How to swap out a phone screen

Step 1- Power Off: Completely power down your phone. Do not just put it to sleep.

Partially Discharge Battery: Ideally, the battery should be below 25% charged. This significantly reduces the risk if it's accidentally punctured during removal.

Gather Tools & Workspace: Organize your tools on a clean, well-lit surface. Use a magnetic mat to keep tiny screws organized.

Review Your Model-Specific Guide: Re-read or re-watch the guide for your phone one last time.

Open the Phone:

Step 2- Heat (if needed): Apply gentle heat around the edges of the phone where the screen or back cover meets the frame. This softens the adhesive. Do not overheat – it should be comfortably warm, not hot.

Create a Gap: Use a suction cup to gently pull up on the screen or back cover (depending on your phone's design). Once a tiny gap appears, insert a thin plastic opening tool (like a guitar pick or plastic card).

Carefully Pry Open: Work the opening tool around the perimeter, gently separating the adhesive. Be extremely careful not to insert the tool too deeply, as there may be delicate ribbon cables just beneath the surface.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Step 3- Identify and Disconnect Cables: Once the screen or back is partially open, be aware of any ribbon cables connecting it to the main body of the phone. You may need to carefully disconnect these before fully opening the phone. Use a plastic sludger to gently pry up the connectors.

Disconnect the Old Battery:

Step 4- Locate Battery Connector: Find the battery's ribbon cable connector on the motherboard. It usually looks like a small, rectangular clip.

Remove Shielding (if present): Many phones have a small metal bracket or shield held by tiny screws over the battery connector. Unscrew these and carefully set the shield and screws aside.

Disconnect: Use a plastic spudger to gently pry up on the battery connector. Do not pull on the cable itself.

Remove the Old Battery:

Step 5- Identify Adhesive: The battery will be secured with strong adhesive strips. Some phones have convenient pull tabs (green, black, or clear strips) that you can slowly and steadily pull to stretch and release the adhesive. Pull them at a low angle.

Pry (if no tabs or tabs break): If the pull tabs are not present or break, you'll need to apply more gentle heat to the back of the phone (where the battery sits) and very carefully pry the battery out using a plastic spudger. This is the riskiest part. Work slowly from the sides, being extremely cautious not to bend, puncture, or damage the battery. If you see or smell anything unusual, stop immediately and move the phone to a non-flammable surface.

Install the New Battery:

Step 6 - Clean Old Adhesive: Scrape off any remaining old adhesive from the battery compartment or frame. A small amount of isopropyl alcohol can help, but ensure the area is completely dry before proceeding.

Apply New Adhesive: If your new battery didn't come with pre-applied adhesive, use the new adhesive strips (or double-sided adhesive specifically for phone repair) in the correct location.

Position Battery: Carefully align the new battery in its compartment.

Connect Battery: Gently press down on the new battery's connector until it securely clicks into place on the motherboard.

Replace Shielding: Re-attach any shielding brackets and screws you removed over the battery connector.

Reassemble the Phone:

Step 7- Reconnect Cables: Reconnect any other ribbon cables you detached (e.g., for the screen or back cover), ensuring they are securely seated.

Clean Internal Surfaces: Briefly wipe away any dust or fingerprints from inside the phone.

Seal the Phone: If you removed the screen or back, ensure new adhesive strips are applied around the frame (if maintaining water resistance is desired, though DIY often compromises it). Carefully align and press the screen/back cover back into place.

Replace External Screws: Re-insert all external screws.

Final Steps & Testing:

Step 8- Power On: Attempt to power on your phone.

Charge: Plug in the charger and ensure it charges properly. The new battery may have a partial charge.

Test: Check basic functionality like touch response, buttons, and overall operation.

Dispose of Old Battery: Crucially, do NOT throw the old lithium-ion battery in the regular trash. Take it to an electronics recycling facility or a store that accepts battery disposal.