iPhone 12 - Replacing the screen

Before repairing, we recommend that you use our checklist to test the basic functions of your iPhone 12. This way you can check afterwards if your repair was successful.

Switch off your iPhone 12 after testing to avoid a potential short circuit.

1. Press and hold the side and volume down key simultaneously for a few seconds.
2. Wipe the displayed slider "Switch off" from left to right.
3. Your phone will now shut down completely within a few seconds.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

As soon as you open your device, the warranty for protection against dust and splash water (IP68 classification) expires.

The iPhone 12 is opened via the display, which is glued and additionally fixed with two pentalobe screws. The screws are located on the left and right of the Lightning connector.

1. Unscrew the two pentalobe screws with a pentalobe screwdriver.
2. Then put them into a screw storage.

We recommend using a screw storage for your repair (e.g. an old sewing box). That way you can store all removed parts and screws safely and keep the overview. On our high-quality magnetic pad nothing slips and you can arrange everything in an organized way.

In order to be able to remove the glued screen more easily after loosening the screws, first heat it up with hot air. Therefore, use a hot air device, such as a heat gun or a regular hair dryer.

1. First place your iPhone on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratches on the case.
2. Then heat the edge of the screen by running the heat gun evenly over it.

When the glue of the screen is sufficiently warmed up, you can start to carefully detach it from the rest of the case.

1. Start by placing a suction cup on the bottom edge of the screen. Pull it slowly upwards to create a narrow gap between screen and case.

You can use the iSclack as an alternative to the suction cup. In comparison you have to use much less force to create a gap.

1. Insert a flat stable tool into the gap to enlarge it. We recommend a hard plastic plectrumfor this purpose.

Once a gap is created, you can detach the screen from the rear case piece by piece.

1. Move the hard plastic plectrum once completely around the edge of the screen. Press it upwards at the same time to release the hooked lugs of the display from the rear case.

You can reheat the glue with hot air at regular intervals to make it easier to remove.

1. When the screen is completely detached, you can carefully unfold it towards the volume buttons. Lean it against a stable object to avoid overstretching the flex cables.

• 6 × 1.0 mm Y-Type

To remove the screen completely, you have to detach the battery connector, the two screen connectors and the one from the earpiece which sits on the display unit. These are located under two cover plates.

1. Unscrew the six Y-type screws from the two cover plates with a Y-type screwdriver and put them in your screw storage.
2. Then carefully remove the two cover plates from your device with a pair of tweezers.

The larger of the two cover plates is hooked in additionally.

• Connector

After removal of the cover plates, all four connectors are exposed. To avoid a potential short circuit during the repair, you should always detach the battery connector first.

When separating connectors, always start from the side where there are no small components on the logicboard. This way you avoid potential damage.

1. Then use a plastic lever tool to move under the connector and carefully separate it from the board. We use a plastic spudger for this.

• Connector

To remove the screen completely, you still have to detach the screen connectors. The iPhone 12 has two screen connectors. A third connector connects the earpiece to the logicboard.

1. Use a spudger to go under the three connectors one after the other and carefully pry them off the logicboard.

Two of the connectors are on top of each other.

1. Then put the detached screen aside.

• 2 × 1.3 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.2 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type

Since Face ID sensors are integrated on the earpiece and sensor cable, you have to take over the entire module from the old display if you do not want to lose the function.

1. First, remove the two Phillips and two Y-type screws from the earpiece.
2. Unfold the detached earpiece.
3. Heat the glued sensor cable with a hot air gun.
4. Loosen the cable from the inside of the display by running a flat tool under it. We use a steel spatula for this.

Be especially careful when levering the sensors out of their guides, so that you don't damage them.

1. Also lever the sensors integrated in the cable set out of their guides with the help of the steel spatula.

Prepare your replacement screen by removing all protective films from the front and back.

• 2 × 1.3 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.2 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type

Attach your old earpiece including sensor cable to the new display.

1. Align the module and fold the earpiece back in.
2. Press the sensor cable to the inside of the display.

1. Press the sensors back into their guides.
2. Finally, screw the earpiece back in place with the two Phillips and two Y-type screws.

• Connector

Reconnect the screen to the rest of the case.

1. Lean the screen back against a stable object to avoid overstretching the flex cables when connecting them.

Never attach connectors by force. Damage to a connector or the slot can lead to the failure of an entire component.

1. Attach the three connectors by carefully pressing them one after the other on the logicboard. You should feel and hear them click into place.

• Connector

After the display connectors, the battery connector can now be attached. You should always attach it last to avoid short circuits during the repair.

Never use force when attaching connectors. Damage to a connector or slot can cause a whole component to fail.

1. Carefully press the connector onto the logicboard, so that you can hear and feel it click into place.

Before you close your iPhone 12 for good, we recommend testing the replacement part and other basic functions. This way, you can make sure that your repair was successful. Again, use our checklist for this.

1. Carefully fold the display around.
2. Switch on your device.
3. To see if touch and display work properly everywhere drag an app over the screen.
4. After taking over the old earpiece, check if Face ID works.

If something does not work properly after the repair, check again if everything is installed and attached correctly.

• 2 × 1.0 mm Phillips
• 4 × 1.0 mm Phillips

If everything works properly, you can reinstall the cover plates.

1. Position the two cover plates over the connectors. The screw holes help you with the alignment.

Remember to hook in the larger of the two cover plates before screwing it tight.

1. Screw the cover plates together with the Y-type screws.

Close your iPhone 12 again.

1. Carefully fold it over and press it evenly into the rear case, so that it clicks into place.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

At the end of the repair, you still have to fix the display.

1. Connect the display to the rear case by screwing tight a pentalobe screw to the left and right of the Lightning connector.