Shattered back glass on iPhone 8

June 22, 2020 4:02 AM

Yesterday Mr. eirias noticed that the back glass on his iPhone 8 is shattered, one of those spiderweb patterns that would be beautiful if it didn’t indicate damage to an expensive pocket computer. He has his phone in a case that fully encapsulates the back except for the camera. How critical is it to replace the glass?
posted by eirias to Technology (3 answers total)

I don't know anything about the iPhone 8 specifically, but circa 2013 I shattered the back glass of my iPhone 4S. I put a layer of clear packing tape over the back to hold the glass in place and cover over any sharp edges and then put a case on the phone. I used that phone for two or three more years and never had an issue with the broken back glass.
posted by firechicago at 4:10 AM on June 22, 2020 [1 favorite]

It probably compromises any water-resistance the phone had before, but I see people using phones with the front glass all shattered up with little concern. If it's in a case I would just keep using it until I noticed it affecting my ability to use the phone.
posted by AzraelBrown at 4:22 AM on June 22, 2020 [1 favorite]

What one of my children did in a similar situation was to get a screen protector, cut it down so the camera would not be affected and put that on the back to keep it together and then put it in a case.
posted by AugustWest at 6:41 AM on June 22, 2020 [1 favorite]