The fine spider web crack is the most recognisable phone injury there is: a small impact point with hairline fractures spreading outwards in a dense web, the glass still holding together. This page draws that, full screen, in a browser.
What it simulates
Surface glass cracking on a phone or tablet , narrow fracture lines radiating and branching from a point of impact, over a black background. Denser and finer than the broken glass version, which shows larger radial fractures from a heavier break.
How to run it
- Press Start fullscreen. The cracks cover the whole display.
- Hand the device over, or leave it where someone will pick it up. Any on screen controls have faded by then.
- Press Esc, or tap Exit, to clear it.
Making it convincing
- Dim the display slightly. Real cracked glass scatters light, so a slightly dimmer screen reads as damaged more readily than a bright one.
- Do not hold the device. The illusion depends on nothing responding to touch, and a live interface underneath gives it away instantly.
- A dark room helps. Fine cracks are more convincing when the surrounding light is low.
- Keep it short. The moment someone tilts the device, the missing light catching in the fracture lines becomes obvious.
This is a joke that lands hardest on the person least able to take it. Do not use it on somebody who cannot easily replace a phone, on a work device, or on anyone who will be genuinely upset before you can explain. Own the device or have clear permission, and end it quickly.
What it cannot do
No glass is affected, nothing is written to the device, and no setting is changed. It is a drawing that exists only while the tab is open.
Related screens
Broken Glass for a heavier impact, Broken Screen for electronic panel failure, Fake Virus Alert for a software flavoured scare.
Cracked screen questions
Does this actually crack my screen?
No. It is a picture drawn by a web page. Your glass is fine and the image disappears when you close the tab.
How do I get rid of it?
Press Esc, tap the Exit control in the corner, or close the browser tab. Any of the three ends it immediately.
Can I set it as a wallpaper?
Not from this page , it draws the cracks live rather than producing an image file. The colour pages here do export PNGs, but this effect is not one of them.