Replacing LCD display on the iPhone 13

Step 1

Unscrewing the bottom pentalobe screws

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.

Step 2

Display Disassembly

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.

Instructions on how to open the display using a securing tool can be found in the article – ARTICLE NAME.

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.

Step 3

Heating the right edge

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

Separating the adhesive

Slide the pick or card from the bottom right corner up to the top right corner, separating the adhesive.

Do not insert the pick or card more than 3 mm, as you could damage internal components.

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

Using a hair dryer or heat gun, heat the top edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen becomes 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.

Step 4

Heating the left edge

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

Insert the second 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 very careful of the flex cables located on this side of the display.

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

Step 5

Opening the iPhone

After successfully releasing the adhesive from the edges, remove the suction cups.

Open the iPhone by flipping the display from 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 attempt to fully detach the display yet, as several fragile flat flex cables still connect it 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 display and ensure they are not bent.

Step 6

Removing the battery and display connector cover

• Remove three screws using a Phillips PH000 screwdriver (1.5 mm) that secure the connector cover, and simultaneously detach it using tweezers.

Step 7

Disconnecting the battery

• 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.

Step 8

Disconnecting the display along with the digitizer

• Disconnect the cable connector and digitizer using a Spudger tool.
• 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.

(When reassembling iPhone)

• For reconnection, press down on the flex cable connector as shown in the picture.

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

Step 9

Dismounting the front sensor connector cover

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

Step 10

Disconnecting the front sensor connector

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

Step 11

Disassembling the display

• 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.

Step 12

Unfasten adnd remove the front sensor bracket

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

Next steps demonstrate how to transfer the front sensor assembly to a new screen.

Some screens come with the new sensor already installed so you can skip to step 18.

Step 13

Heat the front sensor assembly

• 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.

Step 14

Disconnect the ambient light sensor

• 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.

Step 15

Disconnect the proximity sensor

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

Step 16

Reposition the proximity sensor

• Use tweezers, or your fingers, to move the proximity sensor cable away from the screen.

Step 17

Disconnect the microphone

• Insert an opening pick under the microphone cable, close to the microphone (the metal rectangle).
• Slide the opening pick around the perimeter of the microphone to separate its adhesive.

Step 18

Remove the front sensor assembly

• Insert an opening pick under the left side of the front sensor assembly.
• Slide the pick under the assembly to separate it from the frame.

Now adhesive may have cooled down. If so, apply a heat to the assembly for one more time before continuing.

Step 19

Transferring the assembly to a new screen

• Connect the sensors to their slots in the frame to help align the main section of the assembly.
• Use tape to re-adhere any sections of the assembly that are no longer sticky.

Step 20

Removing old adhesive around the edges of the iPhone

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

Step 21

Applying new adhesive around the edges of the display frame

• 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.

Step 22

Reassembling the iPhone

• Check the phone for excess screws and small parts that may be stuck in the body of phone and remove them.
• Install the new LCD display and mount the speaker assembly and front sensor assembly
• 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.