Replacing display on the iPhone SE 2020

Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery to less than 25 per cent. 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 seals. Have replacement seals ready before proceeding with this step, or be careful not to expose yourself to liquids if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

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. Use a heat gun, hairdryer, or hot plate to heat the display. 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 next three steps show how to separate the screen using a suction cup.

1. Heating the bottom edge of the iPhone will help to soften the adhesive that holds the screen in place, making it easier to open.

2. Apply heat to the bottom edge of the phone for about 90 seconds to soften the glue.

1. On the lower half of the front panel, just above the Home button, attach a suction cup.

2. Make sure that the suction cup does not overlap with the Home button, as this will prevent a seal from being formed between the ssuction cup and the glass of the front panel.

1. Pull the suction cup upwards with firm, constant pressure. This will create a small gap between the screen and the frame.

2. Insert an opening pick into the gap.

3. It takes a lot of force to create this initial gap because the waterproof adhesive that holds the screen in place is very strong. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, try applying more heat and gently rocking the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you've created enough of a gap to insert your opening tool.

1. Break the adhesive holding the display in place by sliding it along the left edge of the phone, starting at the bottom edge and moving towards the volume buttons and mute switch.

2. Stop when you are near the top left hand corner of the display.

3. Do not try to pry the top edge of the display away from the back of the phone. It is held in place by plastic clips that may break.

Along the right edge of your iPhone are delicate cables. To avoid damaging the cables, do not insert your pick here.

1. Insert your tool into the lower right corner of the iPhone. Slide it around the corner and up the right side of the phone to separate the adhesive.

Don't insert the tool more than 3mm. You could damage the display cables.

1. Gently pull up on the suction cup to lift the bottom of the display.

Don't lift the display more than 15º. If you do, you risk pinching or tearing the ribbon cables that connect the display.

2. To remove the suction cup from the front panel, pull on the small knob on the suction cup.

1. Slide a pick under the screen, around the top left corner and along the top edge of the phone to loosen the last adhesive.

1. To release the clips holding the display unit to the back of the phone, slide the display unit slightly downwards (away from the top edge of the phone).

1. Like the back cover of a book, open the iPhone by lifting the display from the left side.

Don't try to separate the display completely yet. There are still several fragile ribbon cables connecting the display to the iPhone's logic board.

2. Try leaning the display against something to keep it in place while you're working on the phone.

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

Two 1.3mm screws

Two 2.8mm screws

2. 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.

3. Remove the bracket.

1. Pry the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board using the tip 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.

1. Use the tip of a spudger to pry the connector at the bottom of the display out of its socket.

2. 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.

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

2. Remove the bracket.

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

1. Remove the display unit.

2. If you wish to replace the adhesive around the edges of the display, stop here when reassembling.

1. Remove the four Y000 screws securing the bracket over the Home/Touch ID sensor:

One 1.2mm screw

Three 1.3mm screws

2. Remove the bracket.

3. When reassembling, be careful not to overtighten these screws. Otherwise, your Home button may not work.

1. Use an opening tool to pry under the left edge of the connector on the home button cable to try to separate it from the socket.

Use the flat end of your spudger to press down on the cable at the top of the connector while prying up the left edge of the connector if the whole connector starts to flip up without disconnecting.

Be very careful not to damage the cable or connector as this will permanently disable the sensor.

1. Heating the area around the Home/Touch ID sensor will help soften the adhesive that holds its delicate cable in place. This will make it easier to remove it safely.

2. Turn the display assembly over. Use a heat gun, hairdryer or prepare a hot plate and apply it to the bottom edge of the display for about 90 seconds to soften the adhesive underneath.

The display should not be overheat. It should be just too hot to be comfortable to touch. 

Gently peel the adhesive holding the Home/Touch ID sensor cable to the back of the display panel.

1. Remove the Home/Touch ID sensor assembly and lift it through the front of the display.

2. For re-installation, first feed the cable through the hole in the front of the display as shown.

3. Your replacement part may come with extra Y000 screws that are already installed in the vicinity of the Home button. Remove the unnecessary screws so that you can reinstall the Home button bracket.

1. Unscrew the six screws securing the assembly using the Phillips screwdriver. 

2. Put away the bracket 

3. Gently take out the speaker

4.  Be careful to not touch the front camera 

5. Use a heat gun, hairdryer or a hot plate to heat up the top side of the old screen to unstick the adhesive that is holding the front sensor assembly in place. 

Next, use spudger to pry up the assembly away from the screen.

Use the screw holes to put the assembly in the right place on the new screen.

After putting it in right place connect the connector to the new display.

Cover it with the bracket. Be carefull to put the screws in the right place.

Put the earpiece assembly on the new display. Be sure to place it in the right place.

Use tweezers to help you with the sensitive cables and connectors.

Put the modul back under the cable and put the bracket over the assembly and screw back the four screws that were holding it in the old display.

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 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.

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.