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iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement

What you need

  1. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, iOpener Heating: step 1, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, iOpener Heating: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • We recommend that you clean your microwave before proceeding, as any nasty gunk on the bottom may end up stuck to the iOpener.

    • Place the iOpener in the center of the microwave.

    • For carousel microwaves: Make sure the plate spins freely. If your iOpener gets stuck, it may overheat and burn.

  2. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Heat the iOpener for thirty seconds.

    • Throughout the repair procedure, as the iOpener cools, reheat it in the microwave for an additional thirty seconds at a time.

    • Be careful not to overheat the iOpener during the repair. Overheating may cause the iOpener to burst. Do not attempt to heat over 100ËšC (212ËšF).

    • Never touch the iOpener if it appears swollen.

    • If the iOpener is still too hot in the middle to touch, continue using it while waiting for it to cool down some more before reheating. A properly heated iOpener should stay warm for up to 10 minutes.

  3. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the iOpener from the microwave, holding it by one of the two flat ends to avoid the hot center.

    • The iOpener will be very hot, so be careful when handling it. Use an oven mitt if necessary.

  4. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Alternate iOpener heating method: step 4, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Alternate iOpener heating method: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • If you don't have a microwave, follow this step to heat your iOpener in boiling water.

    • Fill a pot or pan with enough water to fully submerge an iOpener.

    • Heat the water to a boil. Turn off the heat.

    • Place an iOpener into the hot water for 2-3 minutes. Make sure the iOpener is fully submerged in the water.

    • Use tongs to extract the heated iOpener from the hot water.

    • Thoroughly dry the iOpener with a towel.

    • The iOpener will be very hot, so be careful to hold it only by the end tabs.

    • Your iOpener is ready for use! If you need to reheat the iOpener, heat the water to a boil, turn off the heat, and place the iOpener in the water for 2-3 minutes.

  5. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Screen: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Only the screen remains.

  6. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Installation tips: step 6, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Installation tips: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • When you install a replacement screen:

    • Remove all packing tape.

    • Peel any adhesive liners from the flex cables and press the cables in place onto the display panel.

    • Fold and connect the flex cable in the bottom left corner of the screen.

    • Don't peel and expose the perimeter adhesive until you've tested your repair and are ready to seal up the iPad.

  7. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Home Button: step 7, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement, Home Button: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the tape covering the ZIF connector above the home button.

  8. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat edge of a spudger to lift the flap on the connector that secures the cable.

  9. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Pull the cable out of the ZIF connector.

  10. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Use tweezers to remove the tape that covers the home button cable.

  11. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • The home button's ribbon cable is very fragile. If it gets damaged, or if the home button has to be replaced, Touch ID will no longer function.

    • Use an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer to soften the adhesive under the cable before you pry it up.

    • 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.

  12. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Gently pry off the home button cover by inserting the hook of a halberd spudger or the flat edge of a regular spudger between the cover and the LCD, and gently prying towards the bottom edge of the iPad.

    • The hot-melt glue holding this bracket in place can be stubborn. Get it hot to make it easier to separate, and/or very carefully insert a razor blade under the bracket to separate it.

  13. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Tesa 61395 Tape
    $5.99
    Buy
    • Remove the home button bracket.

    • During reassembly, after installing the home button, you'll need to glue this bracket into place to secure it.

    • 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.

    • 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.

  14. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Gently push the home button from the front of the display inward using the tip of a finger.

  15. iPad Pro 12.9" Home Button Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the home button.

Evan Noronha

Member since: 02/05/15

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