iPad mini 2 touchscreen repair guide

The glass is broken

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPad mini 2’s defective touchscreen. You need this repair if the glass is cracked, or the touchscreen no longer responds to touch.

Required tools

Heat gun

Heat gun

You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.
from €15.99 on Amazon
For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
from €10.99 on Amazon
Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
from €26.38 on Amazon
Pick Set

Pick Set

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €14.99 on Amazon
Steel Laboratory Spatula

Steel Laboratory Spatula

You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.
on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
from €10.84 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the iPad mini 2

Steps

13 Steps

Inserting the picks

Step 1

Lifting the touchscreen

Step 2

Removing the LCD screws

Step 3

Lifting the LCD

Step 4

Removing the rear panel

Step 5

Disconnecting the battery connector

Step 6

Disconnecting the display cables

Step 7

Preparing the new touchscreen

Step 8

Connecting the cables

Step 9

Connecting the battery

Step 10

Attaching the rear panel

Step 11

Attaching the LCD

Step 12

Attaching the touchscreen

Step 13

Getting started with the repair of your iPad mini 2

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

13 steps

Inserting the picks
The iPad mini 2’s touchscreen is glued firmly in place. To detach it, you have to constantly heat it with a heat gun so the glue will soften (see figures 1 and 2). Make sure you only heat the edge of the display. Then you have to insert a plastic pick into the gap between the frame and the display to detach the adhesive.

Turn off the iPad.

Start with the left and right sides, where there’s only a small adhesive strip. Insert a laboratory spatula about 4 millimeters between the aluminum frame and the display frame (see figure 3). Be very careful to avoid damaging the LCD under them or the touchscreen with the spatula. Alternatively, you can lift the glass with a suction cup. At the same time, insert a pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame.

Once you’ve inserted the first pick, you can lift the screen slightly. Continue heating the edge of the display during this process.
Now use more picks to work your way around the display one time (see figures 4 and 5).
Don’t work on the side where the Home button is until the next step. The important flexible flat cables under it could get damaged.
Lifting the touchscreen
As soon as you’ve finished with the upper part of the glass, you can slowly lift the screen at the part where the FaceTime camera is. At the same time, heat the bottom of the iPad mini 2 where the Home button is (see figure 1). You should be able to feel the glue slowly coming undone while you continue to carefully lift and heat the screen.

Once the glue is fully dissolved, you can lift the screen all the way, fold it over and set it down (see figure 2). Make sure you don’t stretch the LCD and touchscreen cables too much.Avoid getting fingerprints on the LCD. If necessary, you can wear latex gloves.
Removing the LCD screws
First remove the adhesive strips at the four corners of your iPad. There are screws below them (see figure 1).
There are also magnets to hold the Smart Cover in place.

Now remove the three stickers from the LCD (see figures 2 to 4).

Then unscrew the four Phillips screws.
3 x 3.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 4.5 mm Phillips screw
Lifting the LCD
The LCD is lightly glued to the rear panel all along the sides. Carefully insert the laboratory spatula at the edges between the silver rear panel and the LCD to slowly detach the glue (see figures 1 and 2).

Make sure you don’t bend the LCD too much.
Removing the rear panel
There are seven identical Phillips screws holding the silver rear panel in place. Remove them.
7 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws

Now lift the rear panel and remove it.
Disconnecting the battery connector
Now remove the three Phillips screws from the silver cable cover (see figure 1).
2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw
Then lift the cover to remove it (see figure 2).
Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the flat end of the ESD spudger slightly below the connector (see figure 3). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
You can also go ahead and remove the battery at this point by skipping ahead to step 13, but we don’t recommend it because you could damage other parts during removal.

Disconnecting the display cables
Disconnect the LCD connector (see figure 1). Be very careful. Insert the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Now you can remove the LCD.

Disconnect the touchscreen connector (see figure 2). Once again, be very careful.
The cable is still lightly glued in place. Use the spudger to detach the glue (see figure 3).
Preparing the new touchscreen
New screens generally have different features/adhesive properties. You have to transfer the following parts:
- Bracket for the FaceTime camera
- Stickers on the bottom of the touchscreen
Be very careful to avoid problems with the touchscreen’s touch sensitivity.

New touchscreens usually come with a double-sided adhesive strip on them. If yours doesn’t, you have to stick adhesive strips on the edges of the screen yourself.
Connecting the cables
Connect the new touchscreen’s cable and gently press it on at the point where it was glued on.

Now you can install the LCD cable again (see figure 2).
Connecting the battery
Now connect the battery connector again.
Put the silver cover back on and screw it in place (see figure 2).

2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw
Attaching the rear panel
Put the rear panel back in and screw it in place.
7 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws
Attaching the LCD
Now put the LCD back in the frame.Make sure you don’t leave any fingerprints on the display. If necessary, we recommend using latex gloves.

Now fasten the four Phillips screws and make sure the magnets are positioned correctly.
3 x 3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 4.5 mm Phillips screw

Attach the adhesive strips to the LCD again (see figure 2).
Attaching the touchscreen
Now you can attach the screen again. First peel the protective film off the inside of the screen and see if there are any fingerprints.

Make sure there are no fingerprints or dust on the LCD. Remove any fingerprints with a microfiber cleaning cloth. You can use an air compressor or compressed air spray to blow away the dust.
Now remove the protective strips from the adhesive strip.

Then put on the touchscreen quickly but precisely so no new dust can settle on the LCD.

Press on the screen at the edges and then weight it down for a long time, for example with a few books, so it’s pressed firmly onto the enclosure.