crwdns2915892:0crwdne2915892:0
If your iPhone 12 mini screen is cracked, not responding to touch, or not showing a picture when your phone is powered on, use this guide to restore your iPhone to working order with a new screen, a.k.a. display assembly.
The combined earpiece speaker + sensor assembly affixed to the back of the display is paired to your individual iPhone from the factory, so you must transfer it from your old display to your new one during any display replacement. It contains the flood illuminator, which is part of the biometric Face ID security feature. If it is damaged or replaced, Face ID will cease to function, so take extra care not to damage any of these components during this procedure. If damaged, only Apple or an Apple-authorized technician can restore Face ID function.
Note: On iOS 17.6 and earlier, True Tone functionality is disabled after a screen replacement, even when using an original Apple screen. On iOS 18 and newer, you can calibrate your new screen using Apple's Repair Assistant to restore True Tone functionality on genuine screens purchased from Apple.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
crwdns2942213:0crwdne2942213:0
-
-
Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
-
Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
-
-
-
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
Got to step 2 and realized the fix kit doesn't include an opening pick! Looks like a guitar pick, and I have those lying around. Is that expected? Looks like the pick is used in many steps below. There's a little blue crowbar that isn't mentioned in the instructions. Perhaps that replaces the opening pick?
Hi! I can't see which guide you were using when writing this comment. Can you reply here with which guide and fix kit you used?
I see you posted this in Meta. I hope it's resolved soon! In the meantime, a guitar pick may work well enough for your repair.
what fix kit?
My fix kit didn't include an opening pick either
Make sure you check inside the black boxes after emptying them. My pick was stuck inside one of the boxes.
My AliExpress refurbished screen came with a pick that has a coin-like circle that pops out, so no modification was necessary
It's not an Ifixit KIT if it doesn't include everything. You'll need to order the opening pic separately. Or head to Walmart like myself and look for guitar pics. Hopefully, this will work just as well.
No pick in mine as well. It’s really not clear that you have to order this separately when ordering an IPhone SE 202/2022 screen repair kit. Is this the case?
Frustrated, I ordered a compact package where everything was encapsulated. Useless suction tools could not separate the screen. If it is unable to decouple the screen, then why sucking suction tools you have provided.
For my kit the triangle pick was stuck inside the box with the screen not with the other tools maybe it's also there for you
Y’all are getting far, FAR too detailed with some of this stuff…. Measuring and marking the pick that you won’t actually use to open the device?!? lol that’s kinda funny. Just heat it up, grab a spudger, and the back just pops right off! The iFixit tech need to stick to the KISS method more often, you know KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!!! Like l, for reals, I’ve been doing this stuff for YEARS and using iFixit guides regularly and this is just ridiculous at this point!
Will the phone still work if the sensor assembly on the back of the screen is damaged?
-
-
-
Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's screen until the whole face is covered.
-
If you can't get the suction cup to stick in the next few steps, fold a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lift the screen with that instead.
-
-
crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0Clampy - Anti-Clamp$24.95
-
Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
-
Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
-
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
-
Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
-
-
-
Pull the blue handle forwards to lock the arms.
-
Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
-
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.
-
-
-
Support your iPhone on something sturdy such as a hardcover book so it rests hands-free and parallel to the ground; this makes it easier to work with in the following steps.
-
Use a hair dryer to heat along the bottom edge of the iPhone. The screen should feel slightly too hot to touch.
-
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
-
Insert an opening pick under the screen's plastic bezel when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
-
Skip the next three steps.
-
-
-
Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
you need to clarify that you're heating the metal frame, not the glass. I gently heated the glass front with a heat gun and proceeded to pull the display apart, destroying it. :-(
Don't heat up the display for too long or else you could destroy the display like I did. Now I have a phone with a giant white stripe. So don't be a fool like me. 1 to 2 minutes is enough!
-
-
-
If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, as close to the edge as possible.
-
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.
I would recommend starting with a bottom corner, not the bottom middle. If the adhesive isn't softened enough, you will pull the middle out but the sides will still be stuck on, causing extreme flex to the panel and damage to the panel down the middle (white bars down the middle in a worst case). I did this to my phone.
-
-
-
Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the screen and the metal frame.
-
Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen's plastic bezel.
I ended up separating my screen rather than getting under the scren casing.. BE CAREFUL TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE UNDER THE PLASTIC PART - otherwise you just ruin your screen... No mention of this precaution here and as a result, my phone is more broken than when I started
Hi, I don’t get it. Should the plastic part stay with the display or with the phone?
The plastic frame should stay with the display.
Be sure you see two layers: glas and plastic (Step 6, Clamp, last picture). You have to go underneath the plastic frame otherwise you are tearing your displayglas off the frame and destroy your OLED!
Broke the screen. Too bad. I've done maybe 5 battery replacements before. But this one is very very tight. Got a new phone. :P
Same thing, I broke my screen too. I think the warning should be in all caps and show more clearly where is the right place to put the pick and where is not — without the need to click on the link.
Judging by amount of people who reported it here (and should also account for those who didn't bother to report), I'd say that there is a problem with instructions.
It is honestly not so hard if you know what does mistake looks like and that it is possible to separate the screen so easily from the frame. I repaired more than a dozen phones — screens and batteries — and this is the first time I made such a mistake that costs 100+euros.
-
-
-
Use a hair dryer to heat the right edge of the iPhone (the edge with the power button) for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
The pictures show the left side. I know that the left side is the correct one to heat, but for others it might be confusing. 😊
@dviosz You mean the right edge! The picture shows the left edge but the right edge is the correct one to heat. As described in the text next to it. Opening the phone from the left will damage it!
Yeah, sorry, you are right! (tried to make something less confusing and created more confusion by accident… 😃 )
THIS ONE HERE (lolz)
weebeast -
-
-
-
Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Be very careful your tool does NOT go in between the screen and the screen frame but rather in between the screen frame and the phone frame. If not you will damage the screen and need a new one. This has happened to MANY people. The screen is attached to the screen frame with an adhesive that can also be accidentally pried apart if not done carefully. This is probably more likely if your tool is too thin, if you dont heat enough, or dont suction and pull enough to create a big enough separation between the screen frame and the phone frame.
Yes, this happens to me, too. It took a long time until I could remove the screen using a heat gun with a heat gun set to 120°C (after trying first with 90° and 100°). Now the right side of the display shows white stripes and the touch doesn't react. -> New display necessary...
-
-
-
-
Use a hair dryer to heat the top edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
-
-
-
Insert your pick underneath the top-right corner of the display panel.
-
Slide the pick around the top right corner. Because of the clips you might encounter some resistance.
-
Slide the pick along the top edge and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.
-
-
-
Use a hair dryer to heat the left edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
-
-
There are two cables, one near the top, another lower than the middle on the left side. Further steps show where the second one is, but this picture doesn't show it...
Welches Ersatzteil benötige ich, wenn die obere Verbindung gerissen ist?
If the inside of your phone looks different than these photos (like me) then you may have only removed the top layer of the screen assembly. The bottom layer should pry up easily enough with tweezers.
I accidentally tore the cables off. What can I do?
The display flexy is in the middle of the left side, please update the picture showing the flexy connected and highlight in red, so other users don't damage it as I did :(
Updated -- thank you! Does this look better?
-
-
Insert a second opening pick in the bottom left corner of the iPhone.
-
Twist both picks simultaneously until the left edge clips release.
Don't go from just one corner (like on the right side). I've done that (forgot this step) and broke my screen.
-
-
-
Rotate your iPhone so the right edge faces you.
-
Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
-
Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
-
-
crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0Magnetic Project Mat$19.95
-
Remove the 1.25 mm-long Y000 screw securing the battery & display connector cover bracket.
hallo, ich sehe in Schritt 17 nur EINE markierte Schraube... (?)
So i got the kit how do you expect with the tools you gave me i should get that tiny screw out?? Its requires a 3 way screw i have a 4 and 2 5 ways 🤔
This Shield is garbage and once it's taken out it's next to impossible to get back in. I'm not even going to put the shield back in I'm just going to put kapton tape over it and call it good.
-
-
crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0Tweezers$4.99
-
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery & display connector bracket.
-
-
-
Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
-
Bend the connector 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 a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the OLED panel cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.
-
-
-
Remove the five 1 mm-long Y000 screws securing the front sensor assembly cover bracket.
There is an error here. There are different screws. 2 large and 3 small.
what 3 are the small ones? I don't know anymore
in case anyone else reads this, the 3 small ones screw directly onto the board. the two longer ones screw into standoffs (the two top screws, based on the picture above)
Skyejobs -
-
-
-
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front sensor assembly bracket.
-
-
-
Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.
-
-
-
Remove the display assembly.
-
-
-
Remove the 1.1 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw.
-
Remove the 1.8 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw.
-
Remove the two 1.6 mm-long Phillips #00 screws.
-
-
-
Slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the top right corner of the earpiece speaker and fold it to the back.
-
-
-
Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the top front of the display for 1-2 minutes, in order to soften the adhesive securing the sensors.
-
-
-
Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully pry the proximity sensor out of its recess.
-
-
-
Slide a spudger underneath the wide sensor assembly flex cable to separate it from the screen.
-
-
crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0Tweezers$4.99
-
Use a spudger or a pair of tweezers to pry the flood illuminator out of its recess.
-
-
-
Remove the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly.
-
Flood illuminiator
-
Proximity sensor
-
Microphone
Probably the Proximity sensor is in the wrong position.
What is surrounded by the orange frame is not the Proximity sensor, but the Ambient light sensor.
-
Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
After your repair, depending on the replacement part, you may be able to calibrate it using Apple's Repair Assistant, available as of iOS 18. Update your device, 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? Check out our iPhone 12 mini Answers community for troubleshooting help.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
After your repair, depending on the replacement part, you may be able to calibrate it using Apple's Repair Assistant, available as of iOS 18. Update your device, 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? Check out our iPhone 12 mini Answers community for troubleshooting help.
crwdns2935221:0crwdne2935221:0
crwdns2935229:046crwdne2935229:0
crwdns2947412:012crwdne2947412:0
so does apple have to pair it?
The only way to pair the new sceen to the phone to retain Tue Tone is to buy a dedicated board that copy the data from the original screen to the new.
This guide was impeccable! The hardest part is definitely getting the screen glue off. Ended up separating the frame of the screen from the display itself. All worked out in the end though!
same! I was wondering why the inside of my phone looked different than the pictures before realizing the screen assembly has two layers and I accidentally removed only the top one instead of both.
Likewise, worked out for me anyhow.
macro -
The same thing happened to me. So a simple battery replacement turned into a display replacement :D
Should the phone turn ON and screen work with out speaker/sensor module?
Yes it will!
I wish they would include the way to put the water resistant gasket on, not all of us know what to do.
one of the steps above (in reverse order) links to a different guide for replacing the water resistant gasket
macro -
So I have an iPhone 12, just the basic model. When I removed the screen assemble, the camera/speaker/mic setup was not attached to the old screen. I thought maybe I broke a cable, but there doesn't appear to be any screw points for the camera assemble on the old screen. Also, the upper cable when you hinge the old screen open isn't attached to the screen. Finally, there do not appear to be any clips on the old screen, and the replacement screen does have clips, but they do not appear to go into anything in the iPhone 12 body. The replacement screen also has screw points for the camera assemble to attach to. Do I not have an iPhone 12?
This is the iPhone 12 MINI guide iPhone 12 Screen Replacement this is the iphone 12 guide
Do not open it like a book at STEP 16.
There is a small metal piece on the left side of the screen that extends deep into the iPhone’s frame. If you open it like a book, you risk bending it and damaging your screen.
Instead, carefully lift the entire screen by just 1 or 2 millimeters before opening it with great caution.
is it oem apple battery, because at some photo shows(Ifixit) and another shows (apple) ... wait your answer?
karim - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
BEWARE! This screen isn’t the same as older iPhone models’ screens. The iPhone mini 12-screen comes with a thin plastic frame around the screen on its back. Thus, make sure you don’t insert the pick in between the screen and its plastic frame, as you’ll seperate the screen and leave the plastic frame still sitting in the phone’s metal housing (this cost me 100 dollars…). Carefully heat the sides of the metal housing and do not heat directly on the glass, as doing so will potentially loosen the glue from the plastic frame stuck to the screen. My suggestion is that you watch a video of this repair as this step-by-step-guide is undercooked.
Dan - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
This is an excellent comment. Following this step-by-step guide to the letter will break your screen; it's by far the worst iFixit guide I've seen to date.
Dormouse -
Ive finished mine and Soooo absolutely dont do this yourself🙌🏽 unless your a mechanic because first of all they didnt send me all of the right tools🤗 and secondly the battery they gave me has an overly large component so it wont fit into my phone. And the absolute HASSEL i had to go through to even just get the package was insane it was a whole month of struggling just for the stuff to not even be right, in conclusion will NEVER order from here again..🤗
Chanell - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0