Battery replacement of iPhone SE 2020

Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery to less than 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

1. Make sure your iPhone is off before you begin disassembly.

2. Remove the two 3.5 mm pentalobe screws located on the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Opening the iPhone display will compromise the waterproof seal. Have replacement seal ready before proceeding with this step, or be careful not to expose your iPhone to liquids if you reassemble it without replacing the seal.

An opening pick can damage your unit if it is inserted too far.

Use the following procedure to mark the pick and prevent it from getting damaged.

1. Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.

2. You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.

Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3mm from the tip.

The next three steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp.

This is a tool we have developed to make the opening process easier.

Skip down three steps for an alternative method if you don't use the Anti-Clamp.

1. Pull the blue handle to the rear to release the arms of the Anti-Clamp.

2. Slide the arms over the left or right edge of your iPhone.

3. Position the suction cups - one on the front and one on the back - near the bottom edge of the iPhone, just above the Home button.

4. Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.

If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use a piece of tape to create a more grippy surface.

1. To lock the arms, pull the blue handle forward.

2. Rotate the handle 360 degrees in a clockwise direction or until the suction cups begin to expand.

3. Make sure that the suction cups are still in line with each other. If they start to move out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

1. You can also use a heat gun, hairdryer or hot plate.

However, extreme heat can damage the display and/or internal battery, so use caution.

2. Wait a minute to allow the adhesive to release and create a gap.

3. Insert an opening pick into the gap.

4. If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create enough of a gap, apply more heat to the area and turn the handle a quarter of a turn.

5. Do not turn the handle more than a quarter of a turn at a time, and wait a minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.

Skip the next three steps.

The steps show how to separate the screen using a suction cup.

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 the marked area, as you could damage the flex cables.

B) Opening the display

Placement of the suction cup

Attach the suction cup to the bottom edge of the phone, above home button.

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. Separate the adhesive alongside the bottom edge.

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.

A) Heating the left edge

Utilize a heat gun or hair dryer to warm up the left edge of the iPhone (the side with the volume buttons) for approximately 90 seconds, or until the screen reaches a temperature too hot to touch.

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

Put the pick or card from the bottom left 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 tool in the top left corner.

E) Right edge

Apply heat with heat gun or hair dryer to the right 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 alongside the right edge of the iPhone.

Be careful of the flex cables located on this side of the display.

Before proceeding, leave the opening tool in the top corner.

F) Heating the top edge

Apply heat the top edge of the iPhone with heat gun or a hair dryer 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 top left corner of the iPhone.

Slide the pick or card along the top edge until the clips holding the display release.

After successfully releasing the adhesive from the edges of screen and frame, remove the suction cup/s.

Gently move the display assembly downwards, towards the charging port to release the clips securing it to the rear case.

After the clips releases open the iPhone by  flipping the display to the left side

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.

1.Remove the four Phillips screws that secure the lower display cable bracket to the logic board.

- Two 1.3mm screws

- Two 2.8mm screws

Use tweezers to remove the bracket.

Keep careful track of your screws throughout this guide so that when you reassemble, each one goes back to where it came from. Putting a screw in the wrong place can cause permanent damage.

1. Pry the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board using the pointed end of a spudger.
 

2. To prevent the battery connector cable from accidentally touching the socket and powering the phone during the repair, bend it slightly away from the logic board.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry the connector at the bottom of the display out of its socket.

To re-insert press connectors such as this one, press down on one side of it until it clicks into place, then repeat the process on the other side. Do not press in the middle. If the connector is even slightly out of alignment, the connector may bend and permanent damage may be the result.

Disconnect the second lower display cable using the tip of a spudger.

Remove the three 1.3 mm Phillips head screws that secure the bracket over the sensor assembly connector on the front panel.

Use tweezers to remove this bracket.

Disconnect the front panel sensor assembly connector using the pointed end of a spudger.

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.

Unscrew the three screws holding the bracket adjacent to the Taptic Engine:

- One 1.3 mm Y000 screw

- One 2.7 mm Phillips screw

- One 2.9 mm Phillips screw

Use tweezer to remove this bracket.

Carefully insert an opening pick between the antenna flex cable and the upper part of the speaker.

The flex cable is lightly glued in place. If needed, apply some heat with a heat gun, hair dryer or a hot plate to loosen the adhesive, making it easier to safely lift the flex cable.
 

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently lift and disconnect the diversity antenna flex cable from the logic board.

Place an opening pick beneath the antenna flex cable to keep the socket secure.

Use the pointed tip of a spudger to lift and disconnect the antenna flex cable from its socket, while the opening pick keeps the socket in place.

Use tweezers to take out the Wi-Fi diversity antenna.

Unscrew two screws holding the Taptic Engine in place:

One 2.1 mm Phillips screw

One 2.1 mm standoff screw

For standoff screws, it's recommended to use a standoff screwdriver.

If needed, a small flathead screwdriver can be used, but proceed carefully to avoid slipping and potentially damaging nearby components.

Utilize the pointed end of your spudger to lift the antenna cable socket away from the connector beneath it.

Use the tip of the spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable.

Use tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine

Four stretch-release adhesive strips hold the battery in place against the rear case—two at the bottom edge and two at the top edge of the battery.

Each strip has a black pull-tab at the end, which is lightly stuck to the edge of the battery.

In the following steps, you’ll pull each tab to slowly stretch the adhesive underneath the battery. These "command-strip" style adhesives lose their adhesion when stretched, allowing for easy battery removal.

If the strips happen to break, don't worry! This is a common occurrence. Continue reading for tips on how to deal with broken strips.

Pull one of the adhesive pull tabs out from under the battery until you can grip it with your fingers or wrap it around your tool.

Keep the phone stable by holding onto the edges of the frame—avoid pressing down on the battery.

Pull the strip slowly, evenly, and at a shallow angle without dragging it across other components.

Continue pulling, re-gripping, or wrapping it around your tool as needed until the strip fully releases from under the battery.

If the strip breaks, try to retrieve it. If you cannot grip it from under the battery, proceed to the next step.

Repeat this process for the remaining three adhesive strips.

If you have successfully removed all four stretch-release adhesive strips, you can now proceed to remove the battery!

If not, follow the next steps to dissolve the adhesive using isopropyl alcohol and a plastic card.

If one of the top adhesive strip remains, lift the top edge of the phone.

If either of the bottom adhesive strips remains, lift the left edge of the phone (where the volume buttons are located).

Apply a few drops of highly concentrated isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%) along the raised edge of the battery.

Allow one minute for the isopropyl alcohol to seep under the battery and soften the adhesive.

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.

Use thin, double-sided tape to secure 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.

Note how your old battery adhesive sat in the battery compartment. You may take a photo to ensure proper placement of the new adhesive.

Remove all the old battery adhesive residue in the battery compartment.

You may pull it off with your fingers or tweezers, roll it into the tip of a spudger or scrape it off with the spudger’s flat end.

Clean the surface that had the old battery adhesive with a lint-free cloth (or a coffee filter) soaked with a bit of isopropyl alcohol.

Inspect the battery compartment on your device. Avoid placing the battery adhesive over delicate surfaces like ribbon cables, NFC components or wireless charging coils. Don’t place the battery adhesive too close to sensitive components.

It is advised to check for the fitment of the new battery at this point of your repair. Temporarily reconnect the new battery and place it into its compartment. Check its fitment and that the cable properly reaches its socket on the logic board.

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.

Gently remove the remaining piece of film to fully expose the side of the battery adhesive that sticks to the battery compartment.

Place the battery into its compartment and lightly press it into the device.

Connect the battery cable to its socket on the logic board.

It is advised to test your repair at this point with the new battery in place, while the phone’s rear glass isn’t sealed yet.

Temporarily reconnect all the rear glass components, turn on your phone and make sure it functions without any issues.

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.

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.