iPad Air 11-inch (M3) Display
Before You Begin
Warning
Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.
Read Broken Glass Safety 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.
Tools
11-inch heated display pocket
11-inch repair tray
Access cards (2)
Adhesive activation roller
Adhesive cutter
ESD-safe tweezers
Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes
Heated display removal fixture
Heat-resistant gloves
iPad Air 11-inch display adhesive alignment tray
JCIS bit for crosshead screws
Nylon probe (black stick)
Painters tape
Torque driver (black, 0.35 kgf cm)
Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.
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.
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
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 camera lens and the other areas shown. To avoid damage, use a shallow angle when cutting near the taped areas.
When a gap appears between the display 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 display. The outer edge of the raised circle on the cutter marks this maximum depth.
Slowly run the adhesive cutter back and forth along right side of the display. Stop when you feel resistance.
- Caution: Don't lift the display with the cutter.
Slowly run the adhesive cutter along the top of the display between the suction cup and the front camera. Stop when you feel resistance.
Run the adhesive cutter along the right side of the display. Then slowly cut around the bottom right corner.
Run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the top of the display between the suction cup and front camera. Stop when you feel resistance.
Run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the top of the display to the left of the front camera.
Run the adhesive cutter along the top of the display to the left of the front camera. Then slowly cut around the top left corner.
Run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the left side of the display.
Insert an access card at the upper left corner as shown to prevent the display from resealing.
Important: Don't insert the access card past the black border of the display.
Slowly run the adhesive cutter along the bottom of the display. Slowly cut around the bottom left corner. Then run the adhesive cutter back and forth along the bottom left corner.
Insert an access cutter at the bottom right corner as shown to prevent the display from resealing.
Important: Don't insert the access card past the black border of the display.
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 display.
- Caution: Don’t turn the knob to release the suction cup. Turning the knob may damage the flex cables.
Ensure that the 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 display.
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 sides of the heated display pocket to release the iPad. Then push the button under the left side of the pocket to remove the iPad.
Place the iPad into the repair tray with the USB-C connector facing the cutout on the right side, as shown. Then pull the tab on the left side of the repair tray to secure the iPad.
Insert the repair tray suction cups into the slots in the repair tray as shown.
Remove the painters tape and access cards. Then gently tilt up the display and adhere the display to the suction cups by pressing on the sides of the display.
- Caution
Don’t damage the flex cables as you tilt up the display.
Don’t press the back of the display to secure it to the suction cups. Pressing the back may affect functionality.
- Warning: If the battery is dented, punctured, or otherwise damaged, then stop the repair. You can find a service option at support.apple.com/repair.
Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove the five crosshead screws from the microphone connector cowling, Multi-Touch connector cowling, and display connectors cowling. Set aside the screws.
Remove the Multi-Touch connector cowling. Save the cowling for reassembly.
Tilt up the microphone connector cowling to a 45-degree angle (1). Then lift the cowling out of the enclosure (2). Save the cowling for reassembly.
Use ESD-safe tweezers to peel the polyester film tab from the display connectors cowling.
Tilt up the right side of the display connectors cowling (1) and slide the cowling toward the display to remove it (2). Save the cowling for reassembly.
Lift the ends of the Multi-Touch flex cable (1) and microphone flex cable (2) off the connectors. Then lift the two ends of the display flex cable (3, 4) off the connectors.
Hold the display by the edges. 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 facedown on a clean, flat surface.
Reassembly
Important
Ensure that all adhesive is removed from the display and enclosure before applying new adhesive.
Place the enclosure in the repair tray. Use ESD-safe tweezers or the black stick to pick up the display adhesive. Pull the adhesive at no more than a 45-degree angle to remove it. Repeat this process until all the adhesive is removed from the perimeter of the enclosure. Then thoroughly clean the perimeter of the enclosure with ethanol wipes or IPA wipes.
- Caution: Avoid touching the front camera and ambient light sensors.
If you’re installing a replacement display, peel the protective liner from the top and underside of it and position the display facedown in the display adhesive alignment tray. Then skip to step 4. If you're reinstalling the existing display, continue to step 3.
Position the display facedown in the display adhesive alignment tray as shown. Use ESD-safe tweezers or the black stick to pick up the display adhesive from the edges of the display. Then pull the adhesive at no more than a 45-degree angle to remove it. Repeat this process until all the adhesive is removed.
- Caution
Clean only the perimeter of the display with ethanol wipes or IPA wipes. Don’t touch any other part of the display glass with the alcohol. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol may damage the display and affect image quality.
To avoid damaging the painted bezel, don't scrape the adhesive from the display.
Align the replacement display adhesive over the guide pins on the 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 display.
Note: The replacement display adhesive has a top release liner, middle release liners, and a bottom release liner.
Important: Don't remove the top release liner yet.
- Caution: After completing step 4, verify that the adhesive is positioned correctly on the display. If it isn't, repeat step 3 to remove the adhesive. Then repeat step 4 to install a new display adhesive. If the adhesive isn't aligned correctly, the display won't seal properly and functionality may be affected.
Use a black stick to adhere the display adhesive to the display. Then move the flat end of the black stick around the edges of the display at least three times to ensure that the adhesive is adhered evenly.
- Caution: Don't touch the front camera assembly while adhering the display adhesive.
Remove the top release liner.
Important: Don't remove the middle release liners located on the edges of the display.
Inspect the display adhesive to ensure that it's in the correct position and not damaged or wrinkled. If the adhesive is damaged, repeat step 3 to remove the adhesive. Then repeat steps 4 through 7 to install a new adhesive.
Remove the grounding tape cutout on the display adhesive middle release liner.
Wi-Fi models only:
Remove the clear liner. Then gently remove the two blue liners (1, 2) from the grounding tape. Leave the third blue liner (3) in place.
Align the tape using the guide pins on the alignment tray as shown.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the area shown to adhere the grounding tape to the display.
Remove the clear liner of the display grounding tape and gently remove the last blue liner from the grounding tape.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the grounding tape onto the vertical edge of the display.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the remainder of the grounding tape onto the back of the display.
Important: The grounding tape is extremely delicate.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the grounding tape onto the horizontal edge of the display. Then press the remainder of the grounding tape onto the back of the display.
Wi-Fi + Cellular models only:
Remove the grounding tape cutouts on the display adhesive middle release liner.
Leave the red liner (1) in position. Then remove the blue liner (2) from the grounding tape.
Important: The grounding tape is extremely delicate.
Align the display grounding tape using the guide pins on the alignment tray to the right of the front camera opening as shown.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the area shown to adhere the grounding tape to the display.
Gently remove the clear liner from the grounding tape.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the grounding tape onto the display.
Use the flat end of the black stick to press the remainder of the grounding tape onto the back of the display.
Gently remove the blue liners from the grounding tape as shown.
Important: The grounding tape is extremely delicate.
Insert the suction cups into the repair tray.
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.
Press the end of the microphone flex cable to the connector (1). Press the end of the Multi-Touch flex cable to the connector (2). Then press the ends of the display flex cable to the connectors (3, 4).
Position the display connectors cowling over the ends of the display flex cable. Position the microphone connector cowling over the end of the microphone flex cable. Then position the Multi-Touch connector cowling over the end of the Multi-Touch flex cable.
Use the black torque driver and JCIS bit to install five new crosshead screws into the cowlings as shown below:
One screw (452-08784) (Multi-Touch connector cowling, upper left)
Two screws (452-06580) (Multi-Touch connector cowling, lower left, lower right)
One screw (452-06582) (microphone connector cowling)
One screw (452-08784) (display connectors cowling)
Press the polyester film tab to the display connectors cowling to adhere it.
Peel the middle release liners from the display:
Peel the first middle release liner clockwise, starting at the top left corner of the display as shown.
Peel the second middle release liner clockwise, starting at the top right of the display as shown.
Peel the third middle release liner clockwise, starting at the bottom left of the display as shown.
Holding the bottom of the display without touching the adhesive, pull the tabs on the suction cups to release the display. Then remove the suction cups from the repair tray.
Continuing to hold the display, peel the last middle release liner clockwise, starting at the bottom right corner. Then pull the release liner away from the display as shown.
- Caution: Avoid touching the front camera and nearby parts.
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.
Inspect the enclosure for loose or extra screws and small parts, which can cause safety issues.
Ensure that the display flex cable isn't trapped between the display and the enclosure. Press all four corners of the display. Then press along the edges of the display until it's flush with the enclosure.
Important: Feel the edges of the display for variations or gaps. If the display isn’t flush, repeat all removal steps and check the flex cables for damage. Then repeat reassembly steps 1 through 21.
Use the adhesive activation roller to adhere the display to the enclosure:
Hold the roller with both hands and position it on the edge of the display 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 display 10 times back and forth. Then rotate the repair tray and repeat this step for the remaining three edges.
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 are not 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.”