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iPhone 16 screen replacement

DifficultyModerate
Steps33
Time required1 to 1.5 hours
DisplayOLED
PortUSB-C

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a cracked, dead or faulty screen on the iPhone 16. The screen is held on with waterproof adhesive, so you will warm the edge and cut the seal before you can lift it. 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.

Replacement screen
Buy this part
Screen adhesive / seal
Buy this part
Repair tool kit
Buy this part

Tools

Pentalobe P2 (0.8mm) screwdriver
Phillips #000 screwdriver
Suction cup
Plastic picks
Spudger
Tweezers
Heat pad or heat gun
Screw tray or magnetic mat
Clear packing tape

Step 1Power down and discharge

  • Before anything else, power the iPhone 16 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 3Tape over cracked glass

  • If the glass is cracked, cover the screen with overlapping strips of clear packing tape.
  • The tape keeps shards together and helps the suction cup grip.
  • Wear eye protection if the glass is shattered.

Step 4Remove the bottom screws

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

Step 5Warm 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 6Attach 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 7Open 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 8Insert a pick

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

Step 9Cut 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 10Work 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 11Release 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 12Lift 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 13Support the display

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

Step 14Find 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 15Remove 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 16Lift the bracket away

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

Step 17Disconnect 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 18Disconnect 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 19Remove the display

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

Step 20Compare the old and new screens

  • Lay the old and new screens side by side.
  • Check the connectors, brackets and flex cables match before you move anything across.
OldNew

Step 21Remove the earpiece bracket screws

  • Remove the screws holding the earpiece and sensor bracket on the old screen.
  • Keep these tiny screws in a separate spot on your tray.

Step 22Transfer the earpiece speaker

  • Lift out the earpiece speaker and its gasket carefully.
  • Set them in the new screen in the same orientation.

Step 23Transfer the front sensor assembly

  • Move the front sensor assembly (front camera, proximity and Face ID sensors) across with care.
  • Do not bend its flex cable or touch the lenses.
WarningThe Face ID sensors are paired to the phone. Handle them gently and never swap them between phones.

Step 24Transfer the remaining brackets and mesh

  • Move the bracket, the dust mesh and any shields your replacement screen does not include.
  • Check that nothing is left on the old screen.

Step 25Offer up the new screen

  • Lay the new screen next to the phone with the cables lined up.
  • Make sure no cable is trapped under the display.

Step 26Reconnect the display cables

  • Press each connector down gently until it clicks: display first, then touch, then the front sensor assembly.
  • Do not force them. A misaligned connector can bend its pins.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 27Reconnect the battery

  • Press the battery connector back into its socket with a spudger.
  • Check it is seated flat.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 28Refit the bracket

  • Lay the bracket back over the connectors and refit its screws in their original positions.
BATTERYIllustration, not to scale

Step 29Test before sealing

  • Turn the phone on and test touch across the whole screen, brightness, the earpiece, the front camera and Face ID.
  • If anything fails, power off, disconnect the battery and reseat the connectors.
Touch and displayFace ID, cameraEarpiece, sensorsCharging, battery
NoteTrue Tone may stop working on a replacement screen unless the original screen's data is transferred with a programmer. iOS may also list the screen as a non-genuine part. Both are cosmetic and the phone still works.

Step 30Power 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 31Close 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 32Refit the bottom screws

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

Step 33Final checks

  • Power the phone on and run the same checks again with the phone closed.
  • Check the screen is flush all round and the gap is even.
Touch and displayFace ID, cameraEarpiece, sensorsCharging, battery

Conclusion

Compare your new screen with the original and check it sits flush with an even gap all round. Recycle the old screen with your electronic waste.

Common questions

Does True Tone or Face ID still work after a screen swap?

Face ID relies on the sensor assembly that moves across from the old screen, so handle it carefully. True Tone can stop working on a replacement screen unless the original screen's data is transferred with a programmer.

Will iOS show a message about the new screen?

On recent iOS versions, Settings can list the screen as a non-genuine or unknown part. That is cosmetic and does not stop the phone working.

Which screen should I buy?

A genuine or high-quality OLED gives the best colour and brightness. Cheaper grades exist, so choose to suit the customer.

Will this affect water resistance?

Opening the iPhone 16 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 16 guides

Battery replacement Charging port replacement All iPhone 16 guides