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iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement

Introduction

The Taptic Engine produces your iPhone's vibration and haptic feedback functions. Use this guide to remove and/or replace the Taptic Engine in an iPhone SE 2020.

Note: This guide instructs you to fully detach and remove the display assembly; this is intended to make the phone easier to work with and to prevent accidental damage to the display cables. If you feel comfortable removing the Taptic Engine while keeping the display cables attached, you can skip the steps for disconnecting the display.

What you need

  1. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Remove the pentalobe screws: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin, discharge your iPhone 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 3.5 mm pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the iPhone.

    • Opening the iPhone's display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

    Edit

  2. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Heat the display: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    Edit

  3. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 3, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 3, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • The next two steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down two steps for an alternate method.

    • For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.

    • Pull the blue handle towards the hinge to disengage opening mode.

    • Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone just above the home button—one on the front, and one on the back.

    • Push down on the cups to apply suction to the desired area.

    • If you find that the surface of your device is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use packing tape to create a grippier surface.

    Edit

  4. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Push the blue handle away from the hinge to engage opening mode.

    • Turn the handle clockwise until you see the cups start to stretch.

    • Make sure the suction cups remain aligned to each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

    • Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and for the bottom of the screen to open.

    • Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.

    • If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.

    • Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.

    • Skip the next two steps.

    Edit

  5. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Separate the display: step 5, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Separate the display: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    • 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

  6. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  7. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    • Do not try to pry the top edge of the display away from the rear case, as it is held in place by plastic clips that may break.

    Edit

  8. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  9. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  10. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  12. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  13. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  14. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 13, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Magnetic Project Mat
    $19.99

    • 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

    • Throughout this guide, keep careful track of your screws so that each one goes back where it came from during reassembly. Installing a screw in the wrong place can cause permanent damage.

    • Remove the bracket.

    Edit

  15. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  16. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Disconnect the display and digitizer: step 15, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Disconnect the display and digitizer: step 15, image 2 of 2

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

    • To re-attach press connectors like this one, press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is even slightly misaligned, the connector can bend, causing permanent damage.

    Edit

  17. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  18. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

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

    • Remove the bracket.

    Edit

  19. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  20. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Remove the display assembly: step 19, image 1 of 1
    Edit

  21. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Remove the Wi-Fi diversity antenna: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • 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

    Edit

  22. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the bracket.

    Edit

  23. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  24. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  25. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 3 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  26. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the Wi-Fi diversity antenna.

    Edit

  27. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement, Remove the Taptic Engine: step 26, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Standoff Screwdriver for iPhones
    $5.49

    • 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 a standoff screwdriver or bit.

    • 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.

    Edit

  28. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 27, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  29. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 2 iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  30. iPhone SE 2020 Taptic Engine Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the Taptic Engine.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Don't forget to reapply the display adhesive before reinstalling the display.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our iPhone SE 2020 Answers community for troubleshooting help.

2 other people completed this guide.

Author

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Adam O'Camb

Member since: 04/11/15

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