iMac (24-inch, 2023) Display Removal

Before You Begin

Danger

Read Electrical Safety before you begin.

Warning

• Read Broken Glass Safety before you begin.

Tools

• Adhesive cutter

• Adhesive cutter replacement wheel

• Cut-resistant gloves (923-01368)

• Display support stand (923-0416)

• Ethanol wipes or isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipes

• Nylon probe (black stick)

• Safety glasses​ with side shields

• Support wedge kit (076-00507)

Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.

 Caution

This procedure requires System Configuration. After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

Important

This procedure may require replacement tape on the display backlight flex cable connector. Replacement tape is included in the display starter kit and display refill kit. It’s not a separate orderable part.

 Caution

The display is attached to the housing with display adhesive strips. Each adhesive strip has one foam layer surrounded by two adhesive layers. To remove the display, use the adhesive cutter to cut the adhesive strips. When you cut the adhesive strips, you’re cutting mostly through the foam layer. If a wheel is nicked, you must replace it.

Removal

1. Place the stand wedge between the stand and housing as shown. Ensure that the wedge is centered and the power port is covered.

   • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, stand the computer upright in the display support stand.

     

2. Insert the adhesive cutter at a 90-degree angle between the display and the housing. Run the adhesive cutter across the top of the computer, avoiding the 3-inch area surrounding the camera.

   • Caution: To avoid damaging the camera and display, don’t run the adhesive cutter across the camera. Damage to the camera requires a display replacement.

     

3. Lay the computer on a flat surface with the display faceup. Run the adhesive cutter between the display and the housing on the bottom, left, and right sides until the wheel moves with minimal resistance.

   • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, lay the computer flat on the VESA support wedge. The VESA support wedge has a square cutout to accommodate the VESA mount adapter. Position the bottom edge of the display closest to the slot in the wedge.

     

4. Slightly lift the display from the housing and inspect the adhesive along the bottom and sides of the display. If you can’t lift the display enough to inspect the adhesive, run the adhesive cutter between the display and the housing, slightly lifting the display from the housing one section at a time.

   • Caution: Don’t lift the top of the display.

   

5. Put on the safety glasses with side shields.

6. Insert the flat end of the black stick halfway to its notch between the bottom and sides of the display and housing. Slide the black stick up and down to cut any remaining adhesive.

   • Caution

     • Don’t perform this step on the top of the display.

     • Don’t twist, pry, or insert the black stick past its notch. Forcing the black stick between the display and housing may crack the display.

   

7. Rotate the computer so the bottom of the display is closest to you.

8. Lift up the display from the bottom edge as shown.

   

9. Gently rotate the display back and forth several times to separate the adhesive between the top of the display and the housing.

   

10. When the adhesive between the top of the display and the housing has separated, lower the display onto the housing. Then rotate the computer so the top edge of the display is closest to you.

11. Insert the bottom edge of the display into the slot in the stand support wedge (1) as you slowly tilt up the top edge of the display (2).

    

12. Insert the two triangle support wedges into the housing as shown.

    

    • Note: Use the VESA support slot wedge and two triangle support wedges for models configured with a VESA mount adapter.

13. Peel the polyester film tape from the display backlight flex cable and save it for reassembly.

    

14. Pinch the sides of the end of the display backlight flex cable (1) and slide the cable out of the connector (2).

    

15. Flip up the locking levers of the camera and embedded DisplayPort (eDP) flex cable (1). Slide both ends of the camera and eDP flex cable out of the connectors (2).

    

    • Note: The camera and eDP flex cable is a single cable with three ends. The third end connects to the logic board.

16. Lift the display off the support wedges and set it on the display support stand.

    

17. Peel the display adhesive from the edges of the display.

    • Caution: To prevent damage to the polyester film on the display, peel the residual adhesive starting from the middle of each side of the display. Don’t start peeling from the corners.

    

18. Use ethanol wipes or IPA wipes to remove any remaining display adhesive from the edges of the display. Allow the surfaces to dry for at least 1 minute.

    • Caution: Don’t use ethanol wipes or IPA wipes on the front of the display or to remove anything other than residual display adhesive.

    

19. If needed, use Kapton tape to secure the camera and eDP flex cable and display backlight flex cable to the housing.

Reassembly

Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly:

• Display

 Caution

• After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

• System Configuration is required if you’ve installed a replacement display or logic board.

• If you replaced the logic board, the computer will start up in diagnostics mode until you complete System Configuration.

• If you replaced the display, the display’s brightness and True Tone may not function properly until you complete System Configuration.