Introduction
Follow this guide to replace the volume buttons on an M4 iPad Pro 13".
If a volume button is sticking or isn't clicking, it may need to be replaced. This guide shows how to replace both, but they can be replaced independently. Skip the steps removing/installing the one you aren't replacing.
You'll need replacement screen adhesive to complete this repair.
What you need
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Disconnect all cables and accessories from the iPad.
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Place masking tape over the following areas of the display:
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The TrueDepth camera near the middle of the top edge
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The ambient light sensor near the middle of the left edge
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The bottom edge, where there are delicate ribbon cables under edge of the display
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If your screen is badly cracked, cover it with a layer of packing tape to help the suction cup stick and prevent shards of glass from coming off.
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Apply a heated iOpener to the top-right corner of the screen for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
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Unlock the Anti-Clamp by pulling the blue handle backwards, away from the suction cups.
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Place something under the bottom-left corner of the iPad to hold it level, then place the Anti-Clamp on your work surface and insert the top-right corner of the iPad between the Anti-Clamp's suction cups.
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Hold the bottom of the Anti-Clamp and press down on the top arm to engage the suction cups.
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Make sure the top and bottom suction cups are aligned, and remain aligned for this entire procedure.
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Wait at least one minute for the Anti-Clamp to pull the screen up until there's a small gap between the screen and the frame.
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Make sure there's tension on the suction cups. Crank the handle just until you feel resistance, but don't crank too much or the suction cups will release.
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Apply more heat while the Anti-Clamp is engaged. You can thread a heated iOpener through the Anti-Clamp or use a hair dryer or heat gun.
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If the screen is still not releasing, crank the handle a half-turn and wait another minute while applying more heat periodically, still being careful not to overheat the iPad. Repeat as needed.
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Once the screen lifts, insert a marked opening pick into the gap, no more than 3.5 mm deep.
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Slide the opening pick around the corner and leave it inserted.
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If you don't have an Anti‑Clamp, use a single suction handle instead.
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Apply the suction handle near the top‑right corner with the open part of the handle facing away from the edge.
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Hold the iPad down with one hand, away from the suction cup, and pull the suction handle up and towards the center of the iPad.
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As soon as a small gap appears between the screen and the frame, insert a marked opening pick no more than 3.5 mm into the gap and release tension on the suction cup.
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Slide the pick gently around the corner and leave it inserted.
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Use an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun to soften the adhesive under the top edge of the screen.
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Insert an additional marked opening pick beside the first pick, on the top edge of the iPad, no more than 3.5 mm.
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Slice the adhesive by slowly sliding the opening pick under the screen towards the front camera, stopping before you get to the masking tape.
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Heat the right edge of the iPad.
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Insert an opening pick beside the first opening pick you inserted, on the right edge.
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Working in small sections, slice the adhesive, applying more heat as needed.
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Heat the bottom-right corner of the iPad.
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Carefully slide the opening pick from the previous step around the bottom-right corner.
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Leave the pick inserted.
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Heat the bottom edge of the iPad, focusing on the right end.
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Insert an opening pick beside the pick in the corner, on the bottom edge, no more than 3.5 mm deep.
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Lift the pick so it enters the iPad at a sharp angle.
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Carefully slide the pick under the screen across the bottom edge of the iPad.
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Heat the bottom-left corner of the iPad.
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Carefully slide the opening pick around the bottom-left corner.
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Leave the pick inserted.
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Heat the left edge of the iPad, focusing on the bottom end.
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Insert an opening pick above the pick already inserted near the bottom-left corner.
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Carefully slide the pick to the beginning of the masking tape.
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Once the screen is completely free of the adhesive, lift it about a half-inch and rotate it slightly counterclockwise so the screw next to the front camera is visible.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the 1.3 mm‑long screw securing the microphone connector cover.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the microphone connector cover. Be careful not to damage the foam on the back.
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Use a spudger or your finger to pry up the microphone press connector.
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Open the iPad like a book from the top edge.
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Hold the screen above the iPad body and place a soft cloth on top of the iPad to protect both the screen and the iPad body.
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Place the screen face-down on the cloth, being careful not to strain the cables still attached to the iPad body.
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Place cloths over the batteries to protect them while you work.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the screws securing the display connectors cover:
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Four 2.1 mm‑long screws towards the center of the iPad
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Two 1.6 mm‑long screws near the edge of the iPad
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the display connectors cover.
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Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wide display cable press connector.
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Then, use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Multi‑Touch cable press connector.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the rear camera cover:
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Two 1.4 mm‑long screws, one near the center and one in the top-right corner
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Two 1.6 mm‑long screws, one near the middle of the left edge and one near the bottom-right corner
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Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the lock button press connector, then the volume button press connector.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to remove four screws securing the volume buttons:
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Two 2.0 mm‑long screws securing the volume buttons bracket
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Two 1.4 mm‑long screws securing the volume buttons ribbon cable
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Use an opening pick to slice the adhesive under the lock button ribbon cable.
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Lift the lock button ribbon cable out of the way.
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Slide an opening pick under the volume buttons ribbon cable and between the volume button bracket and the frame.
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Once the ribbon cable and bracket are loose, lift them out of the iPad.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the four 1.6 mm‑long screws securing the volume button caps.
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Slide the tip of a pair of angled tweezers through the plunger hole to push the volume button retaining brackets and caps out of the iPad frame.
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Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble the iPad.
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Make sure the silver retaining bracket is properly seated in each volume button cap.
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Slide each retaining bracket and button cap into a volume button recess.
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Place a piece of tape over the volume button caps to keep them in place while you work.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to install the four 1.6 mm‑long screws securing the volume button retaining brackets.
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Remove the tape.
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Place the volume button ribbon cable into its place in the iPad. Be careful not to knock either plunger out.
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Gently press the ribbon cable into place, making sure all of the screw holes align with their wells.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to install the 1.6 mm‑long screws securing the volume button ribbon cable to the side of the iPad frame.
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Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to connect the volume button press connector, then the lock button press connector.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to place the rear camera cover over the rear camera.
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Don't touch the ambient light sensor near the middle of the left edge or TrueDepth camera near the middle of the top edge while cleaning the frame.
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Use the tip of a spudger to lift a section of adhesive. Look for an edge or overhang where you can get underneath the adhesive strip.
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Align the adhesive with the frame of the iPad. It's easiest to align them above the USB‑C port.
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Flip the adhesive over so it's aligned with the back of the screen.
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Lift the adhesive off the back of the screen and set it to the side. Keep it in the same orientation as the screen.
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Peel and remove the topmost plastic cling layer from the left adhesive strip.
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Flip the left adhesive and align it to the left edge of the display assembly.
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Set the left adhesive in place aligned with the left edge of the screen.
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Press the top and bottom sections of the left adhesive onto the back of the screen.
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Peel and remove the topmost (clear) cling layer from the strip.
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Peel and remove the bottom liner layer (clear with a blue line) from the strip.
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Flip the right adhesive and set it in place, aligned with the right edge of the screen.
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Press the top and bottom sections of the right adhesive onto the back of the screen.
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Remove the clear liner off the right adhesive. Leave the final blue liner in place.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to gently press all the adhesive into place around the entire perimeter of the iPad. Be careful not to press on the delicate ribbon cables across the bottom of the screen.
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Place a clean cloth over the left battery cell in the iPad.
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Set the screen on the iPad, so the screen cable connectors can reach their respective sockets in the iPad.
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Align one of the display power cable press connectors over its socket on the logic board.
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Press down with the flat end of a spudger or your fingertip—first on one of the short sides, then the other—until it clicks into place.
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Repeat this process to connect the second display power cable press connector.
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Repeat the same procedure to connect the two remaining display cables.
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Set the display connectors cover onto the logic board so it's aligned with its screw holes.
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Use a JCIS or JIS 00 screwdriver to install the six screws securing the display connectors cover:
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Four 2.1 mm‑long screws towards the center of the iPad
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Two 1.6 mm‑long screws near the edge of the iPad
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the final, blue liners off the iPad screen adhesive.
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Without touching the adhesive, slightly lift the iPad screen and remove the cloth between it and the iPad.
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Flip the iPad screen over and set it down at a slight angle on top of the iPad frame.
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Hover the top of the screen over the microphone connector's socket on the board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the microphone press connector to its socket on the board (located next to the front camera assembly).
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Use tweezers to install the microphone connector cover into its slot beneath the front camera assembly bracket.
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Set the cover down so it's aligned with its screw hole.
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Carefully align the bottom edge of the screen with the bottom edge of the iPad.
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Position the screen so it sits into the lip on the edge of the iPad.
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To help the adhesive bond, apply heat to all four edges of the screen using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's hot to the touch.
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Place the iPad screen-side-down on a soft, flat surface.
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Apply tape to the back to protect its finish.
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Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPad Pro 13" Answers Community for help.
