A warranty on your repair is your safety net. If the replacement part fails or the repair was not done properly, you should not have to pay again. But warranty terms vary widely between shops. Here is what you need to know.
Typical Warranty Terms
| Warranty Length |
What It Means |
| 30 days |
Bare minimum. Covers defective parts only. Common with budget shops. |
| 90 days |
Industry standard. Covers parts and workmanship. Most reputable shops offer at least this. |
| 6 months |
Above average. Shows confidence in parts quality and technician skill. |
| Lifetime |
Covers the replacement part for as long as you own the device. Typically covers defects only, not new damage. |
What's Usually Covered
- Defective replacement parts (dead pixels, unresponsive touch, battery that will not hold charge)
- Workmanship issues (loose connectors, improper reassembly, missing screws)
- Parts that fail under normal use within the warranty period
What's Usually NOT Covered
- New physical damage (dropping the device again, new cracks or dents)
- Water damage after the repair
- Damage caused by another repair shop or DIY attempts
- Software issues unrelated to the repair
- Normal wear and tear
- Devices that have been jailbroken or rooted
What Voids a Repair Warranty
- Taking the device to a different shop for the same repair
- Opening the device yourself after the repair
- Physical damage to the repaired component
- Water or liquid damage after the repair
- Not returning within the warranty period
Manufacturer Warranty vs. Shop Warranty
| Factor |
Manufacturer (Apple, Samsung, etc.) |
Independent Repair Shop |
| Parts used |
Genuine OEM only |
Varies (OEM, refurb, or aftermarket) |
| Cost |
Higher |
Usually 30-50% less |
| Warranty length |
90 days on the repair |
30 days to lifetime (varies) |
| Effect on device warranty |
No effect |
May void remaining manufacturer warranty |
| Turnaround |
1-5 business days (or mail-in) |
Often same-day |
AppleCare+ vs. Third-Party Repair
If your device is still covered by AppleCare+, consider whether using a third-party shop is worth it:
- AppleCare+ screen repair: $29 deductible (iPhone), uses genuine parts, does not void warranty
- Third-party screen repair: $60-$280 depending on model and part quality, may void AppleCare+
- Bottom line: If you have active AppleCare+, use it for covered repairs. If your AppleCare+ has expired or you do not have it, third-party shops typically offer better value.
Important note: Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your warranty simply because you used a third-party repair service — unless they can prove the third-party repair caused the new problem. However, Apple and Samsung may still flag non-genuine parts in their diagnostics.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
- "What is your warranty on this repair?"
- "Does the warranty cover both parts and labor?"
- "What would void the warranty?"
- "Do I need to keep a receipt or is the warranty tracked in your system?"
- "If the part fails, do you replace it free of charge?"
- "What happens if my device has a different issue after the repair?"
Red Flags
- No warranty offered at all
- Warranty less than 30 days
- Warranty terms that are not provided in writing
- Shop refuses to honor a valid warranty claim
- "Warranty void if device is opened" with no reasonable exceptions