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Home/ Repair guides/ iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement
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iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement

The Taptic Engine produces your iPhone's...

Apple iPhone 13 mini Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 145506
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This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

The Taptic Engine produces your iPhone's vibration and haptic feedback functions. This guide shows how to remove and/or replace the Taptic Engine in an iPhone 13 mini. You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.

Step 1

Remove the screws

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the screws ⌕
P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Phillips PH000 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
  • Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
  • Remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
  • Opening the iPhone's display 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.
Step 2

Mark your opening picks

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Mark your opening picks ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
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

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Tape over any cracks ⌕
Suction Handle
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger 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 screenuntil 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 4

Anti-Clamp instructions

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Anti-Clamp instructions ⌕
Suction Handle
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
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 5

Repair step

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — repair step ⌕
Suction Handle
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • 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.
Step 6

Repair step

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — repair step ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • 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.
  • For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, check out this guide.
  • 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.
  • 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 7

Heat the bottom edge

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Heat the bottom edge ⌕
Heat Gun
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the iPhone until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
  • Never leave your hair dryer in one spot for an extended period of time.
Step 8

Apply a suction handle

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Apply a suction handle ⌕
Suction Handle
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, as close to the edge as possible.
Step 9

Screen information

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Screen information ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • To avoid damaging your screen in the next step, 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 10

Insert an opening pick

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Insert an opening pick ⌕
Suction Handle
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide
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iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
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 screen and the frame.
  • Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen's plastic bezel.
  • Make sure to insert the pick between the plastic bezel and the metal frame. If you insert the pick between the glass screen and the plastic bezel, you'll damage your screen.
  • The watertight adhesive holding the screen 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 11

Separate the bottom adhesive

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Separate the bottom adhesive ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Don't insert your opening pick deeper than 3 mm along the bottom edge.
  • 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.
Step 12

Heat the right edge

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — 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.
Step 13

Separate the right adhesive

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Separate the right adhesive ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • 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.
  • Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, and don't force it through unheated sections of adhesive, or it may slip and damage internal components.
  • Leave the pick in the top right corner before continuing.
Step 14

Heat the top edge

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — 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.
Step 15

Separate the top adhesive

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Separate the top adhesive ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Slide the opening pick around the top right corner of the iPhone to separate the top adhesive.
  • Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage the top sensors.
  • Leave the pick in the top left corner before continuing.
Step 16

Heat the left edge

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — 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.
Step 17

Separate the left adhesive

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Separate the left adhesive ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • There are delicate cables along the left edge of your iPhone. Don't insert your pick deeper than 2 mm here, as you may damage the cables.
  • Rotate your pick around the top left corner of the screen.
  • Slide your pick to the bottom left corner of the screen to separate the adhesive.
  • If you're having trouble separating the adhesive, reheat the left edge.
Step 18

Remove the suction cup(s)

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the suction cup(s) ⌕
Suction Handle
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
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 19

Open the iPhone mini

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Open the iPhone mini ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • 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.
  • 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 20

Unscrew the battery and display connector cover

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Unscrew the battery and display connector cover ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Remove the 1.2 mm-long Y000 screw securing the battery and display connector cover.
  • 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 21

Remove the cover

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the cover ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery and display connector cover.
Step 22

Disconnect the battery and the OLED display cable

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Disconnect the battery and the OLED display cable ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a spudger to pry the battery and OLED panel cable connectors up from their sockets on the logic board.
  • 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.
  • 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.
Step 23

Unscrew the front sensor connector cover

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Unscrew the front sensor connector cover ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Remove the three screws securing the front sensor assembly cover:
  • One 1.4 mm-long Phillips screw
  • This screw may strip easily. Use a driver that fits the screw head snugly, apply firm downward pressure, and turn slowly to avoid stripping it.
  • One 1.8 mm-long Y000 screw
  • One 1.2 mm-long Y000 screw
Step 24

Remove the cover

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the cover ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front sensor assembly connector cover.
Step 25

Disconnect the front sensors

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Disconnect the front sensors ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a spudger to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.
Step 26

Remove the display assembly

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the display assembly ⌕
iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
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 Taptic Engine

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Unscrew the Taptic Engine ⌕
P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Phillips PH000 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Remove the three Phillips screws (securing the Taptic Engine):
  • One 1.5 mm-long screw
  • One 2.1 mm-long screw
  • One 1.9 mm-long screw
Step 28

Remove the cover

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the cover ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine connector cover bracket.
Step 29

Disconnect the Taptic Engine

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Disconnect the Taptic Engine ⌕
Spudger
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide
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ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Use a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket.
Step 30

Unscrew the standoff screw

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Unscrew the standoff screw ⌕
P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide
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Phillips PH000 Screwdriver
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips PH000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide
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  • Remove the 3 mm-long standoff screw.
Step 31

Remove the Taptic Engine

iPhone 13 mini Taptic Engine Replacement — Remove the Taptic Engine ⌕
ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers
TOOL USED ON THIS STEP ESD Safe Blunt Nose Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide
View item
  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine.