iPhone 16 Pro Max Screen Replacement

Written By: Arthur Shi

Comments: 20

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken, cracked, or non‑responsive screen in your iPhone 16 Pro Max.

You'll need replacement screen adhesive to complete this repair.

Note: Since you can't disconnect the battery during this repair, be especially careful not to use metal prying tools or touch any exposed contacts in your iPhone.

After your repair, calibrate an authentic screen using Apple's Repair Assistant.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Allow your iPhone's battery to drain below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery is a potential safety hazard.
Unplug any cables from your iPhone.
Hold the power and either volume buttons, and slide to power off your iPhone.

Step 2

If your screen or back glass is badly cracked, lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the glass to protect yourself and make disassembly easier.
Make sure there's a smooth area near the bottom edge that's big enough for a suction cup to stick to.

Step 3

Use a P2 pentalobe driver to remove the two 7.4 mm-long screws on either side of the charge port.

Step 4

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

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?

Sloan Looney -

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?

Clay Eickemeyer -

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.

Clay Eickemeyer -

what fix kit?

Meow Purr -

My fix kit didn't include an opening pick either

WILLIAM HARRIS -

Make sure you check inside the black boxes after emptying them. My pick was stuck inside one of the boxes.

AndyF -

My AliExpress refurbished screen came with a pick that has a coin-like circle that pops out, so no modification was necessary

Gijs Leegwater -

the picture shows 3 cm but the description says 3 mm's. Which one is it?

John Pena -

That is a misunderstanding. It is a ruler with a scale for cm, it shows 0.3 cm, i.e. 3 mm.

VauWeh -

Oh, come ON!

Big Ed -

It will ALWAYS be millimeters on a phone, but this step is ridiculous, skip it!

Leif DeWolf -

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.

Jaleeljb97@icloud.com -

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?

Jackson Castiglione -

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.

Shourob Datta -

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

Henry Scheibehenne -

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!

Leif DeWolf -

Will the phone still work if the sensor assembly on the back of the screen is damaged?

Mutshidzi Rambau -

Step 5

The next two steps show how to create an initial gap using a suction handle.
Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the screen until it's hot to the touch.
You can also use an iOpener to heat the screen. Follow these instructions to heat and apply the iOpener properly.

Step 6

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen.
While supporting the frame with one hand, pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the screen and the frame.
If you can't create a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 7

As you slice the adhesive securing the screen in the following steps, don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the following areas:
Two delicate cables connecting the screen to the iPhone—one just above the Action button and the other about halfway along the left edge of the iPhone
Multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the iPhone

Step 8

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to release the adhesive.
Don't insert the pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
If the adhesive feels difficult to slice, reheat the edge for a minute.
Leave the opening pick in the bottom-left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 9

Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the left edge of the screen until it's hot to the touch.

Step 10

Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts and cables.
Insert a second opening pick in the bottom-left corner, close to the existing pick.
Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.
Leave the opening pick in the top-left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 11

Repeat the heating and slicing procedure along the remaining screen edges.

Step 12

At this point, the screen should be free from the frame. If the screen feels stuck, go back around the perimeter with your pick and carefully check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
Carefully lift the screen upwards until the clips along the long edges clear the frame.
Swing open the screen over the left edge of the iPhone and lay it flat on your work surface.

Step 13

Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the two 1.3 mm‑long screws securing the front sensor and display connector covers.

Step 14

Use tweezers to grasp the front sensor connector cover near the screw hole.
Lift and remove the cover.
Repeat the procedure to remove the display connector cover.

Step 15

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display press connector.
Repeat for the front sensor press connector.

Step 16

Lift the screen and remove it.

Step 17

Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your iPhone.
Depending on your iPhone model, some reassembly photos may have minor visual discrepancies. The procedure, however, will be correct for your iPhone.

Step 18

Use a spudger or tweezers to remove the adhesive chunks from the iPhone's frame.
Work around the fragile grounding clips. If you bend one out of place, gently bend it back with your fingers or tweezers.

Step 19

If you're reinstalling your existing screen, be sure to remove any remaining adhesive from the back of your screen as well.

Step 20

Using a lint-free cloth (or coffee filter) and some high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol, clean the areas of the frame and screen where you removed the old adhesive.
For best results, swipe your cleaning cloth in one direction, not back and forth.
Work around the fragile grounding clips. If you bend one out of place, gently bend it back with your fingers or tweezers.
Take your time doing this. A clean frame allows replacement adhesive to lay evenly, ensuring a better bond.

Step 21

Lay the adhesive sheet over the frame to determine its proper orientation.
Use features such as the camera cutout to visualize how the adhesive will lay in the frame.

Step 22

Grasp the tab in the corner of the adhesive sheet and peel the liner to expose a third of the adhesive.
The exposed adhesive is very sticky. Don't let it touch anything until you're ready to apply it to the frame.
If your adhesive has multiple liners, peel the liner that exposes the side that sticks to the frame.

Step 23

Carefully align the exposed edge of the adhesive strip with the corresponding edge of your iPhone's frame.
Once the adhesive is pressed into place, you can't reposition it—you'll have to remove it and start over with new adhesive.
When it's correctly aligned, gently press the exposed adhesive strip into place.

Step 24

Continue peeling away the liner from the adhesive, gently pressing the adhesive into place.
If you've correctly aligned the adhesive, the edges will fall perfectly into place.
If your adhesive is slightly misaligned, pull the long edges into alignment with the frame.
If the adhesive begins to crease or wrinkle, remove it and start over with fresh adhesive.
If you don't have another set of adhesive strips handy, it's okay to temporarily put your iPhone back together and use it normally without any adhesive. Just keep in mind that your iPhone's water resistance will be compromised until you replace the adhesive.

Step 25

Use a spudger to press the adhesive around the entire perimeter of your iPhone.
Work around the fragile grounding clips. If you bend one out of place, gently bend it back with your fingers or tweezers.
Don't press too hard, or you'll stretch and deform the adhesive.

Step 26

Use a spudger or your fingers to lift the pull tab connected to the large front liner—the pull tab is often in a corner of the liner.
Use the pull tab to peel off the large front liner from the adhesive.
At this point, you may still have liners covering the perimeter, which prevent the adhesive from accidentally sticking to anything while you're reassembling your iPhone. Don't remove these small release liners just yet.

Step 27

Use your finger to press down and connect the display connector.
To re-attach wide press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.
Press down and connect the front sensor connector.
Align the connector carefully over its socket and press down with your fingertip until it clicks into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition it and try again.
This is a good time to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal it up. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue.
If your iPhone doesn't turn on, connect it to a power source and try again.

Step 28

Tuck the display connector cover's tab into its frame cutout and lay the cover in place.
Repeat with the front sensor connector cover.

Step 29

Use a tri-point Y000 driver to install the two 1.3 mm‑long screws securing the two connector covers.

Step 30

While supporting the screen, use your fingers or a spudger to peel away all perimeter liners, exposing the adhesive.
Be careful not to touch the exposed adhesive.
Check the frame and screen for any stray liners and remove them. There should be no liners remaining.

Step 31

Carefully align the screen's top clips with their frame cutouts.

Step 32

Lower the screen onto the frame, beginning with the top edge.
If you feel resistance, a perimeter clip may have bent out of place and is being crushed by the frame. Look at the point of resistance and gently straighten any bent clips.
Make sure the screen edge isn't pinching any cables.

Step 33

Use a hair dryer, heat gun, or an iOpener to heat the screen perimeter until it's slightly too hot to touch.
The heat softens the adhesive and helps create a better bond.

Step 34

Use your fingers to firmly squeeze around the perimeter of the iPhone.

Step 35

Place your iPhone screen-side down on a clean, flat work surface.
Lay a strip of tape around the perimeter of the back glass to protect the finish.
Stack coins around the perimeter of the back glass until you create a wall that's as tall as the rear camera protrusions.
Alternatively, you can use vise clamps around the perimeter of your device to set the new adhesive.

Step 36

Place 3-4 heavy books squarely on top of your iPhone.
The coins may leave a slight impression on the bottom book cover, so don't use anything valuable.
Leave the books in place for about 30 minutes.
The pressure will help activate the adhesive.

Step 37

Use a P2 pentalobe driver to install the two 7.4 mm-long screws on either side of the charge port.

Conclusion

After your repair, calibrate a genuine replacement screen 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 Answers community for help.

Author

Arthur Shi

Member since: 03/01/18

282916 Reputation

3 comments

Greetings. Is it true that viewing with a magnifying glass under the light of the house ruins the screen? On the iPhone 16 Pro Max

Ss Vv -

That's a good question! I would say that under normal house lights, you're very unlikely to damage the screen with a magnifying glass.

I haven't tried it, but it's theoretically possible to damage the screen with a magnifying glass if you're in direct sunlight.

Arthur Shi -

Hello, if we put a thin paper into the groove between the screen and the iPhone frame and pull it left and right. Does the waterproof glue get damaged? I did this out of curiosity. I'm a little worried that I may have damaged the device.

AMG78 -