iPhone SE screen replacement / digitizer glass and LCD re-installation instructions by LaptopScreen.com

Shut down the iPhone

The front assembly consists of the frame, the glass digitizer, and the LCD screen. You will
need to replace the entire front assembly if any of these components are broken.
Turn the phone off by holding the power and the Volume Up buttons, and confirming the
shutdown on screen.

Open the iPhone

Remove two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the phone. Use a heat gun to warm the adhesive
around the perimeter of the iPhone. Place a suction cup just above the home button. Insert a
plastic pick between the display assembly and the main body. Gently move the plastic pick
around the perimeter, separating the display assembly from the main body. Once separation
is achieved, open the phone to a right angle.

Disconnect the display assembly

Now we have access to the small metal shield which secures the battery connector and two
front assembly connectors. The shield is held in place with four Phillips screws. Most
screws in this iPhone are different sizes, so you’ll need to keep in mind the position of
each screw. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the four screws. Remove the metal shield.
Use a plastic pick to disconnect the battery and bend its lead away.
Next step is to open the camera connector at the top of the iPhone. The connector is
secured with another small metal shield. Remove three Phillips screws holding the shield in
place. (Note: If a screw is stripped, carefully bend the shield slightly out of the way
to access the connection). Using a plastic pick, open the three connectors attaching the
display assembly and set the main body aside.

Salvage the parts

Now we have to transfer several important components from the old front assembly onto the
new one, namely: The front camera and the speaker box, The big LCD shield, The home button

Start with the home button. There are four tri-wing screws that hold a small metal shield in
place. Remove the screws and put the shield aside. Using a plastic pick, open the home
button connector. Using a plastic pick, gently pry off the glued flex cable. Remove the
home button.

Next step is to remove the upper metal shield, which covers the speaker box ribbon cable
with the front camera and proximity sensors. Remove three Phillips screws and set the
shield aside. Remove two screws holding the speaker box and set the speaker aside.

Remove another Phillips screw and, using a plastic pick, gently separate the ribbon cable
with the front camera and proximity sensors from the frame. Set it aside.

Now we can remove the big metal shield. There are three tri-wing screws on the right side
and three tri-wing screws on the left side. Remove the screws. Using a plastic pick, detach
the big metal shield from the flex cables underneath. Set it aside, then set aside the old
screen assembly.

Transfer part onto the new display assembly

At this stage, we are ready to transfer these components onto the new front assembly. Take
the new replacement part and place it on the desk. Press down the front assembly cables and
cover them with the big metal shield. Replace six tri-wing screws—three on the left side
and three on the right side.

Take the ribbon cable and carefully guide each component into its slot. Replace the single
Phillips screw. Replace the speaker box and secure it with two Phillips screws at the
bottom. Guide the camera into its slot and cover it with the small metal shield. Secure the
shield with three Phillips screws.

Next step is to replace the home button. Insert the button with its cable into the hole
from the front. Make sure that the home button cable goes under the connector. Reconnect
it to the front assembly. Cover the button and its connector with the small metal shield
and secure it with four tri-wing screws.

Apply the new adhesive

This is the waterproofing adhesive—it comes in convenient plastic sheets shaped to the
perimeter of the phone. Separate the backing plastic and apply the shape to the perimeter
of the phone. Remove the second backing plastic sheet, then carefully remove the remaining
carrier strips, making sure that the adhesive remains positioned properly along the edge.

Close the iPhone

Follow the disassembly steps in reverse order to complete the reassembly, reconnecting
the connectors, securing the shields, closing the display assembly, and replacing the
pentalobe screws at the bottom!