iPhone 12 Pro Max Front-Facing Cameras Replacement

Written By: Adam O'Camb

Comments: 5

iPhone 12 Pro Max Front-Facing Cameras Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to remove and replace the front camera assembly (a.k.a. selfie cam) in an iPhone 12 Pro Max. Note that if you replace this part, Face ID will no longer work. This repair will restore a broken selfie cam to working order, but only Apple or an Apple “authorized” technician can restore Face ID.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Caution: Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.
Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Opening the iPhone's display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

Step 2

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

wenn man die Frontkamera nicht tauscht sondern nur anhebt und reinigt, funktioniert Face ID dann noch?

dominic327i -

Wenn du beim Aus- und Einbau alles richtig machst, dürfte dabei nichts passieren.

Fabian Neidhardt -

Step 3

The next two 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 two steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
Pull the blue handle towards the hinge to disengage opening mode.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Push down on the cups to apply suction to the desired area.
If you find that the surface of your device is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use packing tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 4

Push the blue handle away from the hinge to engage opening mode.
Turn the handle clockwise until you see the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned to each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.
Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next two steps.

Step 5

If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.
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 display.

Step 6

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the display up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Be very careful on this step to insert the pick as vertically as possible!!! I ended up separating the glass from the outer frame on this step and destroying the screen. Not a cheap mistake to make!

L E -

Step 7

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Only insert the pick a few millimeters (about the width of the display bezel.) Otherwise, you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone.

Step 8

Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.
Don't insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may damage internal components.

Step 9

The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips.
Insert your pick into the right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and across the top edge.
Don't insert the pick more than a few millimeters—about the width of the display bezel—or you may damage the front panel sensor array.

Step 10

Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.
Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren't bent.

Step 11

Remove four 1.1 mm-long Y000 screws securing the battery and display connector cover.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 12

Remove the battery and display connector cover.

Step 13

Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.
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.

Step 14

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the display cable connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 15

Use a Y000 driver to remove the four 1.1 mm-long screws securing the front sensor connector cover.

Step 16

Swing the cover up from the left until the small clip on the right unhooks.
Remove the cover.
During reassembly, insert the clip on the right edge into its slot first, then hinge the rest of the cover into place.

Step 17

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

when lifting up the front sensor assembly cable connector, you should use the flat end of the spudger. Using the pointed end as shown in the picture runs the risk of damaging components on the board and/or the cable connector itself.

Carter Taylor - 07/05/21

Step 18

Remove the display assembly.
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

Step 19

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the Face ID sensor cable from its socket on the logic board.

Step 20

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the Face ID dot projector cable from its socket on the logic board.

Step 21

Gently push the Face ID cable connectors away from the logic board to access the selfie cam connector underneath.
Disconnect the selfie camera by prying its connector straight up.

Step 22

Remove the front-facing camera assembly.

Conclusion

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.

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 12 Pro Max Answers community for help.

Author

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 11/04/15

178619 Reputation

One comment

When transferring all the components to the new screen will it function the same if you are transferring the original parts ?

Wtam - 27/05/21