If you cracked the back of your iPhone 14, you picked a good phone to crack. Seriously. A year earlier, the same accident on an iPhone 13 cost several hundred dollars more at Apple. Here's why, and how to decide where to get it fixed.
The design change that saves you money
On the iPhone 13 and earlier, the back glass was glued to the metal frame, and everything else was built on top of it. You couldn't just pop the back off. When 9to5Mac covered the iPhone 14 launch, it reported that Apple didn't offer a back-glass-only repair for the iPhone 13 at the time. A cracked back was handled like "other damage," which meant a much bigger, more expensive job.
With the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, Apple rebuilt the inside. The phone got a new metal mid-frame, and the back glass became its own removable panel. It opens on its own, separate from the screen and logic board. At launch, Apple priced iPhone 14 back glass repair at $149, and today it's $159.
The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max did not get this redesign. Their backs are still glued in, which is why they cost so much more.
| Model | Apple back glass price | Back comes off on its own? |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | $399 | No |
| iPhone 14 | $159 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $159 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $559 | No |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $609 | No |
What it costs, all options
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple, out of warranty | $159 | Genuine part |
| Apple with AppleCare+ | $29 | Per incident |
| Apple, screen and back together | $369 | Or $58 with AppleCare+ |
| Independent shop | Get a quote | Ask if they fit a genuine or aftermarket panel |
| DIY | Part cost only | Moderate, 30 to 45 minutes per iFixit |
Since Apple's price is already low, a shop has less room to undercut it here. Get a quote, but don't be surprised if Apple ends up the better deal.
How to tell what's damaged
- Hairline crack, phone works fine: cosmetic for now, but cracks spread with every drop and pocket squeeze.
- Wireless charging or MagSafe stopped working: the charging coil sits on the back glass assembly on this phone. A hard hit can damage it.
- Muffled video audio or callers say you sound far away: the rear microphone is also part of the back glass assembly, per iFixit. Mention it to the tech.
- Blurry or spotty photos: the camera lens cover may be cracked. That's a separate repair ($169 for the rear camera at Apple), so check before you book.
Thinking about DIY?
This is one of the friendlier iPhone repairs. iFixit rates it moderate, about 30 to 45 minutes. You need heat, a suction handle, opening picks, a P2 pentalobe driver and a Y000 driver. The steps: take out the two screws by the charging port, warm the edges, slice the adhesive, open it like a book, disconnect the battery, then unhook the charging coil cable and lift out the old glass.
A few catches. The original back glass has paired parts like the charging coil, so you need to move those over carefully. On iOS 18 or newer, genuine replacement glass can be paired with Apple's Repair Assistant. And iFixit warns a DIY job will most likely lose the phone's water resistance rating, even with new adhesive.
What to ask a shop
- Is the new back a genuine Apple part or aftermarket?
- Do you move over the charging coil and microphone, or are they on the new panel?
- Will MagSafe and wireless charging be tested before I leave?
- Is the color an exact match?
- What warranty do you give?
Can you just leave it?
For a tiny crack, a snug case buys time. But the back glass helps seal the phone. Apple rates the iPhone 14 at IP68 when intact, and a cracked back lets moisture and dust in. Keep it away from water until it's fixed.
Is it worth fixing?
At $159, absolutely, if the phone otherwise works. That's the same price Apple charges for back glass on the newer iPhone 15 and 16. Screen cracked too? Book both together for $369, and read our iPhone 14 screen replacement guide for your screen options. Every price is on the iPhone 14 page.
Apple prices checked October 14, 2026.
