Replacing LCD display on the iPhone 13 Pro

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 6.8 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 hair dryer or heat gun, heat the entire perimeter of the display for about 3 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 helps to soften the adhesive between the display and the phone frame, making it easier to open.

Along the left edge of the iPhone are flex cables. Do not insert the pick or card into this side!

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 suction cup, attach it to the bottom edge of the phone, avoiding the edge of the glass itself.
• Securely hold your iPhone and with firm, steady pressure, pull on the suction cup to create a slight 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 the right edge

• Utilize a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up the right edge of the iPhone (the side with the power button) for approximately 90 seconds, or until the screen reaches a temperature too hot to touch

D) Separating the adhesive (right side of the iPhone)

• Put the pick or card from the bottom right corner and slide it upwards to the top right corner, gently separating the adhesive as you go.

Exercise caution and avoid inserting the pick or card more than 3 mm to prevent any potential damage to internal components.

Before proceeding, leave the pick or card in the top right corner.

E) Top edge

• Apply heat with the hair dryer or heat gun to the top edge of the iPhone for approximately 90 seconds, or until the screen reaches a temperature that is too hot to touch.
• Slide the pick or card around the top right corner of the iPhone to separate the top adhesive.

Before proceeding, leave the pick or card in the top left corner.

F) Heating the left edge

• Apply heat the left edge of the iPhone with a hair dryer or heat gun for 90 seconds or until the screen becomes too hot to touch.

G) Separating the adhesive (left side of the iPhone)

• Insert the pick or card into the bottom left corner of the iPhone.
• Slide the pick or card along the entire edge until the clips holding the display release. Be careful of the flex cables located on this side of the display.

If you have difficulty separating the adhesive, reheat the left edge.

• After successfully releasing the adhesive from the edges, remove the suction cup/s.

• Open the iPhone by flipping the display from the right side like a book.

It is recommended to support the display to avoid tearing the flat flex cable that connects the display to the motherboard.

Do not attempt to fully detach the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.

Warning: If the battery is damaged stop the repair.

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 display and ensure they are not bent.

• Remove three 1.3 mm screws using a Y000 screwdriver that secure the connector cover, and simultaneously detach it using tweezers.

• Use the tip of a spudger tool to pry the battery connector off the motherboard.
• Gently bend the battery connector with the flex cable away from the motherboard to prevent accidental contact with the motherboard connector and thus avoid potential short circuits.

Try not to damage the black silicone seal, which provides additional protection against water and dust ingress.

• Disconnect the cable connector and digitizer using a spudger tool or your fingernail.

When assembling the iPhone back.

For reconnection, press down on the flex cable connector.

Follow these steps:

• Carefully align and press down on one side of the flex cable connector until it snaps into place.
• Then repeat this process on the other side of the flex cable connector.

Avoid pressing on the middle part of the flex cable connector. If the flex cable connector is improperly aligned, the pins on the flex cable connector or on the motherboard connector may bend and cause permanent damage.

Use a Y000 Screwdriver to unscrew two 1.1 mm screws.

Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the remaining two screws from the cover:

• One 1.5 mm screw
• One 1.8 mm Y000 screw

• Disconnect the front sensor flex cable connector using a spudger tool or your fingernail.

• Remove the display assembly.

After removing the display, place it on a clean, straight surface.

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

• With a Y000 screwdriver to unfasten three 1.4 mm screws holding the front sensor bracket.

• Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the front sensor assembly bracket.

• Use a heat gun, hair dryer or hot plate and apply it to the top edge of the screen. But be careful not to overheat it—the display is sensible to heat damage.

• Insert an opening pick between the ambient light sensor and its recess in the screen. Pry up with the pick to separate the ambient light sensor from the screen.

• Place an opening pick between the proximity sensor and its designated area on the screen. Apply gentle pressure to lift and separate the proximity sensor from the screen using the tool.

• Utilize tweezers or your fingertips to carefully reposition the proximity sensor cable, moving it away from the screen.

• Position an opening pick beneath the microphone cable, near the microphone itself (the metal rectangle).
• Gently maneuver the opening tool around the edges of the microphone to loosen the adhesive and separate it from its position.

• If the adhesive has cooled, warm up the assembly with a heat gun or hair dryer for about one minute before proceeding.
• Next, insert an opening pick under the left side of the front sensor assembly. Carefully slide the tool beneath the assembly to detach it from the frame.

• Connect the sensors to their designated slots in the frame to assist in aligning the main section of the assembly.
• Then, use double sided tape to re-affix any parts of the assembly that have lost their adhesive properties.

• Remove the old adhesive around the edges of the iPhone using the spudger tool.

• Little bit of isopropyl alcohol can help you unstick the adhesive.

• Apply new adhesive around the edges of the iPhone. Reconnect the battery through the reverse process.

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

Before placing the new display on the iPhone make sure to remove the protective foil.

Opening your iPhone will breach its water-resistant seal, so have a replacement seal ready before starting this step. Without a new seal, your iPhone will not be water-resistant, and there's a higher likelihood of dust or moisture ingress.

• Install the new 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 some issues.