iPhone 14 Plus Screen Replacement

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Comments: 9

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

If your iPhone 14 Plus screen is cracked, not responding to touch, or not showing a picture when your phone is powered on, use this guide to restore your iPhone to working order with a new screen, a.k.a. display assembly.

This guide was created using the A2886 (international) model. If you're fixing a different iPhone 14 Plus model, there may be some visual discrepancies, but the procedure should be the same.

Note: True Tone and auto brightness functionality are disabled after a screen replacement, even when using an original Apple screen. Face ID is also disabled unless the iPhone runs iOS 15.2 or newer.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach the screen when reassembling the device. Your device will function normally, but will most likely lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
Remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Step 2

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Got to step 2 and realized the fix kit doesn't include an opening pick! Looks like a guitar pick, and I have those lying around. Is that expected? Looks like the pick is used in many steps below. There's a little blue crowbar that isn't mentioned in the instructions. Perhaps that replaces the opening pick?

Sloan Looney -

Hi! I can't see which guide you were using when writing this comment. Can you reply here with which guide and fix kit you used?

Clay Eickemeyer -

I see you posted this in Meta. I hope it's resolved soon! In the meantime, a guitar pick may work well enough for your repair.

Clay Eickemeyer -

what fix kit?

Meow Purr -

My fix kit didn't include an opening pick either

WILLIAM HARRIS -

Make sure you check inside the black boxes after emptying them. My pick was stuck inside one of the boxes.

AndyF -

My AliExpress refurbished screen came with a pick that has a coin-like circle that pops out, so no modification was necessary

Gijs Leegwater -

Step 3

If your iPhone has a cracked screen, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.
Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's screen until the whole face is covered.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.
If you can't get the suction cup to stick in the next few steps, fold a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lift the screen with that instead.
If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the screen.

Step 4

The next three steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
Follow this guide to secure your rear glass with the included tape.
Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 5

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.
Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Step 6

Support your iPhone on something sturdy such as a hardcover book so it rests hands-free and parallel to the ground; this makes it easier to work with in the following steps.
Use a hair dryer to heat along the bottom edge of the iPhone. The screen should feel slightly too hot to touch.
For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, check out this guide.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
Insert an opening pick under the screen's plastic bezel when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle a quarter turn.
Don't crank more than a quarter turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next two steps.

Step 7

If you're using a suction handle, follow the next two steps to loosen the rear glass.
Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
Never leave your hair dryer in one spot for an extended period of time.

Step 8

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.
Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the screen and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen's plastic bezel.
The watertight adhesive holding the screen in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Step 9

Use a hair dryer to heat the right edge of the iPhone (the edge with the power button) for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Step 10

Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner of the iPhone to separate its adhesive.
Continue sliding up the right edge of the iPhone until you reach the top right corner.
Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage internal components.
Leave the pick in the top right corner before continuing.

Step 11

Use a hair dryer to heat the top edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Step 12

Slide the opening pick around the top right corner of the iPhone to separate the top adhesive.
Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage the top sensors.
Leave the pick in the top left corner before continuing.

Step 13

Use a hair dryer to heat the left edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Step 14

There's two delicates cable along the left edge of your iPhone. Don't insert your pick here, as you may damage the cables.

Step 15

The cables along the left edge are very easy to damage with a pick. Follow this alternate procedure to separate the left adhesive.
Insert a second opening pick in the bottom left corner of the iPhone.
Twist both picks simultaneously until the left edge clips release.
Apply the twisting force gradually.
If you're having trouble separating the adhesive, reheat the left edge.

Step 16

Remove your suction handle from the screen.
Rotate your iPhone so the right edge faces you.
Open your iPhone by swinging the screen up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
Lean the screen against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
If you don't have anything at hand to lean the screen against, your suction handle can do the trick.
During reassembly, lay the screen in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the screen down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the screen and make sure they aren't bent.

Step 17

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the the 0.8 mm-long screw securing the display connector bracket.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the screen in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 18

Grasp the screw hole end of the connector bracket with a pair of tweezers.
Lift the the bracket slightly to loosen the latch on the other edge.
Remove the display connector bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the bracket latches properly.

Step 19

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the display cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 20

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the 1 mm-long screw securing the front sensor connector bracket.

Step 21

Grasp the screw hole end of the connector bracket with a pair of tweezers.
Lift the the bracket slightly to loosen the latch on the other edge.
Remove the front sensor connector bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the bracket latches properly.

Step 22

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front sensor cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 23

Remove the screen.
Apply new adhesive where it's necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the screen adhesives.

Step 24

The remaining steps demonstrate how to transfer the front sensor assembly to a new screen. If your replacement screen comes with the assembly pre-installed, skip these steps.
Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the two 1.4 mm-long screws securing the sensor assembly bracket.

Step 25

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the front sensor assembly bracket.

Step 26

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display is susceptible to heat damage.

Step 27

Insert an opening pick between the ambient light sensor and its recess on the screen.
Pry up with the pick to separate the ambient light sensor from the screen.

Step 28

Insert an opening pick between the proximity sensor and its recess on the screen.
Pry up with the pick to separate the proximity sensor from the screen.

Step 29

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to move the proximity sensor cable away from the screen.

Step 30

Insert an opening pick under the microphone cable, close to the microphone (the metal rectangle).
Slide the opening pick around the perimeter of the microphone to separate its adhesive.

Step 31

At this point, the adhesive may have cooled down. If so, apply a heated iOpener to the assembly for one minute before continuing.
Insert an opening pick under the left side of the front sensor assembly.
Slide the pick under the assembly to separate it from the frame.

Step 32

Remove the front sensor assembly.
When transferring the assembly to a new screen, follow these instructions:
Connect the sensors to their slots in the frame to help align the main section of the assembly.
Use Tesa tape to re-adhere any sections of the assembly that are no longer sticky.

Conclusion

If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

The best way to secure the new screen is to apply a sheet of custom-cut double-sided tape to the frame and place the screen back in its original position.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

201162 Reputation

2 comments

Is this safe without removing the back and unplugging the battery? Assuming the phone doesn't power on by mistake when you are handling it. Normal procedure has always been to unplug battery first but Apple clearly knows people are going to avoid removing the back if possible. No doubt connecting a new screen if the phone has powered on will damage the screen or at least the backlight in some way.

Svenpa -

There doesn't seem to be an issue with this anymore, seems Apple figured out the shorting issue. Also, if you fail to turn off the phone before taking screen off (due to broken touch or buttons) it seems to do so itself. Just remember to restart the phone by doing hard reset with Vol up-down and power if it doesn't work right away after replacing screen.

Dalton2K5 -