The screen of your iPhone 12 is broken? The touch screen does not work properly anymore?

In this detailed photo guide, we will show you how to replace the broken screen of your iPhone 12 on your own.

Replacing the screen of the iPhone 12 is the easiest repair, since only a few parts have to be removed.

Keep in mind that the Face ID function will only continue if you take over the earpiece with the sensor cable from your old screen, because the necessary sensors are integrated there.

Good luck with the replacement of your screen! In our online store, you will find a replacement screen of the highest possible quality for your iPhone 12, as well as an iPhone tool kit, which contains all the necessary tools for your repair.

Required tools

  • Heat gun

    Heat gun

    You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.

    from €14.47 on Amazon
  • Tweezers

    Tweezers

    We recommend using tweezers to remove screws and various small parts from your device.

    €11.00 at the iDoc store
  • Pick Set

    Pick Set

    You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.

    €2.00 at the iDoc store
  • Plastic prying tool

    Plastic prying tool

    You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.

    €2.00 at the iDoc store
  • Steel Laboratory Spatula

    Steel Laboratory Spatula

    You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.

    €4.00 at the iDoc store
  • Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

    Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing pentalobe PL1 screws.

    €12.00 at the iDoc store
  • Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.

    €12.00 at the iDoc store
  • Y-type Y000 screwdriver

    Y-type Y000 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing Y-type screws.

    €12.00 at the iDoc store

Required replacement part

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 12 

Replacement parts and tools for this repair

Our tools plus the right spare part help you fix your device easily.

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 12

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

17 steps
  1. Switching off your iPhone12

    iPhone 12 - Switching off your iPhone12 01
    iPhone 12 - Switching off your iPhone12 02
    iPhone 12 - Switching off your iPhone12 03

    Before repairing, we recommend that you use our checklist to test the basic functions of your iPhone 12. This way you can check afterwards if your repair was successful.

    Switch off your iPhone 12 after testing to avoid a potential short circuit.

    1. Press and hold the side and volume down key simultaneously for a few seconds.
    2. Wipe the displayed slider "Switch off" from left to right.
    3. Your phone will now shut down completely within a few seconds.
  2. Removing the Pentalobe screws

    • 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

    As soon as you open your device, the warranty for protection against dust and splash water (IP68 classification) expires.

    The iPhone 12 is opened via the display, which is glued and additionally fixed with two pentalobe screws. The screws are located on the left and right of the Lightning connector.

    1. Unscrew the two pentalobe screws with a pentalobe screwdriver.
    2. Then put them into a screw storage.

    We recommend using a screw storage for your repair (e.g. an old sewing box). That way you can store all removed parts and screws safely and keep the overview. On our high-quality magnetic pad nothing slips and you can arrange everything in an organized way.

  3. Heating up the edge of the screen

    iPhone 12 - Heating up the edge of the screen 01
    iPhone 12 - Heating up the edge of the screen 02
    iPhone 12 - Heating up the edge of the screen 03
    Used tools
    Heat gun

    In order to be able to remove the glued screen more easily after loosening the screws, first heat it up with hot air. Therefore, use a hot air device, such as a heat gun or a regular hair dryer.

    1. First place your iPhone on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratches on the case.
    2. Then heat the edge of the screen by running the heat gun evenly over it.
    As a rule of thumb, you should still be able to touch the screen without burning your fingers.
    Used tools
  4. Lifting up the screen

    When the glue of the screen is sufficiently warmed up, you can start to carefully detach it from the rest of the case.

    1. Start by placing a suction cup on the bottom edge of the screen. Pull it slowly upwards to create a narrow gap between screen and case.

    You can use the iSclack as an alternative to the suction cup. In comparison you have to use much less force to create a gap.

    1. Insert a flat stable tool into the gap to enlarge it. We recommend a hard plastic plectrumfor this purpose.
  5. Detaching the screen

    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen 01
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen 02
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen 03
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen 04
    Used tools

    Once a gap is created, you can detach the screen from the rear case piece by piece.

    1. Move the hard plastic plectrum once completely around the edge of the screen. Press it upwards at the same time to release the hooked lugs of the display from the rear case.

    You can reheat the glue with hot air at regular intervals to make it easier to remove.

    Never open the screen more than 180° while the sensitive screen cables are still connected. Otherwise, they could tear.
    1. When the screen is completely detached, you can carefully unfold it towards the volume buttons. Lean it against a stable object to avoid overstretching the flex cables.
    Used tools
  6. Removing the cover plates

    • 6 × 1.0 mm Y-Type

    To remove the screen completely, you have to detach the battery connector, the two screen connectors and the one from the earpiece which sits on the display unit. These are located under two cover plates.

    1. Unscrew the six Y-type screws from the two cover plates with a Y-type screwdriver and put them in your screw storage.
    2. Then carefully remove the two cover plates from your device with a pair of tweezers.

    The larger of the two cover plates is hooked in additionally.

  7. Detaching the battery connector

    iPhone 12 - Detaching the battery connector 01
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the battery connector 02
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the battery connector 03
    Used tools
    • Connector

    After removal of the cover plates, all four connectors are exposed. To avoid a potential short circuit during the repair, you should always detach the battery connector first.

    When separating connectors, always start from the side where there are no small components on the logicboard. This way you avoid potential damage.

    1. Then use a plastic lever tool to move under the connector and carefully separate it from the board. We use a plastic spudger for this.
    Used tools
  8. Detaching the screen connectors

    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen connectors 01
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen connectors 02
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen connectors 03
    iPhone 12 - Detaching the screen connectors 04
    Used tools
    • Connector

    To remove the screen completely, you still have to detach the screen connectors. The iPhone 12 has two screen connectors. A third connector connects the earpiece to the logicboard.

    When separating connectors, always start from the side where there are no small components on the logicboard. This way you avoid potential damage.
    1. Use a spudger to go under the three connectors one after the other and carefully pry them off the logicboard.

    Two of the connectors are on top of each other.

    1. Then put the detached screen aside.
    Used tools
  9. The right tools for your repair

    With the right tools, you will succeed in any repair. In our store you will find a large selection of professional quality tools.
    VIEW NOW
  10. Detaching the earpiece and the sensor cable

    • 2 × 1.3 mm Phillips
    • 1 × 1.2 mm Y-Type
    • 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type

    Since Face ID sensors are integrated on the earpiece and sensor cable, you have to take over the entire module from the old display if you do not want to lose the function.

    1. First, remove the two Phillips and two Y-type screws from the earpiece.
    2. Unfold the detached earpiece.
    3. Heat the glued sensor cable with a hot air gun.
    4. Loosen the cable from the inside of the display by running a flat tool under it. We use a steel spatula for this.

    Be especially careful when levering the sensors out of their guides, so that you don't damage them.

    1. Also lever the sensors integrated in the cable set out of their guides with the help of the steel spatula.


  11. Preparing the new screen

    iPhone 12 - Preparing the new screen 01
    iPhone 12 - Preparing the new screen 02
    iPhone 12 - Preparing the new screen 03
    Verwendete Ersatzteile

    Prepare your replacement screen by removing all protective films from the front and back.

    Verwendete Ersatzteile
  12. Attaching the earpiece and the sensor cable

    • 2 × 1.3 mm Phillips
    • 1 × 1.2 mm Y-Type
    • 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type

    Attach your old earpiece including sensor cable to the new display.

    1. Align the module and fold the earpiece back in.
    2. Press the sensor cable to the inside of the display.
    Be extra careful when pressing the sensors into their guides, in order not to damage them. They must all sit evenly.
    1. Press the sensors back into their guides.
    2. Finally, screw the earpiece back in place with the two Phillips and two Y-type screws.


  13. Attaching the screen connectors

    iPhone 12 - Attaching the screen connectors 01
    iPhone 12 - Attaching the screen connectors 02
    iPhone 12 - Attaching the screen connectors 03
    iPhone 12 - Attaching the screen connectors 04
    • Connector

    Reconnect the screen to the rest of the case.

    1. Lean the screen back against a stable object to avoid overstretching the flex cables when connecting them.

    Never attach connectors by force. Damage to a connector or the slot can lead to the failure of an entire component.

    1. Attach the three connectors by carefully pressing them one after the other on the logicboard. You should feel and hear them click into place.
  14. Attaching the battery connector

    iPhone 12 - Attaching the battery connector 01
    iPhone 12 - Attaching the battery connector 02
    iPhone 12 - Attaching the battery connector 03
    • Connector

    After the display connectors, the battery connector can now be attached. You should always attach it last to avoid short circuits during the repair.

    Never use force when attaching connectors. Damage to a connector or slot can cause a whole component to fail.

    1. Carefully press the connector onto the logicboard, so that you can hear and feel it click into place.
  15. Testing your iPhone 12

    iPhone 12 - Testing your iPhone 12 01
    iPhone 12 - Testing your iPhone 12 02
    iPhone 12 - Testing your iPhone 12 03
    iPhone 12 - Testing your iPhone 12 04

    Before you close your iPhone 12 for good, we recommend testing the replacement part and other basic functions. This way, you can make sure that your repair was successful. Again, use our checklist for this.

    1. Carefully fold the display around.
    2. Switch on your device.
    3. To see if touch and display work properly everywhere drag an app over the screen.
    4. After taking over the old earpiece, check if Face ID works.

    If something does not work properly after the repair, check again if everything is installed and attached correctly.

  16. Installing the cover plates

    • 2 × 1.0 mm Phillips
    • 4 × 1.0 mm Phillips

    If everything works properly, you can reinstall the cover plates.

    1. Position the two cover plates over the connectors. The screw holes help you with the alignment.

    Remember to hook in the larger of the two cover plates before screwing it tight.

    1. Screw the cover plates together with the Y-type screws.
  17. Installing the display

    iPhone 12 - Installing the display 01
    iPhone 12 - Installing the display 02
    iPhone 12 - Installing the display 03

    Close your iPhone 12 again.

    When folding down the screen make sure not to pinch any flex cables
    1. Carefully fold it over and press it evenly into the rear case, so that it clicks into place.
  18. Fastening the Pentalobe screws

    • 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

    At the end of the repair, you still have to fix the display.

    1. Connect the display to the rear case by screwing tight a pentalobe screw to the left and right of the Lightning connector.
Ø 0 (0 Ratings)

Bewerte unsere Anleitung

Hat dir unsere Anleitung weitergeholfen? Wir sind auf deine Beurteilung gespannt.

Submit rating

Submit rating

How did you like this repair guide?

Exceptional

Similar guides

You might also be interested in these guides.

You might be interested in

Get in touch with iDoc

Please contact our customer service for any questions about iDoc's products and services.

  • Send a message

    If you have a question about a guide or want to give us general feedback, just use our contact form

    Write a message
  • Free shipping

    From a minimum order value of 79.00 € your order will be shipped free of charge within Germany.

  • Call iDoc

    If you have any questions about our guides or services, call us from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    +49 30 200 514 455
  • 5 star service

    We offer top quality and service. Our customers confirm this as well.

    Show reviews

Profi-Insights & Tipps für deine erfolgreiche Handy-Reparatur

iDoc schenkt dir den ultimativen Reparatur-Guide GUIDE GRATIS ANFORDERN

Profi-Insights & Tipps für deine erfolgreiche Handy-Reparatur

iDoc schenkt dir den ultimativen Reparatur-Guide GUIDE GRATIS ANFORDERN