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 state 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 — you remove one display module and 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 is static electricity. If a technician works without anti-static equipment, a discharge can damage the motherboard. Not always and not immediately, but we have seen cases where a phone started glitching a couple of days after a repair for this very reason. We use an anti-static mat and wrist strap — it's basic repair hygiene.
Second are the flex cables. Everything inside an iPhone is very tightly packed. 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 flex cable or damage the connector on the motherboard. That is more serious — the phone might not turn on at all.
Third, and this is specific to newer models, is Face ID. On the iPhone X and newer, the facial recognition system is tied to the original display module: specifically, 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
A client brought in an iPhone 13 with a screen shattered after a drop. The phone itself was working, and Face ID was still alive. Before coming to us, the client went to another place where they installed a "compatible" screen for three thousand. Face ID stopped working. He came to us to figure it out — he thought he had lost something important. No, all photos and apps were 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 flex 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 technician right away.
What you can 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.
- Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now.
- Or connect it to a computer and make a copy via Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows).
- Wait for it to finish — do not interrupt it halfway through.
It takes from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the volume of data. Do it over Wi-Fi, and let the phone charge. And that's it — even if the most unexpected thing happens, you can restore everything in half an hour.
When you definitely need a technician
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's an iPhone X or newer model — it's better not to experiment with Face ID on your own.
Disassembling an iPhone without experience is a lottery. Even with a video tutorial. Every week we fix phones after "home repairs," and it always ends up costing more than if the person had come to a technician immediately.
If something went wrong or you just want to be sure before the repair, come to iClub at 35 Kommunisticheskaya St. Diagnostics are free.