Step-by-step

1. 1

   Heat the screen edges

   3 min

   Apply a heated iOpener or heat gun around the perimeter of the screen for 2 to 3 minutes. This softens the strong adhesive securing the glass to the frame.

2. 2

   Insert opening picks

   5 min

   Press a thin plastic opening pick into the seam along the top edge of the screen. Take extreme care near the glass edges to avoid cracking the display.

3. 3

   Slice peripheral adhesive

   8 min

   Slide additional picks along the side and top edges to cut through the adhesive. Do not insert the pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging delicate flex cables.

4. 4

   Pry up display assembly

   3 min

   Attach a suction cup near the top edge and gently tilt the display assembly upward to a 45-degree angle. Support the glass so it does not pull on the flex cables.

5. 5

   Remove display connector shield

   2 min

   Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the screws holding the metal bracket over the display connectors. Lift the bracket clear using tweezers.

6. 6

   Disconnect display cables

   2 min

   Use a plastic spudger to pry the touch and display panel ribbon cables straight up from their sockets. Lift the display away and set it aside.

7. 7

   Disconnect battery power

   2 min

   Locate the main battery power connector at the lower edge of the motherboard. Carefully pry the connector upward using a spudger to cut power.

8. 8

   Remove cooling fan screws

   3 min

   Unscrew the T4 Torx screws securing the cooling fan to the magnesium chassis. Disconnect the fan ribbon cable and lift the fan unit out.

9. 9

   Remove heat sink

   3 min

   Unscrew the spring-loaded fasteners securing the heat sink over the CPU. Carefully lift the copper heat pipe assembly off the processor.

10. 10

    Unplug motherboard ribbons

    5 min

    Disconnect the speaker, volume button, charging port, and Wi-Fi antenna cables from the main board using a plastic spudger and tweezers.

11. 11

    Remove motherboard fasteners

    4 min

    Extract all remaining T3 and T4 Torx screws holding the motherboard inside the casing. Keep the screws grouped by size for reassembly.

12. 12

    Lift out motherboard

    3 min

    Tilt the motherboard up from the right side and maneuver it out of the chassis. Place it on an anti-static surface.

13. 13

    Apply adhesive remover

    3 min

    Apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol along the top and bottom edges of the battery pouch. Allow it to sit for 2 minutes to weaken the glue.

14. 14

    Pry battery from chassis

    8 min

    Work a flexible plastic card under the battery cells from the outer edge inward. Slowly slice through the softened adhesive without bending the battery.

15. 15

    Remove old battery

    2 min

    Lift the depleted battery out of the casing once all adhesive bonds are broken. Store the battery in a safe, fireproof container for recycling.

16. 16

    Clean adhesive residue

    4 min

    Scrape remaining adhesive off the interior magnesium frame using a plastic tool and isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the metal clean with a lint-free cloth.

17. 17

    Install new adhesive

    3 min

    Lay fresh double-sided battery adhesive strips into the recessed frame where the original adhesive sat. Peel off the protective backing layer.

18. 18

    Position new battery

    2 min

    Set the new battery into the chassis recess and press down firmly across the pouch areas. Verify the flex connector aligns correctly with the motherboard path.

19. 19

    Reinstall motherboard

    4 min

    Lower the motherboard back into the chassis frame, aligning all port cutouts. Replace and tighten the T3 and T4 Torx mounting screws.

20. 20

    Reapply thermal compound

    4 min

    Clean old thermal paste off the CPU surface using isopropyl alcohol, then apply a fresh pea-sized dot of thermal compound before reattaching the heat sink.

21. 21

    Reconnect internal cables

    5 min

    Attach all flex cables, antenna wires, cooling fan, and the battery power plug back to their respective sockets on the motherboard.

22. 22

    Attach display ribbon cables

    3 min

    Hold the screen assembly near the body and snap the display connectors onto the board. Secure the metal shield bracket using its T3 Torx screws.

23. 23

    Seal display assembly

    4 min

    Apply fresh pre-cut display adhesive tape along the perimeter of the frame. Align the glass precisely and press firmly around all edges to seal the device.