iPhone 12 Pro Screen Replacement

If your iPhone 12 Pro has a cracked outer glass, unresponsive touch controls, or displays vertical lines and black spots, a screen replacement is the definitive fix. This repair requires careful handling of delicate internal ribbon cables and transferring the original sensor assembly to preserve Face ID. Expect to work with tiny, specialized screws and strong adhesive, so a steady hand and patience are your best assets.

1. 1

   Safety First & Power Off

   • Before starting, discharge your iPhone's battery below 25% to minimize the risk of a thermal event if the battery is accidentally punctured.
   • Press and hold the side button and either volume button, then swipe to power off the device completely.
   • If your screen is severely shattered, apply clear packing tape over the glass to prevent shards from escaping and to give the suction cup a smooth surface to grip.
2. 2

   Remove the Pentalobe Screws

   • Locate the two 6.7 mm Pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the iPhone, positioned on either side of the Lightning charging port.
   • Use a P2 Pentalobe screwdriver to remove both screws.
   • Keep these screws separated from the internal screws, as they have a unique thread pattern.
3. 3

   Soften the Waterproof Adhesive

   • Use a heat gun, hair dryer, or heated gel pad to apply heat to the bottom edge of the phone for about 1 to 2 minutes.
   • The heat should feel warm to the touch but not uncomfortably hot, which helps soften the strong adhesive sealing the display.
   • Gently move the heat source around the entire perimeter of the screen to ensure an even soften.
4. 4

   Create a Gap and Insert an Opening Pick

   • Place a suction cup on the lower half of the screen, just above the charging port.
   • Pull up on the suction cup with steady, firm pressure to create a tiny gap between the screen glass and the outer frame.
   • Carefully slide a thin plastic opening pick into this gap at the bottom edge of the phone.
5. 5

   Slice the Adhesive Perimeter

   • Slowly slide the opening pick around the bottom, right, and top edges of the phone to cut through the adhesive seal.
   • When navigating the left edge (the side with the volume buttons), do not insert the pick more than 2 mm deep, as the delicate display and digitizer ribbon cables are located here.
6. 6

   Open the iPhone Like a Book

   • Gently swing the display open from the right side to the left, using the left edge as a hinge (similar to opening a book backwards).
   • Do not attempt to fully separate the screen yet, as it is still connected by fragile cables.
   • Prop the display up at a 90-degree angle against a sturdy object to prevent strain on the flex cables.
7. 7

   Remove the Connector Bracket

   • Use a Y000 Tri-point screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the metal connector cover plate over the logic board.
   • Carefully lift the metal bracket out of the phone using precision tweezers and set it aside, keeping track of which screw goes into which hole, as they are of different lengths.
8. 8

   Disconnect the Battery First

   • Use the flat edge of a nylon spudger to gently pry the battery connector up and out of its socket.
   • Always disconnect the battery first before touching any other internal connectors to prevent short circuits or damaging sensitive logic board components.
9. 9

   Disconnect the Display and Sensor Cables

   • Using your spudger, carefully disconnect the display cable, the digitizer cable, and the top earpiece/sensor assembly cable from their logic board sockets.
   • Once all three cables are disconnected, you can safely lift the old screen assembly away from the phone's chassis.
10. 10

    Transfer the Earpiece Speaker & Sensor Assembly

    • On the back of the old display, locate the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly at the top.
    • Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the screws securing the speaker module.
    • Gently flip the speaker down to expose the sensors underneath, then apply light heat to the front of the screen to soften the adhesive holding the proximity sensor, flood illuminator, and microphone.
    • Carefully pry these sensors out of their recesses using tweezers, transfer the entire assembly to the new screen, and screw it securely in place.
11. 11

    Apply New Adhesive and Reconnect

    • Clean any remaining old adhesive off the iPhone's metal frame using isopropyl alcohol.
    • Apply a new custom-cut waterproof adhesive gasket to the frame.
    • Carefully reconnect the display, digitizer, and earpiece/sensor assembly cables to the logic board, followed by the battery connector.
12. 12

    Test and Close the Device

    • Before sealing the phone, temporarily power it on to test the new screen's touch responsiveness, brightness, and Face ID functionality.
    • Once verified, power the phone off, reinstall the metal connector bracket with its six Y000 screws, swing the screen down, and press firmly around the edges to seal the adhesive.
    • Reinstall the two bottom Pentalobe screws to complete the repair.

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