iPhone 8 Taptic Engine Replacement

Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

Remove the two 3.5 mm pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Heating the lower edge of the iPhone will help soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

Use a hairdryer or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the phone for about 90 seconds in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Apply a suction cup to the lower half of the front panel, just above the home button.

• Be sure the suction cup does not overlap with the home button, as this will prevent a seal from forming between the suction cup and front glass.

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

Insert an opening pick into the gap.

• The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Slide the opening pick up the left edge of the phone starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch, breaking up the adhesive holding the display in place.

Stop near the top left corner of the display.

Re-insert your tool at the lower right corner of the iPhone, and slide it around the corner and up the right side of the phone to separate the adhesive.

• Don't insert the pick very far, or you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone. Insert it only a few millimeters, or about the width of the display bezel.

Gently pull up on the suction cup to lift up the bottom edge of the display.

• Do not raise the display more than 15º or you'll risk straining or tearing the ribbon cables connecting the display.

Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

Slide an opening pick underneath the display around the top left corner and along the top edge of the phone to loosen the last of the adhesive.

Slide the display assembly slightly down (away from the top edge of the phone) to disengage the clips holding it to the rear case.

Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.

• Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.

Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.

Remove four Phillips screws securing the lower display cable bracket to the logic board, of the following lengths:

• Two 1.3 mm screws
• Two 2.8 mm screws

Remove the bracket.

Use the point of a spudger to pry the battery connector out of its socket in the logic board.

Bend the battery connector cable slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Use the point of a spudger to pry the lower display connector out of its socket.

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the second lower display cable.

Remove the three 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the bracket over the front panel sensor assembly connector.

Remove the bracket.

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front panel sensor assembly connector.

Remove the display assembly.

Remove the three screws securing the bracket next to the Taptic Engine:

One 1.3 mm Y000 screw

One 2.7 mm Phillips screw

One 2.9 mm Phillips screw

Remove the bracket.

Gently slide an opening pick between the antenna flex cable and the top of the speaker.

• This portion of the flex cable is lightly adhered in place. If necessary, apply a little heat from an iOpener or hair dryer to soften the adhesive. This will make it easier to separate the flex cable safely.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the diversity antenna flex cable from the logic board.

Slide an opening pick under the antenna flex cable to hold the socket down.

Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna flex cable from its socket, using the opening pick to hold the socket down.

• Reconnecting this cable can be tricky. Make it easier by using your tweezers to hold the flex cable so the connector aligns with its socket. Then, gently press straight down on the connector with the flat of your spudger until it clicks into place.

Remove the Wi-Fi diversity antenna.

Remove the two screws securing the Taptic Engine:

• One 2.1 mm Phillips screw
• One 2.1 mm standoff screw

  • Standoff screws are best removed using an iPhone Standoff Screwdriver Bit and driver handle.
  • In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn't slip and damage surrounding components.

Use the point of your spudger to move the antenna cable socket up and away from the connector below it.

Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable.

Remove the Taptic Engine.