Develop Bugs

[Q] How to replace GLASS ONLY on i9100?

Yep, I broke my galaxy. Screen and touch sensor works awesome, but screen is fully shattered. Searching at the forum gave me one positive result: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=23644712&postcount=6
But i cant find any guide anywhere. If someone know how to make this kind of operation please leave your post or guide, it would be great. Thanks in advance!

Hello,
youtube is your friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65pvAINg2ME&feature=my_favorites&list=FLhOahoxI-440fS-S2edtp7w

glass only video - hmmm...
exeq said:
Hello,
youtube is your friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65pvAINg2ME&feature=my_favorites&list=FLhOahoxI-440fS-S2edtp7w
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the above is for the digitizer w/glass - the below is for glass ONLY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfuTVjI_Wao

It is very risky to replace the glass only. Doing it this way increases the risk of damaging the AMOLED panel, either by overheating it or scratched/cracked by the broken glass. I've explained it before; if you want to replace the glass only, you'll need to separate the screen assembly from the frame first, then separate the glass from the AMOLED panel. You might end up breaking the panel anyway, so might as well replace the whole thing. But you can give it a go. It should be possible to remove the glass while keeping the AMOLED panel in the frame, because the panel itself is very fragile.

I replaced only the glass on mine.
igor45 said:
the above is for the digitizer w/glass - the below is for glass ONLY
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. This is my story about SUCCESSFULLY replacing only the glass of s2.
Background, you can skip this:
Few months ago I broken the glass of my beloved S2 in an accident, but because I had a screen protector the pieces of glass were kept together and the phone was 100% usable, only the image was distorted because of broken glass.
So I searched the available options: replace the whole display for a price of more than 100euro. Buy a defect s2 with good screen, but didn't found any lower than the previous price.
I had a previous experience with an Ipod Touch with the same problem, when I ordered the glass from ebay and went to a local phone repair shop that destroyed the Ipod. It was usable before going to that shop.
So I decided to give it a try and try to change it myself. I'm a programmer with what can be called poor electronic and hardware skills. So if I was able to do it, and you were able to find this post, you can replace it too. But after seeing some videos I had more confidence on my skills than of those repair specialists that were not careful with the other device.
First I found a clip on youtube about why you CAN'T change only the glass on S2. But I found also the above video with a interesting method, but it required a Molybdenum string that I couldn't found at a good price. Actually I believe that the shipment to Romania made the price to high for the string.
After researching I found the SOLUTION: on a page or youtube clip about how to remove the broken glass. But I've lost the link. Anyway, the procedure was simple. I remember that the video was about replacing the glass on a Galaxy S3.
So I ordered the replacement glass and some adhesive (finally not used) from ebay.
After I got the replacement parts, I opened the phone, you can find somewhere online the instructions how to do it.
For removal I used a pack of plastic poker card. It's needed something to not be to hard to scratch the digitizer, but hard enough to remove the broken pieces of glass.
I started removing the pieces around the Home button to get a feel of the process, and proceeded to remove all the pieces of glass and glue. It took around 3 hours to finish it and 48 cards. You need to lift the broken pieces with great attention and patience. It's not a hard job, but it takes time. Maybe with a hot gun is easier to remove, but when I received the replacement I was anxious to start and did not wait to procure one. During the whole process I kept the phone started to be sure that I did not broke the screen. In case of possible breakage or of a bad scratch I thought that I don't need to continue the procedure. Maybe is not recommended to keep it running, but it gave me a positive feedback that everything is ok.
After removing all the pieces of glass and glue I was able to see some fine scratches with a black background. I used some dust removing solution and then I attached the new glass. I only fitted the new glass on the place and I believe there were some glue left on edges that keep it in place because I did not added any other glue and it did not moved until now. With the new glass the scratches from the digitizer are not visible at all. And the phone works as new, the touchscreen was not damaged at all.
So it's completely possible to replace it.
Before fitting the new glass the cleaned touchscreen was like the touchscreen on S4: it was only needed to hoover with a finger at some distance above, but not touching . I remember that the replacement of my glass was before the release of S4 and when I found about this feature I knew that I already had something like this on my S2.
I don't remember having any other difficulties during the replacement except the removal of broken glasses. And I used this phone continuously without problems since.
Only last night the phone stopped charging and I had to replace the charging port, flex ribbon; but it was not related to glass replacement.
I don't remember if it was needed to open the phone for glass replacement because I opened it when it broke to inspect it and I opened it also few time since then for various tasks.
The total price of replacement parts was below 10$, with glass, screen protector and adhesive ordered from ebay. I ordered also a case to protect the edges for future dropping and was a smart investment. The pack of cards I had from poker set, but It shouldn't be so expensive.
Success with your replacement.

KAWIN tempered glass screen protector for SAMSUNG GALAXY S2
buffon95 said:
Yep, I broke my galaxy. Screen and touch sensor works awesome, but screen is fully shattered. Searching at the forum gave me one positive result: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=23644712&postcount=6
But i cant find any guide anywhere. If someone know how to make this kind of operation please leave your post or guide, it would be great. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KAWIN tempered glass screen protector for SAMSUNG GALAXY S2 top quality with best price !
http://www.xkxfilm.com/en/samsung/40-41.html: :good:laugh:

Don't try this at home kids...
I now back to my desire z after the galaxy screen is toast. JUST the heating alone destroyed it. ... Now gonna buy the LCD/screen assembly and do it right.
Sent from my Desire Z using xda app-developers app

if you are not a technician, I suggest you give it to someone REALLY capable of, what do you mean it is not at all easy and the risk of doing damage is very high.
Otherwise follow the advice that was given to you, buy the whole block

Necro thread, but I agree, it is not worth doing so. In order to be done properly, you need to have a very thin wire to separate the two pieces. Not something i would do myself. Much better to replace the whole assembly instead.

Relevant

test

[Q] Shattered glass

So, I shattered the glass on my Galaxy S3 today. It's pretty messed up (see the attached picture), but the touch works, even in the damaged areas. So it seems it's only the glass that needs to be replaced, with something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-Fron...K_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item417515ee67
Correct?

Yep, goodluck. Replaced the same on my Galaxy Note 2. all good now.

Yeah.... if i were you and have the funds, I would replace the complete assembly ($100-$150 on ebay) and be happy.
I shattered the screen on mine and replaced the digitizer alone and now the screen has freezing/unresponsive issues. I should of known better and replaced the complete assembly, I got what i payed for, literally less than that actually. Now i have a semi-new gs3 collecting dust until i save up for a complete lcd.

1slow4G said:
Yeah.... if i were you and have the funds, I would replace the complete assembly ($100-$150 on ebay) and be happy.
I shattered the screen on mine and replaced the digitizer alone and now the screen has freezing/unresponsive issues. I should of known better and replaced the complete assembly, I got what i payed for, literally less than that actually. Now i have a semi-new gs3 collecting dust until i save up for a complete lcd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screen seems to work fine, touch/responsiveness is working fine in the areas. I have no intention of spending the £100-120 on a complete new screen (again...). I'd rather save that for a Nexus 5.
I'll post again when I receive the part and it's been replaced.

MadsBen said:
The screen seems to work fine, touch/responsiveness is working fine in the areas. I have no intention of spending the £100-120 on a complete new screen (again...). I'd rather save that for a Nexus 5.
I'll post again when I receive the part and it's been replaced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was working fine with cracked digitizer as well. The problems started with new digitizer. Seems that when typing hard enough the digitizer touches LCD and causes to freeze up. Anyways, Good luck.
Sent from my neXus⁴ using Tapatalk 2

Actually the glass on an s3 is just that, glass. The digitizer is fused together with the LCD. However glass is glued to the LCD which can make it very difficult to replace. If you've never taken on the repair of a screen before then I would say you'll be more likely to break the LCD than not in your replacement of the glass. But again it is possible if you are very slow and very careful. As someone else mentioned though it's much easier to replace the whole assembly.

It didn't went well. I wasn't too carefull. In the bottom, the glass was too shattered, so when I tried to lift it, a piece with glue got stock and lifted the digitizer. So now that don't work. I'm not gonna spend £100-120 on a new digitizer, I'm gonna settle for my good old Nokia 6300i (and Nexus 7...) and wait for the Nexus 5.

I would wait for the n5.. gs3 is a dying trend already.

Its hard like everyone said , if your really gunna do it watch videos online and be prepared. If you know anyone that has done it successfully ask for help or tips
ouch didnt see u tried it already

the same happened to me on my wife's white sgs3 trying to be the savior of the day turned out to be an expensive digitizer replacement of $200 instead of the $8 glass replacement. I rushed the glass removal and cracked the lcd screen. I could have ordered one on ebay for $100 but wife needs the phone the next day so i decided to get it repaired locally.

Just replace the glass. A lot of care for changing it, but it is not so hard to do. I did it 2 weeks ago, and all is all right.

My 2 cents
bidibull14 said:
Just replace the glass. A lot of care for changing it, but it is not so hard to do. I did it 2 weeks ago, and all is all right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wanted to warn that changing the glass is not for everyone. It takes patience and zen. If you rush it, you will likely break LCD and spend even more $$$ that you would have otherwise. Also following notes:
1. Watch at least a couple of youtube videos before starting.
2. Heavy duty heat blower works much better than a hair dryer. Of course, don't go crazy, as it's possible to melt the phone with it
3. S III has a wire at the bottom (the one which goes to the buttons). If you damage it, you will need to replace whole LCD, there is [almost] no chance you will be able to fix this wire. So, always start removing glass starting with the top of the phone
4. Heavily cracked glass is hard to remove, as it crumbles. To make it easier, a) put a scotch tape on top of glass, so that the small pieces stick to it, and b) use a lot of heat
5. Everybody advises to use plastic tools, personally I used swiss army knife with high level of success, and never had a problem scratching LCD. Your mileage may vary, but using metal blade certainly makes life much easier, especially in heavily cracked glass situation.
6. If you do use blade, it often is enough to get blade just a little bit under a glass, and then simply apply heat. Big chunks will unglue all by themselves.
7. Remember, that failure is always an option. Don't use it on the phone, if you know that you desperately need it working right this day, if you don't have a plan B.

1slow4G said:
Mine was working fine with cracked digitizer as well. The problems started with new digitizer. Seems that when typing hard enough the digitizer touches LCD and causes to freeze up. Anyways, Good luck.
Sent from my neXus⁴ using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same freezing issue on mine... apparently the hardness of Gorilla2 is much greater than the knockoff glass replacements. The replacement glass on ebay and kijiji may not be authentic and that is why it bends slightly when pressed harder (in fact mine cracked completely when I applied too much pressure)

i replaced my glass too (about month ago), and discovered that , the "freezing issue" come's when you press too hard.. that the glass touches lcd.
after quick google-ing , i've found that they suggest to apply uv glue (octa glue) , to fix that.
have somebody tried that ? is it worth that much effort to mess with liquid glue ?

hani93 said:
i replaced my glass too (about month ago), and discovered that , the "freezing issue" come's when you press too hard.. that the glass touches lcd.
after quick google-ing , i've found that they suggest to apply uv glue (octa glue) , to fix that.
have somebody tried that ? is it worth that much effort to mess with liquid glue ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard about that glue too. I'm considering switching mine, because when I repaired I reused the glue of the original glass, and know I had dust between the glass and the lcd -.-
My concern is about the uv light, don't know if we could put in the sun to substitute it.

I was researching how to replace the glass on an iPhone not too long ago and watched a video where the guy used the UV bonding agent. Long story short he said you can use sunlight to cure it but it takes substantially longer than using a UV lamp. I don't know exact time for sunlight but apparently it would work.
Also it appeared to be a long delicate process of removing the current glue from the digitizer and LCD without damaging it. But I'm sure anyone who has already replaced the glass knows how tedious the process is.

m1batt1 said:
I was researching how to replace the glass on an iPhone not too long ago and watched a video where the guy used the UV bonding agent. Long story short he said you can use sunlight to cure it but it takes substantially longer than using a UV lamp. I don't know exact time for sunlight but apparently it would work.
Also it appeared to be a long delicate process of removing the current glue from the digitizer and LCD without damaging it. But I'm sure anyone who has already replaced the glass knows how tedious the process is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's not that hard to remove factory gle there..
for example, i removed mine, by rolling the glue with fingers.
just make sure, that you don't apply too much pressure to lcd.
and after that, clean up lcd form dust/fingerprints, and you are good to go.
and for removing glass, i used usual/ stronger kitchen knife (attached picture).

i replaced my glass 3 months ago.
i use normal hair dryer to remove glass and glass comes out almost as whole except for small broken pieces.
i think my scratch guard help in that.
i didnt use any additional glue or uv light.
nonresponsive screen is issue but only when you press too hard and press of power button resolve this issue.
but whole process of replacing galss took 2hrs

Screen replacement 10.5 ??

I stupidly cracked my screen and took it to my local fix it guy. He wasn't familiar with the tab but did several other Samsung tabs. He said I had to order the LCD along with the screen which didn't sound right. He said the screen is glued to the LCD and is very difficult to remove without breaking. I've only personally fixed ipads so im not familiar with the inner workings of Samsung tabs but from what I see all I need is the screen and digitizer. Tablet works perfectly fine. Buying an LCD will be a lot more expensive than the $70 screen replacement. I went back and asked his assistant which gave me the impression he know anything, since the screen is amaloid is there an LCD? If the tab works do I need an LCD as well??

AMOLED screens are a large group of single LEDs. There is no liquid crystal portion. It is possible to replace the glass by itself but it's extremely hard. Most places do it the way you listed and buy them as one piece. It requires a heat gun and lots of patience to change just the glass and it's not unheard of to break the screen or digitizer in the process of removing the old glass. Look it up on YouTube and you'll see what I'm talking about. The screen digitizer and glass are made into a single piece to keep it thin. Makes it more expensive when you need to fix it but they are MUCH better screens than LCD as far as blacks and power usage.

MrBooMY said:
AMOLED screens are a large group of single LEDs. There is no liquid crystal portion. It is possible to replace the glass by itself but it's extremely hard. Most places do it the way you listed and buy them as one piece. It requires a heat gun and lots of patience to change just the glass and it's not unheard of to break the screen or digitizer in the process of removing the old glass. Look it up on YouTube and you'll see what I'm talking about. The screen digitizer and glass are made into a single piece to keep it thin. Makes it more expensive when you need to fix it but they are MUCH better screens than LCD as far as blacks and power usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn it he actually knew what he was talking about. This is the first screen i ever broke and of course it has to be the most difficult. Saw a LCD screen combo for $260 but I'm just gonna give him extra to try and save the current LCD. Thanks for the info
I just watched the video it didn't look too difficult it was actually separated in 2 minutes in the video. After Applying heat it separated rather easily. An experienced person shouldn't have a problem.

MrBooMY said:
AMOLED screens are a large group of single LEDs. There is no liquid crystal portion. It is possible to replace the glass by itself but it's extremely hard. Most places do it the way you listed and buy them as one piece. It requires a heat gun and lots of patience to change just the glass and it's not unheard of to break the screen or digitizer in the process of removing the old glass. Look it up on YouTube and you'll see what I'm talking about. The screen digitizer and glass are made into a single piece to keep it thin. Makes it more expensive when you need to fix it but they are MUCH better screens than LCD as far as blacks and power usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The glass being glued to the screen has nothing to do with it being AMOLED. Several non-AMOLED tablets and phones (e.g. iDevices) have glued screen, digitizer, and glass all into one piece. The reason is to make the device thinner, lighter, and most importantly, cheaper to manufacture.
A heat gun will melt the glue and you can then take it apart, but yes, it's hard and you'll likely break it.

It might be removable if careful but gluing them back together will be difficult without introducing air bubbles or getting the glue in the wrong place.
I would send it to samsung, you may be suprised and cost less than you think.
I smashed the screen, damaged the metal housing and speakers on my HTC ONE M8 within 2 weeks of buying it. I sent it to htc and they completely fixed it in a week and looked like new.
The total cost of the complete repair including 2 way shipping was actually way less than the total cost of just the replaced parts if id have bought them myself. It cost me £103 in total for everything to be good as new and that was a phone that was supposedly almost impossible to repair.
Maybe Samsung might be as generous?

ashyx said:
It might be removable if careful but gluing them back together will be difficult without introducing air bubbles or getting the glue in the wrong place.
I would send it to samsung, you may be suprised and cost less than you think.
I smashed the screen, damaged the metal housing and speakers on my HTC ONE M8 within 2 weeks of buying it. I sent it to htc and they completely fixed it in a week and looked like new.
The total cost of the complete repair including 2 way shipping was actually way less than the total cost of just the replaced parts if id have bought them myself. It cost me £103 in total for everything to be good as new and that was a phone that was supposedly almost impossible to repair.
Maybe Samsung might be as generous?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually going to give them a call because I know it'll be cheaper than buying an lcd screen and labor. Thanks for your post

ashyx said:
It might be removable if careful but gluing them back together will be difficult without introducing air bubbles or getting the glue in the wrong place.
I would send it to samsung, you may be suprised and cost less than you think.
I smashed the screen, damaged the metal housing and speakers on my HTC ONE M8 within 2 weeks of buying it. I sent it to htc and they completely fixed it in a week and looked like new.
The total cost of the complete repair including 2 way shipping was actually way less than the total cost of just the replaced parts if id have bought them myself. It cost me £103 in total for everything to be good as new and that was a phone that was supposedly almost impossible to repair.
Maybe Samsung might be as generous?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just called Samsung and they quoted me $200 with free shipping to and from. Which is excellent because that's cheaper than I've seen for an LCD and screen. These are my options so
1. $25 for screen and $50 labor for local guy to fix with no guarantee he won't break LCD then I'll be back to square 1
2. $199 send to Samsung guaranteed to work like new when I get it back.
#2 seems like the smarter choice.

Maduro78 said:
Just called Samsung and they quoted me $200 with free shipping to and from. Which is excellent because that's cheaper than I've seen for an LCD and screen. These are my options so
1. $25 for screen and $50 labor for local guy to fix with no guarantee he won't break LCD then I'll be back to square 1
2. $199 send to Samsung guaranteed to work like new when I get it back.
#2 seems like the smarter choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not only that, but quite often these cheaper non genuine screens have problems. Plus you'll have some of warranty for the work.

ashyx said:
Not only that, but quite often these cheaper non genuine screens have problems. Plus you'll have some of warranty for the work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your absolutely right, OEM is always better.

[Q] Screen Shattered

Hey All.
Been using nexus 7 2013 since last 2 years. My nephew dropped it and the screen cracked from the side. The device is working fine. The touch doesn't work at the the area of the cracks on the top right, and a few other places. But works everywhere else on the screen. My question is what has to be replaced, the digitizer or the entire LCD. My personal diagnoses is only the upper glass needs to be replaced. Please advice further!
Digitizer is for $15 and the whole thing is for $50. What has to be replaced and how to find out?
Please see the pictures and help me please

Get the whole thing. Replacing only digitazer is very difficult and compromises the tablet's construction.

no_cannabis said:
Get the whole thing. Replacing only digitazer is very difficult and compromises the tablet's construction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agree with you

barriecary said:
agree with you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how much cost to replace?

I did it, two times, buy the glass+lcd+digitizer combo, you can find it at ~ $40
It takes 10 minutes to disassemble the tablet and 1h+ to separate the glass from the frame, the glue is very strong and the melting point is so high that you can melt the frame when trying to separate. Even doing this you will have to scrap the glue and zillions of microscopic bit of glass embeded in the glue. It's doable of course, but be patient!

I bought the screen + digitizer from Aliexpress about $20 last month
This was the guide I followed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAlNuGrGDuU
I didn't have heat gun or other thing, I just scratched the whole screen away from frame, took me couple of hours to completely replace the screen, but works nicely. This was the first time ever I've replaced a screen.
Just make sure you have double sided adhesive tape before you start, about ~3mm or so. My replacement screen didn't include that adhesive so I had to buy it separately.

well done..patience is the key, so id be not very good at it..haha..touch wood ive never dropped any of my tablets/mobiles, hopefully the cases i always put on would cushion any blows, i bought a used nexus 7 2013 and although cosmetically its in great shape, the lcd is showing blue blobs, like ink leakage..stuck pixels maybe, but i dont think you can just do the lcd change, the whole front would need buying which is pointless as i only paid £45 in the first place.. but im so impressed with it performance wise, i got a samsung t280 in the latest sale, returned it after 3 days, the chip inside was shockingly rubbish..

Should I replace touch screen digitizer alone (without LCD)?

I recently shattered the front glass on my Z1C. The display still works, but I get so many random ghost touches that it is unusable. Just wondering if anyone here has replaced the screen digitizer by itself rather than buying the digitizer + LCD screen together. Obviously it would be more difficult, however many posts about replacing both have mentioned the lower quality of the LCD image. Since my LCD still works, it would seem like a better option to use the stock one rather than a cheap knock-off. Not to mention it would be a little bit cheaper (I saw a kit which included glue, UV torch, tools, cleaner, and the digitizer for around $18 US). But on the other hand, with the added complexity comes additional risk that I will screw it up and end up worse off than just living with a duller display.
I’m still on the fence about which way to go here. Quality is subjective, so maybe I’m worrying over nothing and the new LCD would be good enough for me. I’d really appreciate your opinions.
Thanks!

Replace all.
I would suggest you to replace the LCD and digitizer completely. I broke mine in December last year. A small glass crack along the power button side made the top half of the digitizer stopped working. The LCD was fine though. I had to connect a wireless mouse to make a backup, copy some stuffs and use my old phone, while the replacement part came. Bought mine from Witrigs.com for $42 including front housing adhesive and shipping. Repairing was easy. Just heat the front part, lift it carefully. Swap the old part for the new one.
But like you I wanted to separate the glass digitizer from the LCD first. After several attempts removing the glue and the glass, the LCD had burnt spots. Maybe I applied a little too much heat in trying to remove the glass. And the broken glass left some permanent scratch marks on the LCD even after cleaning.
In all, trying to separate the LCD and glass has become very hard since last year. I've been repairing phones and tablets for years, mainly broken LCD or glass or both. From my experience, its better to change the whole part now.
Wish you good luck for the repair. Lets hope your phone lives again!!

same here. its very hard without professional stuff to change the display glass without damaging the touch under it. best way is to buy a new "complete" display module (glass, digitizer, touch) so that u only have to press the felx ribbon to ur phone. then using the glue stripes to fix it (using a hair dryer makes it easier to press it in).
Before the installation test the functionality

Hi there!
Can someone trustfully confirm, that witrigs.com is a good source for parts?