Here's the weird part. On the iPhone 13 Pro, a cracked back costs almost double a cracked screen. People see that $509 quote and assume it's a typo. It isn't.
Why the iPhone 13 Pro back costs so much
The 13 Pro pairs a textured matte glass back with a stainless steel frame, and that glass was never meant to come off on its own. When iFixit tore down the iPhone 14 in 2022, the big news was that its back glass finally came off with two screws and one connector, something no iPhone had done since the iPhone 4s. On earlier models, including the 13 Pro, getting to the back glass meant pulling the display and other parts first.
So Apple doesn't really "replace the glass" on a 13 Pro the way a shop might. Its price is closer to swapping the whole back housing, which is why it lands at $509 instead of something like $100.
| Repair | Apple price | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Back glass only | $509 | $29 |
| Screen and back glass | $609 | Ask Apple for your plan |
| Screen only | $279 | $29 |
| Rear camera | $199 | Not listed separately |
| Other damage | $609 | $99 |
The cheaper route: a shop with a laser
Lots of independent shops now use laser machines to fix 13 Pro backs. The laser is used to separate the cracked glass so the tech can lift it off and glue on a new panel, without pulling the whole phone apart. Equipment makers like REWA sell machines made for exactly this job on the iPhone 13 Pro.
Shop prices for this aren't standard, so we're not going to make up a number. Call two or three local shops and ask for a written quote. In most cases it comes in well under Apple's $509, but quality depends heavily on the tech.
Can you just leave it cracked?
Sometimes, yes. A cracked back doesn't affect how the phone works. But there are real reasons to fix it or at least cover it:
- Sharp edges. Glass shards can cut fingers or pockets. A cheap case or clear back skin covers them.
- Water resistance. The 13 Pro is rated IP68 (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes) when it's intact. With a crack, assume that's gone.
- Spreading cracks. A small crack near a corner tends to grow every time the phone gets a knock.
- Camera bump. If the crack touches the camera glass, check your photos for haze or flares. That might be the $199 rear camera repair instead.
- MagSafe and wireless charging. Usually fine, but if a crack is right over the charging coil and charging gets flaky, get it looked at.
How to decide
Have AppleCare+? Pay the $29 and stop reading. That's the best deal you'll ever see on this repair.
Screen and back both cracked? Apple's $609 combo starts to look like a lot for a phone this age. Get a shop quote for both, and compare against what a used replacement phone costs.
Only the back is cracked and nothing's sharp? Put a case on it. That's the $0 option, and it works fine for a lot of people.
Trading in soon? A cracked back usually knocks a lot off trade-in offers. Check the trade-in value with and without damage before spending money.
What to check after any back glass repair
- Take a photo with each lens (wide, ultra wide and telephoto) and look for haze or dust.
- Put it on a MagSafe or Qi charger and confirm it charges.
- Run the flashlight. The flash sits next to the cameras and can get blocked by a sloppy job.
- Check that the side buttons still click normally.
Bottom line
$509 at Apple is steep for a 2021 phone. If you don't have AppleCare+, a good laser repair shop or a solid case is usually the smarter move. If your screen is cracked too, see our iPhone 13 Pro screen options guide for the three screen types. All prices are on the iPhone 13 Pro repair page.
Apple prices checked October 14, 2026.
