iPhone 13 - Replacing the Taptic Engine

Before repairing, we recommend that you use our checklist to test the basic functions of your iPhone 13. This way you can check afterwards if your repair was successful.

1. Press and hold the side and volume down key simultaneously for a few seconds.
2. Wipe the displayed slider from left to right.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

Once you open your iPhone its specified IP68 certification will expire.

We recommend using a screw storage to keep all disassembled parts and screws safe and organized. Our magnetic pad has the additional advantage that nothing can move on it.

1. Unscrew the two Pentalobe screws left and right of the Lightning connector.
2. Then put them into a screw storage.

The screen of the iPhone 13 is heavily glued. In order to remove it, you first have to heat the adhesive sufficiently with hot air. For this, use a hot air device, such as a hot air dryer or an ordinary hair dryer.

1. Run a hot air device evenly over the edge of the screen.

We recommend a flat pick to insert between the screen and the case unit. Alternatively, the iPlastix and iFlex can be helpful as well.

1. Attach a suction cup to the lower edge of the screen and pull it firmly upwards to create a narrow gap between the screen and the case unit.
2. Insert a flat, stable tool into the gap to enlarge it.

Do not insert your tool too far on the side of the volume buttons to avoid damaging any cables inside the device.
Be careful not to open the screen too far while the sensitive screen cables are still attached.

1. Move the plastic tool once around the edge of the screen. Press it upwards at the same time to release its hooked lugs from the case unit.
2. When the screen is completely detached, you can carefully unfold it towards the volume buttons. Lean it against a stable object.

• 4 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.6 mm Phillips

To remove the screen completely, you have to detach the battery connector as well as the two screen connectors. These are located under two cover plates.

The upper cover plate is hooked on one side.

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

• Connector

1. 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

1. Pry the two screen connectors carefully off the logic board with a spudger.
2. Then put the fully detached screen aside.

• 2 × 2.1 mm Phillips

1. Loosen the two Phillips screws from the cover plate installed above the connector of the Taptic Engine.
2. Remove the loosened cover plate from the device.

• Connector

The connector of the Taptic Engine lies slightly recessed in the case unit. Therefore, it is a bit more difficult to detach than the other connectors of the iPhone 13.

1. Carefully separate the connector from the logic board with a spudger or ESD tweezers.

• 1 × 2.1 mm Phillips

1. Unscrew the single Phillips screw that holds the Taptic Engine in place.
2. Then take the loosened Taptic Engine out of the device and put it aside.

• 1 × 2.1 mm Phillips

1. Insert the new Taptic Engine into your iPhone 13.
2. Fix it with the single Phillips screw.

• Connector

Never press down connectors with force. Damage can lead to the failure of an entire component.

1. Reattach the connector of the Taptic Engine to the logic board by pressing it gently. You should hear and feel it click into place.

• 2 × 2.1 mm Phillips

In order to prevent the cover plate from moving back and forth when screwing, you should fix it with a pair of tweezers.

1. Place the cover plate over the connector of the Taptic Engine again.
2. Screw it in place with the two Phillips screws.

If the adhesive frame is still in good condition, you do not need to install a new one. However, if it is defective or no longer sticks properly, we recommend replacing it with a new one.

1. Heat up the adhesive frame and pull it off bit by bit with a pair of tweezers.
2. Remove the carrier film of the adhesive frame and press it onto the edge of the case.
3. Then remove the protective film from the upper side of the adhesive frame. The remaining protective film on the edge of the case should only be removed shortly before the end of the repair.

• Connector

Always connect the battery last to avoid a potential short circuit.

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

• Connector

1. Lean the screen back against a stable object to connect it.
2. Carefully press the two screen connectors onto the logic board one after the other. You should hear and feel them click into place.

Before you close your iPhone 13 for good, we recommend testing the new Taptic Engine as well as other basic functions of your phone. This way, you can make sure that your repair was successful. Again, use our checklist for this.

1. Carefully fold the screen around, but do not press it into the case yet.
2. Turn on your iPhone and choose a vibration pattern.
3. If something does not work properly, check again if everything is installed and attached correctly.

• 4 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.6 mm Phillips

Be careful not to mix up the screw lengths. A too long screw in the wrong place may damage the device.

The upper cover plate is additionally hooked on one side.

1. Position the two cover plates over the connectors. The screw holes help you with the alignment.
2. Screw the cover plates in place. Fix them with tweezers, so that they do not move.

When folding down the screen make sure not to pinch any flex cables.

1. If you have applied a new adhesive frame, peel off the remaining protective film at this point.
2. Flip the screen around and press it firmly into the case frame, so that it sits level all over. You should hear and feel it click into place.
3. Finally, heat the edge of the screen with hot air in order for the adhesive to bond properly again.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

1. Fix the screen by fastening the two rear case screws again.