iPhone XR LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Step 1

Remove the pentalobe screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.
• Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
• Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
• Opening the iPhone will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.
• There's a black rubber gasket just beneath the head on each pentalobe screw. For maximum protection against dust and liquid, check the condition of the gaskets or replace the screws during reassembly.

Step 2

Mark your opening picks

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
• Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
• You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
• Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 3

Tape over any cracks

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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PART USED ON THIS STEP iPhone XR Screen Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• If your iPhone has a cracked screen, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.
• Lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.
• This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
• Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.
• If the broken glass makes it difficult to get a suction cup to stick in the next few steps, try folding a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lifting the display with that instead.

Step 4

Tape over any cracks

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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PART USED ON THIS STEP iPhone XR Screen Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• If your iPhone has a cracked screen, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.
• Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's screen until the whole face is covered.
• Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.
• If you can't get the suction cup to stick in the next few steps, fold a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lift the screen with that instead.
• If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the screen.

Step 5

Screen damage warning

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• To avoid damaging your screen in the next steps, note the following:
• There's a plastic bezel on the underside of the screen. Your opening pick will go underneath this bezel.
• There's a seam between the plastic bezel and the display panel. Don't insert your pick here or you'll damage the screen.
• Sometimes the display panel separates from the bezel before you even get a chance to insert a pick. This may be unavoidable depending on the condition of the adhesive. In this case, you’ll most likely need to replace your entire screen.

Step 6

Anti-Clamp instructions

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• The next three steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.
• For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
• Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
• Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
• Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
• Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
• If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 7

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.
• Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
• Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Step 8

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide

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PART USED ON THIS STEP iPhone XR Screen Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Heat an iOpener and thread it through the arms of the Anti-Clamp.
• You can also use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but extreme heat can damage the display and/or internal battery, so proceed with care.
• Fold the iOpener so it lays on the bottom edge of the iPhone.
• Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
• Insert an opening pick under the screen and the plastic bezel, not the screen itself.
• If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle a quarter turn.
• Don't crank more than a quarter turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
• Skip the next three steps.

Step 9

Heat up the screen

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide

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PART USED ON THIS STEP iPhone XR Screen Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.
• Use a hairdryer or heat gun, or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 10

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the curved portion of the glass.

Step 11

Lift the display slightly

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
• Insert an opening pick under the screen and the plastic bezel, not the screen itself.
• The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Step 12

Separate the screen adhesive

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PART USED ON THIS STEP iPhone XR Screen Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
• Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage internal components.

Step 13

Screen information

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PART USED ON THIS STEP iPhone XR Screen Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• There are delicate cables along the right edge of your iPhone. Don't insert your pick at the marked spots, as you may damage the cables.

Step 14

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.
• Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage the display cables.

Step 15

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips.
• Slide the opening pick around the top corner of the display, while gently pulling or wiggling the display down in the direction of the Lightning port.
• The clips will break if you use too much force. Work carefully and be patient.
• Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage the front panel sensor array.
• Slide the pick to the opposite corner and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.

Step 16

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

Step 17

Open the iPhone

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.
• Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.
• Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
• During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren't bent.

Step 18

Unscrew the battery connector cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove three 1.2 mm Y000 screws securing the battery connector cover bracket.
• Remove the bracket.
• Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
• During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 19

Disconnect the battery

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use the point of a spudger to pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket.
• Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.
• Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Step 20

Unscrew the display connector cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove the two 1.2 mm Y000 screws securing the display connector bracket.
• Remove the bracket.

Step 21

Disconnect the digitizer

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the digitizer cable.
• To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.
• If any part of your screen doesn't respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there's no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

Step 22

Disconnect the display

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the display cable connector.

Step 23

Unscrew the logic board connector cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove the five screws securing the logic board connector bracket to the rear case:
• One 1.3 mm Phillips #000 screw
• One 1.5 mm Phillips #000 screw
• Three 1.2 mm Y000 screws
• Remove the bracket.
• Be careful not to lose the smaller bracket clipped onto the edge. It's secured with a small clip and is easy to accidentally knock off of the larger bracket.

Step 24

Repair step

No step image supplied by iFixit.

• The shield is made of two parts, the smaller part is very easy to damage. If broken the NFC of the phone will not function. See comments below for different suggestions on how to avoid damage.

Step 25

Disconnect the front sensors

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use the tip of a spudger to pry the front sensor assembly connector up from its socket.

Step 26

Remove the display assembly

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove the display assembly.
• During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

Step 27

Unscrew the earpiece speaker

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove the four screws securing the speaker/sensor assembly to the back of the display:
• Two 1.6 mm Phillips screws
• One 2.3 mm Phillips screw
• One 1.2 mm Y000 screw

Step 28

Flip the speaker over

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Using tweezers, gently flip the speaker assembly over—down and away from the top edge of the display.
• The speaker remains attached via a very thin flex cable. Be careful not to strain or damage the cable.

Step 29

Heat the front sensor strip

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use a hairdryer, a heat gun, or a heated iOpener applied to the top front of the display for about a minute, in order to soften the adhesive securing the sensors.

Step 30

Pry up the microphone

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Carefully slide the flat edge of a spudger underneath the flex cable below the microphone.
• Twist gently to separate the microphone, while being careful not to strain or damage the flex cable.
• If needed, use the point of the spudger to finish separating the microphone from its notch in the front panel. If the microphone remains difficult to separate, apply more heat.

Step 31

Pry up the proximity sensor

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Working left to right, slide an opening pick beneath the flex cable and underneath the proximity sensor + flood illuminator module.
• Gently wiggle and lift to separate the module from its notch in the front panel.
• It's helpful to lift and hold the speaker out of the way for access. Just be careful not to pull on the thin flex cable while you work.

Step 32

Remove the ambient light sensor bracket

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use tweezers to slide the small bracket straight up and off of the ambient light sensor.

Step 33

Lift the ambient light sensor

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use tweezers to wiggle the ambient light sensor and lift it from its notch in the display.
• If the sensor does not wiggle free after a few seconds, apply more heat and try again.
• The sensor remains attached to the rest of the sensor assembly via a very thin flex cable. Be careful not to strain or damage the cable.

Step 34

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• If you successfully removed the entire ambient light sensor, as shown in the first photo, continue to the next step below.
• If the white diffuser strip is detached and remains embedded in the display, as shown in the second photo, you will need to carefully lever it out along the top edge using a thin blade or pry tool. Re-applying heat first may make this task a bit easier.
• During reassembly, install the diffuser into the display first, making sure it faces the right direction (the front-facing side is shown in the first image, and the rear-facing side is shown in the third).
• Then, set the ambient light sensor on top of the diffuser. You will need to hold the sensor in position while installing the screws securing the earpiece/sensor assembly. Once the screws are tightened, the sensor will stay in place and work normally.

Step 35

Remove the speaker + front sensors

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly.
• During reassembly, check the position of the black plastic module containing these components:
• Proximity sensor
• Flood illuminator
• The module must be positioned so that these components are not obstructed by any adhesive.

Step 36

Unscrew the LCD shield plate

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use a Y000 driver to remove the 1.1 mm screws securing the LCD shield:
• Three screws on the side nearest the display cables
• Two more screws on the opposite side
• Press your driver firmly into the screw while turning it. If needed, you can use your spudger to brace each screw from behind, in order to apply more pressure to the screws without bending the shield.

Step 37

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Remove the remaining 1.1 mm Y000 screws from the top and bottom edges of the LCD shield:
• Two screws near the camera cutouts
• Two screws at the bottom corners

Step 38

Add a little heat

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Apply a little heat from an iOpener (or hair dryer / heat gun) to the back of the display, in order to soften the adhesive securing the display cables to the LCD shield.

Step 39

Unstick the display cables

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Insert an opening pick between the display cables and LCD shield.
• Slide it toward the bottom edge of the display to begin separating the cables.
• Stop when you reach the end of the first cable.

Step 40

Separate the two cables

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Re-insert your opening pick, this time between the two cables.
• Slide the pick to the bottom edge of the display to separate the cables from each other.

Step 41

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Grab each cable near its 90° bend, and peel them apart.

Step 42

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Peel the entire digitizer cable away from the LCD shield, and fold it aside.

Step 43

Lift the shield plate

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Insert an opening pick under the top edge of the LCD shield, and twist to separate it from the display.

Step 44

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Grab the LCD shield by its top edge and swing it upward a few degrees.
• Using your spudger, press gently on the lower part of the display cable, pushing it through the cutout in the LCD shield.

Step 45

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Raise the top edge of the LCD shield a bit higher, and feed the rest of the display cable through the cutout in the shield.

Step 46

Separate the display cable

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Raise the LCD shield up at a higher angle, until you can see the rest of the display cable stuck to the back.
• Slide a spudger between the LCD shield and the display cable, and separate them completely.

Step 47

Check the EMI fingers

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• As you lift the LCD shield, note the metal prongs on the bottom edge.
• During reassembly, make sure these prongs (a.k.a. EMI fingers) are correctly inserted into the LCD frame as shown.

Step 48

Remove the shield

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• Remove the LCD shield.

Step 49

Repair step

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• Only the LCD and digitizer remains.