FIXONICBefore you begin
This guide shows how to remove or transfer the front sensor assembly in your iPhone 13 mini. This assembly is affixed to the back of the display. You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
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iPhone 13 mini Front Sensor Assembly Replacement
This guide shows how to remove or transfer the...
Apple iPhone 13 mini
Moderate
1 - 2 hours
Guide 145628
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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.
Remove the screws
- Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
- Remove the two 6.8 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 screenuntil 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.
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
Apply a suction handle
Screen information
- 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.
Insert an opening pick
- 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.
Separate the bottom 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 right 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.
- 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
- 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.
Remove the suction cup(s)
Open the iPhone mini
- 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 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.
Remove the cover
Disconnect the battery and the OLED display cable
- Use a spudger to pry the battery and OLED panel cable connectors up from their sockets 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.
Unscrew the front sensor connector cover
- Remove the three screws securing the front sensor assembly cover:
- One 1.4 mm-long Phillips screw
- One 1.8 mm-long Y000 screw
- One 1.2 mm-long Y000 screw
Remove the cover
Disconnect the front sensors
Remove the display assembly
Unscrew the metal cover
Remove the cover
Heat up the top edge of the display
- Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the top front of the display for 1-2 minutes, in order to soften the adhesive securing the sensors.
Separate the ambient light sensor
Repair step
Repair step
- Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it again to the top front of the display for 1-2 minutes, in order to soften the adhesive securing the sensors.
