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iPhone 6s Front Panel Assembly Replacement

Written By: Evan Noronha (and 3 other contributors)
  • Comments: 188
  • Favorites: 4
  • Completions: 18

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

22

Time Required

15 - 45 minutes

Sections

4

Flags

1

Prerequisite Only

Prerequisite Only

Please note that this guide is only a prerequisite for other guides.

Introduction

Prereq-only to detach the front panel assembly.

  1. Before disassembling your iPhone, discharge the battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

    • Before disassembling your iPhone, discharge the battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

    • Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

    • Remove the two 3.4 mm P2 Pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the iPhone, next to the Lightning connector.

    Edit

  2. Optionally, apply mild heat to the lower edge of the iPhone using an iOpener or hair dryer for about a minute.

    • Optionally, apply mild heat to the lower edge of the iPhone using an iOpener or hair dryer for about a minute.

    • Heat softens the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

    Edit

  3. Opening the display on the 6s separates a thin strip of adhesive around the perimeter of the display. If you prefer to replace the adhesive, have a set of new adhesive strips ready before you continue. It's possible to complete the repair without replacing the adhesive, and you probably won't notice any difference in functionality.

    • Opening the display on the 6s separates a thin strip of adhesive around the perimeter of the display. If you prefer to replace the adhesive, have a set of new adhesive strips ready before you continue. It's possible to complete the repair without replacing the adhesive, and you probably won't notice any difference in functionality.

    • Apply a suction cup to the lower left corner of the display assembly.

    • Take care not to place the suction cup over the home button.

    • If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

    Edit

  4. Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case. Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The display assembly is a much tighter fit than most devices and is held down with adhesive.

    • Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.

    • Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The display assembly is a much tighter fit than most devices and is held down with adhesive.

    • Pulling too hard may damage the display assembly. Apply just enough pressure to create a small gap between the display assembly and the rear case.

    • If you have any trouble, heat the front of the iPhone using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's slightly too hot to touch. This will help soften the adhesive securing the edges of the display.

    Edit

  5. There is a notch on the underside of the display, just above the headphone jack. This is the safest place to begin prying the phone open. Place the flat edge of a spudger into the gap between the screen and rear case, directly above the headphone jack.

    • There is a notch on the underside of the display, just above the headphone jack. This is the safest place to begin prying the phone open.

    • Place the flat edge of a spudger into the gap between the screen and rear case, directly above the headphone jack.

    Edit

  6. Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the front panel assembly and the rest of the phone. Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the front panel assembly and the rest of the phone.

    • Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the front panel assembly and the rest of the phone.

    Edit

  7. Insert the flat end of the spudger on the left side of the phone, between the display assembly and rear case. Slide the spudger up the side of the phone to separate the adhesive and pop the clips free.

    • Insert the flat end of the spudger on the left side of the phone, between the display assembly and rear case.

    • Slide the spudger up the side of the phone to separate the adhesive and pop the clips free.

    Edit

  8. Remove the spudger and reinsert it on the bottom edge, where you pried the phone open. Slide the spudger to the right, along the bottom edge of the phone.

    • Remove the spudger and reinsert it on the bottom edge, where you pried the phone open.

    • Slide the spudger to the right, along the bottom edge of the phone.

    Edit

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  10. Slide the spudger up the right side to continue separating the adhesive and popping the display clips free from the iPhone. Slide the spudger up the right side to continue separating the adhesive and popping the display clips free from the iPhone.

    • Slide the spudger up the right side to continue separating the adhesive and popping the display clips free from the iPhone.

    Edit

  11. Use the suction cup to open the display, breaking the last of the adhesive. Don't open the display more than 90º, as it is still connected at the top by three cables that may break if stretched.

    • Use the suction cup to open the display, breaking the last of the adhesive.

    • Don't open the display more than 90º, as it is still connected at the top by three cables that may break if stretched.

    Edit

  12. Pull up on the nub on the top side of the suction cup to remove it from the front panel. Pull up on the nub on the top side of the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

    • Pull up on the nub on the top side of the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

    Edit

  13. Gently grasp the display assembly and lift it up to open the phone, using the clips at the top of the front panel as a hinge. Open the display to about a 90º angle, and lean it against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone. Add a rubber band to keep the display securely in place while you work. This prevents undue strain on the display cables.

    • Gently grasp the display assembly and lift it up to open the phone, using the clips at the top of the front panel as a hinge.

    • Open the display to about a 90º angle, and lean it against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.

    • Add a rubber band to keep the display securely in place while you work. This prevents undue strain on the display cables.

    • In a pinch, you can use an unopened canned beverage to hold the display.

    Edit

  14. Remove two Phillips screws securing the battery connector bracket, of the following lengths:
    Tool used on this step:
    Magnetic Project Mat
    $19.99

    • Remove two Phillips screws securing the battery connector bracket, of the following lengths:

    • One 2.9 mm screw

    • One 2.2 mm screw

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

    Edit

  15. Remove the battery connector bracket from the iPhone. Remove the battery connector bracket from the iPhone.

    • Remove the battery connector bracket from the iPhone.

    Edit

  16. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector by prying it straight up from the logic board. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector by prying it straight up from the logic board. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.

    • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.

    Edit

  17. Push the battery connector away from the logic board until it stays separated from its socket, so as to avoid any accidental connection to the battery while you work. Push the battery connector away from the logic board until it stays separated from its socket, so as to avoid any accidental connection to the battery while you work.

    • Push the battery connector away from the logic board until it stays separated from its socket, so as to avoid any accidental connection to the battery while you work.

    Edit

  18. Remove the following four Phillips screws securing the display cable bracket:

    • Remove the following four Phillips screws securing the display cable bracket:

    • Three 1.2 mm screws

    • One 2.8 mm screw

    Edit

  19. Remove the display cable bracket. Remove the display cable bracket.

    • Remove the display cable bracket.

    Edit

  20. Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front camera flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board. Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front camera flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

    • Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front camera flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  21. Disconnect the digitizer cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board. When reconnecting the digitizer cable, do not press the center of the connector. Press one end of the connector, then press the opposite end. Pressing in the center of the connector can bend the component and cause digitizer damage.

    • Disconnect the digitizer cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

    • When reconnecting the digitizer cable, do not press the center of the connector. Press one end of the connector, then press the opposite end. Pressing in the center of the connector can bend the component and cause digitizer damage.

    Edit

  22. Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cable in this step. Disconnect the display cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

    • Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cable in this step.

    • Disconnect the display cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  23. Remove the display assembly.
    Edit
Conclusion

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

18 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 3 other contributors

Evan Noronha

Member since: 02/05/2015

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