Introduction
Use this guide to replace the home button in a 12.9" iPad Pro.
The original home button is uniquely paired to the logic board at the factory. If you replace the home button, Touch ID will not function.
The home button attaches to the screen with an adhesive gasket. You’ll need some liquid adhesive to glue the home button to the display.
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.
What you need
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Completely power down your iPad before you begin.
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If your screen is cracked, lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPad's screen 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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As you slice through the adhesive, note the following:
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The top has a large patch of thick adhesive. You'll need to slice 1/2" deep in order to cut the adhesive.
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Don't slice deeper than 2 mm along the long edges of the iPad, or you risk damaging the display panel.
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The lower edge also has thick patches of adhesive, but there are delicate flex cables in each corner. Don't slice deeper than 1/4" around the lower corners.
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Heat an iOpener and lay it over the left edge of the iPad to soften the adhesive holding the screen in place.
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Wait two minutes for the adhesive to soften before proceeding to the next step. The edge should be slightly too hot to the touch.
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Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
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Place an object under your iPad so it rests level between the suction cups.
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Position the suction cups near the middle of the left edge—one on the top, and one on the bottom.
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Hold the bottom of the Anti-Clamp steady and firmly press down on the top cup to apply suction.
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Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
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If your screen isn't getting hot enough, you can use a hair dryer to heat along the left edge of the iPad.
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Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
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Skip the next two steps.
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Attach a suction cup to the left edge of the iPad's screen, above the Smart Connector port.
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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 an opening pick or halberd spudger into the gap next to the Smart Connector.
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Use an opening pick or halberd spudger to slice the adhesive along the bottom left side of the iPad. If the slicing becomes difficult, reheat the edge and try again.
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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. Wait a minute to let the adhesive soften.
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Use an opening pick to slice the adhesive along the upper left side of the iPad. If the slicing becomes difficult, reheat the edge and try again.
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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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Use an opening pick to slice through the top edge of the iPad, stopping before you reach the front-facing camera.
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If the slicing becomes hard, reheat the edge and try again.
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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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Insert an opening pick or a halberd spudger blade just past the front-facing camera.
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Use the opening pick to slice through the adhesive in the upper right corner.
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If the slicing becomes hard, reheat the edge and try again.
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Soften the adhesive by heating the right edge of the iPad using an iOpener.
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Use an opening pick or halberd spudger to slice along the right edge of the iPad, till you reach the lower right corner.
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Leave an opening pick in the middle of the right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Attach a long strip of masking tape to the top edge of the screen. Fold the tape over the edge and make sure that the tape is attached securely.
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Attach the other end of the strip to the bottom edge of the iPad frame to hold the screen at an angle. Make sure the tape attaches securely to the frame.
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Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the nine screws securing the logic board EMI shield:
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Eight 1.2 mm screws
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One 2.4 mm screw
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Make a battery blocker using a playing card and slide it underneath the logic board connector to disconnect the battery.
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Leave the blocker there to prevent the battery connector leads from making contact until you have completed your repairs.
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Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the display cable bracket:
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Two 2.4 mm screws
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One 1.2 mm screw
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Remove the display cable bracket.
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Remove the screen.
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If your screen didn't come with pre-applied adhesives, use our screen adhesive application guide to install fresh pre-cut adhesive strips when reassembling your iPad.
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Use tweezers to remove the tape covering the ZIF connector above the home button.
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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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Alternatively, apply a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to the cable and wait for a minute to let the adhesive soften.
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Apply a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to the base of the home button bracket.
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Alternatively, you can use a heated iOpener to loosen the adhesive.
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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%) isopropyl alcohol.
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Secure the bracket with E6000 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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Gently push the home button from the front of the display inward using the tip of a finger.
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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.
