Apply a heated iOpener to the lower glass panel on the back of the phone for five minutes.
The panel is extremely stubborn, and you may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the panel warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Insert an opening pick into the small gap between the rear case and the glass panel.
The gap between the panel and the frame is very tight, so it may help to rock or slide the pick back and forth as you push it down into the gap. Alternatively, you can use a thin blade or metal pry tool to lift the panel before prying the rest of the way with a pick, but work slowly and gently to avoid damaging the glass.
If you're having trouble inserting your pick, go back a step and heat the panel further. Loosening the panel requires significant heat, but avoid heating the middle of the phone where the battery is.
A few drops of high-concentration (at least 90%) isopropyl alcohol applied to the edges of the panel may help to loosen the adhesive as well.
Do not pry over the charging port. It is framed with plastic that can be damaged when prying.
With tip of the pick under the glass panel, carefully pry upward to slightly separate the rear case and the panel.
Repeat the previous four heating and removal steps for the upper glass panel.
During reassembly, remove leftover adhesive from the panels and the rear case. Then clean those areas with high concentration isopropyl alcohol (greater than 90%) and a lint-free cloth. This will ensure proper adhesion of the panels.
Repeat the separation and prying process for the other side of the phone.
There is one clip on each side of the phone—make sure both are free before you continue.
Be careful not to separate the bottom edge of the display more than 0.5 inches (13 mm) from the rear case. The display cable is still connected and can be damaged if the bottom of the phone is opened too far.
Tilt the other corner down next, to disengage the other tab.
The display cable is still connected and can be damaged by too much display movement. Tilt the display carefully and stop if you encounter significant resistance.
Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the display cable connector up out of its socket.
Only pry up on the display connector itself and not the socket on the motherboard.
At this point during reassembly after the display is connected, turn the phone on and verify that the display functions correctly. If it does, turn the phone off and proceed with reassembly.
If it does not work, check that everything is assembled correctly and the connectors are clean. For further troubleshooting, visit our Answers Forum.
During reassembly, if you wish to replace the display adhesive strips, first use a spudger to scrape away all the old adhesive, and clean the adhesion area with some high-concentration (at least 90%) isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth.
If you're installing a new display assembly, note where the adhesive is on the original assembly and apply adhesive in the same places on the new assembly.