Iphone 13 Mini Taptic Engine Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Pentalobe Screws
1 step
Opening Procedure
9 steps
Display Assembly
7 steps
Taptic Engine
5 steps

Flags

BackiPhone 13 mini
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the screws

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
Remove the two 6.8 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.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

Remove the two 6.8 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.

1024

Step 2

              Heat the bottom edge of the iPhone

Heating the bottom edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge for two minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the iPhone 13 mini—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Heating the bottom edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge for two minutes.

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the iPhone 13 mini—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 3

              Create a gap

This step demonstrates the iSclack. If you aren’t using an iSclack, skip to the next step for an alternate method.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere.
Don’t try to completely separate the display; a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need.
Press both suction cups firmly into place. Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.
Insert an opening pick into the gap under the display on the lower edge of the iPhone.
Skip the next two steps.

This step demonstrates the iSclack. If you aren’t using an iSclack, skip to the next step for an alternate method.

Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.

If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere.

Don’t try to completely separate the display; a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need.

Press both suction cups firmly into place. Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.

Insert an opening pick into the gap under the display on the lower edge of the iPhone.

Skip the next two steps.

Step 4

              Apply a suction handle

If you’re using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, as close to the edge as possible.
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, as close to the edge as possible.

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 5

              Insert an opening pick

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 6

              Separate the screen adhesive

Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Don’t insert the opening pick too far underneath the front panel, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.

Don’t insert the opening pick too far underneath the front panel, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Step 7

              Slice the adhesive

Re-insert your pick at the bottom left corner of the iPhone.
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.

Re-insert your pick at the bottom left corner of the iPhone.

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 8

              Slice the adhesive

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.
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.
Gently pulling the front panel assembly towards the bottom edge of the phone simplifies this step a little.

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.

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.

Gently pulling the front panel assembly towards the bottom edge of the phone simplifies this step a little.

Step 9

              Remove the suction cup(s)

Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.
If you used an iSclack and it’s still affixed to the iPhone, remove it now.

Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

If you used an iSclack and it’s still affixed to the iPhone, remove it now.

Step 10

              Open the iPhone mini

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.

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 11

              Unscrew the battery and display connector cover

Remove the 1.2 mm-long Y000 screw 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 the 1.2 mm-long Y000 screw 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 12

              Remove the cover

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery and display connector cover.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery and display connector cover.

Step 13

              Disconnect the battery and the OLED display cable

Use a spudger to pry the battery and OLED panel cable connectors up from their sockets 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.
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 to pry the battery and OLED panel cable connectors up from their sockets 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.

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 14

              Unscrew the front sensor connector cover

Remove the three screws (securing the front sensor assembly cover):
One PH000 1.4 mm-long screw
One Y000 1.8 mm-long screw
One Y000 1.2 mm-long screw

Remove the three screws (securing the front sensor assembly cover):

One PH000 1.4 mm-long screw

One Y000 1.8 mm-long screw

One Y000 1.2 mm-long screw

Step 15

              Remove the cover

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front sensor assembly connector cover.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front sensor assembly connector cover.

Step 16

              Disconnect the front sensors

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

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

Step 17

              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 18

              Unscrew the Taptic Engine

Remove the three Phillips screws (securing the Taptic Engine):
One 1.5 mm-long screw
One 2.1 mm-long screw
One 1.9 mm-long screw

Remove the three Phillips screws (securing the Taptic Engine):

One 1.5 mm-long screw

One 2.1 mm-long screw

One 1.9 mm-long screw

Step 19

              Remove the cover

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine connector cover bracket.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine connector cover bracket.

Step 20

              Disconnect the Taptic Engine

Use a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket.

Step 21

              Unscrew the standoff screw

Remove the 3 mm-long standoff screw.

Remove the 3 mm-long standoff screw.

Step 22

              Remove the Taptic Engine

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the Taptic Engine.

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. Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

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 13 mini Answers community for help.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

Author

                                      with 2 other contributors

                    Adriana Zwink

Member since: 12/18/2019

36,607 Reputation

                                      167 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       34







                                                        +31 more badges

Team

                       iFixit                        

                                                  Member of iFixit 



                    Community                     


                                            141 Members                     


                                            15,772 Guides authored

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team