iPhone 16 Screen Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 20

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

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

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 exposed contacts in your iPhone.

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

Tools

Parts

Step 1

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

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 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the charging 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 four steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down four steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
The Anti-Clamp applies suction to both the screen and the back glass. To open the screen, you need to secure the back glass with tape. You can also check out the full instructions on how to use this tape.
Cut two strips of tape, apply them along the long edges of the phone, and fold them over the back glass to secure it.
Make sure the tape is only securing the back glass and not the screen.

Step 6

Pull the Anti-Clamp's blue handle backward to unlock the arms.
With the screen facing up, slide the arms over the right edge of your phone, with one suction cup on the screen and the other on the back glass. Center the suction cups near the bottom edge.
Support your phone so it rests level while between the Anti-Clamp's arms—a small box works well.
Squeeze the cups together to create suction.
If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 7

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.
Turn the handle one full turn (360 degrees) or until the cups start to stretch.
As the cups stretch, make sure they stay vertically aligned with each other. If they keep slipping, remove the Anti-Clamp and apply tape for the cups to stick to.
If you don't have tape, you may use your hands to clean the suction cups and warm them up to help them stick.

Step 8

Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the screen until it's hot to the touch.
Be careful not to heat the phone hotter than this—the battery is susceptible to heat damage.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
If a gap doesn't appear after one minute, apply more heat and rotate the handle a quarter turn. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
Remove the Anti-Clamp using the pull tabs on the suction cups.
Skip the next two steps.

Step 9

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 back glass. Follow these instructions to heat and apply the iOpener properly.

Step 10

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.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 11

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 phone—one just above the Action button and the other about halfway between the volume down button and the bottom of the phone.
Multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone.

Step 12

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

Step 13

Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Slide your opening pick around the bottom right corner and up the right edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clip.
You'll hear and feel the metal clip release as you pass it.

Step 14

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

Step 15

Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Continue sliding your pick around the top right corner and across the top edge to separate the adhesive and release the two metal clips.

Step 16

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

Step 17

Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the screen cables and the spring contacts.
Slide the opening pick down the left edge of the screen to separate the remaining adhesive and release the last two metal clips.

Step 18

At this point, the screen should be free from the frame. If the screen feels stuck, go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
Swing open the screen over the left edge of the phone and support it with a clean, sturdy object.

Step 19

Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the two 0.9 mm‑long screws securing the front sensor and screen connector covers.

Step 20

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to lift the front sensor cover to a 90-degree angle and unhook it from its slot in the logic board.
Lift the cover out of its slot and remove it.

Step 21

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to lift the screen connector cover at a slight angle to unhook it from its slot in the logic board.
Lift the cover out of its slot and remove it.

Step 22

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

Step 23

Lift the screen off the frame and remove it.

Step 24

Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show you how to reassemble your device.
When reconnecting press connectors, align the connector carefully over its socket and press down with your fingertip or spudger—first on one side, then the other—until it clicks into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition it and try again.

Step 25

Be careful not to damage any of the spring contacts as you clean the frame.
This is a good point to test your repair before sealing up your phone. Connect the screen, power on your phone, and make sure it works as expected. Power it back down, disconnect the battery and back glass, and continue reassembly.
The adhesive remaining on your phone is difficult to remove and leaves residue. If you have trouble removing the adhesive, apply some heat using a hair dryer or heat gun.
Use a spudger to push the screen adhesive up until you can grab it with a pair of tweezers.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the adhesive around the entire perimeter of the iPhone.

Step 26

Any leftover residue will compromise your iPhone's seal. Be sure to clean the frame thoroughly.
Wrap a microfiber or lint-free cloth around the pointed end of a spudger and apply a few drops of high-concentration (greater than 90%) isopropyl alcohol to the cloth.
Wipe in one direction along the perimeter of the frame to clean the adhesive residue.
Wait a few minutes before proceeding to make sure any excess alcohol has evaporated.

Step 27

Lay the adhesive next to the phone and use features like cutouts for spring contacts and the front‑facing camera to make sure the adhesive is oriented correctly.
Your adhesive may look slightly different.

Step 28

Use the pull tab to begin peeling the back liner off of the adhesive starting from the bottom, but do not remove the liner all the way.

Step 29

Once the adhesive is pressed into place, you can't reposition it—you'll have to remove it and start over with new adhesive.
While holding the back liner out of the way, carefully align the exposed edge of the adhesive to the bottom edge of the iPhone's frame.
When the adhesive is aligned, use your finger to press it down firmly along the bottom edge.

Step 30

Continue peeling the back liner off of the adhesive while pressing the adhesive into place along the edges of the iPhone's frame.
If you correctly aligned the lower edge of the adhesive, the side and top edges will fall perfectly into place. If the adhesive is misaligned, remove it and start over with new adhesive.
If your adhesive is misaligned and you don't have another set handy, it's okay to temporarily put your iPhone back together and use it normally without any adhesive, but keep in mind that your iPhone's water resistance will be compromised until you install new adhesive.

Step 31

Make sure the liner is aligned properly by checking that all spring contacts and the front-facing camera are in their cutouts. If they aren't, remove the adhesive and start over with a new sheet.
Use the flat end of a spudger to press the adhesive firmly into place all around the iPhone.
Be careful not to press on the camera, spring contacts, or other internal components.

Step 32

Use the point of a spudger to lift the pull tab in the top‑right corner of the frame until you can grab it with your fingers.
Your pull tab may be in a different location. Make sure you're pulling the full-size top liner, not the thin liners under it.
Peel back the top liner and remove it.

Step 33

Once the top liner is removed, there should be three narrow liners on top of the adhesive with pull tabs near the bottom edge.
Your pull tabs may be in different positions.
If you don't see these pull tabs, you may have accidentally removed the thin liners in the previous step. If the adhesive is clean and properly aligned, you may proceed, just be careful not to touch anything to the exposed adhesive until you are ready to install the screen.

Step 34

Prop the screen up along the left edge of the iPhone frame, using a box or similar sturdy object to support the screen.

Step 35

Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the screen and front sensor press connectors.

Step 36

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to place the screen connector cover over the screen connector by inserting it at a slight downward angle to engage the hook, then laying the cover flat over the connector.

Step 37

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to place the front sensor connector cover over the front sensor connector by inserting it at a 90‑degree angle to engage the hook, then laying the cover flat over the connector.

Step 38

Use a tri-point Y000 driver to install the two 0.9 mm‑long screws securing the front sensor connector and screen connector covers.

Step 39

As you remove the liners in this step, the adhesive will be fully exposed. Make sure nothing touches the exposed adhesive.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the two narrow liners covering the adhesive along the right, top, and bottom edges of the iPhone.

Step 40

Without letting the screen touch the adhesive, hold the screen over the phone so you can access the final liner along the left edge of the phone.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the final liner along the left edge of the phone.

Step 41

Align the screen over the frame, then lower it into place.

Step 42

Firmly press the top edge of the screen into the adhesive, then the bottom edge, until the screen is fully seated in the frame.

Step 43

To help the adhesive bond, apply heat to the edges of the screen using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's hot to the touch.
Firmly press around the perimeter of the screen.
If you have screen vise clamps, use them to strengthen the bond of your new adhesive. If not, keep reading for more ways to secure the screen.

Step 44

To evenly compress your iPhone and strengthen the bond of the screen to the frame, you need to account for the camera bump.
If you have the box your iPhone came in, take the lid and place it on a flat surface.
If you don't have your original box, skip this step for an alternate method.
Place your iPhone screen-side-up in the lid of your box with the camera bump in its recess.
Find something close to the size of your iPhone, but taller than the sides of the box. Stack it on top of the iPhone, followed by a few heavy objects.
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.

Step 45

If you don't have the original box for your iPhone, follow the next three steps for another method to evenly compress the screen.
Place the iPhone screen-side-down on a soft, flat surface.
Apply tape to the back glass to protect its finish.

Step 46

Place two layers of coins or similarly thick objects on the tape along the edges of the back glass.
Evenly distribute the coins and make sure they are at least as thick as the camera bump.

Step 47

Stack multiple books or other heavy objects on your iPhone.
The coins may leave an impression on the bottom object, so don't use anything valuable.
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.

Step 48

Use a P2 pentalobe driver to install the two 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the charging 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 iPhone 16 Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

163004 Reputation

3 comments

i am impressed that apple FINALLY caved for better repair support on right-to-repair and RCS. worked great on my iphone 16 for much cheaper than the appple store was offering. also first comment.

renny putansu - 01/10/24

My Apple Store claims they don’t have permission to replace screens on iphone16 yet? Do you know when this will be resolved?

TJT -

If it is not an original iPhone 16 display, does Repair Assistant work without any problems?

Hans -