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iPhone 12 Pro Max charging port replacement

DifficultyDifficult
Steps37
Time required1.5 to 2 hours
DisplayOLED
PortLightning

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the Lightning charging port assembly on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, for a phone that charges slowly, intermittently or not at all. Written for repair shops, with an illustration and the safety notes for every step.

Before you start. This guide is for trained technicians. Lithium batteries can overheat if damaged, so discharge below 25%, never use metal tools on the cell and work on a non-flammable surface. Always check the procedure for your exact part before opening the phone.

What you need

Parts

Trade prices, ex VAT.

Charging port assembly
Buy this part
Adhesive / seals
Buy this part
Repair tool kit
Buy this part

Tools

Pentalobe P2 (0.8mm) screwdriver
Phillips #000 and any other drivers your part needs
Suction cup
Plastic picks
Spudger
Tweezers
Heat pad or heat gun
Screw tray or magnetic mat

Step 1Power down and discharge

  • Before anything else, power the iPhone 12 Pro Max off.
  • For battery safety, let the charge drop below 25% before you open the phone.
  • Work on a clean, non-flammable surface with good light.
WarningLithium-ion batteries can overheat if they are punctured or bent. Never use metal tools on the battery.

Step 2Set up a screw tray

  • The screws in this phone are different lengths, so each one has to go back where it came from.
  • Use a magnetic mat, a labelled tray or a sheet with the phone's outline drawn on it.
  • Put each screw down in the same layout as it sat in the phone.
AABBCCDDPlace each screw where it came from
TipTake a photo of the open phone before you remove each bracket. It makes reassembly much faster.

Step 3Remove the bottom screws

  • Use a pentalobe P2 (0.8mm) screwdriver to remove the two screws either side of the Lightning port.
  • Put both in the first spot on your screw tray.

Step 4Warm the bottom edge

  • Warm the bottom edge of the screen with a heat pad, or a heat gun on a low setting, for about a minute.
  • Warm, not hot: roughly 60 to 80 °C. Too much heat can damage the display and the battery underneath.

Step 5Attach the suction cup

  • Press a suction cup onto the screen just above the bottom edge, clear of any cracks and the curved edge.
  • If the cup will not stick, add a piece of tape and try again.

Step 6Open a small gap

  • Hold the phone firmly and pull the suction cup up with steady force.
  • You only need a gap big enough to slide a pick into.
CautionThe display is held by waterproof adhesive and clips. Do not try to lift the whole screen in one go.

Step 7Insert a pick

  • Slide a plastic pick into the gap at the bottom-left corner.
  • Remove the suction cup.

Step 8Cut the adhesive: bottom and left

  • Slide the pick along the bottom edge, then back round up the left side.
  • Re-warm the edge if the adhesive resists.

Step 9Work along the hinge side carefully

  • The display cables run along this side, so keep the pick no deeper than about 3mm.
  • Move up the side in short strokes. Stop and warm it again if it sticks.
CautionA deep pick on this side can cut the display or sensor flex cables.

Step 10Release the top edge

  • The front camera and sensors sit near the top, so keep the pick shallow here too.
  • Run it along the top edge to release the last of the adhesive.

Step 11Lift the display gently

  • Open the display from the bottom edge, like a book, to about 90 degrees.
  • Do not pull it flat: the flex cables are still connected.

Step 12Support the display

  • Prop the display against a small box or stand so it cannot fall back.
  • Keep the cables free of tension.

Step 13Find the connector bracket

  • Look for the metal bracket covering the battery connector and the display cable connectors on the logic board.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 14Remove the bracket screws

  • Remove the screws that hold the bracket down.
  • Note which tray position each one goes in. They differ in length.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale
CautionCheck each screw's length against your tray before it goes back in. A screw that is too long can damage the board.

Step 15Lift the bracket away

  • Lift the bracket with tweezers or the end of a spudger and put it aside.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 16Disconnect the battery first

  • Gently lift the battery connector straight up with the flat end of a spudger.
  • Bend it slightly away from its socket so it cannot touch and reconnect by accident.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale
WarningAlways disconnect the battery before any other connector.

Step 17Disconnect the display cables

  • Lift the display connector and the touch connector with the flat of a spudger.
  • Lift the front sensor assembly connector the same way, keeping each cable straight.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 18Remove the display

  • Lift the display clear of the phone.
  • Put it down on a soft, clean surface.

Step 19Locate the bottom components

  • At the bottom of the phone you will see the Taptic Engine, the loudspeaker and the Lightning port assembly.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 20Remove the Taptic Engine screws

  • Remove the screws holding the Taptic Engine and its bracket.
  • Keep them in their own spot on your tray.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 21Lift out the Taptic Engine

  • Lift the Taptic Engine out and set it aside.
  • Take care not to tear any flex cable under it.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 22Remove the loudspeaker screws

  • Remove the screws holding the loudspeaker and any bottom bracket.
  • Note which tray position each one goes in.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 23Lift out the loudspeaker

  • Disconnect anything holding the loudspeaker and lift it out.
  • Note how its gasket sits so you can refit it the same way.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 24Remove the charging port screws

  • Remove the screws holding the charging port assembly.
  • Keep them with the others from this area.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 25Disconnect the charging port flex

  • Lift the charging port flex connector straight up from the logic board with a spudger.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 26Free the charging port

  • Gently peel the assembly away from its adhesive with a spudger.
  • Warm the area slightly if it will not release.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale
CautionThe flex is thin and tears easily. Lift slowly and keep checking for cables that are still attached.

Step 27Compare the new part

  • Lay the new charging port next to the old one.
  • Check that the connector, microphone openings and screw holes all match, and move across any seals or gaskets that are not included.
OldNew

Step 28Fit the new charging port

  • Lay the new assembly in place and line it up with the screw holes.
  • Press the flex connector onto the board until it clicks.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 29Refit the charging port screws

  • Refit the screws in their original positions.
  • Tighten until snug.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 30Refit the loudspeaker

  • Place the loudspeaker back with its gasket seated properly.
  • Refit its screws and bracket.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 31Refit the Taptic Engine

  • Lay the Taptic Engine back in place, check no cable is trapped and refit its screws.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 32Reconnect the display cables

  • Lay the display next to the phone and press each connector down until it clicks: display, touch, then the front sensor assembly.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 33Reconnect the battery and refit the bracket

  • Press the battery connector into its socket, then refit the bracket and its screws in their original positions.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 34Test before sealing

  • Plug in a known-good Lightning cable and check the phone charges and connects to a computer.
  • Test the microphones and the bottom speaker as well.
Touch and displayFace ID, cameraEarpiece, sensorsCharging, battery
TipIf it still will not charge, check the battery connector and try a different cable and charger before looking at the board.

Step 35Power off and fit a new seal

  • Remove any old adhesive from the frame and clean it with isopropyl alcohol.
  • Fit a new pre-cut display seal so water resistance is restored as far as possible.
NoteA fresh seal restores much of the protection but not all of it, so do not promise customers the original water-resistance rating.

Step 36Close the display

  • Hook the top edge in first, then lower the display and press down along the bottom.
  • Press firmly all round the edge for about 30 seconds.

Step 37Refit the bottom screws

  • Refit the two pentalobe screws either side of the Lightning port.
  • Tighten until snug. Do not over-tighten.

Conclusion

Check the new port holds a cable firmly and charges at full speed. Recycle the old part with your electronic waste.

Common questions

How do I know it is the port and not the cable?

Try a known-good Lightning cable and charger first, and clean the port gently with a wooden or plastic pick. Lint is a very common cause of charging faults.

Does a new port fix a phone that will not charge at all?

Often yes, but if the phone still does not charge, the fault may be the battery or the charging chip on the board.

Do I need to replace anything else?

Check the microphones and bottom speaker while the phone is open, as they share the same area.

Will this affect water resistance?

Opening the iPhone 12 Pro Max breaks the factory seal. A fresh seal restores a lot of the protection but not all of it, so tell customers not to rely on the original water-resistance rating.

More iPhone 12 Pro Max guides

Screen replacement Battery replacement Back glass replacement All iPhone 12 Pro Max guides