The most common question before a repair

When a client brings in a shattered iPhone, they almost always ask one thing: "Will my photos be saved?" It’s understandable—the phone contains years of photos, messages, and work documents. The anxiety is normal. But let me say the most important thing right away: replacing the screen itself does not affect the phone's memory in any way. It is a mechanical operation—remove one display module, install another.

Data is stored on a memory chip located on the motherboard. No one touches it during a screen repair. We don't format, overwrite, or touch it at all.

Where does the risk come from then?

There is a risk, but not where people usually think.

First—static electricity. If a technician works without anti-static equipment, a discharge can damage the board. Not always and not immediately, but we have seen cases where a phone started glitching a couple of days after repair for this very reason. We use an anti-static mat and wrist strap—it's basic repair hygiene.

Second—cables. Everything inside an iPhone is packed very tightly. When opening it, you need to disconnect the battery, then carefully detach the display module. If you rush or pull the wrong way, you can tear the battery cable or damage the connector on the board. That is more serious—the phone might not turn on at all.

Third, and this is specific to newer models—Face ID. On the iPhone X and newer, the facial recognition system is tied to the original display module: more precisely, to the TrueDepth camera. If you install a non-original screen without reprogramming, Face ID will stop working. The data won't go anywhere, but the unlock feature will be lost.

Two cases from our practice

An iPhone 13 is brought in—the screen is shattered after a drop. The phone itself works, and Face ID is still alive. The client went to another place before coming to us, where they installed a "compatible" screen for three thousand. Face ID stopped working. He came to us to sort it out—he thought he had lost something important. No, all photos and apps are in place; it was just necessary to either install a certified module with reprogramming or transfer the original Face ID module to the new display.

Another case: an iPhone 11 with a swollen battery and a cracked screen at the same time. The client tried to disassemble it himself using a YouTube video. As a result, he tore the display cable, and the phone stopped turning on. We restored it, but it was already a micro-soldering repair—more expensive and time-consuming than if the person had come to a professional right away.

What to do yourself before the repair

One simple thing that you can and should do in advance: a backup. Even if you are 99% sure that everything will go well.

  1. Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now.
  2. Or connect to a computer and make a copy via Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
  3. Wait for it to finish—do not interrupt it halfway through.

It takes from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of data. Do it over Wi-Fi, and let the phone charge. That's it—even if the most unexpected thing happens, you can restore everything in half an hour.

When you definitely need a professional

If the screen is broken, bring it to us, no question. But don't delay, especially if:

  • the phone doesn't turn on after a drop or turns on intermittently;
  • the back cover is bulging—most likely the battery has swollen;
  • there are lines on the screen or part of the image is not displayed;
  • it is an iPhone X or newer model—it's better not to experiment with Face ID on your own.

Disassembling an iPhone yourself without experience is a lottery. Even with a video tutorial. Every week we fix phones after "home repairs," and it always costs more than if the person had come to a professional right away.

If something went wrong or you just want to be sure before the repair, come to iClub at 35 Kommunisticheskaya Street. Diagnostics are free.