Phone · Apple · iPhone XS
Apple iPhone XS Screen Replacement
Screen Replacement guide for the Apple iPhone XS
Before you begin
Tools
- P2 Pentalobe screwdriver
- Y000 Tri-Point screwdriver
- Phillips #000 screwdriver
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic prying tools
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- Heat gun or hair dryer
Parts / materials
- Replacement iPhone XS display assembly
- Perimeter display adhesive gasket
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
Safety
- Discharge battery below 25% prior to disassembly to prevent fire risk if accidentally punctured.
- Wear safety glasses to protect against potential fine glass splinters from broken screen.
- Keep screws strictly organized; installing wrong length screws into the logic board can cause permanent damage.
- Do not bend or pry directly against the lithium-ion battery.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Down iPhone
1 minTurn off your iPhone XS completely before beginning any disassembly. Press and hold the side button and volume button, then slide to power off.
- 2
Remove Pentalobe Screws
2 minUnscrew the two 6.8 mm P2 Pentalobe screws located on the bottom edge of the phone next to the Lightning port.
- 3
Heat Bottom Edge
2 minApply a heat gun or hair dryer to the bottom edge of the phone for 2 minutes to soften the display adhesive.
- 4
Attach Suction Cup
1 minPlace a suction cup onto the lower half of the front screen glass, just above the bottom bezel.
- 5
Lift Lower Screen
2 minPull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a small gap between the screen assembly and the outer frame.
- 6
Insert Opening Pick
1 minInsert a plastic opening pick into the gap created at the bottom edge of the phone.
- 7
Slice Bottom Adhesive
2 minSlide the opening pick around the bottom left corner to cut through the screen seal.
- 8
Slice Left Adhesive
2 minSlide the pick up along the left edge of the phone to separate the adhesive securing the display.
- 9
Slice Right Adhesive
2 minInsert the pick on the bottom right edge and slide it upward, stopping before the top right corner to protect internal ribbon cables.
- 10
Open Display Assembly
1 minSwing the screen open from the left edge like opening a book cover. Rest the display against a sturdy object so it does not pull on the flex cables.
- 11
Remove Logic Board Cover Screws
3 minUnscrew the five Y000 tri-point screws holding down the lower logic board display connector cover.
- 12
Remove Connector Cover
1 minUse tweezers to lift the metal connector cover off the logic board and set it aside.
- 13
Disconnect Battery
1 minPry the battery connector straight up off its socket on the logic board using the pointed tip of a spudger.
- 14
Disconnect Display Cables
2 minUse a spudger to disconnect the OLED display cable and the touch digitizer cable connectors from the logic board.
- 15
Disconnect Earpiece Assembly
2 minPry the front sensor/earpiece assembly connector up from its socket on the logic board.
- 16
Separate Screen Assembly
1 minLift the entire display assembly away from the phone body and move it to your workspace.
- 17
Unscrew Earpiece Assembly
3 minRemove the three Y000 tri-point screws and one Phillips #000 screw securing the earpiece speaker and sensor module to the old screen.
- 18
Flip Earpiece Speaker
2 minGently flip the earpiece speaker down away from the top edge of the display to expose the sensor bracket beneath it.
- 19
Heat Top Display Edge
1 minWarm the top edge of the old display with a heat gun for 1 minute to loosen the glue under the proximity sensor and microphone.
- 20
Pry Microphone and Sensors
3 minCarefully slide a thin spudger beneath the microphone and ambient light sensor to release them from the screen bracket.
- 21
Transfer Earpiece Assembly
3 minAlign and lower the sensor flex cable and earpiece speaker into their designated slots on the new display assembly.
- 22
Secure Earpiece Assembly
3 minReinstall the three Y000 screws and one Phillips #000 screw to lock the earpiece and sensor module in place.
- 23
Apply Display Adhesive
4 minPeel and align a new perimeter frame adhesive gasket onto the housing edge, pressing firmly before removing the top protective film.
- 24
Connect Screen Cables
3 minPlug the earpiece sensor connector, OLED cable, and digitizer cable into their corresponding logic board sockets.
- 25
Reconnect Battery
1 minPress the battery connector directly down into its socket to restore power connection.
- 26
Reinstall Metal Shield
3 minPlace the logic board cover plate over the connectors and tighten the five Y000 screws firmly.
- 27
Seal Screen Assembly
2 minAlign the top edge of the screen into the top bezel of the frame, then gently press down around all edges until the display snaps flush.
- 28
Install Pentalobe Screws
2 minReinstall the two P2 Pentalobe screws into the bottom edge of the phone next to the charge port.
After your Apple iPhone XS screen replacement
Power the iPhone XS back on and test the screen replacement 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 XS 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 XS repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
