iPhone 12 mini Opening Procedure

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch
  • Comments: 1
iPhone 12 mini Opening Procedure

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Prerequisite-only guide to open an iPhone 12 mini, allowing access to internal components for repair or replacement.

  1. JVwauFGp15pboki4
    JVwauFGp15pboki4
    6ZrVNyXTV2DYTb13

    • Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

    • Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

    • Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

  2. mnZMucYMAsHGXCrx

    • Opening the iPhone's display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

    • Heating the bottom edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

    • Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about two minutes in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

    • If you have trouble during the opening procedure the adhesive most likely cooled down. Apply more heat to further soften the adhesive. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

    you need to clarify that you're heating the metal frame, not the glass. I gently heated the glass front with a heat gun and proceeded to pull the display apart, destroying it. :-(

    Jim Harger -

  3. bHUsnoZs2WilUM2e
    bHUsnoZs2WilUM2e
    YSBjpIdhTiONWwTb

    • The next two steps demonstrate the iSclack, a handy tool that we recommend for anyone doing frequent repairs. If you aren't using the iSclack, skip down two steps for an alternate method.

    • Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.

    • Press both suction cups firmly into place.

    • If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere. The iSclack also includes two pieces of tape for this purpose.

  4. KbuQwCUDWLWU6Wrd
    KbuQwCUDWLWU6Wrd
    bw2uCuQDUELNcePW
    fIPUPkRSUorxnqfU

    • Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.

    • Don't try to completely separate the screen; a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap under the display on the lower edge of the iPhone.

    • Skip the next two steps.

  5. MKV3OGqZaxNHEhUc
    MKV3OGqZaxNHEhUc
    hHhDVWStBbPQpiZN

    • If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, as close to the edge as possible.

    • If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

  6. nQTSoddbEVTMfZHR
    nQTSoddbEVTMfZHR
    KlrDYepF3DQrMwU5
    jdiUyLciFyBYDGOm

    • Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap.

    • The watertight adhesive holding the display 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.

  7. A1oBwCyETfZ3eBwg
    A1oBwCyETfZ3eBwg
    nOJW3MH4vbghr4vJ
    kLNvCWTAVyBPWgjF

    • Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.

    • Don't insert the opening pick too far underneath the front panel, or you may cause damage to internal components.

  8. fNr6LtIUSLI1Awqc
    fNr6LtIUSLI1Awqc
    3j5OIrqp4XTjBChZ
    HbRIWfXm3VF2BEMJ

    • Re-insert your pick at the bottom left corner of the iPhone.

    • Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and along the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.

    • Don't insert the pick very far, or you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone. Insert it only a few millimeters, or about the width of the display bezel.

  9. luVslv2EJDPHjdFY
    luVslv2EJDPHjdFY
    bhGJkCcPB6iwKJWR
    tMyUCZXybbOw6SsY

    • The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips.

    • Again, don't insert the pick more than a few millimeters—about the width of the display bezel—or you may damage the front panel sensor array.

    • Insert your pick underneath the top-right corner of the display panel.

    • Slide the pick around the top right corner. Because of the clips you might encounter some resistance.

    • Gently pulling the front panel assembly towards the bottom edge of the phone simplifies this step a little.

    • Slide the pick along the top edge and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.

  10. aONwtMNHEXNDaFRb

    • Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

    • If you used an iSclack and it's still affixed to the iPhone, remove it now.

  11. GKjjmXfhwhaIRErW
    GKjjmXfhwhaIRErW
    2JqHTqMrNqKn2oIC
    Bgygc1XwrnZIXYqP

    • Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.

    • Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.

    • Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.

    • During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren't bent.

Conclusion

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

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

156067 Reputation

0 comments