iPad Screen Repair: The Complete UK Guide

A school administrator walked in last month with a cardboard box. Inside: 23 iPads, all with cracked screens. "The Year 6s," she sighed. "They've had them three months."

We see this constantly. iPads in schools, iPads dropped by toddlers, iPads that slid off car seats. The repair economics are different from iPhones - bigger screens, more adhesive, longer repair times. But for many iPads, repair absolutely makes sense.

After 27 years in the repair business, we've fixed over 3,000 iPad screens. Last year alone: 340 iPads, including 89 from schools and businesses. For model-specific information, see our guides for iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini.

The Truth About iPad Screen Repairs

iPad repairs are genuinely harder than iPhone repairs. There's more surface area, more adhesive, and more things that can go wrong. Here's what makes them different:

Why iPads Take Longer

• Larger screens - More area means more careful work
• Industrial adhesive - iPads are essentially glued shut
• Heat-sensitive components - LCD and battery need protection
• Digitiser separation - Many iPads have separate touch and display layers

Did You Know?

Repair time reality: iPhone screen repairs average 30 minutes. iPad screens take 1-2 hours. Some iPad Pro models can take longer. We don't rush because rushing breaks things.

Cost Breakdown by iPad Model

iPad repair costs vary massively by model. The iPad Pro 12.9" costs nearly four times more than a basic iPad. Here's what you can expect:

Prices as of January 2026. Older models typically cost less.

Did You Know?

Our iPad Screen Repair Track Record (2025)

• • 847 iPad screens repaired - 92% same-day completion
• • Most common: iPad 9th Gen (school devices) - 34% of repairs
• • Highest success rate: iPad Air 4/5 - 99.2% first-time fix
• • Average repair time: 1 hour 47 minutes
• • Return rate: Less than 0.8% (industry average: 3-5%)

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

Which iPads Are Hardest to Repair?

Easier Repairs

• Older iPads (pre-2018) - Thicker bezels, more forgiving design
• iPad 9th/10th Gen - Standard construction, readily available parts
• iPad Air 4/5 - Well-documented repair process

Harder Repairs

• iPad Pro (any generation) - Thin bezels, precise calibration needed
• iPad Mini 6 - Compact design leaves less margin for error
• iPads with ProMotion - 120Hz displays require specific panels

Warning

iPad Pro reality check: iPad Pro screen repairs are expensive because the parts are expensive. Sometimes the repair cost approaches 50% of a refurbished replacement. We'll always be honest about when repair makes financial sense.

Is iPad Screen Repair Worth It?

Repair Makes Sense When:

• Your iPad is less than 3-4 years old
• The repair cost is less than 50% of replacement value
• You have important data or apps configured
• The rest of the iPad works perfectly

Consider Replacement When:

• The iPad is over 5 years old
• Battery health is also poor
• The iPad no longer receives software updates
• You've been wanting an upgrade anyway

We'll never push you toward a repair that doesn't make financial sense. Sometimes the honest answer is "this iPad isn't worth fixing."

What to Expect During Repair

1. Assessment
   We examine the damage and check for any additional issues (battery, buttons, etc.)
2. Quote
   Exact price before we start. No hidden charges.
3. Repair
   Screen replacement takes 1-3 hours depending on model.
4. Testing
   Full touch response, Apple Pencil compatibility, display quality checks.
5. Collection
   Your iPad, ready to go, with 27-month warranty.

School & Business iPads

We work with several schools and businesses in the Birmingham area. If you have multiple iPads needing repair, we offer:

• Bulk pricing - Significant discounts on 5+ devices
• Collection service - We'll pick up from your location
• Priority turnaround - Get devices back faster
• MDM compatibility - We understand school device management
• Invoicing - Proper documentation for your budget

Good News

School success story: "A school in Solihull sent us 47 iPads last term. Screens, batteries, charging ports - the full range of classroom damage. We had them all back within two weeks, with a significant bulk discount."

Ready to Get Your iPad Fixed?

Whether you're in Birmingham or sending from anywhere in the UK, we'll give you honest advice about your iPad repair options.

Visit us: Byte, Dovehouse Parade, Solihull.
Mail-in: Free shipping both ways on repairs over £100.

iPad screen cracked, shattered, or unresponsive to touch? Whether you've got an iPad Pro with its stunning Liquid Retina XDR display or a standard iPad for everyday use, screen damage is frustrating. Here's everything you need to know about iPad screen repair in the UK.

iPad Screens Are Complex

iPads use laminated displays where the glass, digitiser, and LCD/OLED are fused together. This means even minor cracks often require full assembly replacement—making professional repair the practical choice.

Understanding iPad Screen Technology

Not all iPad screens are created equal. The type you have affects both repair complexity and cost.

LCD Displays (Standard iPad, Air)

Most iPads use high-quality LCD panels with IPS technology. These offer excellent colour accuracy and viewing angles. When damaged, the entire screen assembly typically needs replacement since the glass is bonded to the display.

Liquid Retina (iPad Pro 11" & 12.9" LCD)

iPad Pro models before M1 used ProMotion LCD with 120Hz refresh. These are premium panels with wide colour gamut and True Tone. Replacement parts are more expensive but availability is good.

Liquid Retina XDR (iPad Pro OLED)

The latest M4 iPad Pro models feature tandem OLED technology—two OLED panels stacked for exceptional brightness. These are the most expensive screens to replace, with parts still limited in aftermarket availability.

iPad Model Differences

Standard iPad (10th Gen, 9th Gen)

• 10.9" or 10.2" LCD display
• Non-laminated (9th gen) or laminated (10th gen)
• Most affordable to repair
• Parts widely available
• Repair cost: £99 - £169

iPad Air (M2, 5th, 4th Gen)

• 10.9" or 11" laminated LCD display
• P3 wide colour gamut
• True Tone support
• Repair cost: £159 - £249

iPad Pro 11"

• ProMotion 120Hz technology
• M4 models use OLED (most expensive)
• M1/M2 models use Liquid Retina LCD
• Face ID components near display
• Repair cost: £229 - £349

iPad Pro 12.9" / 13"

• Largest display, highest resolution
• Mini-LED backlight (older) or OLED (M4)
• Most expensive to repair
• Repair cost: £289 - £449

Assessing Your Screen Damage

Glass-Only Damage

Cracks in the glass but display still works perfectly—you see colours correctly, touch responds everywhere, no dead spots. On non-laminated iPads, glass-only repair is sometimes possible. On laminated models, full assembly replacement is needed.

LCD Damage

Signs of LCD damage include:

• Black spots or ink-like bleeding
• Lines across the screen (horizontal or vertical)
• Discoloured patches
• Backlight bleeding or uneven brightness
• Display works but colours are wrong

Touch Digitiser Damage

Touch issues indicate digitiser problems:

• Touch doesn't respond in certain areas
• Ghost touches (screen responds without input)
• Touch works but is inaccurate
• Delayed touch response

Repair Options

Apple Official Repair

Apple offers screen repair through Apple Stores and authorised providers. Pricing is typically £200-500+ depending on model. They'll use genuine parts but won't repair older or out-of-warranty devices at reasonable prices—often suggesting replacement instead.

Independent Professional Repair

Specialists like celltech offer iPad screen repair at 30-50% below Apple pricing while maintaining quality. We use OEM-quality screens with proper calibration and provide warranty coverage.

DIY Repair

iPad screen replacement is significantly harder than iPhone repair:

• Strong adhesive requires heat and precision
• Multiple ribbon cables easily damaged
• Face ID calibration (Pro models) needs proper tools
• Risk of further damage is high

DIY iPad Repair Warning

We repair many iPads damaged during DIY attempts. The adhesive, cable routing, and calibration requirements make iPad repair much harder than iPhone. A failed DIY can cost more than professional repair would have.

UK Repair Costs by Model

DIY vs Professional Repair

When DIY Might Work

• Very old iPad you're comfortable potentially breaking
• Technical experience with electronics
• Proper tools including heat mat and suction cups
• Non-laminated display (easier separation)

Why Professional Is Usually Better

• Proper adhesive removal without damage
• Correct cable handling (they're very fragile)
• Face ID calibration maintained
• True Tone preserved (when possible)
• Warranty on repair work
• No risk of making things worse

Choosing Parts Quality

OEM (Original) Parts

Genuine Apple screens from recycled devices. Highest quality, maintains all features including True Tone. Limited availability for newer models.

Premium Aftermarket

High-quality replacements that match OEM specifications. May not support True Tone on some models but otherwise identical performance. Our standard choice for most repairs.

Budget Aftermarket

We don't use these. Lower colour accuracy, potential touch issues, shorter lifespan. Not worth the savings on an expensive device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my data during iPad screen repair?

No. Screen repair doesn't touch your storage. Your apps, photos, and documents stay exactly where they are.

How long does iPad screen repair take?

Most iPad screen repairs take 1-2 hours. The adhesive removal and recalibration take longer than iPhone repairs. Same-day service is standard for most models.

Will my Apple Pencil still work after repair?

Yes, with quality replacement screens. We test Pencil compatibility as part of our quality check. Budget aftermarket screens sometimes have Pencil issues—another reason we don't use them.

Can you save my True Tone?

On some models, True Tone data can be transferred to the new screen. On others, it requires original parts. We'll advise what's possible for your specific model.