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iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal

Prerequisite Only
This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and isn’t meant to be used alone.
    1. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the bottom edge: step 1, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the bottom edge: step 1, image 2 of 2
      • Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the back glass for two minutes.

      • Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

      • Be careful not to heat the phone hotter than this—the battery is susceptible to heat damage.

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    2. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 1 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 2 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 3 of 3
      • Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass, above the USB-C port.

      • Pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.

      • Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

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    3. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Back glass information: step 3, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Back glass information: step 3, image 2 of 2
      • As you slice the adhesive securing the back glass in the next steps, be careful of the following areas:

      • There's a delicate cable connecting the back glass to the phone, right next to the volume up button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.

      • There are multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone. Be extra careful not to insert your pick deeper than suggested in each step to avoid bending these contacts.

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    4. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the bottom edge adhesive: step 4, image 1 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the bottom edge adhesive: step 4, image 2 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the bottom edge adhesive: step 4, image 3 of 3
      • Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm on the bottom edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts.

      • Slide your pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.

      • Leave your pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

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    5. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the right edge: step 5, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the right edge: step 5, image 2 of 2
      • Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back glass for two minutes.

      • When using a hair dryer or heat gun, heat the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

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    6. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the bottom right corner adhesive: step 6, image 1 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the bottom right corner adhesive: step 6, image 2 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the bottom right corner adhesive: step 6, image 3 of 3
      • Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm along the right edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts and ribbon cable.

      • Slide your pick around the bottom right corner and slide it halfway up the right edge, or until you feel a hard stop at a clip securing the back glass.

      • Don't slice near the volume buttons to avoid damaging the wireless charging/flash cable.

      • Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

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    7. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the left edge: step 7, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the left edge: step 7, image 2 of 2
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    8. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the left edge adhesive: step 8, image 1 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the left edge adhesive: step 8, image 2 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the left edge adhesive: step 8, image 3 of 3
      • Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm along the left edge to avoid damaging the spring contact.

      • Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.

      • Slide the second pick around the bottom left corner and along the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.

      • You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.

      • Leave this pick inserted at the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

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    9. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the top edge: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Heat the top edge: step 9, image 2 of 2
      • Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back glass, angled to include the volume buttons, for two minutes.

      • When using a hair dryer or heat gun, heat until it's hot to the touch.

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    10. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the top edge adhesive: step 10, image 1 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the top edge adhesive: step 10, image 2 of 3 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Separate the top edge adhesive: step 10, image 3 of 3
      • Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm along the top edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts.

      • Slide your opening pick across the top edge and around the top right corner to the volume up button to separate the adhesive.

      • You should hear and feel clicks as the top two clips release.

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    11. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Swing open the back glass: step 11, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Swing open the back glass: step 11, image 2 of 2
      • Don't try to fully remove the back glass just yet—it's still attached with a delicate ribbon cable. Follow the next few steps to remove it safely.

      • If the back glass doesn't swing open easily, don't force it—go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.

      • You may need to lift the back glass up slightly before swinging it open to fully disengage the clips.

      • Gently swing open the back glass towards the volume buttons.

      • Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object like a small box to avoid straining the cable.

      • Remove the opening picks.

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    12. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Unfasten the middle connector cover: step 12, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Unfasten the middle connector cover: step 12, image 2 of 2
      • Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the two 1.3 mm-long screws securing the middle connector cover.

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    13. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the middle connector cover: step 13, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the middle connector cover: step 13, image 2 of 2
      • Be careful not to dent or puncture the battery during this step.

      • Use blunt-nose tweezers or your fingers to slide the cover towards the left edge of the phone and release its hook from its slot on the logic board.

      • Remove the cover.

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    14. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Disconnect the battery: step 14, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Disconnect the battery: step 14, image 2 of 2
      • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.

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    15. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Disconnect the wireless charger: step 15, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Disconnect the wireless charger: step 15, image 2 of 2
      • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil press connector.

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    16. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the back glass: step 16, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the back glass: step 16, image 2 of 2
      • Lift the back glass off the frame and remove it.

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    1. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the Taptic Engine bracket screws: step 17, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the Taptic Engine bracket screws: step 17, image 2 of 2
      • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the Taptic Engine bracket:

      • Two 1.9 mm‑long screws

      • One 2.1 mm‑long screw

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    2. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal: step 18, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal: step 18, image 2 of 2
      • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the Taptic Engine bracket.

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    3. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Disconnect the Taptic Engine: step 19, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Disconnect the Taptic Engine: step 19, image 2 of 2
      • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Taptic Engine press connector.

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    4. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the Taptic Engine screw: step 20, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the Taptic Engine screw: step 20, image 2 of 2
      • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 1.8 mm screw securing the Taptic Engine.

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    5. iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the Taptic Engine: step 21, image 1 of 2 iPhone 16 Plus Taptic Engine Removal, Remove the Taptic Engine: step 21, image 2 of 2
      • Use blunt-nose tweezers or your fingers to pick up and remove the Taptic Engine.

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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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Nick Schultz

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