel the MYTH that you can not replace just the front glass. Good news for my brethren who as I, have learned that Gorilla Glass hardly deserves the moniker.

My phone was dropped from a height of less than three feet with a Speck Candyshell case installed and the screen cracked. Luckily the digitizer and SAMOLED were still fully functioning. I wondered if there was a way to replace just the glass. If you take the time to google Galaxy S3 replacement glass, you will find a mixture of threads on the subject with most saying that only a professional could do so. There are a few youtube videos on the matter, including one proclaiming that it is impossible to separate and replace only the outer glass without destroying the digitizer. This simply is NOT true. Not less than one hour ago I did exactly that.

Supplies:
Replacement Glass (Can be found for less than twenty dollars complete with a plastic separator, phillips screwdriver, and 3m tape cut fit.)
Hair Dryer
Painter's Tape (Or any semi-sticky tape that won't leave residue)
Gloves
Small Flathead Screwdriver

What I did:
First I removed the back cover and battery from the GS3. I went into my small bathroom and misted it with a spray bottle in hopes that it would reduce the dust in the air. I set my wife's hair dryer to high heat and low speed. I heated the bottom corner of my phone first because there was a small chip that looked like it would be a good place to start prying the screen off. I used the small flathead to start the prying because the provided plastic separator was not sturdy enough to initiate this. You don't have to worry about scratching the display during this step because there is that nice gap between the display and the actual bottom of the phone as well as the top. So either of these two places would be an ideal starting point. As you SLOWLY pry the screen up you will notice a small gap of air forming between the glass and the display. As soon as the screen is just high enough to fit a plastic separator between the glass and display, do it. I can not stress enough, go sloooowwwww. If you do not remove the glass strategically and smoothly you will cause scratches or cracks in the SAMOLED glass (The actual display). Pry from the largest shards first. Once the screen was high enough for the separator I applied a lot of heat again, and especially focusing on the gap so more heat would reach the glue directly. Heat, pry, heat, pry, heat, pry. When the glass is almost separated resist the urge to speed up, it was hard for me too... It is OK if the original glass cracks a little more as you remove it, when this happens change spots where you are prying. The glass should come off as one sheet held by the glue and colored portions. Undoubtedly you will find tiny shards and perhaps a fleck or two of dust. This is where the painter's tape comes in. Use the tape to remove any debris off of the SAMOLED screen. Do not touch the actual display, not even with gloves. This will smudge what is left of the original adhesive and will lead to annoying marks under your glass after the process. I am not sure of a good solvent that would not damage the screen or I would have used it, mine has a few smudges under it. However, they are only visible when the screen is off. I then took the 3m tape provided with my glass and applied it to the two appropriate places on the phone. Next, I removed the backing off of the new glass and carefully applied it from the top to the bottom. I had to use my screw driver to keep the capacitive button ribbons under the new glass in their proper positions. Once the glass was on the phone I heated it all up one more time to make the leftover glue and the new adhesive softer. Then I applied firm pressure around the circumference of the phone only. I let my phone cool down and then replaced the battery and cover. Finally I turned my phone back on and enjoyed all the glory of my achievement when EVERY aspect of my phone was fully functional. My phone is now a hybrid pblue/white because for whatever reason the white glass was eight dollars cheaper than the blue glass. In my opinion, it looks great.

Ps For this operation the provided phillips screwdriver is not needed.

A couple of photos...

The original cracked blue glass after removal.
View attachment 1332282

My new hybrid phone.
View attachment 1332284
View attachment 1332283

The screen on and app drawer open to show that the touch still works.
View attachment 1332285

You should do a video tutorial and post in on youtube. Find someone with a cracked screen and offer to help. You will help many people and have tonnes of views
 
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Toaster Strudels

Senior Member
Nov 25, 2010
1,204
289
Boston
Not much patience required, it only took me thirty minutes total. I just wanted to emphasize not rushing. That's a good idea for a tutorial video....... I am down.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

This is awesome, and great tutorial. Just saying sooommmee noob out there is gonna crack their screen and blame you so make sure you add a disclaimer.

Sent from my Pebble Blue GS3 on Tapatalk 2
 
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Wond3r

Senior Member
Aug 24, 2008
1,457
179
This is awesome, and great tutorial. Just saying sooommmee noob out there is gonna crack their screen and blame you so make sure you add a disclaimer.

Sent from my Pebble Blue GS3 on Tapatalk 2

Happens with ANY tutorial really. People are still bricking their s3s. People are still flashing ROMs for the international version on our phones lol
 
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popi09

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2011
151
11
If you lived closer to the northeast Texas area, I'd pay you to do that to my phone lol
 

FrankJL_

Senior Member
May 10, 2012
220
30
My phoen cracked in similar fashion about 3 weeks ago.

I priced aorund and the fix around my area was 350 bucks to replace the entire screen,

I ended up spending 150 bucks more and bought it new again.

Had I known this then i would have def tried it.
 

waiters

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2011
967
201
Dude start a business!!! I break my **** all the time :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
 

johnyardavid

Senior Member
Sep 9, 2010
273
150
San Antonio
I am up for replacing one to make a tutorial video. However, that would require trust on the part of the sender. Of course I would return the phone, because well, that would just be f***ed up. So, here is my offer; if anyone out there has a phone with cracked glass but fully functioning touch and display, send it to me minus the sim card, with the replacement glass, 3m tape, and the plastic separator. I will use your phone to make a tutorial video, and then ship it back to you with the couple of bucks you will provide for return shipping. If anyone is interested, pm me.

Disclaimer on this: Worst case scenario the SAMOLED will break and you will have to replace the screen/digitizer combo like originally. Likewise, I will not accept liability for any other damage to the phone, though I would take the utmost care with your device and do not expect to damage it in any way.

If nobody is interested, that is fine and I understand. However, this is not for my gain as my device is already fixed and functional. Also, the repair will be done within a week of receiving the phone so do not expect it to be returned as soon as I receive it. I am a more than full time mechanical engineering student and I have a pretty busy schedule.

Side thought: I wonder why all of the phone repair professionals say that this process is near impossible unless you are a professional like they are? For instance, this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es8gezSdKv4&feature=youtu.be . I am in no way a professional phone repairman and I typically lack finesse. Yet, this was pretty simple to me...
 
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Wond3r

Senior Member
Aug 24, 2008
1,457
179
I am up for replacing one to make a tutorial video. However, that would require trust on the part of the sender. Of course I would return the phone, because well, that would just be f***ed up. So, here is my offer; if anyone out there has a phone with cracked glass but fully functioning touch and display, send it to me minus the sim card, with the replacement glass, 3m tape, and the plastic separator. I will use your phone to make a tutorial video, and then ship it back to you with the couple of bucks you will provide for return shipping. If anyone is interested, pm me.

Disclaimer on this: Worst case scenario the SAMOLED will break and you will have to replace the screen/digitizer combo like originally. Likewise, I will not accept liability for any other damage to the phone, though I would take the utmost care with your device and do not expect to damage it in any way.

If nobody is interested, that is fine and I understand. However, this is not for my gain as my device is already fixed and functional. Also, the repair will be done within a week of receiving the phone so do not expect it to be returned as soon as I receive it. I am a more than full time mechanical engineering student and I have a pretty busy schedule.

Side thought: I wonder why all of the phone repair professionals say that this process is near impossible unless you are a professional like they are? For instance, this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es8gezSdKv4&feature=youtu.be . I am in no way a professional phone repairman and I typically lack finesse. Yet, this was pretty simple to me...

And apart from asking on here, maybe you should put up an ad on your local kijiji/craigslist as well! You can make a couple bucks off it plus use it for a tutorial
 

FlawleZ

Member
Sep 16, 2012
21
1
San Antonio
Great thread. I haven't had to deal with a cracked screen (thank goodness) but kudos to you for going out on a limb and trying something others said wasn't possible. Much appreciated that you posted up pictures and a walkthrough for this.
 

waiters

Senior Member
Nov 9, 2011
967
201
Saw this super cheap sgs3 on Craig list might try and fix it to sell it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
 

|flyte|

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2010
333
44
Vernon

Can you confirm that this should also fit on an I747 (Telus, Rogers, Bell, AT&T) version of the SIII?

Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

---------- Post added at 07:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:14 AM ----------

Sounds like a good idea.

I would so love a video tutorial. I would be willing to send in my phone, however I can't part with my phone for a long period of time..





Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium
 
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  • 106
    Ok everybody, the purpose of this thread is to dispel the MYTH that you can not replace just the front glass. Good news for my brethren who as I, have learned that Gorilla Glass hardly deserves the moniker.

    My phone was dropped from a height of less than three feet with a Speck Candyshell case installed and the screen cracked. Luckily the digitizer and SAMOLED were still fully functioning. I wondered if there was a way to replace just the glass. If you take the time to google Galaxy S3 replacement glass, you will find a mixture of threads on the subject with most saying that only a professional could do so. There are a few youtube videos on the matter, including one proclaiming that it is impossible to separate and replace only the outer glass without destroying the digitizer. This simply is NOT true. Not less than one hour ago I did exactly that.

    Supplies:
    Replacement Glass (Can be found for less than twenty dollars complete with a plastic separator, phillips screwdriver, and 3m tape cut fit.)
    Hair Dryer
    Painter's Tape (Or any semi-sticky tape that won't leave residue)
    Gloves
    Small Flathead Screwdriver

    What I did:
    First I removed the back cover and battery from the GS3. I went into my small bathroom and misted it with a spray bottle in hopes that it would reduce the dust in the air. I set my wife's hair dryer to high heat and low speed. I heated the bottom corner of my phone first because there was a small chip that looked like it would be a good place to start prying the screen off. I used the small flathead to start the prying because the provided plastic separator was not sturdy enough to initiate this. You don't have to worry about scratching the display during this step because there is that nice gap between the display and the actual bottom of the phone as well as the top. So either of these two places would be an ideal starting point. As you SLOWLY pry the screen up you will notice a small gap of air forming between the glass and the display. As soon as the screen is just high enough to fit a plastic separator between the glass and display, do it. I can not stress enough, go sloooowwwww. If you do not remove the glass strategically and smoothly you will cause scratches or cracks in the SAMOLED glass (The actual display). Pry from the largest shards first. Once the screen was high enough for the separator I applied a lot of heat again, and especially focusing on the gap so more heat would reach the glue directly. Heat, pry, heat, pry, heat, pry. When the glass is almost separated resist the urge to speed up, it was hard for me too... It is OK if the original glass cracks a little more as you remove it, when this happens change spots where you are prying. The glass should come off as one sheet held by the glue and colored portions. Undoubtedly you will find tiny shards and perhaps a fleck or two of dust. This is where the painter's tape comes in. Use the tape to remove any debris off of the SAMOLED screen. Do not touch the actual display, not even with gloves. This will smudge what is left of the original adhesive and will lead to annoying marks under your glass after the process. I am not sure of a good solvent that would not damage the screen or I would have used it, mine has a few smudges under it. However, they are only visible when the screen is off. I then took the 3m tape provided with my glass and applied it to the two appropriate places on the phone. Next, I removed the backing off of the new glass and carefully applied it from the top to the bottom. I had to use my screw driver to keep the capacitive button ribbons under the new glass in their proper positions. Once the glass was on the phone I heated it all up one more time to make the leftover glue and the new adhesive softer. Then I applied firm pressure around the circumference of the phone only. I let my phone cool down and then replaced the battery and cover. Finally I turned my phone back on and enjoyed all the glory of my achievement when EVERY aspect of my phone was fully functional. My phone is now a hybrid pblue/white because for whatever reason the white glass was eight dollars cheaper than the blue glass. In my opinion, it looks great.

    Ps For this operation the provided phillips screwdriver is not needed.

    A couple of photos...

    The original cracked blue glass after removal.
    Snapshot_20120916.JPG

    My new hybrid phone.
    Snapshot_20120916_2.JPG
    Snapshot_20120916_3.JPG

    The screen on and app drawer open to show that the touch still works.
    Snapshot_20120916_5.JPG

    It was brought to my attention that I may want to add a disclaimer.

    Disclaimer: You could f*c* up your phone even more than it it already is if you do something hastily or fail to adapt your methods to a situation different than mine. All of the above as well as 99.9999 percent of f*c* ups in the universe are not my fault.
    11
    Not much patience required, it only took me thirty minutes total. I just wanted to emphasize not rushing. That's a good idea for a tutorial video....... I am down.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
    9
    OK Ladies and Gents,

    I finally found the time to make a video showing LOCA application. It was late and sorry for blabbering :laugh: I think this will give you all the confidence to try it yourself. I still warn you this is NOT for someone who is not comfortable or technicaly inclined. If you are worried about damaging your phone I will repair it for you. This is NOT an advertisment, just trying to help out members. I do have to charge for my time and materials. If your interested PM me. And of course any questions I am here to try and help. :good:

    6
    Ok all now no making fun of me! hahaha hope this helps a bunch of you, sorry for taking so long. It is in 2 parts just a FYI

    Also I would ask if anyone has any suggestions on the video etc before I do another one let me know. :laugh:




    5
    Keep us posted please. Thanks!

    Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

    Ok I spent a few hours trying to get the loca and new glass put on JUST right. I kept getting bubbles around the Top edge near the speaker grill and Bottom Edge to each side of the home button. I had watched this video before hand and it makes it look REALLY easy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us8fz2H1qeQ

    The nice thing about the loca is if you dont like the way it looks you can easily lift the glass back off safely and start over. Trust me I did this OVER and OVER again. So here is my words of advice from what I learned...
    1. Watch the video and see HOW he places the new screen on
    2. Watch it again
    3. Do NOT try squeezing the bubbles out very much at all as it will just get worse. This is where I kept going wrong. This is why I saw watch the video multiple times and see how he puts the loca on, How he puts the loca on and tilts the phone slightly/slowly back and forth to let the loca spread, and how he How he lays the screen on, and how he LIGHTLY presses by the top of the screen by the speaker area and let it slowly start seeing the adhesive leveling out underneath the glass. then SLOWLY and LIGHTLY you can move your fingers down the screen so the leveling between the glass and lcd becomes smooth looking without the watery look if you can picture what i am trying to say. RESIST THE URGE TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE GLASS TO GET THE LARGE BUBBLES OUT AND LET IT GLIDE TOGETHER. THEN once they look like they are together you can LIGHTLY try to work out some of the bubbles if needed (But I had none that I could see after doing it this way without pressing the screen down hard). It is night time right now and I am at work so I will need to wait until I get home to cure the LOCA, as it needs UV light. It looks like he uses a Black Light to do it, but I think sunlight or reptile lights that have UVa aND uvB light should work as well. I will try to take some pics tomorrow of the final product and post them here.

    So LONG story short, watch the video and see HOW EASY he makes it look and how he does it. IF you do it this way EXACTLY like he does it WILL BE EASY...

    ANOTHER BIT OF INFO... PLEASE READ... I WOULD SAY IT IS BEST to remove the motherboard, camera, and any internals you can. Everything as far as the screen goes is working for me. Seeing in direct sunlight is back to normal. Touching screen is back to normal. But for my BAD NEWS. My sound stopped working and my camera is now failing. I didn't have a UV light handy as I thought I would and it was night time so I didn't have sunlight. After I found the sound not working I opened up the phones inside and found the loca leaked inside. I had to clean it all out. But so far sound has not come back to working status. I have to put on headphones to hear ANYTHING. BUMMER for me. So please remove whatwlever you can first so basically you have the frame, digitizer, and glass desperate and then perform the install. I am HOPING my sound comes back but I think it is wishful thinking. So be careful and heed my warning and learn from it. I think if I has a UV light handy I wouldn't have had this issue.