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Follow this guide to replace a broken or cracked glass digitizer on the front of an iPad 10.
Note: Some replacement digitizers don't include adhesive. Make sure you have replacement adhesive before starting this repair.
This guide was written with iPad model A2696. Different models may look a little different, but the procedure will be correct.
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Disconnect all cables and accessories from the iPad.
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Apply strips of packing tape to the cracked glass until the whole digitizer is covered—this will help keep the glass contained and allow the suction cup to stick to it.
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Make sure there's a single strip (not overlapping) of tape across the bottom edge, big enough for a suction cup to fit on.
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Only cover the glass itself—don't stick any tape to the frame.
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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the right edge of the iPad until it’s slightly too hot to touch. This softens the adhesive securing the digitizer glass.
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For tips on using a hair dryer to soften adhesive, check out this guide.
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Apply a suction handle above the USB‑C port with the open part of the handle facing away from the edge.
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Pull up on the suction handle with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap under the glass.
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Insert an opening wheel into the gap.
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Slide the opening wheel back‑and‑forth to separate the adhesive directly above the USB‑C port.
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Try to get underneath the adhesive strip securing the digitizer, rather than slicing through the thickest part. This will make removal easier.
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Leave the opening wheel in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Pull up on the suction handle tab and remove it.
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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the right edge of the glass.
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Apply the suction handle to the right of the USB‑C port and lift the glass to create a gap.
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Slide the opening wheel beneath the glass you're lifting to separate the adhesive.
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Repeat this heating and separating process to separate the remaining adhesive along the right edge of the iPad.
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Insert a plastic card underneath the right edge of the glass to keep the adhesive separated.
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Remove the opening wheel.
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Repeat to separate the adhesive along the bottom edge of the digitizer.
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Repeat to separate the adhesive along the left edge of the iPad.
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Repeat the heating and adhesive separation process to separate the adhesive along the top edge.
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Remove the plastic cards.
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Lift the digitizer by its bottom edge and swing it open until it's perpendicular to the iPad.
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Rest the digitizer on a strong, sturdy object to keep it held up while you remove the display.
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Use a Torx Plus 2IP screwdriver to remove the ten screws securing the iPad display:
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Four 3.5 mm‑long screws
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Six 3.2 mm‑long screws
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In cellular models, use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the additional screws along the right edge.
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Insert the flat end of a spudger beneath the display in the center of its left edge.
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Pry up the display until you can get your fingers beneath it.
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Lift the display by its screw posts until it's perpendicular to the iPad. Rest it on a sturdy object.
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Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the two 1.1 mm‑long screws securing the display connector cover.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the display connector cover.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the display press connector.
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Peel up the display cable and remove the display.
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Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the four 1.1 mm‑long screws securing the digitizer connector covers.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the two digitizer connector covers.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the three digitizer cable press connectors.
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Slowly lift the digitizer to separate any remaining adhesive securing it to the iPad.
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Remove the digitizer.
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Don't touch the ambient light sensor or selfie camera along the top edge of the iPad while cleaning the frame.
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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat a roughly 3 inch (~8 cm) section of the frame edge.
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Use an opening tool to scrape the old adhesive into a ball on the section of the frame you heated.
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Use tweezers to remove the balled up adhesive.
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Repeat this heating and scraping process until most of the old adhesive is removed from the frame.
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Apply a bit of isopropyl alcohol to a cotton swab or lint-free cloth and clean the frame until it's free of adhesive residue.
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Alternatively, use our adhesive cleanup kit.
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Repeat this process to clean the adhesive off the digitizer bezel. Use tweezers to get any large pieces off before using the opening tool.
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Before removing any liners, align each adhesive strip over the digitizer to see where it goes. It's easiest to align the strip on the edge with the camera cutout.
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Remove the large liners from one of the long adhesive strips. The adhesive is now exposed.
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Install one of the large adhesive strips to the back of the digitizer.
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Check the adhesive to make sure it doesn't overhang the edge of the digitizer glass. If it does, remove it and start over with new adhesive.
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Repeat this process to install the remaining two adhesive strips.
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Set the digitizer on the frame of the iPad, so the cables can reach their connectors on the board.
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Lean the digitizer against a large, sturdy object to keep it upright.
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Use your finger or the flat end of a spudger to connect the three digitizer press connectors to their respective sockets on the board.
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Set the two digitizer connector covers over their respective connectors on the board.
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Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to install the four 1.1 mm‑long screws securing the digitizer connector covers.
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Set the screen on the iPad, so the screen cable connector can reach its socket on the board.
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Use your finger to connect the screen connector to its socket on the board.
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Press the screen cable down so it sits flat onto the board.
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Set the display connector cover into place, aligned with its screw posts.
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Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to install the two 1.1 mm‑long screws securing the display connector cover.
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Lower the screen into its recess.
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Use a Torx Plus 2IP screwdriver to install the ten screws securing the iPad display:
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Four 3.5 mm‑long screws
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Six 3.2 mm‑long screws
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In cellular models, use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the additional screws along the right edge.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the top blue liner off the iPad digitizer adhesive.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the blue liner on the left edge of the digitizer adhesive.
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Lower the digitizer until you can access the final blue liner.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to peel the final blue liner off the last adhesive strip.
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Lower the digitizer into place.
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Press along the edges of the digitizer so it sits flush into the iPad frame.
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Place the iPad screen-side-down on a soft, flat surface.
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Apply painter's tape to the back to protect its finish.
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Place evenly spaced layers of coins or similarly thick objects on the tape along the edges of the back glass.
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Stack them to a consistent height taller than the camera bump.
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Stack multiple books or other heavy objects on the iPad.
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Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.
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Calibrate the replacement display using 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 iPad 10 Answers Community for help.