Replacing LCD display on the iPhone 13

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 6.75 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 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.
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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.
• Use the pick or card to separate the adhesive around the top right corner of the iPhone

Before proceeding, leave the pick or card in this 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 to the left 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 try to completely detach the display at this point, as there are several delicate flat flex cables still connecting it to the iPhone's motherboard.

Warning: If the battery is damaged stop the repair.

During the reassembly process, position the display correctly and align the clips along the top edge. Press the top edge carefully into place before firmly securing the rest of the display. If you encounter difficulty in securing it, examine the condition of the clips around the display perimeter to ensure they are not bent or damaged.

• Remove three screws using a Phillips PH000 screwdriver (1.5 mm) 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.

Unscrew the three screws securing the front sensor connector cover:

One 1.7 mm Phillips screw

One 1.3 mm Phillips screw

One 1.8 mm Y000 screw

Carefully remove the cover because there is a small clip by the edge that is under the flex cable

• 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.

• With tweezers or fingernails remove the front sensor cover bracket.

• Use a heat gun or a hair dryer and apply it to the top edge of the screen.

Be careful not to overheat the display. It is vulnerable 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.

• 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.