iPad (A16) Cover Glass and Display

Before You Begin

Warning

• Read Broken Glass Safety before you begin.

• Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.

Caution

Turn off the device. The iPad must be turned off before beginning this repair. Failure to do so will result in damage to the display and other parts.

Important

• Read Heated Display Removal Fixture if you’re setting up the fixture for the first time.

• If you replace this part, it's recommended to run Repair Assistant in order to finish the repair. Repair Assistant will be available on the device after you’ve completed all reassembly steps.

Note: This procedure may show images of other models, but the procedure is the same. Ensure that you use the correct tools for the model you’re repairing.

Removal

Note: If you’ve already completed the removal steps, skip to reassembly.

Warning

Wearing heat-resistant gloves to perform this procedure is recommended.

1. Use the heated display removal fixture to heat the display adhesive. Refer to the Heated Display Removal Fixture Operating Manual for instructions. Then continue to step 2.

   • Caution

     • Ensure that you press gently on the cover glass as you insert the iPad into the heated display pocket.

       

     • Don't turn the silver knob at the top of the heated display removal fixture.

     • Before inserting the heated display pocket into the heated display removal fixture, locate the front camera on the iPad. Then place blue painters tape over the areas that cover the camera lens (1) and the ambient light sensor (2) as shown. To avoid damage, use a shallow angle when cutting near the taped areas.

       

2. When a gap appears between the cover glass and the enclosure as shown, insert the edge of the adhesive cutter into the gap.

   

   • Caution: To avoid damaging display flex cables and other parts, don’t cut to a depth greater than 3.5 mm past the edge of the cover glass. The outer edge of the raised circle on the cutter marks this maximum depth.

3. Slowly run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the right side of the cover glass. Stop when you feel resistance.

   • Caution: Don't lift the cover glass with the cutter.

     

   • Slowly run the adhesive cutter along the top of the cover glass between the suction cup and the front camera. Stop when you feel resistance.

     

   • Run the adhesive cutter along the right side of the cover glass. Then slowly cut around the bottom right corner.

     

   • Run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the top of the cover glass between the suction cup and front camera. Stop when you feel resistance.

     

   • Run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the top of the cover glass to the left of the front camera.

     

   • Slowly run the adhesive cutter cut around the top left corner.

     

   • Run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the left side of the cover glass.

     

4. Insert an access card at the upper left corner as shown to prevent the cover glass from resealing.

   • Important: Don't insert the access card past the black border of the display.

     

5. Slowly run the adhesive cutter along the bottom of the cover glass. Then run the adhesive cutter back and forth around the bottom left corner.

   

6. Insert an access cutter at the bottom right corner as shown to prevent the cover glass from resealing.

   

   • Flip up the handle over the suction cup on the heated display removal fixture. Then gently slide the flat end of the black stick under the edge of the suction cup to release it from the cover glass.

     • Caution: Don’t turn the knob to release the suction cup. Turning the knob may damage the flex cables.

   • Ensure that the black suction cup is released. Then turn the black knob at the top of the heated display removal fixture counterclockwise to move the suction cup away from the cover glass.

     

   • Press the eject button (1) on the side of the heated display removal fixture to release the heated display pocket. Then slide the pocket out of the fixture (2).

     

   • Flip up the clamps on the left and bottom edges of the heated display pocket to release the iPad. Then push the button under the left side of the pocket to remove the iPad.

7. Place the iPad into the repair tray with the USB-C connector facing the cutout on the right side, as shown (1). Then pull the tab on the left side of the repair tray to secure the iPad (2).

   

8. Insert the suction cups into the slots in the repair tray as shown. Remove the access cards.

   

   • Gently tilt up the cover glass and adhere it to the suction cups by pressing on the sides of the cover glass.

     • Caution: Don’t damage the flex cables as you tilt up the cover glass.

       

9. Align the display protective film over the display with the red liner facedown. Then slowly pull the red liner out from under the protective film (1) as you press the film to the display (2). Then remove the blue liner (3).

   • Caution: Failure to install the protective film could affect image quality.

   • Important: Ensure that the entire display is covered with the film. Bubbles or wrinkles won't affect the film's functionality.

     

10. Use a torque driver and the 3IP bit to remove 10 3IP screws from the display. Set aside the screws.

    

11. Wi-Fi + Cellular models only: Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove two crosshead screws from the display. Set aside the screws.

    

12. Gently lift the corner of the display (1) and tilt it up (2) as shown.

    • Caution: Avoid touching the cover glass with the display.

      

13. Insert the suction cups into the slot in the repair tray as shown. Adhere the back of the display to the suction cups by pressing on the sides of the display.

    • Caution

      • Don’t press the back of the display to secure it to the suction cups. Pressing the back may affect functionality.

      • Don’t damage the flex cables as you tilt up the display.

    • Warning: If the battery is dented, punctured, or otherwise damaged, stop the repair. You can find a service option at support.apple.com/repair.

      

14. Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove the six crosshead screws from the Multi-Touch connector cowling, microphone connector cowling, and display/Multi-Touch connector cowling. Set aside the screws.

    

    • Remove the Multi-Touch connector cowling (1), microphone connector cowling (2), and display/Multi-Touch connector cowling (3). Save the cowlings for reassembly.

      

    • Lift the ends of the Multi-Touch flex cables (1, 3), microphone flex cable (2), and display flex cable (4) off the connectors.

      

15. Hold the display by the edge. Pull the tabs on the suction cups to release them from the display. Remove the suction cups from the repair tray. Then set the display faceup on a clean, flat surface.

    

16. Hold the cover glass by the edge. Pull the tabs on the suction cups to release them from the cover glass. Remove the suction cups from the repair tray. Then set the cover glass facedown on the iPad (A16) cover glass adhesive alignment tray.

    

17. Use the pins on the alignment tray to align the cover glass protective film over the cover glass with the red liner facedown (1). Then slowly pull the red liner out from under the protective film as you press the film to the cover glass (2). Then remove the blue liner (3).

    • Caution: Failure to install the protective film could affect image quality.

    • Important: Ensure that the entire cover glass is covered with the film. Bubbles or wrinkles won't affect the film's functionality.

      

Reassembly

Important

Ensure that all adhesive is removed from the cover glass and enclosure before applying new adhesive.

1. Place the enclosure in the repair tray. Thoroughly clean the perimeter of the enclosure with ethanol wipes or IPA wipes.

   • Caution: Avoid touching the front camera or the ambient light sensors.

     

2. If you’re installing a replacement cover glass continue with this step. If you're reinstalling the existing cover glass, continue to step 3.

   • Peel the protective liners off the top surface (1) and camera opening (3). Don't remove the protective liner from the inside surface (2). Position the cover glass facedown in the cover glass adhesive alignment tray. Then skip to step 5.

     

3. Peel the dust gasket off the cover glass. Use the black stick, if needed, to gently lift the dust gasket off the cover glass.

   

4. Use ESD-safe tweezers or the black stick to pick up the cover glass adhesive from the edges of the cover glass. Then pull the adhesive at no more than a 45-degree angle to remove it. Repeat this process until all the adhesive is removed. Then thoroughly clean the perimeter of the cover glass with ethanol wipes or IPA wipes.

   • Caution

     • Clean only the perimeter of the cover glass with ethanol wipes or IPA wipes. Don’t touch any other part of the cover glass with ethanol wipes or IPA wipes. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol may damage the cover glass and affect image quality.

     • To avoid damaging the painted bezel, don't use sharp tools to remove the adhesive from the cover glass.

       

5. Align the replacement dust gasket over the guide pins on the cover glass adhesive alignment tray. Grasp the tab on the bottom release liner. Then slowly pull the bottom release liner out from under the dust gasket adhesive, using the guide pins to position the dust gasket on the cover glass.

   

6. Use a black stick to adhere the dust gasket to the cover glass. Then gently move the flat end of the black stick around the edges of the dust gasket at least three times to ensure that the dust gasket is adhered evenly.

   

7. Remove the four clear top liners from the dust gasket.

   

8. Adhere the end of the Multi-Touch flex cables to the support foam as shown.

   

   • Caution: Inspect the dust gasket to ensure it's correctly positioned on the cover glass. If it isn't, repeat step 3 to remove the dust gasket. Then repeat steps 5 through 8 to install a new dust gasket. If the dust gasket isn't aligned correctly, the cover glass won't seal properly and functionality may be affected.

9. Align the replacement cover glass adhesive over the guide pins on the cover glass adhesive alignment tray. Grasp the tab on the bottom release liner. Then slowly pull the bottom release liner out from under the adhesive, using the guide pins to position the adhesive on the cover glass.

   • Important: Don't remove the top release liner yet.

   • Note: The replacement cover glass adhesive has a top release liner, middle release liners, and a bottom release liner.

   

10. Use a black stick to adhere the cover glass adhesive to the cover glass. Then move the flat end of the black stick around the edges of the cover glass at least three times to ensure that the adhesive is adhered evenly.

    • Caution: Don't touch the front camera assembly while adhering the cover glass adhesive.

      

11. Remove the top release liner.

    • Important: Don't remove the middle release liners located on the edges of the cover glass.

      

12. Remove the four liners from the cover glass adhesive.

    

    • Caution

      • Inspect the cover glass adhesive to ensure that it's in the correct position and not damaged or wrinkled.

      • Inspect the dust gasket to ensure that it's correctly positioned on the cover glass.

      • If the cover glass adhesive is damaged, repeat step 4 to remove the adhesive. Then repeat steps 9 through 12 to install new cover glass adhesive.

      • If both the adhesive and dust gasket are damaged, repeat steps 3 through 12 to install a new dust gasket and adhesive.

      • If the adhesive or dust gasket isn't aligned correctly, the cover glass won't seal properly and functionality may be affected.

13. Remove the end of the Multi-Touch flex cables from the support foam. Then remove the support foam from the cover glass.

    

14. Insert the suction cups into the repair tray as shown. Then secure the cover glass to the suction cups.

    • Caution: Don't press the back of the cover glass to secure it to the suction cup.

    • Important: If you're installing a replacement cover glass, ensure that you've removed the protective liner from the top surface before securing it to the suction cups.

      

15. Press the ends of the Multi-Touch flex cables (1, 3) and microphone flex cable (2) to the connectors.

    

16. Insert the suction cups into the repair tray as shown. Then secure the display to the suction cups.

    • Caution: Don't press the back of the display to secure the display to the suction cup. Pressing the back of the display may affect functionality.

    • Important: If you're installing a replacement display, remove any protective liners or tape from the back of the display before securing it to the suction cups.

      

17. Press the end of the display flex cable to the connector.

    

18. Position the Multi-Touch connector cowling over the end of the Multi-Touch flex cable (1). Position the microphone connector cowling over the end of the microphone flex cable (2). Then position the display/Multi-Touch connector cowling over the end of the display/Multi-Touch flex cable (3).

    

19. Use the black torque driver and JCIS bit to install six new crosshead screws into the three cowlings:

    • Two screws (452-11908) (Multi-Touch connector cowling) (left)

    • Two screws (452-11908) (microphone connector cowling) (middle)

    • Two screws (452-11908) (display/Multi-Touch connector cowling) (right)

      

20. Inspect the enclosure for loose or extra screws and small parts, which can cause safety issues. Then lower the display onto the enclosure.

    • Warning: If the battery is dented, punctured, or otherwise damaged, stop the repair. You can find a service option at support.apple.com/repair.

      

21. Set the adjustable torque driver to 10 Ncm. Then use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 3IP bit to install 10 new 3IP screws into the display in the order shown.

    • Four screws (452-11931) (top)

    • Six screws (452-11932) (bottom)

      

    • After all 10 screws have been installed, set the adjustable torque driver to 13 Ncm. Then use the torque driver and 3IP bit to fully tighten the top four screws.

      

22. Wi-Fi + Cellular models only: Use the black torque driver and JCIS bit to install two new crosshead screws (452-12144) into the right side of the display as shown.

    

23. Peel the first cover glass adhesive release liner clockwise, starting at the top left corner as shown.

    

24. Peel the second cover glass adhesive release liner clockwise, starting at the top right as shown.

    

25. Peel the dust gasket adhesive release liners (1–7) clockwise, starting at the top left edge as shown.

    

26. Remove the cover glass protective film.

    

27. Remove the display protective film.

    

28. Hold the cover glass without touching the adhesive and pull the tabs on the suction cups to release them. Then remove the suction cups from the repair tray.

    

29. Continue to hold the cover glass and peel the last two cover glass adhesive release liners off the bottom left and right corners of the cover glass as shown.

    • Caution: Avoid touching the front camera and nearby parts.

      

30. Lower the cover glass onto the enclosure and press all four corners. Then press along the edges of the cover glass until it's flush with the enclosure.

    • Important: Feel the edges of the cover glass for variations or gaps. If the cover glass isn’t flush, repeat all removal steps and check the flex cables for damage. Then repeat reassembly steps 1 through 30.

      

31. Use the adhesive activation roller to adhere the cover glass to the enclosure:

    • Hold the roller with both hands and position it on the edge of the cover glass with part of the roller overhanging the enclosure as shown.

    • Press down the roller until the lines on the silver pins are aligned in the middle of the white band.

      • Caution: Don't exceed the pressure needed to reach the white band.

    • While keeping constant pressure, roll along the edge of the cover glass 10 times back and forth. Then rotate the repair tray and repeat this step for the remaining three edges.

      

32. Enter Diagnostics Mode:

    • Ensure that the iPad is turned off.

    • Press and hold both the volume buttons.

    • While holding down the buttons, plug the iPad into a power adapter that's 20W or higher or directly into a computer that's turned on and connected to power.

    • Note: Hubs, displays, or other indirect connections aren't supported.

    • Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears.

Important

Depending on the part replaced, Repair Assistant may be available on the device to finish the repair. Learn how to initiate Repair Assistant.

Note: If you have not run Repair Assistant, the device’s parts and service history may show a part status of “finish repair,” and Apple Diagnostics for Self Service Repair may show a part status of “unknown.”