Can You Fill In a Cracked Phone Screen? (Christchurch Repair Guide)

It’s one of the most common questions we get — “Can I fill in a cracked screen myself?”

Short answer: you can try, but it won’t actually fix the problem.

Let’s break down what those DIY tricks do (and don’t do), and when it’s time for a proper repair.

Toothpaste, Baking Soda, and Other Internet Myths

Toothpaste and baking soda can fill tiny scratches — but they don’t repair cracks.

At best, they slightly smooth the surface; at worst, they seep into the screen or frame and make things worse.

They can even react with coatings on your screen and cause clouding or discolouration.

💡 If you try it, remember: toothpaste removes stains from teeth — not cracks from glass.

Clear Nail Polish or Super Glue

This is another popular hack, but it’s risky.

While glue or polish might “fill” the crack for a few hours, it doesn’t restore strength or prevent spreading.

Worse still, it can leak into the display, camera, or sensors — and that’s when a simple glass repair becomes a full-screen replacement.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Crack

Even a small crack weakens the glass and lets in dust or moisture, which can cause:

• Display damage or ghost touch

• Black lines or dead spots

• Water damage under the screen

Once that happens, the cost of repair can go from simple to significant.

What Actually Works

The only real fix is to replace the damaged glass or the full display assembly, depending on your model.

At Phone Repair NZ, we replace cracked screens (including iPhones, Samsungs, and Oppos) using quality parts, so your phone looks and feels like new again — no shortcuts, no messy glue.

Most replacements are complete within two hours.