Apple Watch Series 3 Adhesive Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the adhesive of your Apple Watch Series 3 and reseal it.

This guide shows the procedure on the standard, GPS-only version of the watch, but the cellular/LTE version is similar. Any important differences are noted in the text.

What you need

Step 1 Cleaning the gasket

Apple Watch Series 3 Adhesive Replacement, Cleaning the gasket: step 1, image 1 of 2

Apple Watch Series 3 Adhesive Replacement, Cleaning the gasket: step 1, image 2 of 2

Tool used on this step:

Adhesive Cleanup Kit (Set of 12)

$4.99

Buy

Apply a little bit of isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the adhesive leftovers on top of the force touch gasket.
To remove the adhesive on the side where the display cables are running, fold down the display and carefully pull it away from the frame so there's enough space.

Step 2 Cleaning the display

Apple Watch Series 3 Adhesive Replacement, Cleaning the display: step 2, image 1 of 2

Apple Watch Series 3 Adhesive Replacement, Cleaning the display: step 2, image 2 of 2

Flip the Apple Watch upside down so the display lays flat while lifting up the case.
Remove the leftovers on the back of the display.

Step 3 Applying the new adhesive

Apple Watch Series 3 Adhesive Replacement, Applying the new adhesive: step 3, image 1 of 1

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully remove replacement adhesive with the blue protective film from the backing paper.

Step 4

Hold the replacement adhesive diagonally to thread it over the display.
Slightly tilt the display forward so you can align the adhesive with the frame.
Position the replacement adhesive on top of the force touch gasket and use the pointed end of a spudger to move and press it into place.

Step 5

Reconnect the battery as seen in the replacement guide you came from.
Remove the protective film from the adhesive.

Step 6

Align the screen and press it down firmly onto the adhesive.
To improve bonding of the adhesive you can use an iOpener to warm up the display. Then apply some pressure for a few hours (placing it under one or two heavy books overnight might be a way).
Alternatively, you can use screen vice clamps around the perimeter of your device to set the new adhesive.