Battery replacement of iPhone 11 Pro Max

Before starting, it is necessary to discharge the iPhone below 25% because a charged Li-ion battery can ignite or explode if accidentally cut.

• 1. Turn off the iPhone
• 2. On the bottom edge of the iPhone, unscrew two 6.7 mm long pentalobe screws using a Pentalobe PL1 (0.8 mm) screwdriver.

Opening iPhone will break its waterproof seal, so have a replacement seal ready before beginning this step. Without a new seal, your iPhone will not be waterproof.

A) Heating the phone

1. It is recommended to wear protective ESD gloves.

2. Using a heat gun or a hair dryer, heat entire bottom side of the iPhone for about 2 minutes to reach a temperature of approximately 80°C (176°F), or until it becomes difficult to keep your hand on the phone due to the high temperature.

Heating the phone up helps to soften the adhesive between the display and the phone frame, making it easier to open.

Note: There is a fragile cable linking the screen to the phone. Cable is positioned right under the power/unlock button.

There are several spring contacts located around the phone's perimeter.

Exercise caution to avoid inserting your pick deeper than recommended in these areas to prevent bending these contacts.

B) Opening the display

The display can be opened in two different ways: The first method is using a suction cup, and the second method is using a securing tool, which is safer.

In this guide, we will proceed using a suction cup.

Placement of the suction cup

• Place the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone, one on the front and the other on the back, and gently press down on the spot.
• If using a single cup, attach it to the bottom edge of the phone, stay away from the edge of the glass.
• Securely hold your iPhone and with firm, steady pressure, pull on the suction cup to create a gap between the frame and the display.

After separating the display about 3 mm from the frame, insert a pick or card into the gap.

The adhesive holding the display in place is very strong. Therefore, creating this initial gap requires considerable force. If you encounter difficulty, reheat the bottom edge and gently slide the display up and down repeatedly to weaken the adhesive until you create a gap large enough to insert the card.

C) Heating up the top edge

• Using a heat gun or a hair dryer, heat the top edge of the iPhone (the edge with the power button) for 90 seconds or until the display becomes too hot to touch.

D) Releasing the top clip and separating the adhesive (top side of the iPhone)

Avoid inserting the pick deeper than 3 mm to prevent damaging the front panel sensor array.

• The upper edge of the display is held in place by both adhesive and clips.

Carefully pull the right side of the display downward (towards the Lightning port).

• Insert your pick into the top-right corner of the phone.

• Keep pulling the display downward (toward the Lightning port) as necessary to create a gap large enough for the pick.

• Slide the pick toward the top-left corner, cutting through any remaining adhesive securing the display.

Grip the small tab on the Suction cup and lift it to detach it from the screen.

• Carefully open the screen to the left side of the phone.

If the screen appears to be stuck, revisit the edges to ensure no sections of adhesive or clips are overlooked.

• Support the screen against a box or similar object to prevent strain on the cables.

Do not attempt to fully detach the screen yet, as fragile flat flex cable is still connected to the iPhone's motherboard.

Warning: If the battery is damaged stop the repair. Do not put yourself in danger.

When reassembling the iPhone to its original state, place the display in position. Align the clips along the top edge and before snapping the rest of the display into place, gently press the top edge into position. If it doesn't snap into place easily, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the screen and ensure they are not bent.

Utilize a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to loosen the screws holding the battery cover in place:

- Two screws measuring 1.3 mm in lenght

Use tweezers to lift the cover and remove it.

Employ the pointed end of an spudger to lift and detach the battery press connector.

When reattaching a press connector, align it with its socket and carefully press down on one side until it clicks into position, then repeat the process for the other side. Ensure it sits flush, as the insulating rubber around the sockets may hinder a complete connection.

When reassembling phone this is a good time to test your new display if it works correctly before sealing the phone again.

• Use a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to take out the six 1.3 mm screws that secure the logic board cover bracket.

Use tweezers to lift the cover and remove it.

Use a Y000 screwdriver to take out the four 1.1 mm screws securing the cover.

Use tweezers to take out the front sensor connector cover. 

• Utilize the pointed tip of a spudger to disconnect the display cable from assembly.

​​​​​​​When reattaching press connectors like this, gently align them and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then do the same on the other side. Avoid pressing on the center. Misalignment can cause the pins to bend, leading to permanent damage.

• Use a spudger to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

• Next, use a spudger to detach the digitizer cable connector.

If any part of the screen becomes unresponsive to touch after the repair, disconnect the battery and reseat this connector, ensuring it clicks securely into place and that there is no dust or debris in the socket.

• Remove the display and place it on a clean, straight surface.

Warning: Do not touch the TrueDepth camera, grounding springs or near parts.

Exercise caution to avoid causing harm to any of the spring contacts while cleaning the frame.

Use a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to take out the four 1.2 mm screws securing the cover in place.

Use a spudger to lift the lower battery flex cable straight up from its socket.

Again use a spudger to lift and disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable from its socket.

Take out the three screws holding the Taptic Engine in place:

Use Y000 tri-point screwdriver to unscrew

• One 2.0 mm Y000 screw
• One 1.6 mm Y000 screw

Then use Standoff screwdriver to unscrew

One 4.0 mm standoff screw

For standoff screws, it's best to use a standoff screwdriver or bit. If necessary, a small flathead screwdriver can work, but be very careful to avoid slipping and damaging nearby components.

Use a tweezers to remove Taptic Engine

Use a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to take out the three 1.3 mm screws securing the Lightning flex cable bracket.

Then use tweezers lift the bracket away.

Gently pry upward with pointed end of spudger to detach both Lightning flex cable connectors from the logic board.

Utilize spudger to push this cable away from the battery.

The battery is held in place with three stretch-release adhesive strips—one at the bottom edge, one at the top, and another on the right side.

Each adhesive strip has one or two black pull tabs at the ends, which are lightly stuck to the battery's side edges.

In the next steps, you’ll pull each tab to gradually stretch the adhesive beneath the battery. These "command-strip" adhesives lose their grip when stretched, making battery removal easier.

If the strips tear, don’t worry! They don’t always work perfectly. Continue reading for tips on how to handle broken strips.

Peel back the first adhesive pull-tab from the bottom edge of the battery to unstick it.

Avoid using sharp tools near the battery, as puncturing it could cause hazardous chemicals to leak or potentially ignite.

Bottom adhesive strip

Grasp the pull tab with your fingers and gently pull it away from the battery, directing it toward the bottom of the iPhone.

Apply enough tension to stretch the strip, but don't rush or force it. Allow ample time for the adhesive to loosen from under the battery.

Avoid pressing down on the battery. Hold the iPhone securely by its sides.

Keep the strip flat and smooth, pulling evenly across its entire length instead of focusing on the center or one side.

Pull at a low angle to prevent the strip from catching on the battery's edge.

If the strip breaks, try to grab it with your fingers or blunt tweezers and continue pulling—do not pry under the battery.

If an adhesive strip snaps off under the battery and can't be retrieved, move on to removing the other strips before following the additional steps provided.

Top adhesive strip

The top pull tabs are positioned very close to the Face ID sensors. If these sensors are damaged, only Apple can repair Face ID, so proceed with caution. Avoid touching the lenses with your fingers.

Carefully peel back the battery adhesive pull tabs to detach them from the top edge of the battery.

Hold both pull tabs simultaneously and gently pull them to stretch the adhesive away from the battery, moving toward the top of the iPhone.

Use the same method as before: avoid pressing on the battery, keep the strips flat and smooth, and pull at a low angle.

If a strip breaks, try to grab it with your fingers or blunt tweezers and continue pulling—do not pry under the battery.

If the adhesive breaks off underneath the battery and cannot be retrieved, proceed to the next step.

Right side adhesive strip

Lift the two remaining adhesive pull tabs to detach them from the right edge of the battery.

Following the same method as before, gently pull both tabs simultaneously to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strip securing the battery. Avoid catching the adhesive on the edge of the iPhone.

Take care not to let the battery slip out of the iPhone as the last adhesive strip is released.

If you managed to remove all the adhesive strips successfully, you can skip the next step.

If not, proceed to the next step below.

If the battery is still difficult to remove, apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) underneath the edge of the battery where the broken adhesive strip(s) are located.

Allow about one minute for the alcohol to weaken the adhesive.

Using the flat end of a spudger, gently lift the battery.

Do not attempt to forcefully pry the battery out. If necessary, apply a few more drops of alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never bend or puncture the battery with your tool.

Avoid bending or folding your battery. If the adhesive proves resistant, add a few more drops of isopropyl alcohol and attempt again.

Slide the narrow edge of a plastic card between the lower edge of the battery and the frame.

Take care not to scrape the frame beneath the battery—the wireless charging coil is exposed near the center.

Carefully lift the battery until the adhesive completely releases.

Depending on the strength of the adhesive, this process may require patience. Apply steady pressure for up to a minute to allow the adhesive to loosen.

Remove the old battery.

Clean the frame using isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free or microfiber cloth.

Before applying adhesive, temporarily reconnect your new battery and position it in place to ensure it fits and the cable reaches the socket on the logic board.

Disconnect the battery afterward.

Alternatively, use thin, double-sided tape for securing it.

Remove all the old screen adhesive around the perimeter of your iPhone's case using a spudger or tweezers.

Be sure to remove any remaining smaller bits of adhesive with the tip of your spudger

Be careful not to damage any of the spring contacts as you go around the frame.

Using a lint-free cloth (or coffee filter) with a bit of isopropyl alcohol, clean the areas of the case and rear display where you removed the old adhesive.

This will help remove any remaining adhesive residue and prep the surface for the new adhesive.

For best results, swipe your cleaning cloth in one direction, not back and forth.

Once you make sure everything fits, disconnect the battery and continue reassembly.

Remove the small sections of blue film covering the flat ends of the new stretch release adhesive strips.

Don't remove the entire blue liner yet.

Carefully align the sections with the blue film removed with the top edge of the battery on its front side and gently press them into the place.

Note that these will act as the strips you pulled from the top of the old battery while removing it.

Place the battery on a flat surface and begin removing the rest of the blue film, beginning on the other side of the stretch release adhesive.

Use a pair of tweezers if you’re having trouble with separating the edge of the blue film from the adhesive.

Gently roll the adhesive onto the surface of the battery over the top edge using your fingertip and lay it flat to the back side of the battery.

Do not pull or stretch the adhesive.

Press the strips firmly, sticking them properly to the back side of the battery.

Turn it off again, disconnect the rear glass components and continue.

Apply new adhesive around the edges of the iPhone. Reconnect all the components of the display assembly through a reverse process.

The new adhesive will ensure the iPhone's resistance to water and dust.

Be precise while applying the new adhesive. Improper installation could lead to your iPhone not being water-resistant, and there's a higher likelihood of dust or moisture ingress.

Check the phone for excess screws and small parts that may be stuck in the body of phone and remove them.

Install the new display on your phone.

When reassembling the iPhone back to its original state, follow these instructions in reverse order.

After reassembly, perform a forced restart. This may help prevent some issues.

Install back the old LCD display

Also check the phone for excess screws and small parts that may be stuck in the body of phone and remove them.

When reassembling the iPhone back to its original state, follow these instructions in reverse order. After reassembly, perform a forced restart. This may help prevent any possible issues.