Iphone 12 Pro Battery Replacement Repair Guide

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Featured Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

SIM Card
2 steps
Pentalobe
1 step
Display Assembly
18 steps
Loudspeaker
2 steps
SIM Card Reader
7 steps
Taptic Engine
3 steps
Battery
9 steps

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Introduction

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Note: After the repair, your iPhone may display a warning about the “genuineness” of the battery, even when using original Apple parts. If your iPhone functions normally, you can safely ignore the warning.

For optimal performance, after completing this guide, calibrate your newly installed battery: Charge it to 100% and keep charging it for at least two more hours. Then use your iPhone until it shuts off due to low battery. Finally, charge it uninterrupted to 100%.

What you need

Step 1

              Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray, located on the volume button edge of the iPhone.
Press firmly to eject the tray.

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray, located on the volume button edge of the iPhone.

Press firmly to eject the tray.

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Step 2

              Remove the SIM card tray

Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.
The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.
When reinserting the SIM card, make sure it’s in the proper orientation inside the tray.
A thin rubber gasket around the SIM tray provides water and dust protection. If this gasket is damaged or missing, replace the gasket or the entire SIM tray to protect your iPhone’s internal components.

Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.

The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.

When reinserting the SIM card, make sure it’s in the proper orientation inside the tray.

A thin rubber gasket around the SIM tray provides water and dust protection. If this gasket is damaged or missing, replace the gasket or the entire SIM tray to protect your iPhone’s internal components.

Step 3

              Remove the pentalobe screws

Caution: 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 6.75 mm long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
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.

Caution: 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 6.75 mm long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

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.

Step 4

              Heat the lower edge of the iPhone

Heating the lower 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 a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Heating the lower 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 a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 5

              Apply suction cup(s)

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.
If the plastic depth gauge is attached at the center of the iSclack, remove it now—it’s not needed for larger iPhones like the iPhone 12 Pro.
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.

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.

If the plastic depth gauge is attached at the center of the iSclack, remove it now—it’s not needed for larger iPhones like the iPhone 12 Pro.

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.

Step 6

              Lift the display slightly

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.

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.

Step 7

              Apply a suction cup

If you’re using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.
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.

If you’re using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.

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.

Step 8

              Lift the display slightly

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.

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.

Step 9

              Separate the screen adhesive

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up 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.

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up 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.

Step 10

Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.
Don’t insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.

Don’t insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Step 11

The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips.
Insert your pick into the right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and across the top edge.
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.

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

Insert your pick into the right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and across the top edge.

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.

Step 12

              Open the iPhone

If you haven’t removed your suction handle or iSclack, remove it now.
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.

If you haven’t removed your suction handle or iSclack, remove it now.

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.

Step 13

              Unscrew the battery and display connector cover

Remove two 1.1 mm long Y000 screws securing the battery and display connector cover.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Remove two 1.1 mm long Y000 screws securing the battery and display connector cover.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 14

              Remove the battery connector cover

Remove the cover.

Remove the cover.

Step 15

              Disconnect the battery

Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.
Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.

Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.

Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Step 16

              Disconnect the display cable

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the display cable connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the display cable connector.

To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 17

              Disconnect the digitizer cable

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the digitizer cable connector.
If any part of your screen doesn’t respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there’s no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the digitizer cable connector.

If any part of your screen doesn’t respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there’s no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

Step 18

              Unscrew the front sensor connector cover

Use a Y000 driver to remove four screws securing the front sensor connector cover.
Three 1.1 mm-long screws
One 1.4 mm-long screw

Use a Y000 driver to remove four screws securing the front sensor connector cover.

Three 1.1 mm-long screws

One 1.4 mm-long screw

Step 19

              Remove the front sensor connector cover

Swing the cover up from the left until the small clip on the right unhooks.
Remove the cover.
During reassembly, insert the clip on the right edge into its slot first, then hinge the rest of the cover into place.

Swing the cover up from the left until the small clip on the right unhooks.

During reassembly, insert the clip on the right edge into its slot first, then hinge the rest of the cover into place.

Step 20

              Disconnect the front sensors

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

Step 21

              Remove the display assembly

Remove the display assembly.
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

Remove the display assembly.

During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

Step 22

              Unscrew the loudspeaker

Use a Phillips driver to remove the four 1.6 mm screws securing the loudspeaker.

Use a Phillips driver to remove the four 1.6 mm screws securing the loudspeaker.

Step 23

              Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker.

Remove the loudspeaker.

Step 24

              Unscrew the SIM card reader connector cover

Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.4 mm long screws securing the SIM card reader connector cover.

Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.4 mm long screws securing the SIM card reader connector cover.

Step 25

              Remove the SIM card reader cable connector cover

Remove the SIM card reader cable connector cover.

Remove the SIM card reader cable connector cover.

Step 26

              Disconnect the SIM card reader

Use the point of a spudger to pry the SIM card reader cable connector straight up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Use the point of a spudger to pry the SIM card reader cable connector straight up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 27

              Unscrew the SIM card reader

Use a Y000 driver to remove the three screws securing the SIM card reader.
Two 1.4 mm screws
One 1.1 mm screw

Use a Y000 driver to remove the three screws securing the SIM card reader.

Two 1.4 mm screws

One 1.1 mm screw

Step 28

              Remove the Taptic Engine cable connector bracket

Remove the Taptic Engine cable connector bracket.

Remove the Taptic Engine cable connector bracket.

Step 29

              Unscrew the SIM card reader

Use a standoff or a small flathead driver to remove the 2.82 mm long standoff screw securing the SIM card reader.
Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff screwdriver or bit.
In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.

Use a standoff or a small flathead driver to remove the 2.82 mm long standoff screw securing the SIM card reader.

Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff screwdriver or bit.

In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.

Step 30

              Remove the SIM card reader

Remove the SIM card reader.
Before reinstallation, make sure the SIM eject plunger is pushed into the edge of the phone.

Remove the SIM card reader.

Before reinstallation, make sure the SIM eject plunger is pushed into the edge of the phone.

Step 31

              Disconnect the Taptic Engine

Use the point of a spudger to pry the Taptic Engine cable connector straight up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Use the point of a spudger to pry the Taptic Engine cable connector straight up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 32

              Unscrew the Taptic Engine

Remove the three screws securing the Taptic Engine.
Two 2.8 mm long standoff screws
One 1.8 mm Phillips screw

Remove the three screws securing the Taptic Engine.

Two 2.8 mm long standoff screws

One 1.8 mm Phillips screw

Step 33

              Remove the Taptic Engine

Remove the Taptic Engine.

Remove the Taptic Engine.

Step 34

              Locate the adhesive pull-tabs

The battery is secured to the rear case with four pieces of stretch-release adhesive—two on the bottom edge of the battery, and two on the top edge.
Each piece of adhesive has a black pull-tab at the end, which is lightly adhered to the edge of the battery.
In the following steps, you’ll pull each tab to slowly stretch out the adhesive underneath the battery. These “command-strip” style adhesives lose their stick when stretched, so you can remove the battery with ease.
If the strips break, don’t panic! They don’t always work as intended. Keep reading for tips on removing broken strips.

The battery is secured to the rear case with four pieces of stretch-release adhesive—two on the bottom edge of the battery, and two on the top edge.

Each piece of adhesive has a black pull-tab at the end, which is lightly adhered to the edge of the battery.

In the following steps, you’ll pull each tab to slowly stretch out the adhesive underneath the battery. These “command-strip” style adhesives lose their stick when stretched, so you can remove the battery with ease.

If the strips break, don’t panic! They don’t always work as intended. Keep reading for tips on removing broken strips.

Step 35

              Remove the stretch-release adhesive

Peel down the first battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from the bottom edge of the battery.
Caution: Don’t jab the battery with any sharp tools. A punctured battery may leak dangerous chemicals or catch fire.

Peel down the first battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from the bottom edge of the battery.

Caution: Don’t jab the battery with any sharp tools. A punctured battery may leak dangerous chemicals or catch fire.

Step 36

Peel down the second battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from the bottom edge of the battery.

Peel down the second battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from the bottom edge of the battery.

Step 37

Grab the first pull-tab with your fingers and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.
Pull hard enough to maintain tension on the strip, but don’t force it. Give it plenty of time to stretch and un-stick from under the battery.
Don’t press down on the battery. Hold the iPhone firmly by its sides.
Keep the strip flat and unwrinkled. Try to pull evenly on the whole strip, rather than pulling mainly in the middle or on one side.
Pull at a low angle so the strip doesn’t snag on the edge of the battery.
If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers, and continue pulling—but do not pry under the battery.
If any of the adhesive strips break off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, try to remove the other strips, and then proceed as instructed below.

Grab the first pull-tab with your fingers and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.

Pull hard enough to maintain tension on the strip, but don’t force it. Give it plenty of time to stretch and un-stick from under the battery.

Don’t press down on the battery. Hold the iPhone firmly by its sides.

Keep the strip flat and unwrinkled. Try to pull evenly on the whole strip, rather than pulling mainly in the middle or on one side.

Pull at a low angle so the strip doesn’t snag on the edge of the battery.

If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers, and continue pulling—but do not pry under the battery.

If any of the adhesive strips break off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, try to remove the other strips, and then proceed as instructed below.

Step 38

Grab the second pull-tab with your fingers and pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.
Follow the same procedure as with the previous strip: don’t press down on the battery, keep the strip flat and unwrinkled, and pull at a low angle.
If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers, and continue pulling—but do not pry under the battery.
If the adhesive breaks off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, continue with the next step.

Grab the second pull-tab with your fingers and pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.

Follow the same procedure as with the previous strip: don’t press down on the battery, keep the strip flat and unwrinkled, and pull at a low angle.

If the adhesive breaks off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, continue with the next step.

Step 39

Peel up the two remaining battery adhesive pull-tabs to un-stick them from the top edge of the battery.

Peel up the two remaining battery adhesive pull-tabs to un-stick them from the top edge of the battery.

Step 40

Using the same procedure as before, pull the remaining two tabs, one at a time, to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strip holding the battery in place. Try not to snag the adhesive on anything.
Be careful not to fling the battery from the iPhone as the final adhesive strip comes out.
If you removed all the adhesive strips successfully, skip the next step.
Otherwise, continue with the next step below.

Using the same procedure as before, pull the remaining two tabs, one at a time, to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strip holding the battery in place. Try not to snag the adhesive on anything.

Be careful not to fling the battery from the iPhone as the final adhesive strip comes out.

If you removed all the adhesive strips successfully, skip the next step.

Otherwise, continue with the next step below.

Step 41

              How to remove a stuck battery

If you’re still having trouble removing the battery, apply a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery in the area of the broken adhesive strip(s).
Wait about one minute for the alcohol solution to weaken the adhesive.
Use an opening pick or the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery.
Don’t try to forcefully lever the battery out. If needed, apply a few more drops of alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never deform or puncture the battery with your pry tool.

If you’re still having trouble removing the battery, apply a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery in the area of the broken adhesive strip(s).

Wait about one minute for the alcohol solution to weaken the adhesive.

Use an opening pick or the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery.

Don’t try to forcefully lever the battery out. If needed, apply a few more drops of alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never deform or puncture the battery with your pry tool.

Step 42

              Remove the battery

Remove the battery.
If there’s any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.
If your new battery didn’t come with adhesive preinstalled, refer to this guide for help replacing the adhesive strips.
Perform a force restart after reassembly. This can prevent several issues and simplify troubleshooting.

Remove the battery.

If there’s any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.

If your new battery didn’t come with adhesive preinstalled, refer to this guide for help replacing the adhesive strips.

Perform a force restart after reassembly. This can prevent several issues and simplify troubleshooting.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 12 Pro Answers community for help.

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                    Adam O'Camb

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Ryan Rensel - Aug 18, 2021

Thanks this is incredibly detailed.

carolaclavo - Sep 7, 2022

Hello! Do you really need to take away the Taptic Engine and so many parts just to replace the battery?

Featured Guide#

Introduction#

What you need#

Featured Guide

Introduction

What you need