Phone · Apple · iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Face ID Repair
Face ID Repair guide for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Before you begin
Tools
- P2 Pentalobe screwdriver
- Y000 Tri-point screwdriver
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic opening picks
- Spudger tool
- Precision tweezers
Parts / materials
- Replacement Face ID sensor flex cable
- Display waterproof frame adhesive
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
Safety
- Discharge the battery below 25% before starting to reduce the risk of thermal runaway if damaged.
- Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from fine glass shards during display removal.
- Handle the TrueDepth IR sensors gently; touching or smudging the lenses can cause permanent Face ID failure.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Down iPhone
1 minPress and hold the side button along with either volume button, then slide the screen slider to power off the device completely.
- 2
Remove Pentalobe Screws
2 minUse a P2 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two 6.7 mm screws located on either side of the Lightning charging port.
- 3
Heat Bottom Edge
2 minApply a heat gun or hair dryer to the bottom edge of the phone for approximately two minutes to soften the perimeter adhesive.
- 4
Attach Suction Cup
1 minPlace a suction cup onto the lower half of the screen assembly, just above the home indicator area.
- 5
Create Initial Gap
2 minPull firmly upward on the suction cup to create a slight gap between the display bezel and the steel frame, then insert an opening pick.
- 6
Slice Peripheral Adhesive
3 minSlide the opening pick around the bottom-left corner and up the left edge of the screen to cut through the waterproof adhesive seal.
- 7
Separate Upper Edges
3 minContinue slicing along the right and top edges, ensuring you do not insert the pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging internal flex cables.
- 8
Open Display Assembly
1 minGently lift the display open from the left side, swinging it open like a book cover while keeping it supported.
- 9
Remove Battery Shield Screws
2 minUse a Y000 tri-point screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the metal battery connector shield to the logic board.
- 10
Disconnect Battery Cable
1 minLever the flat end of a spudger beneath the battery press connector to detach it from its socket and prevent short circuits.
- 11
Disconnect Display Flex
1 minUse your spudger to pry the main display cable press connector straight up from the logic board.
- 12
Disconnect Sensor Flex
1 minPry up the front sensor assembly cable connector from its socket on the upper section of the logic board.
- 13
Remove Display Assembly
1 minLift the display assembly completely off the rear enclosure and place it screen-down on a clean, anti-static work mat.
- 14
Unscrew Earpiece Bracket
2 minRemove the four Y000 tri-point screws securing the upper earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly bracket to the screen.
- 15
Unfold Earpiece Speaker
1 minGently flip the earpiece speaker down and away from the top edge of the display glass to reveal the sensor modules.
- 16
Detach Sensor Assembly
4 minUse fine tweezers to carefully lift the flood illuminator, ambient light sensor, and microphone out of their recessed notches.
- 17
Install Replacement Module
3 minAlign and press the new Face ID sensor and flex assembly into the corresponding mounting slots on the upper display frame.
- 18
Reassemble Upper Components
2 minFold the earpiece speaker back over the sensors and reattach the metal bracket using the four Y000 tri-point screws.
After your Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max face id repair
Power the iPhone 13 Pro Max back on and test the face id repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.

