220-1101 Mobile Devices Practice Question
A technician is repairing a smartphone that has a cracked screen. The glass is shattered but the LCD and digitizer underneath are functional except for unresponsive touch in some areas. The user wants all data preserved. After disconnecting the battery, which tool is MOST critical for safely lifting the cracked glass to access the internal components?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose the spudger (Option B) because it is a common prying tool, but they overlook that a cracked glass requires a suction cup to lift the glass safely without damaging the functional LCD and digitizer underneath.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Suction cup
The suction cup is the most critical tool for safely lifting the shattered glass because it provides a controlled, even pulling force to separate the glass from the frame without further damaging the underlying LCD and digitizer. Since the glass is cracked but the LCD and digitizer are still functional, using a suction cup minimizes the risk of applying uneven pressure that could crack the LCD or tear the digitizer flex cables. This tool is essential for preserving data by avoiding additional damage to the display assembly during disassembly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Screwdriver set
Why it's wrong here
Screwdrivers are rigid metal tools designed for turning fasteners, not for prying or lifting flat panels. Using a screwdriver tip under a cracked glass edge concentrates force on a tiny contact point, which can shatter the glass further and score the LCD/digitizer beneath. They lack any adhesive or vacuum grip, so they cannot create the even, perpendicular lift needed to separate the glass assembly from the frame safely.
- ✗
Spudger
Why it's wrong here
A spudger is a non-conductive prying tool meant for disconnecting ribbon cables and opening internal clips, not for lifting a large flat glass panel. Its thin tip cannot distribute lifting force across the shattered surface; it would plunge into cracks, worsening fragmentation and potentially piercing the digitizer. While a spudger is valuable after an initial gap is created, it is ineffective and unsafe for the initial glass separation step.
- ✓
Suction cup
Why this is correct
A suction cup is the correct tool because it creates a vacuum grip that adheres to the glass surface, allowing even, perpendicular lifting force. This distributes tension across the panel rather than concentrating it, which minimizes stress on the underlying LCD and digitizer. It gives the technician controlled leverage to raise the glass enough to insert an opening pick, making it the standard first tool for cracked screen removal.
- ✗
Magnifying glass
Why it's wrong here
A magnifying glass only enlarges the visual field and provides no mechanical means to lift, pry, or adhere to the glass. It is purely an inspection aid for identifying micro-cracks or aligning components, but it cannot exert any force on the panel. Using it for physical removal would leave the glass untouched, so it plays no role in separating the screen assembly.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1101 question from scratch — 896 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1101 exam.