Introduction
Follow this guide to replace the front camera assembly in an iPhone 17 Pro Max.
If your front-facing photos come out fuzzy, noisy, or your camera has trouble focusing, it might need to be replaced.
The front camera assembly includes the front-facing camera and Face ID hardware.
After your repair, calibrate authentic Apple front cameras using Repair Assistant.
What you need
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Unplug all cables from your phone.
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Hold the power and either volume button and slide to power off your phone.
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Tool used on this step:iFixit Safety Glasses$7.99
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Apply strips of packing tape to the cracked glass until it's completely covered—this will help keep the glass contained and allow the suction cup to stick.
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Make sure there's a single strip of tape (not overlapping) across the bottom edge, big enough for a suction cup to fit on.
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Use a P2 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two 7.5 mm‑long screws on either side of the charging port.
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Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the screen until it's slightly too hot to touch.
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Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen, as close to the edge as possible.
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There's a plastic bezel on the underside of the screen that sits on the frame. Insert your pick here, making sure it's completely under the bezel.
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There's a seam between the plastic bezel and the display panel. Don't insert your pick here or you'll separate the two, complicating the repair.
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Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force until a gap forms between the screen and frame.
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Insert the tip of an opening pick in the gap you just created.
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The screen and ambient light sensor cables are located near the volume and Action buttons.
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There are delicate spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone.
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The underside of the screen has thin, metal clips that go into corresponding slots on the frame.
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Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
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Leave the pick inserted under the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re‑sealing.
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Pull the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the screen.
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Insert a second opening pick under the bottom right corner of the screen.
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Slide the pick up the right edge to separate the adhesive and release the two clips.
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Leave the pick inserted under the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re‑sealing.
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Insert a third opening pick under the top right corner of the screen.
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Slide the pick along the top edge and barely around the top left corner to separate the adhesive and release the two clips.
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Leave the pick inserted under the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from re‑sealing.
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Insert a fourth opening pick under the bottom left corner of the screen.
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Slide the pick up the right edge to separate the adhesive and release the clip, stopping just before the volume up button.
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Lift the screen straight up and swing it over the left edge, propping it up against a sturdy box or stack of books so the cables aren't strained.
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Tool used on this step:FixMat$36.95
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Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the two 1.2 mm‑long screws securing the battery and screen cable covers (one for each cover).
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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.
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Use the tip of an opening pick or the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen and front sensors press connectors.
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Use a Torx Plus 4IP screwdriver to remove the screws securing the battery tray:
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One 7.5 mm‑long screw
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One 5.9 mm‑long screw
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One 3.5 mm‑long screw
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One 2.4 mm‑long screw
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Ten 3.7 mm‑long screws
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One 3.7 mm‑long screw
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Use your finger to lift the top left corner of the battery tray and remove it.
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Use a tri-point Y000 screwdriver to remove the 1.0 mm‑long screw securing the front camera connector cover.
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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the two front camera connectors (one's under the other) from the logic board.
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Place the front camera assembly in its recess and carefully guide its cables into the groove.
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Use your fingers to carefully align and press the two front camera assembly press connectors onto the logic board.
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Hook the camera connector cover onto the logic board and set it in place.
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Use a Torx Plus 4IP screwdriver to install the battery tray screws:
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One 7.5 mm‑long screw
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One 5.9 mm‑long screw
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One 3.5 mm‑long screw
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One 2.4 mm‑long screw
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Ten 3.7 mm‑long screws
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One 3.7 mm‑long screw
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove large pieces of adhesive from the frame perimeter.
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Use a spudger to scrape the adhesive residue off the frame.
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Tool used on this step:Microfiber Cleaning Cloths$3.99
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If you're reusing your screen, apply a few drops of highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to a microfiber or lint-free cloth and wipe around the perimeter to prepare the surface for new adhesive.
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Without peeling any liners, lay the adhesive sheet over the frame to determine its proper orientation.
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Grab the tab in the corner of the adhesive sheet and peel the liner to expose a third of the adhesive.
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Set the iPhone screen next to the frame such that the screen cables can comfortably reach the logic board.
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Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to press and connect the battery connector onto the logic board.
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Tuck the top edge of the battery connector cover under the cutout lip.
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Align the cover by its screw hole and lay it in place.
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Tuck the left edge of the screen connector cover under the cutout lip.
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Align the cover by its screw hole and lay it in place.
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With one hand hold the screen steady.
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Use your fingers or a spudger to peel away all perimeter liners, exposing the adhesive.
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Check the internals for any stray liners and remove them. There should be no liners remaining.
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Lower the screen onto the frame, beginning with the top edge.
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Press along the edges of the iPhone until the screen sits flush against the frame.
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Use a hair dryer, heat gun, or an iOpener to heat the screen perimeter until it's slightly too hot to touch.
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Use a P2 pentalobe screwdriver to install the two 7.5 mm‑long screws on either side of the charging port.
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After your repair, run Apple's Repair Assistant. Navigate to Settings → General → About → Parts & Service History, tap Restart & Finish Repair, and follow the onscreen prompts.
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 Answers Community for help.
