Apple Watch Series 2/3 Screen Reconditioning

Introduction

Use this guide to repair a damaged Apple Watch Series 2/3 screen.

Update Apple Watch to avoid pairing issues after refurbishing procedure.

*Refurbishing your screen may cause issues with Apple Pay. If possible, to reduce the chance of problems, delete all Apple Pay account information before the procedure, and after the procedure, enter the information again.

This guide shows the procedure on the standard (GPS) version of the smartwatch.

What you need

Step 1 Inspection and test

Apple Watch Series 2/3 Screen Reconditioning, Inspection and test: step 1, image 1 of 2

Apple Watch Series 2/3 Screen Reconditioning, Inspection and test: step 1, image 2 of 2

Before you start the procedure, confirm the model of your device, which is located in the fitting region of the wristband. Ex: A1889
In the fitting region, you can also check the serial number of the watch.
It's necessary to note the device's serial number to issue a Technical Report
Test 1 - Place on white canvas to check for spots or lines.
If the screen is too cracked, it won't be possible to check for spots or lines before the procedure.

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Step 2 Turn off Apple Watch

Apple Watch Series 2/3 Screen Reconditioning, Turn off Apple Watch: step 2, image 1 of 2

Apple Watch Series 2/3 Screen Reconditioning, Turn off Apple Watch: step 2, image 2 of 2

Before starting the procedure, remove the device from the charger and turn it off.
If the touchscreen is damaged, you can turn it off using the side buttons.
Press and hold the two side buttons.
When the Apple logo appears, release the circular button and hold down the other button.
When the Apple logo disappears, release the other button. The Apple Watch will be turned off.

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Step 3 Heating

Place the Apple Watch screen in contact with the heating plate at 100°C for 1 min, in order to soften the glue that holds the screen to the frame.
Possibly, heating may be required before and during screen removal.

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Step 4 Alert when starting the procedure

As the space between the screen and the watch body is very thin, a sharp blade is required to make the separation.
Protect your fingers using an appropriate rubber glove.
Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this may cause the blade to slip and cut your fingers or damage the inside sandof the smartwatch.
Wear goggles throughout the opening procedure. Shards of glass can fly and hurt the eyes.
Remove the bracelet to perform the entire procedure.

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Step 5 Opening cracked screen

Pour alcohol all over the edge of the screen. Place the blade in the thin space between the edge of the screen and the frame.
Press firmly down, tilting the blade in the direction of removal from the screen.
Using the spudger, enter from the top of the device. And move along the edge to the bottom.
Do not put the spudger blade more than 2mm in the device, doing this could tear the "Force Touch."
Pay close attention to the top-edge of the device (where the touch flex cable is located) and also to the lower part of the display (where the flex of the display is located)
In the case of a very cracked screen, use isopropyl alcohol to "soften" the glue and gradually remove the shards.
With the metal or plastic blade itself, make saw movements to cut the glue and gradually section the frame screen.

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Step 6 Disconnecting the screen

Use isopropyl alcohol to peel off the tape covering the flex cables and connectors from the screen.
These tapes can be purchased separately. In this case "rat-tooth" tweezers can be used to remove the tape completely.
Use a plastic lever (crowbar) to unlock the first of the three ZIF connectors by lifting the small locking tab opposite the flex cable.
The zero insertion force (ZIF) connector often causes problems for beginners. ZIF connectors are used to attach delicate cables, such as FFC (flat flex cable) or FPC (flexible printed circuit) cables.
Lift the locking tabs on the two remaining ZIF connectors.
During reassembly, make sure the tabs are open before inserting the cables, or you may damage the watch.
Use tweezers to disconnect the flexible cables from the screen by gently pulling them apart and remove the screen

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Step 7 Removing the OLED touchscreen

Use rubber gloves and safety glasses in the following procedures.
Place the Apple Watch screen in contact with the hot plate at 100°C for 2 min, in order to heat the glass.
Hold the middle of the display and using a pliers or nail pliers, cut the curved edges. Initially on the sides, then on the top and bottom.
Be very careful not to let the pliers slip and catch the display flex.

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Step 8 Removing the OLED touchscreen

After removing the edges, apply an adhesive tape on the display, and put it in the separator at 100°C.
With tweezers or a thin metal spudger, remove the grounding using isopropyl alcohol.
Grounding can be purchased separately. In this case, you can use "mouse tooth" tweezers to remove completely the grounding.
Using a metal spudger and isopropyl alcohol, lift the touch flex (middle flex).

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Step 9 Removing the OLED touchscreen

Turn on the separator vacuum until the screen is fixed to the surface.
Enter the 0.4mm thick molybdenum/steel/gold line between the touchscreen and the OLED display of the Apple Watch screen.
Cautiously make sawing motions at the same level/plane as the glass.
Be careful with broken/damaged screens, as the shards can scratch or damage the polarizing film or even the OLED display.

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Step 10 Screen Cleanup

First of all check if there are glass shards on the display. In case of positive, use isopropyl alcohol and the "protective film of the OCA" in order to remove the shards.
After cleaning the glasses, put the display on a hard surface and remove the glue using a grinding machine.
The grinding machine should be adjusted to the lowest possible velocity in order to avoid vibrations on the display.

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Step 11 OCA Application

Use specific OCA for Apple Watch (38, 40, 42 or 44mm).
This procedure should be done wearing a mask and in an environment with low number of particles (Clean Room).
Use isopropyl alcohol in order to remove the remainder of OCA glue, other impurities and grease.
Apply the OCA glue in the direction of the display flex wire.

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Step 12 Touch Glass Application

This procedure should be done wearing a mask and in an environment with low number of particles (Clean Room).
Remove the OCA protection and put the display in the application cast.
Apply the touch glass on the application cast.
Hold the cast with one hand and place with the other hand the index finger below the screen and the thumb above the screen. Close and remove the screen from the cast.

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Step 13 Lamination

Put the screen on the lamination rubber and close the lamination top.
Laminate 2 minutes at 40°C.
Laminate no more than 5 screens of Apple Watch at a time.

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Step 14 Removing Bubbles

Introduce the screen in the autoclave at 50°C for until 10 min.
If bubbles appear on the edge, put it again in the autoclave.
If bubbles appear in the middle of the screen, try heating the screen in the separator and return the screen in the separator using clips supporting the removing of the bubble.
If no bubbles come out, repeat the process removing the touch with a OCA film and plenty of isopropyl alcohol.

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Step 15 Cleaning the edges

Use isopropyl alcohol and metal tweezers in order to remove the shards along all the edge.
Use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swab in order to clean along all the edge, removing the thin film of glue that envelops the edge above the force touch.

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Step 16 Applying new adhesive

Use "mouse tooth" twezzers in order to remove carefully the replacement adhesive with the blue protective film from the supporting role.
Align the adhesive in the frame .
Place the replcamente adhesive on the top of the force touch and use the plastic pointy end in order to move and press the adhesive.

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Step 17 Connecting the flex cables

Place the flex wires on the ZIF connectors and plug them with the help of "mouse tooth" twezzers, guide the wires into the connectors.
Be careful not to force too much the flex wires and to damage the drawers.
Remember connecting with the drawers in lifted position.
After connecting, close the drawers.
Turn the device on and make the tests.