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Use this guide to replace the SIM card reader in an iPhone 12 Pro Max.
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iPhone 12 Pro Max SIM Card Reader Replacement
Use this guide to replace the SIM card reader...
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Moderate
1 - 2 hours
Guide 141659
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.
Eject the SIM card tray
Remove the SIM card tray
- Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.
Remove the pentalobe screws
- Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
- Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Mark your opening picks
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 edge
- Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom half of the screen until it’s slightly too hot to touch. This softens the adhesive securing it.
Apply a suction cup
Lift the screen slightly
- Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the screen and the frame.
- Insert an opening pick at a steep angle into the gap.
- Remember to insert the opening pick under the thick plastic bezel to avoid damaging your screen.
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.
Repair step
- Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner of the iPhone to separate its adhesive.
- Continue sliding up the right edge of the iPhone until you reach the top right corner.
- Leave the pick in the top right corner before continuing.
Heat the top edge
- Use a hair dryer to heat the top edge of the iPhone until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
Separate the top adhesive
- Slide the opening pick around the top right corner of the iPhone to separate the top adhesive.
- Leave the pick in the top left corner before continuing.
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 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.
