Replacing display on the iPhone 15

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

 

There are two fragile cables that link the screen to the phone: one is just above the mute button, and the other is roughly halfway between the volume down button and the phone's bottom.

Additionally, there are several spring contacts along the edges of the phone.

 

Be very careful not to insert your pick deeper than recommended in these areas to avoid bending the 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

 

• Attach the suction cup 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 screen about 3 mm from the frame, insert a pick or card into the gap.

 

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

The adhesive holding the screen 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 screen up and down repeatedly to weaken the adhesive until you create a gap large enough to insert the card.

 

C) 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.

 

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

• Move your opening tool around the bottom right corner of the screen toward the power button until you feel a hard stop at a clip holding the screen in place.

 

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

 

• Rotate your pick so the flat edge is under the display.
• Hold the pick with one hand and twist it to increase the gap between the display and the frame and release the right clip.
• Insert a second opening pick to the right of the first one.
• Move the first pick back to the bottom right corner of the screen.
• Slide the second pick to the top right corner to separate the adhesive.
• Keep these picks in place to stop the adhesive from resealing.

 

E) Heating up the top edge

• 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.

 

F) Separating the adhesive and releasing the top left clip

• Slide a third pick in the top right corner, just above the previous pick.

 

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

 

• Move your pick around the top right corner and along the top edge until it stops at the top left screen clip.
• Rotate the pick so its flat edge is under the screen.
• Twist the pick to release the top left screen clip, then slide the pick to the top left corner.

 

G) Heating up the left edge

• Using a hair dryer or heat gun, apply heat to the left edge of the iPhone (the edge with volume buttons) for 90 seconds or until the screen becomes too hot to touch.

 

H) Releasing the clips and separating the adhesive (left side of the iPhone)

• Move your pick around the top left corner of the screen and along the left edge to release the clips and separate the adhesive holding it in place.

 

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

Avoid the two cables connecting the display to the phone.

 

• After successfully releasing the adhesive from the edges, remove the picks.

 

• Open the iPhone by flipping the screen 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 screen 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 screen and ensure they are not bent.

• Using a Tri-point Y000 screwdriver, unscrew the 0.9 mm-long screw holding the front sensor connector cover in place.
• Use tweezers to lift the cover to a 90-degree angle.
• Detach the cover from its slot in the logic board and remove it.

 

During reassembly, put back the cover at a 90-degree angle to re-connect the hook and place it flat against the press connector.

• Using the tip of a pick, pry up and disconnect the front sensor press connector.

To re-connect the press connector, position it directly over its socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side.​​​​​​​

• Using a Tri-point Y000 screwdriver, unscrew the 0.9 mm screw that holds the screen connector cover.
• Use tweezers to lift the cover and detach it from its hook on the logic board, then remove it.

• Using the tip of a pick, lift and disconnect the screen connector.

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

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

You need to transfer the front sensor and microphone assembly from your old screen to the new one, as this assembly is paired specifically to your iPhone and Face ID function won’t operate without it.

 

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

• Using a Tri-point Y000 screwdriver, unscrew the 0.9 mm screw that holds the assembly connector cover.
• Using the tip of a pick, lift and disconnect the connector cover.

 

• Unstick the assembly adhesive from the display by using a spudger.
• Apply the assembly adhesive along with the assembly itself to the new display.

You can use tape to re-adhere any sections of the adhesive that are no longer sticky.

• Connect the assembly connector to the new screen.
• Put the cover back on the connector and secure it by screwing back the 0.9 mm screw.

• 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.

• Clean the areas of the case and rear display that had the old adhesive with a lint-free cloth (or coffee filter) soaked with a bit of isopropyl alcohol.

By doing this you remove all the remaining adhesive residue, while prepping the surface for the new adhesive.

Swipe your cleaning cloth in same direction the whole time for the best results.

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

 

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

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

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.

• Install the new LCD display, connected with your front sensor + microphone assembly from the old 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 from step 8.

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