Apple iPhone SE User Manual

iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Fix a broken screen on your iPhone SE by replacing just the bare front panel, a.k.a. LCD and

digitizer assembly.

Written By: Sam Goldheart

iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

INTRODUCTION

For an easier repair, use our fix kit and follow this shorter guide to replace your iPhone’s entire screen.

For more advanced fixers, this guide will help you replace only the iPhone SE LCD and digitizer assembly (a.k.a. the bare “front panel”). This requires you to transfer several components from your original screen to the new one before installing it—including the front-facing camera, earpiece speaker, LCD shield plate, and home button assembly.

In either case, it's important to transfer the original home button onto the new display in order for Touch ID (fingerprint scanning) to function.

This component is also compatible with the iPhone 5s.

You can also use this guide to replace the following parts:

Front Panel Assembly Cable Bracket LCD Shield Plate

TOOLS:

Anti-Static Project Tray (1)

iOpener (1)

iSclack (1)

P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone (1)

Phillips #000 Screwdriver (1)

iFixit Opening Tools (1)

Suction Handle (1)

Spudger (1)

Tweezers (1)

PARTS:

iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer (1)

iPhone 5s/SE LCD Shield Plate (1)

iPhone 5s/SE Front Panel Assembly

Cable Bracket (1)

iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 1 — Removing the Pentalobe screws

Before you proceed, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

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Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

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Remove the two 3.9 mm Pentalobe screws from either side of Lightning connector.

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Step 2 — Taping the display glass

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

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Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.

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This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

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Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 3 — Display separation prevention

In the following steps you will be pulling the display up out of the phone body. The display is composed of a glass screen and a plastic bezel with metal clips.

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Regardless of the tool you use, you need to be sure you pull up the entire display .

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If the glass begins to separate from the plastic, as shown in the first image, slide a plastic opening tool between the plastic frame and the metal phone body to pry the metal clips out of the case.

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If you are reassembling a phone with a separated display bezel, you may want to place a thin strip of adhesive between the plastic bezel and the glass to keep the phone closed.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 4 — Starting the iSclack Opening Procedure

The next two steps demonstrate using the iSclack, a great tool for safely opening the iPhone that we recommend for anyone doing more than one repair. If you aren't using the iSclack, skip the

next two steps.

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Close the handle on the iSclack, opening the suction-cup jaws.

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Place the bottom of your iPhone in between the suction cups, against the plastic depth gauge.

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The top suction cup should rest just above the home button.

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Open the handles to close the jaws of the iSclack. Center the suction cups and press them firmly onto the top and bottom of the iPhone.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 5 — Finishing the iSclack Opening Procedure

Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to separate the suction cups, pulling the front panel up from the rear case.

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The iSclack is designed to safely open your iPhone just enough to separate the pieces, but not enough to damage the home button cable.

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Peel the two suction cups off your iPhone.

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Skip the next three steps and continue on Step 9.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 6 — Manual Opening Procedure

If you don't have an iSclack, use a single suction cup to lift the front panel:

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Press a suction cup onto the screen, just above the home button.

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Be sure the cup is completely on the screen to get a tight seal.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 7 — Start lifting the front panel assembly

The front panel is attached with clips, and there are several ribbon cables connecting it to the rest of the phone. Your goal here is to release the clips and open the phone only enough to disconnect the cables. Go slowly and carefully to avoid damage.

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Make sure the suction cup is firmly attached to the front panel assembly near the home button.

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While holding the iPhone down with one hand, pull up on the suction cup to slightly separate the home button end of the front panel from the rear case.

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With a plastic opening tool, gently pry the edges of the rear case down, away from the front panel assembly, while you pull up with the suction cup.

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Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The front panel assembly is a much tighter fit than on most other devices.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 8

Do not try to completely remove the front panel assembly from the rear case, as there are several delicate ribbon cables connecting them.

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Pull the plastic nub to release the vacuum seal on the suction cup.

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Remove the suction cup from the screen.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 9 — Removing the Touch ID cable bracket

Open the phone just enough to reveal the metal bracket covering the home button cable.

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Do not open the phone too far or you risk damaging the home button cable, or the socket it plugs into. Keep the cable loose—if it is stretched taut, that's too far.

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Only the phone's original home button assembly will be capable of using the Touch ID functionality. If you rip the cable, installing a new home button will only restore ordinary

home button functions, not the Touch ID features.

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Use the tip of a spudger to push the bracket free and remove it with tweezers.

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The next two steps apply to reassembly. Skip them and continue to Step 12 until reassembly.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

Step 10

During reassembly, you will need to reinstall the Touch ID cable bracket. The top of the bracket needs to slide between the battery and Touch ID cable connector, in front of the metal tab. The bottom must latch down over the connector.

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Slide the top of the bracket over the Touch ID cable connector from left to right.

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iPhone SE LCD and Digitizer Replacement

Draft: 2020-01-10Guide ID: 61310 -

This document was generated on 2020-11-15 06:24:59 AM (MST).

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