The iPad Air 4th gen (October 2020) was the Air that got the modern look: flat edges, slim bezels, USB-C, Touch ID moved to the top button, and fun colors like green and sky blue. It runs Apple's A14 chip and still gets iPadOS 27. When the screen cracks, the repair is doable, just not cheap.
What Apple charges
| Repair | Apple price | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked screen or other damage | $419 | $49 accidental damage |
| Battery service | $119 | $0 below 80% capacity |
| Replacement screen part (iFixit, for reference) | $169.99 | n/a |
Apple treats a crack as "other damage" and usually swaps the iPad for a replacement unit. Unlike the M2 and newer Airs, there's no separate $29 screen fee under AppleCare+ for this model. You pay the $49 accidental damage fee instead.
Why you can't just replace the glass
Apple's spec page lists the Air 4 with a fully laminated display, antireflective coating and True Tone. Those layers are bonded together. That's great for looks and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) feel, but it means a cracked cover glass takes the whole display with it. The basic 10.2-inch iPads are different, since their glass can come off alone.
How bad is it?
Picture this: the Air 4 slid off the couch arm, and now there's a spiderweb in one corner. Before you panic, turn it on and check a few things.
- Cracked glass, picture perfect, touch fine: you can keep using it with a tempered glass protector over the top.
- Touch is jumpy or dead in spots: the touch layer is damaged. It usually spreads.
- Lines, black blots or bright patches: the LCD is damaged. Fix it or replace the iPad.
- Corner is bent: expect Apple to treat it as other damage, and expect a shop to warn you about fit.
Do this first
- Back up in Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Check AppleCare+. On a 2020 iPad most plans are long expired, unless you've been paying monthly. Worth a 30-second check.
- Tape the cracks with clear packing tape so nobody slices a finger.
Apple or an independent shop?
Apple ($419) means a replacement iPad with a warranty. If the battery is also worn, that's a decent deal, since you get both fixed in one go.
A shop may come in under Apple's price because the part is about $170. Ask them:
- Original Apple display or aftermarket?
- Will True Tone and the antireflective coating still work?
- Will Apple Pencil (2nd gen) track and charge normally afterward?
- What's the warranty, in writing?
Is it worth fixing in 2026?
It depends on the quote. The A14 still handles schoolwork, streaming, notes and light drawing fine, and it's still getting the latest iPadOS. A shop repair well under $419 is worth it. At Apple's full $419, compare with Apple's basic iPad (A16) at $449, which is newer and gets updates longer. If you love the Air's laminated screen and Pencil 2 support, fixing still makes sense. If you just need a working iPad, the new basic one is hard to argue with.
Battery tired too? Read our iPad Air 4th gen battery guide. All prices are on the iPad Air (4th generation) page. Apple prices checked October 14, 2026.
