Introduction
Use this guide to replace the home button in a 12.9" iPad Pro.
Parts of this guide were shot with a Wi-Fi model and as such the internals may look slightly different from the LTE model. The procedure is the same for both models except where noted.
Warning: the battery isolation method in this guide is outdated, and may result in irreversible damage to the battery pins of the logic board, effectively destroying it. If you choose to isolate the battery this way, heed all warnings and work extremely carefully. If you choose to complete the guide without isolating the battery, avoid using metal tools except when completely necessary (like when removing screws) to prevent shorting the battery and damaging sensitive circuit components
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If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.
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Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPad's display until the whole face is covered.
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Do your best to follow the rest of the guide as described. However, once the glass is broken, it will likely continue to crack as you work, and you may need to use a metal prying tool to scoop the glass out.
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Lay a hot iOpener along the bottom left corner of the iPad, spanning from the opening pick to the home button.
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After letting the adhesive soften, insert a halberd spudger into the iPad next to the opening pick.
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Cut the adhesive along the bottom left side of the iPad using the halberd spudger. This may require reheating the edge of the iPad.
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Continue to slide the halberd spudger back and forth to ensure most of the adhesive is separated.
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Lay a hot iOpener along the upper left corner of the iPad, spanning from the opening pick to the front-facing camera.
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After letting the adhesive soften, insert the blade of your halberd spudger into the iPad above the opening pick.
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Cut the adhesive along the upper left side of the iPad towards the front-facing camera using the halberd spudger. This may require reheating the edge of the iPad.
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Reheat your iOpener and lay it over the top edge of the device. Wait a couple minutes for the adhesive to soften.
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Once the front panel is adequately heated, insert the blade of a halberd spudger next to the opening pick from the previous step.
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Slide the blade along the top edge of the iPad, stopping before reaching the front-facing camera.
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If necessary, reheat your iOpener and lay it over the top edge of the device. Wait a couple minutes for the adhesive to soften before reinserting the blade of the halberd spudger.
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Insert the blade of the halberd spudger just past the front-facing camera, on the opposite side of the opening pick.
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Continue to slide the blade of the halberd spudger to the upper right corner of the iPad.
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Return to step 5 of this guide and ensure the thick portions of adhesive are adequately separated from the display assembly. If they are, continue with this step. Otherwise, slice the adhesive to break it up until the display assembly is freed.
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Lift up the upper edge of the display and slide it towards the front-facing camera to access the iPads internal components.
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Remove the display assembly.
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Be sure to remove all remaining adhesive from the iPad's enclosure, and use our display adhesive application guide to install fresh pre-cut adhesive strips when reassembling your iPad.
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Use an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer to soften the adhesive under the cable before you pry it up.
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Starting from the ZIF connector, use the blade on a halberd spudger or the edge of an opening pick to separate the home button cable from the adhesive holding it in place. Stop when you reach the home button.
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Remove the home button bracket.
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Scrape off as much of the old adhesive residue as you can, then clean it with acetone or high-concentration (90% or greater) isopropyl alcohol.
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Secure the bracket with hot-melt glue, superglue, or high-strength double-sided tape. Make sure the bracket is aligned correctly before allowing your adhesive to cure, or the home button will not click when pressed.
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Compare your new replacement part to the original part. You may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing. To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler. Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part. You may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing. To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler. Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.
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7 Comments
Yes. If you take the iPad apart most of the adhesive on the screen won’t be usable again. You can use either the specific kit for your ipad Pro that iFixIt sells, or get a roll of “red” tape (probably between 2-5mm size) and cut out pieces for all four side of the screen. You will probably also need tape or glue (such hot glue or something like B-7000) for the home button, and the metal bracket that holds the home button, since the old adhesive tends to not work a 2nd time.
Some LCD Assemblies come with Adhesive pre-applied, simply peel and seal. :)
Otherwise, plan on running some double-sided 3M tape before commencing new LCD Assembly Installation.
TIP: B7000 Adhesive in the bottom left and right corners will help keep it in place moving forward.
Replaced LCD and reattached home button, everything works, but the home button is lose and trying to fall inside, like it's missing something that is suppose to be between the home button and the cover that sets over it under the glass. The cover is stuck to the glass, but there's enough of a gap that the home button wants to fall inside?
I have the same issue, haven’t solved it yet but here is what I’ve found so far:
The home button appears to have several pieces not just one, including: 1. black gasket, 2. white or space-grey ring (paper or plastic?) around the metal part, 3. The actual glass circle button with fingerprint feature, and 4. electronics layer behind it.
When I took the button off, and re-adhered the button, the glue or tape between No. 2 and 3. above started to separate. Not sure how to put these back together since so small.
