iPhone 6s Screen Replacement
By Jeff Suovanen • Difficulty: Moderate
Introduction

Learn how to replace your iPhone 6s screen. This part comes with the front-facing camera, sensor assembly, and EMI shield already installed, making for an easier repair.

All you need to do is remove the old screen and transfer the home button to the new screen, in order for Touch ID (fingerprint scanning) to function.

Step 1
  • Before disassembling your iPhone, discharge the 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 3.4 mm P2 Pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the iPhone, on either side of the Lightning connector.
Tape over the display
  • If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.
  • Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.
  • This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
  • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.
  • If the broken glass makes it difficult to get a suction cup to stick in the next few steps, try folding a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lifting the display with that instead.
Anti-Clamp instructions
  • 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 three steps for an alternate method.
  • For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
  • Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
  • Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
  • Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone just above the home button—one on the front, and one on the back.
  • Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
  • If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use tape to create a grippier surface.
Step 4
  • Pull the blue handle forwards to lock the arms.
  • Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
  • Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.
  • 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, rotate the handle a quarter turn.
  • Don't crank more than a quarter turn at a time, and wait a few seconds between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
  • Skip the next three steps.
Step 5
  • If you don't have an Anti-Clamp, follow the next three steps to use a suction handle.
  • Apply mild heat to the lower edge of the iPhone using an iOpener or hair dryer for about a minute.
  • Heat softens the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.
Step 6
  • Opening the display on the 6s separates a thin strip of adhesive around the perimeter of the display. If you prefer to replace the adhesive, have a set of new adhesive strips ready before you continue. It's possible to complete the repair without replacing the adhesive, and you probably won't notice any difference in functionality.
  • Apply a suction cup to the lower left corner of the display assembly.
  • Take care not to place the suction cup over the home button.
  • 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 screen.
Step 7
  • Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
  • Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The display assembly is a much tighter fit than most devices and is held down with adhesive.
  • Pulling too hard may damage the display assembly. Apply just enough pressure to create a small gap between the display assembly and the rear case.
  • If you have any trouble, heat the front of the iPhone using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's slightly too hot to touch. This will help soften the adhesive securing the edges of the display.
Step 8
  • There is a notch on the underside of the display, just above the headphone jack. This is the safest place to begin prying the phone open.
  • Place the flat edge of a spudger into the gap between the screen and rear case, directly above the headphone jack.
Step 9
  • Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the front panel assembly and the rest of the phone.
Step 10
  • Insert the flat end of the spudger on the left side of the phone, between the display assembly and rear case.
  • Slide the spudger up the side of the phone to separate the adhesive and pop the clips free.
Step 11
  • Remove the spudger and reinsert it on the bottom edge, where you pried the phone open.
  • Slide the spudger to the right, along the bottom edge of the phone.
Step 12
  • Slide the spudger up the right side to continue separating the adhesive and popping the display clips free from the iPhone.
Step 13
  • Use the suction cup to open the display, breaking the last of the adhesive.
  • Don't open the display more than 90º, as it is still connected at the top by three cables that may break if stretched.
Step 14
  • Pull up on the nub on the top side of the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.
Step 15
  • Gently grasp the display assembly and lift it up to open the phone, using the clips at the top of the front panel as a hinge.
  • Open the display to about a 90º angle, and lean it against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
  • Add a rubber band to keep the display securely in place while you work. This prevents undue strain on the display cables.
  • In a pinch, you can use an unopened canned beverage to hold the display.
Step 16
  • Remove two Phillips screws securing the battery connector bracket, of the following lengths:
  • One 2.9 mm screw
  • One 2.2 mm screw
  • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
Step 17
  • Remove the battery connector bracket from the iPhone.
Step 18
  • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.
Step 19
  • Push the battery connector away from the logic board until it stays separated from its socket, so as to avoid any accidental connection to the battery while you work.
Unfasten the display cable bracket
  • Remove the following four Phillips screws securing the display cable bracket:
  • Three 1.2 mm screws
  • One 2.8 mm screw
Step 21
  • Remove the display cable bracket.
Step 22
  • Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front camera flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.
Step 23
  • Disconnect the digitizer cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.
  • When reconnecting the digitizer cable, do not press the center of the connector. Press one end of the connector, then press the opposite end. Pressing in the center of the connector can bend the component and cause digitizer damage.
Step 24
  • Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cable in this step.
  • Disconnect the display cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.
Step 25
Step 26
  • Remove the three 1.7 mm Phillips screws securing the home button bracket.
  • Do not over-tighten these screws as these can damage the front of the display.
Step 27
  • Lift the lower edge of the home button bracket until it clears the small peg on the right side.
  • Slide the bracket out from under the EMI shield to remove it.
Step 28
  • Use a spudger to disconnect the home button connector by popping it out of its socket on the back of the display panel.
Step 29
  • The rubber gasket surrounding the home button is very thin and tears easily.
  • Apply mild heat (with an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer) to soften the adhesive securing the home button gasket.
  • Using your fingertip, gently press up on the home button from the front side of the display assembly. Use firm, constant pressure to slowly separate the home button's rubber gasket from the front panel.
Step 30
  • Use the pointed tip of a spudger to carefully separate the home button flex cable from the back of the display panel.
Step 31
  • Remove the home button assembly.
Step 32
  • Only the screen remains.
Conclusion

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