Tablet · Apple · iPad Air 3
Apple iPad Air 3 Screen Replacement
Screen Replacement guide for the Apple iPad Air 3
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup
- Guitar picks for prying
- Plastic prying tools
- Precision screwdriver set
- Precision tweezers
Parts / materials
- Replacement iPad Air 3 screen assembly
- Pre-cut display adhesive strips
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
Safety
- Wear protective eyewear to guard against glass splinters from damaged screens.
- Avoid overheating the battery area to prevent thermal runaway or fire hazards.
- Disconnect the battery before touching any internal connectors with conductive metal tools.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the device
1 minPress and hold the top power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Slide to power down the iPad completely.
- 2
Heat the lower edge
3 minApply a heat gun or hair dryer around the lower edge of the screen for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
- 3
Attach the suction cup
1 minPlace a suction cup near the bottom center of the display assembly, just above the Home button.
- 4
Create a gap
2 minPull up firmly on the suction cup to lift the glass slightly away from the aluminum enclosure.
- 5
Insert an opening pick
2 minSlide a plastic opening pick into the small seam formed between the glass and the frame.
- 6
Slice bottom adhesive
3 minSlide the opening pick along the bottom edge to cut through the display adhesive.
- 7
Heat the left edge
2 minUse the heat gun along the left edge of the iPad display for about two minutes.
- 8
Slice left adhesive
3 minMove a pick along the left edge from bottom to top to free the adhesive bond.
- 9
Heat the top edge
2 minWarm the top edge of the iPad for two minutes, taking care around the front camera array.
- 10
Slice top adhesive
3 minCarefully guide an opening pick across the top edge, inserting it no deeper than 3mm near the camera.
- 11
Heat the right edge
2 minApply heat along the right edge of the iPad screen to loosen the final strip of adhesive.
- 12
Slice right adhesive
3 minSlide the pick down the right edge, taking care not to damage the display cables beneath.
- 13
Open the display
2 minGently swing the display open like a book from the right edge toward the left edge.
- 14
Unscrew the display cable bracket
3 minRemove the four Phillips #00 screws securing the metal display bracket to the logic board.
- 15
Remove the display cable bracket
1 minUse precision tweezers to lift the metal shield out of the device chassis.
- 16
Disconnect the battery
2 minSlide a plastic spudger under the battery connector contacts to cut power to the logic board.
- 17
Disconnect the display cables
3 minPry up the three display and digitizer press connectors using the flat end of a spudger.
- 18
Remove the old display
1 minLift the old display assembly free from the iPad frame and set it on your workspace.
- 19
Transfer the Home button assembly
10 minHeat the home button area on the old screen, detach the bracket, and carefully transfer the sensor to the new display.
- 20
Clean the frame adhesive
8 minScrape off residual glue from the enclosure perimeter using isopropyl alcohol and a plastic scraper.
- 21
Apply new adhesive strips
5 minLay pre-cut double-sided adhesive strips along all four edges of the iPad aluminum frame.
- 22
Connect the new display
5 minAttach the display connectors to the logic board and reinstall the metal bracket with its four screws.
- 23
Seal the screen
3 minPeel the adhesive backing, align the new display carefully, and press firmly along the perimeter to adhere.
After your Apple iPad Air 3 screen replacement
Power the iPad Air 3 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 iPad Air 3 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 iPad Air 3 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
