iPad mini (A17 Pro) Top Button
Before You Begin
Warning
Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.
Remove the following part before you begin:
Tools
8.3-inch repair tray
Adhesive removal tool
ESD-safe tweezers
Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes
JCIS bit for crosshead screws
Micro stix bit
Nitrile or lint-free gloves
Nylon probe (black stick)
Torque driver (black, 0.35 kgf cm)
Torque driver (gray, 0.55 kgf cm)
Torque driver (green, 0.45 kgf cm)
Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.
Important
If you replace this part, it is required to run Repair Assistant in order to enable security features. Repair Assistant will be available on the device after you’ve completed all reassembly steps.
Removal
If you're removing the top button from a Wi-Fi model, continue to step 2. If you're removing the top button from a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, skip to step 3.
Wi-Fi models only:
Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove the three crosshead screws from the camera connector cowling. Set aside the screws. Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.
Peel two air loop gaskets off the antenna.
Peel up the grounding tape off the antenna coaxial cable and move it aside.
Lift the end of the flex cable shown (1) off the connector. Gently peel the grounding foam and tape (2) off the antenna. Then peel the flex cable (3) off the tape.
Note: The flex cable will remain attached to the tape as you peel the tape off the antenna.
Lift the end of the ambient light sensor flex cable off the connector and gently move it aside.
Caution: Don't remove the ambient light sensor.
Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove 12 crosshead screws from the areas shown. Set aside the screws.
Use a torque driver and the Micro stix bit to remove two trilobe screws from the antenna. Set aside the screws.
Lift the end of the antenna coaxial cable off the connector.
Pry the antenna from the enclosure.
Lift the end of the top button flex cable off the connector.
Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove one crosshead screw from the top button bracket. Set aside the screw.
Use the adhesive removal tool to pry the top button bracket from the enclosure.
Wi-Fi + Cellular models only:
Use ESD-safe tweezers to gently peel back the polyester film tab off the ambient light sensor connector.
Flip up the locking lever (1) on the ambient light sensor connector. Then slide the end of the flex cable from the connector (2). Remove the ambient light sensor and save it for reassembly.
Use a torque driver and the JCIS bit to remove five crosshead screws from the camera connector cowling, top button bracket, and top button flex cable. Set aside the screws. Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.
Lift the end of the antenna coaxial cable off the connector.
Lift the end of the top button flex cable off the connector.
Use the adhesive removal tool to pry the top button bracket from the enclosure.
Reassembly
Use ethanol wipes or IPA wipes to clean any residual adhesive from the top button area of the enclosure.
Wi-Fi models only:
Wi-Fi + Cellular models only:
Wi-Fi models only:
Position a replacement top button flex cable and bracket in the enclosure (1). Then press the end of the top button flex cable to the connector (2).
Use the green torque driver and JCIS bit to install one new crosshead screw (452-01355) into the top button bracket.
Position a replacement antenna in the enclosure.
Press the end of the antenna coaxial cable to the connector.
Use the black torque driver and Micro stix bit to install two new trilobe screws (452-08788) into the antenna.
Use the green torque driver and JCIS bit to install 10 new crosshead screws into the areas shown.
Seven screws (452-05343) (1)
One screw (452-01355) (2)
One screw (452-11308) (3)
One screw (452-07207) (4)
Use the gray torque driver and JCIS bit to install two new crosshead screws (452-04343) into the areas shown.
Press the end of the ambient light sensor flex cable to the connector. Ensure that the ambient light sensor is in the original position.
Install replacement grounding tape over the antenna.
Press the end of the antenna flex cable to the connector.
Install replacement foam, air loop gaskets, and grounding tape in the areas shown.
Position the camera connector cowling over the ends of the flex cables. Then use the black torque driver and JCIS bit to install three new crosshead screws (452-05343) into the cowling.
Wi-Fi + Cellular models only:
Position a replacement top button flex cable and bracket in the enclosure.
Use the green torque driver and JCIS bit to install two new crosshead screws into the top button bracket and one new crosshead screw into the top button flex cable.
One screw (452-04856) (1)
One screw (452-07210) (2)
One screw (452-05534) (3)
Press the end of the top button flex cable to the connector. Press along the length of the flex cable to adhere it to the enclosure.
Press the end of the antenna coaxial cable to the connector.
Position new foam for the ambient light sensor on the top button bracket.
Slide the end of the ambient light sensor flex cable into the connector. Then flip down the locking lever. Apply a new piece of grounding tape over the connector.
Align the ambient light sensor over the foam on the top button bracket and gently press to adhere the sensor to the foam.
Position the camera connector cowling over the ends of the flex cables. Then use the black torque driver and JCIS bit to install two new crosshead screws (452-05343) into the cowling.
Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly:
Important
After you’ve completed all reassembly steps, Repair Assistant will be available on the device and is required to enable security features. 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.”