iPhone 14 Plus Screen Replacement

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Comments: 2

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

If your iPhone 14 Plus screen is cracked, not responding to touch, or not showing a picture when your phone is powered on, use this guide to restore your iPhone to working order with a new screen, a.k.a. display assembly.

This guide was created using the A2886 (international) model. If you're fixing a different iPhone 14 Plus model, there may be some visual discrepancies, but the procedure should be the same.

Note: True Tone and auto brightness functionality are disabled after a screen replacement, even when using an original Apple screen. Face ID is also disabled unless the iPhone runs iOS 15.2 or newer.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach the screen when reassembling the device. Your device will function normally, but will most likely lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
Remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Step 2

Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the screen, making it easier to open.
Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 2 minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device. The edge should feel slightly too hot to the touch.

Step 3

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.
Pull up on the suction handle with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
The adhesive holding the screen 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 screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your opening pick.

Step 4

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 2 minutes.

Step 5

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone to slice through the screen adhesive.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 3 mm into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Step 6

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 2 minutes.

Step 7

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 pick more than 3 mm inside your phone, or you may damage the display cables.

Step 8

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 2 minutes.

Step 9

Insert your pick underneath the top right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and half way across the top edge stopping right before the earpiece speaker cut-out.
Don't insert the pick more than 2 mm or you may damage the front sensor array.

Step 10

Insert your pick underneath the top-left edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-left corner and half way across the top edge stopping right before the earpiece speaker cut-out.
Don't insert the pick more than 2 mm or you may damage the front sensor array.
Don't try to fully separate the screen yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.

Step 11

Remove your suction handle from the screen.
Open your iPhone by swinging the screen up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
Lean the screen against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
If you don't have anything at hand to lean the screen against, your suction handle can do the trick.
During reassembly, lay the screen in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the screen down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the screen and make sure they aren't bent.

Step 12

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the the 0.8 mm-long screw securing the display connector bracket.
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 screen in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 13

Grasp the screw hole end of the connector bracket with a pair of tweezers.
Lift the the bracket slightly to loosen the latch on the other edge.
Remove the display connector bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the bracket latches properly.

Step 14

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the display cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
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 screwdriver to remove the 1 mm-long screw securing the front sensor connector bracket.

Step 16

Grasp the screw hole end of the connector bracket with a pair of tweezers.
Lift the the bracket slightly to loosen the latch on the other edge.
Remove the front sensor connector bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the bracket latches properly.

Step 17

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front sensor cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 18

Remove the screen.
Apply new adhesive where it's necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the screen adhesives.

Step 19

The remaining steps demonstrate how to transfer the front sensor assembly to a new screen. If your replacement screen comes with the assembly pre-installed, skip these steps.
Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the two 1.4 mm-long screws securing the sensor assembly bracket.

Step 20

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the front sensor assembly bracket.

Step 21

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display is susceptible to heat damage.

Step 22

Insert an opening pick between the ambient light sensor and its recess on the screen.
Pry up with the pick to separate the ambient light sensor from the screen.

Step 23

Insert an opening pick between the proximity sensor and its recess on the screen.
Pry up with the pick to separate the proximity sensor from the screen.

Step 24

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to move the proximity sensor cable away from the screen.

Step 25

Insert an opening pick under the microphone cable, close to the microphone (the metal rectangle).
Slide the opening pick around the perimeter of the microphone to separate its adhesive.

Step 26

At this point, the adhesive may have cooled down. If so, apply a heated iOpener to the assembly for one minute before continuing.
Insert an opening pick under the left side of the front sensor assembly.
Slide the pick under the assembly to separate it from the frame.

Step 27

Remove the front sensor assembly.
When transferring the assembly to a new screen, follow these instructions:
Connect the sensors to their slots in the frame to help align the main section of the assembly.
Use Tesa tape to re-adhere any sections of the assembly that are no longer sticky.

Conclusion

If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

The best way to secure the new screen is to apply a sheet of custom-cut double-sided tape to the frame and place the screen back in its original position.

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

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

167396 Reputation

2 comments

Is this safe without removing the back and unplugging the battery? Assuming the phone doesn't power on by mistake when you are handling it. Normal procedure has always been to unplug battery first but Apple clearly knows people are going to avoid removing the back if possible. No doubt connecting a new screen if the phone has powered on will damage the screen or at least the backlight in some way.

Svenpa -

There doesn't seem to be an issue with this anymore, seems Apple figured out the shorting issue. Also, if you fail to turn off the phone before taking screen off (due to broken touch or buttons) it seems to do so itself. Just remember to restart the phone by doing hard reset with Vol up-down and power if it doesn't work right away after replacing screen.

Dalton2K5 -