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iPhone 16 Pro Max Back Glass Removal

Removal steps for the back glass in the iPhone...

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Moderate 45 minutes - 2 hours Guide 180884

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.

Guide overview

Before you begin

Removal steps for the back glass in the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Step 1

Create a gap using a suction handle

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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

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The next two steps show how to create an initial gap using a suction handle.
Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
You can also use an iOpener to heat the back glass. Follow these instructions to heat and apply the iOpener properly.

Step 2

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 iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass.
Pull up on the handle with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.
If a gap doesn't appear, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 3

Back glass information

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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As you slice the adhesive securing the back glass in the following steps, don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the following areas:
A delicate cable connecting the back glass to the iPhone, right next to the volume up button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.
Multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the iPhone.

Step 4

Separate the bottom edge adhesive

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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 Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to slice the adhesive.
If the adhesive feels difficult to slice, reheat the edge for a minute and try again.
Leave the opening pick in the bottom-left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

Heat the left edge

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the left edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 6

Separate the left adhesive

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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 Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Insert a second opening pick into the bottom-left corner, close to the existing pick.
Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Slide your pick along the left edge to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.
Leave this pick inserted in the top-left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 7

Heat the top edge and corner

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the top edge and top-right corner of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 8

Separate the top adhesive

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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 Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Insert a third opening pick into the top-left corner.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge and around the top-right corner, stopping above the volume up button.
Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 9

Heat the right edge

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the right edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 10

Separate the right adhesive

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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 Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Insert a fourth opening pick into the bottom-right corner.
Slide the opening pick around the corner and up the right edge, stopping below the volume down button.
Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 11

Reposition the back glass

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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At this point, the back glass should be free from the frame. If the back glass feels stuck, go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
Swing open the back glass to the right of the iPhone to separate the remaining adhesive.
Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object.

Step 12

Remove 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 Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the three screws securing the battery connector cover:
Two 1.3 mm‑long screws
One 1.0 mm‑long screw

Step 13

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 iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Lift and remove the battery connector cover.

Step 14

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 iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.

Step 15

Remove the back glass 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 Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the four screws securing the back glass connector cover:
Two 1.3 mm‑long screws
Two 1.0 mm‑long screws

Step 16

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 iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Lift the back glass connector cover straight up and remove it.

Step 17

Remove the back glass

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger 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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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the back glass connector.

Step 18

Repair step

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Remove the back glass.