iPhone 14 Taptic Engine Replacement

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 - 55 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to remove and replace the Taptic Engine in your iPhone 14. The Taptic Engine produces your iPhone's vibration and haptic feedback functions.

This guide was created using the A2882 (international) model. If you're fixing a different iPhone 14 model, there may be some visual discrepancies, but the procedure should be the same.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your device. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

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 rear glass, making it easier to open.
Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the rear glass 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

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 rear glass 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 step.

Step 5

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

Step 6

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

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 rear glass in place.
Don't insert the pick more than 3 mm inside your phone, or you may damage components.

Step 8

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

Step 9

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 your opening pick more than 3 mm into the iPhone to prevent damaging the charging coil cable.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Insert your pick underneath the top right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and halfway across the top edge.

Step 12

Insert your pick underneath the top-left edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-left corner and halfway across the top edge.
Don't insert the pick more than 3 mm or you may damage or smear the camera array.
Don't try to fully separate the rear glass yet, as a fragile ribbon cable still connects it to the iPhone's logic board.

Step 13

Remove your suction handle from the rear glass.
Slowly open your iPhone by swinging the rear glass up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.
Be careful not to strain the short charging coil flex cable.
Lean the rear glass 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 rear glass against, your suction handle can do the trick.
During reassembly, lay the rear glass in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the rear glass and make sure they aren't bent.

Step 14

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the two 1.3 mm-long screws securing the battery 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 15

Grasp the battery connector cover with a pair of tweezers and slide it upwards (towards the A15 print) to unlatch the top hook.
Remove the battery connector cover.

Step 16

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
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 17

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the single 1.0 mm-long screw securing the charging coil connector cover.

Step 18

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the charging coil connector cover.

Step 19

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

Step 20

Remove the rear glass assembly.
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 rear glass adhesives.

Step 21

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three 2.1 mm-long screws securing the Taptic Engine.

Step 22

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine connector bracket.

Step 23

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 24

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the Taptic Engine.

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 these instructions 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 Answers community for help.

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

167396 Reputation

iPhone 14 Taptic Engine Replacement

Introduction

Tools

Parts

0 comments