Apple Watch – Series 8 Opening Procedure

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to open your Apple Watch Series 8 for repairs.

Note: The opening procedure for the 41 mm and the 45 mm Apple Watch series 8 is the same. You can use this guide for both models.

This guide shows the procedure on the cellular/LTE version of the watch, but the GPS-only version is similar.

You’ll need replacement adhesive for the screen when reassembling the device.

Take your watch off the charger and power it down.
If your touchscreen is broken and you can't power off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.

Because the gap between the screen and watch body is so thin, an iFlex is needed to separate the two.
Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the iFlex edge. If in doubt, protect your free hand with a heavy glove, such as a leather shop glove or gardening glove.
Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this might cause the iFlex to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.
Wear eye protection. If the opening procedure is performed incorrectly or with too much pressure, the glass could crack, sending small glass shards flying.
Attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen for three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
You may need to reheat the iOpener and repeat this procedure several times until the display adhesive softens.

Take your time and work carefully to avoid scratching the watch body with your iFlex.
Insert the iFlex into the thin gap between the display and frame at the edge adjacent to the digital crown.
Tilt the iFlex down to pry the display open slightly and create a gap between the screen and the watch body.
The Apple Watch Series 8 display is equipped with a plastic bezel on its rear side. If you want to reuse your display, avoid using too much pressure with the iFlex or you may separate the bezel from the screen.

Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge opposite to the watch crown to slice the adhesive.

Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the next short edge to slice the adhesive.

When slicing the adhesive on the edge with the watch crown, only insert the opening pick 2–3 mm to prevent damaging the display cables.
Slide the opening pick around the corner and toward the watch crown to slice the remaining adhesive.
Don't try to fully remove the display yet, as it‘s still connected to the watch assembly.