iPhone 12 Screen Replacement Guide

Step 1: Safety First

Discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured during repair.

Image credit: iFixit (CC BY-NC-SA)

Step 2: Mark Your Opening Pick

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Use tape or marker to mark 3mm from the tip to prevent inserting too deeply.

Image credit: iFixit (CC BY-NC-SA)

Step 3: Tape Over Cracks

If your screen is cracked, keep breakage contained by taping over the glass with clear packing tape.

Image credit: iFixit (CC BY-NC-SA)

Step 4: Heat the Bottom Edge

Use a hair dryer to heat the bottom edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Image credit: iFixit (CC BY-NC-SA)

Step 5: Apply Suction Handle

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the phone, avoiding the very edge of the glass. Pull firmly to create a small gap.

Image credit: iFixit (CC BY-NC-SA)

Step 6: Insert Opening Pick

Insert your marked opening pick into the gap at the bottom of the phone. Don't insert more than 3mm.

Step 7: Separate Bottom Adhesive

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive. Leave the pick in place.

Step 8: Heat and Separate Right Edge

Heat the right edge for 90 seconds, then slide a new pick around the bottom right corner and up the right edge.

Step 9: Heat and Separate Top Edge

Heat the top edge for 90 seconds, then carefully slide a pick along the top to separate the adhesive.

Step 10: Separate Left Edge

Heat the left edge, then carefully lift the screen from the right side. The left adhesive will separate naturally - do NOT use picks here.

Step 11: Open Like a Book

Once all adhesive is separated, open the iPhone from the right side like a book. The flex cables on the left act as hinges.

Steps 12-25: Disconnect Components

The middle steps involve:

1. Removing the battery connector cover (Tri-point screws)
2. Disconnecting the battery
3. Removing the display cable bracket
4. Disconnecting OLED, digitizer, and sensor cables
5. Removing the screen completely

Steps 26-30: Transfer Components

Transfer these from your old screen to the new one:

1. Earpiece speaker assembly
2. Front sensor assembly
3. Any metal brackets or shields

Steps 31-33: Reassembly

1. Connect all display cables to the new screen
2. Reconnect the battery
3. Apply new adhesive and seal the phone
4. Test before fully sealing