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Prerequisite-only guide for detaching the display assembly from the iPhone 12 mini for access to internal components.
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iPhone 12 mini Display Assembly Replacement
Prerequisite-only guide for detaching the...
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Moderate
30 - 45 minutes
Guide 139974
Licensed iFixit integration
This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.
Remove the pentalobe screws
- Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
- Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Tape over any cracks
- Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's screen until the whole face is covered.
- 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.
Screen damage warning
- 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.
Anti-Clamp instructions
- 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.
Repair step
- Pull the blue handle forwards 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.
Repair step
- Support your iPhone on something sturdy such as a hardcover book so it rests hands-free and parallel to the ground; this makes it easier to work with in the following steps.
- Use a hair dryer to heat along the bottom edge of the iPhone. The screen should feel slightly too hot to touch.
- Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
- Insert an opening pick under the screen's plastic bezel when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
- Skip the next three steps.
Heat the bottom half of the phone
Apply a suction handle
- If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, as close to the edge as possible.
- If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
Lift the screen slightly
- Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the screen and the metal frame.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen and the plastic bezel, not the screen itself.
Separate the bottom edge adhesive
- Slide your pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
- Leave your pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
Heat the right edge
- Use a hair dryer to heat the right edge of the iPhone (the edge with the power button) until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
Separate the screen adhesive
- Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Heat the top half
- Use a hair dryer to heat the top half of the iPhone until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
Repair step
- Insert your pick underneath the top-right corner of the display panel.
- Slide the pick around the top right corner. Because of the clips you might encounter some resistance.
- Slide the pick along the top edge and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.
Heat the left edge
- Use a hair dryer to heat the left edge of the iPhone until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
Separate the left edge adhesive
Open the iPhone
- Rotate your iPhone so the right edge faces you.
- Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
- Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
Unscrew the battery and display connector cover
Remove the battery and display connector cover
Disconnect the battery
- Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
- 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.
