IPhone XR battery replacement

Before starting, it is necessary to discharge the iPhone below 25% because a charged Li-ion battery can ignite or explode if accidentally cut.

 

• Unplug any cables from your iPhone and turn it off.
• On the bottom edge of the iPhone, unscrew two 6.7 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 heat gun or a hair dryer, 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.

 

Note: There are a fragile cables linking the screen to the phone. Cables is positioned on the right side of the phone right above the power/unlock button and one in the lower part of the phone.

 

There are several spring contacts located around the phone's perimeter.

 

Exercise caution to avoid inserting your pick deeper than recommended in these areas to prevent bending these 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.

 

Move your pick in a back-and-forth motion along the lower edge to loosen the adhesive.

Keep your pick in place in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

 

C) Heating the right edge

 

Using a heat gun or a hair dryer 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) Releasing the right clip and separating the adhesive (right side of the iPhone)

 

Avoid inserting the pick deeper than 3 mm to prevent damaging the front panel sensor array.

 

The upper edge of the display is held in place by both adhesive and clips.

 

Carefully pull the right side of the display downward (towards the Lightning port).

 

Insert your pick into the top-right corner of the phone.

 

Keep pulling the display downward (toward the Lightning port) as necessary to create a gap large enough for the pick.

 

Slide the pick toward the top-left corner, cutting through any remaining adhesive securing the display.

Grip the small tab on the suction cup and lift it to detach it from the screen.

Carefully open the screen to the left side of the phone.

 

If the screen appears to be stuck, revisit the edges to ensure no sections of adhesive or clips are overlooked.

 

Support the screen against a box or similar object to prevent strain on the cables.

 

Do not attempt to fully detach the screen yet, as fragile flat flex cable is still connected 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.

Utilize a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to unscrew the screws holding the battery cover in place:

 

- Two screws measuring 1.3 mm in lenght

 

Use tweezers to lift the cover and remove it.

Employ the pointed end of an spudger to lift and detach the battery press connector.

 

Gently bend the connector away from the logic board to prevent accidental contact with the socket, which could power the phone during the repair.

 

When reattaching a press connector, align it with its socket and carefully press down on one side until it clicks into position, then repeat the process for the other side. Ensure it sits flush, as the insulating rubber around the sockets may hinder a complete connection.

 

When reassembling phone this is a good time to test your new display if it works correctly before sealing the phone again

Use a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to take out the Two 1.2 mm screws that secure the logic board cover bracket.

 

Use tweezers to lift the cover and remove it.

Again utilize the tweezers to take out this connector cover.

Use the tip of a spudger to gently lift and disconnect the digitizer cable.

 

When reconnecting press connectors like this, align them carefully and press down on one side until it clicks, then do the same on the other side. Avoid pressing on the middle, as misalignment can bend the pins and cause permanent damage.

 

If any part of the screen becomes unresponsive after the repair, disconnect the battery and re-seat the connector, ensuring it clicks into place and that no dust or debris is obstructing the socket.

Use pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the display cable connector.

Take out the five screws holding the logic board connector bracket to the rear case:

One 1.3 mm Phillips screw

One 1.5 mm Phillips screw

Three 1.2 mm Y000 screws

 

Carefully lift off the bracket.

 

Be cautious not to lose the smaller bracket attached to the edge. It’s secured with a small clip and can easily be knocked off the larger bracket.

Use pointed end of a spudger to pry the front sensor assembly connector up from its socket.

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.

Remove the 7 screws securing the bracket below the Taptic Engine and speaker:

 

Three 1.4 mm Phillips screws

Two 1.7 mm Phillips screws

One 1.9 mm Phillips screw

One 1.6 mm Phillips screw

 

Lift the bracket from the edge closest to the battery. Do not attempt to remove it entirely, as it is still attached by a small flex cable.

 

While holding the bracket aside, use the pointed end of a spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the flex cable beneath it.

 

Once the cable is disconnected, use tweezers remove the bracket.

Remove the piece of black tape and the small rubber rectangle covering the Taptic Engine connector.

 

Next, remove the 5 screws securing the lower speaker:

 

One 2.8 mm standoff screw

 

It’s best to use a dedicated standoff screwdriver or bit for this. If you must use a small flathead screwdriver, exercise caution to avoid slipping and damaging nearby components.

 

One 2.3 mm standoff screw

One 2.3 mm Phillips screw

One 1.8 mm Phillips screw

One 1.6 mm Phillips screw

 

With tweezers remove the small bracket located in the top-right corner of the speaker.

 

Next, take off the Taptic Engine connector cover.

 

Insert a spudger beneath the top edge of the speaker, near the iPhone's casing.

 

Carefully pry upwards to lift the top edge of the speaker.

 

Grasp the speaker by its side edges and gently rock it back and forth to break the adhesive securing it to the bottom of the iPhone.

 

Pull the speaker away from the bottom edge until the adhesive gasket fully separates.

 

Remove the speaker.

 

The adhesive gasket on the speaker is not reusable. Use tweezers to peel away any leftover adhesive residue.

 

To protect against water and dust, replace the adhesive gasket during reassembly. Clean the area with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to ensure the new gasket adheres properly. Attach a new gasket to the speaker before installing it back into place.

Remove the two 1.8 mm Phillips screws holding the Taptic Engine in place.

 

Use a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable by gently prying it straight up from its socket.

 

Carefully lift out the Taptic Engine using tweezers.

 

The iPhone XR's battery is held in place by four stretch-release adhesive strips—two on each end of the battery.

 

Each strip has a black pull-tab at its end, lightly adhered to the side edge of the battery.

 

Start by peeling back the first adhesive tab from the bottom right edge of the battery.

 

Be cautious not to puncture the battery with any sharp tools, as this could cause dangerous chemicals to leak or even result in a fire.

 

Try to keep the adhesive strips smooth and untwisted throughout this process; wrinkled or twisted strips can stick together and break, making removal more difficult.

 

Avoid pressing down on the battery while pulling the strips, as this can create pressure points that may snag and tear the adhesive.

 

Slowly pull one of the battery adhesive tabs away from the battery, directing it towards the bottom of the iPhone.

 

Maintain a steady pull, keeping constant tension on the strip until it slips out from between the battery and the rear case. For optimal results, pull at a low angle to avoid catching it on any of the iPhone's other components.

 

The strip will stretch significantly beyond its original length. Continue pulling, and re-grab the strip near the battery if needed.

 

If the adhesive tabs break during removal, use your fingers or blunt tweezers to retrieve the remaining length of the adhesive and continue pulling.

 

If any adhesive strips break underneath the battery and cannot be retrieved, proceed to remove the remaining strips before following the next instructions.

 

Repeat the process to remove the remaining three adhesive strips.

 

Hold the battery securely while removing the final strip to prevent it from unexpectedly flinging out of the iPhone.

 

If you successfully removed all the adhesive strips, you can skip the next step.

 

If any adhesive strip breaks underneath the battery and cannot be retrieved, apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) under the edge of the battery near the broken strip(s).

 

Wait for about one minute to allow the isopropyl alcohol to weaken the adhesive. Then, use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery.

 

Avoid using force to pry out the battery. If necessary, apply more drops of isopropyl alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never bend or puncture the battery with your tool.

 

Take extra care not to damage the ribbon cables or the wireless charging coil located directly beneath the battery.

 

For an alternate method to free the battery, proceed to the next step.

 

If any of the adhesive strips have broken off and the battery is still stuck to the rear case, use an heat gun, hair dryer or hit plate to heat the rear case directly behind the battery. This will help to soften the adhesive.

 

Warm the iPhone until the rear case becomes slightly too hot to touch comfortably. Be careful not to overheat, as this could risk igniting the battery.

 

Flip the iPhone back over and slide a strong piece of string (like dental floss or a thin guitar string) underneath the battery.

 

Wrap the ends of the string around a cloth or wear gloves to protect your fingers.

 

Gently pull the string back and forth in a sawing motion along the entire length of the battery to break the adhesive's grip. This process can take some time, as the adhesive is slow to give way, but with patience, the battery will come free. Make sure not to deform or damage the battery.

 

If you opt to use pry tools to lift the battery, proceed with extreme caution to avoid damaging the ribbon cables or the wireless charging coil located directly beneath the battery.

 

Remove the battery from the iPhone.

 

If any isopropyl alcohol solution remains in the phone, carefully wipe it away or let it air dry before installing the new battery.

 

Reinstall the Taptic Engine and speaker first, as this helps ensure the battery aligns correctly during installation.

 

Before securing the replacement battery, temporarily reconnect its connector to the motherboard socket to check for proper alignment in its recess.

 

After confirming alignment, adhere the battery, disconnect it again, and continue reassembling the device.

 

If your replacement battery doesn't come with preinstalled adhesive.

 

Perform a force restart once reassembly is complete. This step can prevent various issues and aid in troubleshooting.

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.

 

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 reasembly.

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.

Turn it off again, disconnect the rear glass components and continue.

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.