iPhone: screen is black but the phone is still on
A faint image under a bright light means the backlight circuit rather than the panel, and on several iPhone models that is a board-level repair costing far less than a screen. It is worth looking before you agree to a display.
Mon to Sat 10 to 6
What causes it
- The display panel has failed while the rest of the device carries on
- A display connector shaken loose by a drop, which looks identical from outside
- Backlight failure, where the image is there but unlit
- A board fault, which is the least common of the four
What to do right now
- Hold the phone under a bright light at an angle and look for a faint image
- Try a force restart before anything else, because a hung device looks like a dead screen
- If you can see a faint image, say so when you bring it in, it points at the backlight
- Do not keep pressing the power button repeatedly
What we check at the bench.
- Whether the device outputs an image at all, which separates panel from board
- The display connectors, because a reseat sometimes fixes it outright
- Backlight voltage on the board
- Touch response, which often still works and confirms the digitiser is alive
Common questions.
The display panel has failed while the rest of the device carries on. A display connector shaken loose by a drop, which looks identical from outside
Screen Repair starts from €50 depending on the model. No fix, no fee, so if we cannot repair it you pay nothing.
Yes. Face ID hardware is paired to your logic board, and we move the original sensor assembly across to the new screen. Face ID is only lost if that assembly is itself damaged, which we would find during the diagnostic and tell you about before starting.
It can. Apple shows a parts notice in Settings for any display it did not fit itself, including genuine Apple panels fitted outside their own network. It is a message, not a fault, and it does not affect how the phone works.
True Tone depends on data stored in the original display. We transfer it where the model allows, and we tell you in advance if yours is one where it cannot be carried over.
We refit the seal, but no repaired phone keeps its factory IP rating. Treat it as splash resistant and keep it out of the pool.
We use genuine Apple and Samsung service parts where they are available, and premium aftermarket panels where they are not. We tell you which one is going in your device before we start, and the price reflects it.
Usually not. On almost every modern phone the glass, the touch layer and the display are bonded into one assembly, so the whole part is replaced even when only the glass is broken. Separating them is possible on some models but costs more in labour than the assembly saves.
Yes. We test touch across the whole panel, plus brightness, the sensors and the front camera cutout, before the device goes back to you. If anything reads differently we refit it rather than hand it over.
It is worth it. A tempered glass protector takes the first impact and costs a fraction of a second screen repair. We fit one while you wait if you want it.
On almost every modern phone, no. The glass, the touch layer and the display are bonded into one assembly at the factory, so the whole assembly is what gets replaced. Anyone offering to change only the glass is either separating and rebonding it, which fails, or talking about a different device.
It is not urgent, but a crack lets dust and moisture into the panel and it spreads. The repair does not get harder, it just becomes a repair you did not choose the timing of. Touch failing suddenly is the usual way people find out.
Customer reviews
Went to get a new iPhone protective cover, and very helpful gentleman affixed it for me very quickly and to a high standard. Good stock also
Recently purchased an iPhone 12 here, very impressed came with 100% battery health, very reasonable price and great service! Would recommend.
I recently purchased an iPhone from imend and was extremely happy with the excellent customer service. Would highly recommend and will return as a very satisfied customer.
I have bought my new wireless Bt headphones for my apple iPhone 16 pro max excellent customer service happy enough can't recommend any more.
Excellent and quick service this evening in replacing the charging connector in my iPhone. Cheerful and pleasant service. Highly recommended.
Indescribable! Great customer service, 50% off repair on my iPhone SE accessories. Would highly recommend Imend phone shop drumcondra
Screen is black but the phone is still on? Bring it in.
Free diagnostic, a firm price before any work, and a 360-day warranty on every completed repair.
Book a repair 24/7 · No fix, no fee · 360-day warranty · Free diagnostic
