Do you have a cracked or shattered iPhone screen? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people break their iPhone screens every year. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to remove an iPhone screen yourself. In this article, we’ll show you how to do it safely and without damaging your phone. We also attached a featured image so you can better understand the process.
Before you start, there are a few things you’ll need:
- A new iPhone screen
- A Phillips #00 screwdriver
- A suction cup
- A spudger
Once you have all of your materials, you can follow these steps to remove your iPhone screen:
Removing an iPhone screen is a relatively simple process, but it’s important to take your time and be careful. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always take your phone to a repair shop. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, give it a try! You may be surprised at how easy it is.
Disassembling the iPhone
Required Tools and Materials
Before embarking on the process of disassembling your iPhone, gather the necessary tools and materials for the task. This includes a specialized screwdriver set designed specifically for iPhones, a suction cup for removing the screen, a pentalobe screw bit, a heat gun or hair dryer (for softening the adhesive), plastic spudgers for prying open components, and a replacement screen if needed.
Safety Precautions
Handle the iPhone with care during the disassembly process to avoid damaging any components or causing injury. Disconnect the device from all power sources and wear safety glasses or goggles for protection.
Step-by-Step Disassembly
Begin by removing the two pentalobe screws located on the bottom edge of the iPhone, next to the charging port. Use a suction cup to gently lift the screen from the frame while simultaneously applying heat from the heat gun or hair dryer around the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive. Pry the screen up with a plastic spudger and detach the flex cables connecting the screen to the logic board. Remove the metal plate shielding the battery and disconnect the battery connector. Proceed to unscrew the screws holding the speaker assembly and remove it.
| Screw Type | Location |
|---|---|
| Pentalobe | Bottom Edge, Charging Port |
| Phillips | Speaker Assembly |
Locating the Screen Assembly
The screen assembly is the part of your iPhone that includes the LCD, touchscreen, and front-facing camera. It’s held in place by a series of screws and clips. To remove the screen assembly, you’ll need to use a screwdriver and a pry tool.
Step 1: Remove the two screws at the bottom of the iPhone
These screws are located on either side of the Lightning connector. Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove them.
Step 2: Use a suction cup to lift the screen assembly
Place a suction cup on the bottom of the screen assembly, just above the Home button. Pull up on the suction cup to create a gap between the screen assembly and the frame of the iPhone.
Step 3: Insert a pry tool into the gap
Insert a pry tool into the gap that you created in Step 2. Gently pry up on the pry tool to loosen the clips that are holding the screen assembly in place.
Step 4: Lift the screen assembly up and off the iPhone
Once you’ve loosened the clips, you can lift the screen assembly up and off the iPhone. Be careful not to damage the flex cables that connect the screen assembly to the logic board.
| Screw Type | Location |
|---|---|
| Phillips #000 | Bottom of the iPhone, on either side of the Lightning connector |
Removing the Battery Connector
The battery connector is a delicate piece of hardware, so it’s important to be careful when disconnecting it. Here are the steps on how to remove the battery connector:
- Locate the battery connector. It is usually located at the bottom of the iPhone, near the charging port.
- Use a spudger or your fingernail to gently pry up the battery connector. Be careful not to damage the connector or the surrounding components.
- Once the battery connector is disconnected, you can remove the battery from the iPhone.
Additional tips for removing the battery connector:
- If you are having trouble disconnecting the battery connector, you can try using a heat gun to warm up the adhesive around the connector. This will make the adhesive softer and easier to remove.
- Be careful not to overtighten the screws when reassembling the iPhone. Overtightening the screws can damage the battery connector or the surrounding components.
- If you are not comfortable removing the battery connector yourself, you can take your iPhone to a repair shop and have them do it for you.
Detaching the Logic Board
To detach the logic board, follow these steps:
1. Remove Battery Connector
Use a spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the battery connector from the logic board.
2. Disconnect Camera Connectors
Use a spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the rear camera connector and the front camera connector from the logic board.
3. Remove Antenna Connectors
Use a spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the two antenna connectors from the logic board.
4. Remove Logic Board Screws
Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the two Phillips #000 screws securing the logic board to the frame.
| Screw Location | Screw Length |
|---|---|
| Top right corner of the logic board | 3.0 mm |
| Bottom left corner of the logic board | 3.0 mm |
Note: The screw lengths may vary slightly depending on the iPhone model.
5. Lift and Remove Logic Board
Gently lift the logic board up and away from the frame. Be careful not to damage the flex cables connecting the logic board to the other components of the iPhone.
Removing the Earpiece Speaker
To remove the earpiece speaker, first remove the two screws that hold the speaker in place. Then, gently pry the speaker off of the phone using a spudger or a plastic opening tool. Be careful not to damage the speaker or the surrounding components.
Things to Consider
Here are some things to consider when removing the earpiece speaker:
- The earpiece speaker is a delicate component, so be careful not to damage it.
- If you are not comfortable removing the earpiece speaker yourself, you can take your phone to a repair shop.
- If you do damage the earpiece speaker, you will need to replace it.
Estimated Time
The estimated time to remove the earpiece speaker is 5-10 minutes.
Required Tools
The following tools are required to remove the earpiece speaker:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Spudger or plastic opening tool | Used to pry the earpiece speaker off of the phone |
| Screwdriver | Used to remove the screws that hold the earpiece speaker in place |
Difficulty Level
The difficulty level to remove the earpiece speaker is easy.
Disconnecting the Front Panel Sensors
To disconnect the front panel sensors, follow these steps:
-
Identify the sensors you need to disconnect. The most common sensors are the proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and front-facing camera.
-
Locate the connectors for the sensors. The connectors are usually located on the back of the front panel or on the logic board.
-
Use a spudger or tweezers to carefully pry the connector off the sensor.
-
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all the sensors you need to disconnect.
-
Once all the sensors are disconnected, you can remove the front panel.
-
If you are having trouble disconnecting a sensor, you can try using a heat gun to soften the adhesive. Be careful not to apply too much heat, as this can damage the sensor.
Tips:
- Be careful not to damage the sensors when you are disconnecting them.
- If you are unsure about how to disconnect a sensor, consult a repair manual or online guide.
- Once you have disconnected the sensors, store them in a safe place so that you can reconnect them later.
Removing the Home Button Assembly
To remove the home button assembly, follow these steps:
- Remove the two screws that secure the Lightning connector bracket.
- Disconnect the Lightning connector.
- Remove the three screws that secure the home button assembly.
- Disconnect the home button connector.
- Remove the home button assembly.
Estimated Time to Complete
The estimated time to complete this task is 15-30 minutes.
Skill Level
This task requires moderate skill level.
Safety Precautions
Wear gloves and safety glasses when working with electronic devices.
Tools and Materials
You will need the following tools and materials to remove the home button assembly:
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Phillips #000 screwdriver | Used to remove the screws that secure the Lightning connector bracket and the home button assembly. |
| Lightning connector tool | Used to disconnect the Lightning connector. |
| Gloves | Used to protect your hands from static electricity. |
| Safety glasses | Used to protect your eyes from flying debris. |
Separating the Screen Assembly
8. Remove the screws securing the battery connector
Locate the two 1.8 mm Phillips #00 screws on the bottom of the logic board, next to the battery connector. These screws hold the battery connector in place, so it must be removed before separating the screen assembly.
Use a magnetic screwdriver to remove both screws.
| Screw | Size |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1.8 mm Phillips #00 |
Once the screws are removed, carefully lift the logic board up to disconnect the battery connector. Do not force the logic board up, as it could damage the connector or other components.
Note: If the battery connector is still firmly attached, use a plastic spudger to gently pry it loose. Be careful not to damage the connector or logic board.
With the battery connector disconnected, the screen assembly is now free to be separated from the logic board.
Cleaning the Frame
The frame of your iPhone is an important part of the device’s overall design and structure. It protects the internal components from damage and helps to keep the iPhone looking its best. Over time, the frame can become dirty or smudged, which can detract from the overall appearance of the phone. Fortunately, cleaning the frame is a relatively simple process that can be completed in just a few minutes.
To clean the frame of your iPhone, you will need the following supplies:
- A soft, lint-free cloth
- A mild cleaning solution (such as water or isopropyl alcohol)
- A cotton swab (optional)
Once you have gathered your supplies, follow these steps to clean the frame of your iPhone:
- Turn off your iPhone and unplug it from any power source.
- Gently wipe the frame of your iPhone with the soft, lint-free cloth. This will remove any loose dirt or dust.
- Dampen the soft, lint-free cloth with the mild cleaning solution. Avoid using harsh cleaners, as these can damage the frame of your iPhone.
- Wipe the frame of your iPhone with the damp cloth. Be sure to get into all the crevices and corners.
- Dry the frame of your iPhone with a clean, dry cloth.
- If there are any stubborn smudges or dirt, you can use a cotton swab dipped in the mild cleaning solution to gently remove them.
- Once the frame of your iPhone is clean, you can reassemble the phone and turn it back on.
By following these steps, you can easily clean the frame of your iPhone and keep it looking its best.
Tips for Cleaning the Frame of Your iPhone
- Avoid using harsh cleaners, as these can damage the frame of your iPhone.
- If you are using a cleaning solution, be sure to dampen the cloth first and avoid getting any liquid inside the phone.
- Be gentle when cleaning the frame of your iPhone, as you do not want to scratch or damage it.
- Clean the frame of your iPhone regularly to prevent dirt and smudges from building up.
Reassembling the iPhone
To reassemble the iPhone, follow these steps:
1. Replace the battery
The new battery is a must for the phone to start displaying, hence it is the first item on the list. To replace the battery, hold the battery connector in place with one hand and carefully remove the adhesive strip covering the connector with the other hand. Be careful not to damage the connector. Once the adhesive strip is removed, slide the battery out of the phone.
2. Replace the screen
To replace the screen, remove the four screws that hold the screen in place. To do this, use a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Once the screws are removed, carefully lift the screen off the phone. Be careful not to damage the screen or the phone’s frame.
3. Replace the front panel
The front panel is the part of the phone that contains the earpiece, camera, and other sensors. To replace the front panel, remove the two screws that hold the panel in place. To do this, use a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Once the screws are removed, carefully lift the front panel off the phone. Be careful not to damage the front panel or the phone’s frame.
4. Replace the speaker
To replace the speaker, remove the two screws that hold the speaker in place. To do this, use a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Once the screws are removed, carefully lift the speaker out of the phone. Be careful not to damage the speaker or the phone’s frame.
5. Replace the rear camera
To replace the rear camera, remove the two screws that hold the camera in place. To do this, use a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Once the screws are removed, carefully lift the camera out of the phone. Be careful not to damage the camera or the phone’s frame.
6. Replace the SIM card tray
To replace the SIM card tray, insert the SIM card removal tool into the small hole on the side of the phone. This will eject the SIM card tray. Once the tray is ejected, remove the old SIM card and insert the new one. Then, push the tray back into the phone.
7. Replace the buttons
To replace the buttons, remove the two screws that hold the button assembly in place. To do this, use a Phillips #00 screwdriver. Once the screws are removed, carefully lift the button assembly out of the phone. Be careful not to damage the button assembly or the phone’s frame.
8. Replace the screws
Once all of the components are replaced, replace the screws that hold them in place. To do this, use a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
9. Power on the phone
Once the screws are replaced, power on the phone.
10. Test the phone
Once the phone is powered on, test all of the functions to make sure that they are working properly.
How to Remove iPhone Screen
Removing the screen from an iPhone can be a challenging but rewarding task. By following the steps outlined below, you can safely remove the screen without damaging your device. However, it’s important to note that this process requires specialized tools and a steady hand. If you’re not confident in your ability to perform the repair, it’s best to consult a professional.
- Gather your tools and materials. You will need a Phillips #00 screwdriver, a suction cup, a plastic opening tool, and a heat gun or hair dryer.
- Power down your iPhone and remove the screws. Locate the two screws at the bottom of the iPhone and remove them using the Phillips #00 screwdriver.
- Apply heat to the screen. Use the heat gun or hair dryer to warm the edges of the screen. This will soften the adhesive that holds the screen in place.
- Attach the suction cup. Place the suction cup on the bottom of the screen and pull up gently. This will create a small gap between the screen and the frame.
- Insert the plastic opening tool. Insert the plastic opening tool into the gap and gently pry the screen up. Be careful not to damage the LCD or the digitizer.
- Disconnect the cables. Once the screen is lifted, disconnect the two cables that connect it to the motherboard. Be careful not to damage the connectors.
- Remove the screen. Once the cables are disconnected, you can remove the screen from the iPhone.
