New research has found almost a third (30%) of Brits who have cracked their mobile phone screen never bothered fixing it.

The study of 4,170 adults was commissioned by phone recycling specialist Envirofone, in order to find out how long the average person is prepared to muddle through their texts with a broken phone screen.

It found that, despite the vast range of phone cases and screen protectors available, more than a quarter (26%) of Brits have cracked their mobile phone screen, with 30% opting to continue using their shattered phone while waiting for their contract to come to an end.

Among these unlucky phone users, more than one in five (21%) had 12 months or longer left on their contract.

If you are one of the quarter of Brits with a mobile phone that has a broken, scratched or cracked screen, Envirofone has given its advice on what – and what not –  to do:

DIY repair:

You can purchase a DIY repair kit from most phone vendors and online shops. However, be careful where you buy these, as buying from an unofficial third party repair shop can invalidate your mobile’s warranty.

Use a spare:

Recent research by Space Station* found that 80% of people keep their old phones. If you don’t have one yourself, how about asking friends and family if they have a spare phone going handy rather than trying to preserve your broken screen.

Hire someone:

Take a few minutes to look online for freelance phone technicians, they may have the equipment necessary to fix your screen – best of all they are cheap and it will cost you half the price of a traditional phone shop.

Check home insurances:

Many insurance companies now include phones within their home insurance plans, so always check your policy before forking out for expensive phone repairs.

Upgrade:

If your phone is nearing the end of it’s contract, you might want to think about upgrading to a new model – most phone companies now allow you to upgrade early for a fee. Alternatively, you may wish to buy a refurbished second hand phone from Envirofone for a fraction of a ‘brand new’ price. You can also recycle the cracked phone to cover your losses with Envirofone.

Handy tips to help prevent cracked screens:

1. Buy a case with a raised lip.
2. Buy a phone screen protector, for example a tempered glass protector.
3. Don’t leave your phone in your back pockets, as it could easily slip out when you sit down.
4. Take out a phone insurance with a low excess, so that if you do crack your screen it doesn’t cost too much money to replace.
5. If the fall is inevitable, try and help the phone land on its back.

Commenting on the research, Richard Mavers, director of group marketing and online strategy at Envirofone, said: “The fact that so many of us choose to put up with a smashed phone screen for so long suggests that not enough people know the options out there for getting a new handset.

“To fix a cracked smartphone screen can cost around £150, but many people will be able to trade in their broken handset and get a replacement before their contract ends, often for much less than that.”