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iPad Glass vs LCD Repair: Which One Do You Need?

iPad · · 2 min read · H Wireless Repair Team

When an iPad screen cracks, the first question is whether only the glass broke or the display underneath is damaged too. On some iPads those are two separate parts, so a glass-only repair costs less. On others they're fused together and always replaced as one. Here's how it works.

Glass (digitizer) vs LCD

The glass on top is also the digitizer, the layer that senses your touch. Under it is the LCD, which makes the picture. If the picture looks normal but the glass is cracked, only the digitizer is damaged. If you see black spots, lines, colored patches, or a dark screen, the LCD is damaged.

iPads with separate glass and LCD

Standard iPads such as the iPad 7th and 8th generation have the glass and LCD as separate parts. If only the glass is cracked, we replace just the glass. At H Wireless, iPad 7 and 8 glass starts at $94 and LCD at $124.

iPads with laminated screens

iPad Air, iPad Pro and recent iPad mini models use a laminated display, where glass and display are bonded together. Any crack means replacing the whole assembly. That's why prices are higher: for example, iPad Air 4 and iPad mini 6 start at $224, and the 11-inch iPad Pro at $184.

How to check your iPad

  1. Look at the screen with a white background. Spots or lines mean display damage.
  2. Test touch in every corner, including near the cracks.
  3. Find your model in Settings > General > About.

Tell us the model number when you call and we'll quote the right part. Our iPad repair page lists models we service.

Can I keep using a cracked iPad?

Small cracks are usable for a while, but glass splinters are a real risk for kids, and cracks spread. If touch stops working in part of the screen, it's time to repair it. Read more in our guide on using a cracked screen.

Get a quote

We confirm whether you need glass, LCD or a full assembly at the free diagnostic. See iPad screen repair for pricing, and iPad battery replacement if it also dies quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you replace only the glass on an iPad?

Yes, on iPads with separate glass and LCD, such as the iPad 7 and 8.

Why is the iPad Air screen more expensive?

Its glass and display are laminated together, so the whole assembly is replaced.

How do I know if the LCD is broken?

Black spots, lines, colored patches or no picture mean LCD damage.

How long does an iPad screen repair take?

Often the same or next day, depending on the model and part.

Need it fixed? Free diagnostic, walk-ins welcome, open 7 days 9 AM-8 PM

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