A broken Huawei P20 Pro screen can be replaced, and the best result comes from an OEM standard OLED display made for the P20 Pro, ideally supplied in its frame. The P20 Pro uses a 6.1-inch OLED screen, so cheaper incell or TFT replacements are available but usually look dimmer, show greyer blacks and may be thicker. The repair involves removing the glued glass back, disconnecting the battery and either transferring parts into a new screen-and-frame assembly or separating the old screen from the frame. The cost depends mainly on the screen type, whether a frame is included, and whether you pay for labour. This guide covers how to get your data off a phone with a broken screen, how to choose the right replacement, what the repair involves, what drives the cost, and how to decide whether a 2018 phone is still worth repairing.
First: get your data off a phone with a broken screen
If the screen is black or touch no longer works, try these options before any repair, so your photos and contacts are safe:
- Check existing backups. If you used a Huawei ID or Google account backup, your contacts, photos and other data may already be in the cloud.
- Connect to a computer. Huawei's HiSuite software can back up a phone connected by USB, but the phone may need to be unlocked and the connection approved on screen, which is difficult if the display is dead.
- Use an external display. The P20 Pro supports video output over USB-C to a compatible monitor or TV with the right adapter. If the screen is black but the phone works, this can let you see and control it with a USB mouse to unlock it and back up.
- Use a USB-C OTG mouse. If the display works but touch does not, a mouse connected with an OTG adapter can let you unlock and navigate.
If none of these work, back up as soon as the repair is done, before you hand the phone back to a customer or start using it again.
Confirm the screen is the problem
- Force restart: hold the Power button for around ten seconds or longer until the phone restarts.
- Charge it for 30 minutes with a known-good cable.
- Call the phone. If it rings or vibrates, the phone is running and the display or its connection is likely at fault.
- Look for signs of display damage: cracks, black ink-like patches, lines, flickering or touch that responds in the wrong place.
Choosing a replacement screen
| Screen type | Picture quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OEM standard OLED with frame | Matches the phone's design: deep blacks, good brightness | Best result and the easiest fit; costs the most |
| OEM standard OLED without frame | As above | Cheaper part; the old screen must be separated from the frame |
| Incell or TFT (non-OLED) | Dimmer, greyer blacks, colours look different | Budget option for a spare phone; may be thicker |
Most people replacing a P20 Pro display want the same picture quality as before. That means an OLED screen. Our guide to soft OLED vs hard OLED vs incell screens explains the differences between screen grades in detail.
With or without a frame?
- With frame: the new screen is pre-fitted in the phone's middle frame. You move the internal parts across. Less risk of breaking the new screen, and the best choice for DIY.
- Without frame: the cracked screen must be heated and separated from the old frame, all old adhesive removed, and the new screen glued in. Cheaper part, but more skill and more risk.
What the repair involves
The P20 Pro is opened from the back. This overview is for a screen supplied in a frame; follow a model-specific guide where possible.
Tools and parts
- Replacement screen for the P20 Pro, ideally OLED with frame.
- Heat pad or hair dryer on a low setting, suction handle and plastic picks.
- Phillips precision screwdriver, spudger and tweezers.
- Back cover adhesive, or a new back cover if the old one cracks during removal.
- Isopropyl alcohol and a plastic card for the battery adhesive.
See the repair tools and adhesive collection for these items.
Steps
- Power off and remove the SIM tray.
- Heat the glass back evenly and lift it with a suction handle and picks. Take care around the camera area. Glass backs can crack during removal; a replacement back cover is a sensible backup.
- Remove the screws holding the motherboard and loudspeaker covers.
- Disconnect the battery first, then the display, fingerprint sensor and other flex cables.
- Remove the motherboard, sub board, cameras, loudspeaker, earpiece and buttons flex as required.
- Remove the battery by softening its adhesive with a little isopropyl alcohol and lifting with a plastic card. Never use metal or bend it.
- Transfer the front fingerprint sensor and all small brackets, foams and meshes to the new frame if they are not already fitted.
- Refit everything into the new frame, reconnecting the battery last.
- Test before closing: display, touch across the whole screen, fingerprint sensor, cameras, speakers, microphones, charging and signal.
- Fit back adhesive and press the back on, clamping it while it bonds.
Water resistance cannot be guaranteed after any repair that opens the phone.
Parts you may need alongside the screen
- Rear battery cover with lens and adhesive: available in several colours, useful if the back cracks during removal. See the Huawei P20 Pro parts collection.
- Battery: on a phone of this age the battery is likely worn, and it is already out during the repair. The P20 Pro replacement battery (4,000mAh) is listed in the same collection.
- Home button with fingerprint reader: if the front fingerprint sensor is damaged, a replacement home button with fingerprint reader is available.
Parts for the standard P20 are in the separate Huawei P20 collection. The P20 and P20 Pro screens are different sizes and are not interchangeable.
What drives the cost of a P20 Pro screen replacement
We have not listed prices because screen prices vary by type and supplier and change over time. The main factors are:
- Screen type: OLED costs more than incell or TFT.
- Frame included: a framed screen costs more but saves labour and risk.
- Labour: a repair shop's charge depends on whether the screen is framed or must be separated.
- Extra parts: a new back cover if the old one cracks, back adhesive, and possibly a battery.
Ask any repairer for a written quote that states the screen type, whether the fingerprint sensor and all functions will be tested, and the warranty period.
Is it worth fixing a Huawei P20 Pro?
The P20 Pro launched in 2018 and was well regarded for its camera. It no longer receives major software updates, and it predates the restrictions that later limited Google services on newer Huawei phones, so it runs Google apps. Whether a repair is worthwhile depends on how you use it:
- Worth repairing if the rest of the phone works well, you value its camera, and the apps you need still run.
- Consider replacing if the battery is also worn and the back is damaged, the total quote approaches the price of a newer refurbished phone, or you need apps that require newer security updates.
Huawei's own UK support and repair information is available from Huawei UK support; service for older models may be limited.
Common mistakes
- Buying the P20 screen for a P20 Pro, or the other way round.
- Forgetting the fingerprint sensor when transferring parts to a framed screen.
- Prying the back with too little heat, which cracks it.
- Not testing before sealing, which means reopening a freshly glued back.
- Choosing incell for a main phone and being disappointed by the picture.
Troubleshooting after the replacement
- Screen stays black: the display flex is not fully seated, or the battery is not connected. Reseat both connectors.
- Touch not responding in places: a pinched flex or pressure from a misplaced bracket. Check routing and screws.
- Fingerprint sensor not working: the sensor flex was not reconnected or the sensor was not transferred. Check the connection and re-enrol your fingerprint in Settings.
- No sound from the earpiece: the earpiece was not transferred to the new frame, or its contacts are dirty.
- Phone not charging: the sub board flex is loose. Reseat it.
- Back cover lifting: old adhesive left on the frame, or the back was not clamped for long enough.
- Green tint or lines: a faulty or damaged panel. Contact the supplier before doing anything else.
Protecting the new screen
After spending money on a new display, protect it straight away. Fit a tempered glass screen protector made for the P20 Pro, making sure it does not cover the front fingerprint sensor in a way that stops it working, and use a case with a raised lip around the screen. Most screen damage comes from drops onto corners and from pockets shared with keys and coins.
Advice for repair shops
The P20 Pro is an older model, so stock screens carefully and only in the grades customers ask for. Always explain the difference between OLED and incell before quoting, test the customer's phone before starting so you can document existing faults such as camera or speaker problems, and quote for a new back cover as an option, because glass backs often crack during removal. Offering a battery replacement at the same time adds value for the customer and uses labour you are already spending.
Your rights and recycling
Parts bought from a UK business must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described; GOV.UK summarises your rights on its consumer protection rights page. Recycle the old screen and any old battery at a local collection point; Recycle Your Electricals lists drop-off points.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change a Huawei P20 Pro screen?
Remove the glued glass back, disconnect the battery, transfer the motherboard, battery and other parts into a new screen-and-frame assembly, test and reseal the back.
How much does it cost to fix a Huawei P20 Pro screen?
It depends on the screen type (OLED or incell), whether it comes with a frame, and labour. Get a written quote that states the screen type.
How do I access a Huawei P20 Pro with a broken screen?
Try a USB-C video adapter to a monitor with a USB mouse, an OTG mouse if the display works, or HiSuite on a computer. Check cloud backups first.
Is an OEM standard OLED screen worth it for the P20 Pro?
Yes, if the P20 Pro is your main phone. OLED keeps the deep blacks, brightness and colours the phone was designed with.
Can I fix a Huawei P20 Pro screen myself?
Yes, with a framed screen, the right tools and patience. Without a frame, the job is much harder and best left to a repair shop.
How long does a P20 Pro screen replacement take?
A repair shop typically needs one to two hours with a framed screen, plus time for the back adhesive to bond. A first DIY attempt can take longer, so set aside an afternoon.
Will my data be lost during a screen replacement?
A screen replacement does not normally erase data, but back up first in case something goes wrong during the repair.
Can a cracked P20 Pro screen get worse if I keep using it?
Yes. Cracks often spread, glass fragments can cut fingers, and pressure on a damaged OLED panel can cause new black spots or lines. Fit a screen protector over minor cracks and arrange the repair promptly.
Is the P20 screen the same as the P20 Pro?
No. They are different sizes and are not interchangeable.
The bottom line
Back up your data first, then choose an OEM standard OLED screen in its frame for the best result on a P20 Pro you plan to keep using. Replace the battery while the phone is open, and keep a spare back cover in case the old one cracks. Browse the Huawei P20 Pro parts collection for back covers, batteries and other parts, and ask your repairer for a written quote that includes screen type and warranty.
