Opening Procedure

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch
  • Comments: 3
Opening Procedure

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

7

Time Required

30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to open your Apple Watch Series 5 for repairs.

During the display opening procedure of the Apple Watch it is likely to damage the force touch gasket. If you separate the gasket layers or cut the cable, you'll also need to replace the Force Touch gasket itself.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.

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    • Because the gap between the screen and watch body is so thin, a sharp blade is needed to separate the two. Read the following warnings carefully before proceeding.

    • Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the knife. 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 knife to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.

    • Wear eye protection. The knife or glass may break, sending pieces flying.

    • Attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

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    • Prepare an iOpener (or use a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch to loosen the display adhesive.

    • Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least two minutes to fully heat the screen and soften the adhesive holding it to the case.

    • You may need to reheat the iOpener and repeat this procedure several times until the display adhesive softens.

    How long should it take for applied heat to melt the adhesive? I feel like I've been heating and reheating this iOpener for days.

    Samuel Kurnit -

    @samuelkurnit The heat doesn't melt the adhesive, but helps loosen the adhesive and hopefully makes it more pliable for the next step. Just mentioning this to dissuade any thought of a person solely relying on heat to open up the watch. It took me 3-4 continuous hours of heating and prying with a knife to open up my watch.

    Booster Boards -

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    • Place the edge of a curved blade into the thin gap between the display and the outer case. Start at the short side of the display, closest to the digital crown.

    • Press firmly straight down into the gap.

    • Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly.

    • Do not insert the knife more than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm) to avoid damaging the force touch sensor.

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    • Once you've opened a small gap with the curved blade, remove the blade and insert the thinner edge of an opening tool into the gap.

    • Push the opening tool into the gap, using your thumb as a pivot to lift the display open a bit farther.

    • Don't try to fully open or detach the display yet.

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    • It's likely that the force touch sensor will stick to the display frame instead to the watch's body. In this case, insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.

    • To preserve the Force Touch gasket, pry carefully under the edge of the display. If the Force Touch gasket splits when lifting the display, or if you separate the gasket layers, you'll also need to replace the Force Touch gasket itself.

    • Slide the pick around the display to separate the adhesive between the Force Touch gasket and the display.

    • Don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm) to avoid damaging other components.

    What happens if the Force Touch Gasket is intact, but simply has come loose from the frame in spots?

    Michael Czeiszperger -

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    • Avoid tensioning the display cables when folding the screen to the back.

    • Carefully lift the display open like a book.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on top of the Force Touch gasket before installing new adhesive.

Opening didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

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