iPhone 12 Pro SIM Card Reader Replacement - iPhone 12 Pro

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Employ a SIM card eject tool, or a straightened paperclip, by inserting it into the aperture situated on the iPhone's SIM card tray, which is positioned alongside the volume control buttons.The SIM card tray is located on the edge of the iPhone, near the volume buttons.Applying consistent pressure will dislodge the SIM card tray from its housing.
A firm push is required to release the tray and allow for its removal.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Extract the SIM card holder from the iPhone's chassis.
The SIM card should readily disengage from its holder.
During the reinsertion process, confirm the SIM card's correct alignment within the holder.
A pliable rubber seal encircles the SIM card holder, safeguarding the device's interior from moisture and particulate matter; a compromised or absent seal necessitates replacement of either the seal itself or the entire SIM card holder assembly to maintain internal component protection.

Step 3 | Remove the pentalobe screws

Prior to commencing the repair, ensure the iPhone's battery level falls below 25% to mitigate potential hazards.A fully charged lithium-ion battery presents a fire or explosion risk if damaged, therefore complete discharge is essential.
Deactivate the iPhone's power supply to prevent electrical shorts during the repair process.

The two pentalobe screws, each measuring 6.75 mm in length, securing the bottom edge of the device must be removed.Utilize a pentalobe screwdriver to unscrew these fasteners.Separating the display assembly from the iPhone chassis will invalidate its water resistance.

To maintain water resistance, either procure replacement sealing components beforehand or exercise extreme caution to prevent liquid ingress during reassembly if the original seals are reused.

Step 4 | Mark your opening picks

A critical warning: improper insertion depth of a prying tool can result in device damage.To mitigate the risk of harm, implement a marking procedure for your opening pick.

Using a measuring tool, determine a distance of precisely 3 millimeters.Apply a permanent marking agent to the pick's tip at the measured 3 mm point.For enhanced precision, consider marking other corners of the pick with varying distances.

As an alternative method, affix a coin to the pick's tip, ensuring a 3 mm offset.
This precaution is essential to avoid exceeding safe insertion limits and causing irreparable harm.

Step 5 | Tape over any cracks

Important safety note:To minimize additional damage and potential injury when addressing a fractured iPhone display, secure the glass fragments with adhesive tape.

Apply multiple layers of transparent packing tape across the entire screen surface, ensuring substantial overlap between strips.
Always utilize eye protection to safeguard against potential glass shards that may detach during the repair process.
Should the suction cup prove ineffective for lifting the screen, create a handle by folding a durable adhesive tape, like duct tape, and employ it for screen separation.
As a last resort, secure the suction cup directly to the screen's surface using a small amount of superglue.

Step 6 | Anti-Clamp instructions

The subsequent three procedures illustrate the operation of the Anti-Clamp, a specialized tool developed to simplify the initial separation process; should you choose not to utilize this tool, proceed past the following three steps for an alternative approach.

Detailed instructions regarding the Anti-Clamp's usage are available in a separate, comprehensive guide.
To release the Anti-Clamp's gripping arms, retract the blue handle towards the rear.
Position the arms across either the left or right side of the iPhone's frame.
Place the suction cups close to the lower edge of the iPhone, ensuring one is situated on the front surface and the other on the rear.
Apply pressure by compressing the cups together to establish a secure vacuum seal on the intended area.
Should the iPhone's surface prove excessively smooth, hindering the Anti-Clamp's ability to maintain adhesion, applying adhesive tape can enhance the grip.

Step 7

Advance the blue handle to secure the arm assemblies in their locked position.

Rotate the handle a full 360-degree circle, or continue until the suction cups begin to expand.
Maintain the parallel orientation of the suction cups; should misalignment occur, slightly release the suction cups and readjust the arm positioning.

Step 8

To facilitate subsequent procedures, stabilize the iPhone on a firm surface, like a hardback book, ensuring it remains level and free from your hands.

Employ a hair dryer to apply warmth along the iPhone's lower border; the surface temperature should reach a point where it feels uncomfortably warm to the touch.
Refer to a dedicated instructional guide for detailed directions concerning hair dryer operation.
Allow a sixty-second interval to permit the adhesive to soften and create a discernible separation.
Once a substantial gap appears, carefully slide an opening pick beneath the plastic screen bezel.
Should the Anti-Clamp fail to generate an adequate separation, increase the heat application to the area and rotate the handle incrementally by ninety degrees.
Avoid excessive handle rotation, restricting adjustments to ninety-degree increments, and observe a sixty-second pause between each rotation to allow the Anti-Clamp and time to effectively loosen the adhesive.

Step 9 | Heat the bottom edge

Employ a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the lower perimeter of the iPhone.Continue applying heat until the display surface reaches a temperature just beyond comfortable touch.
Avoid prolonged, concentrated heat application with the hair dryer to prevent damage.This process is intended to soften the adhesive securing the screen.

Step 10 | Apply a suction cup

When employing a solitary suction handle, position it against the phone's lower border, ensuring it remains clear of the glass perimeter's extreme edge.To prevent damage, the suction handle's placement on the phone's bottom edge should avoid the very edge of the glass surface.

Step 11 | Lift the screen slightly

Begin the separation process by applying steady, consistent upward force to the suction cup, which should produce a small separation between the display assembly and the device's surrounding structure.
Introduce an opening tool into this space, positioning it at a sharp inclination.
Carefully guide the opening tool beneath the substantial plastic border to prevent potential damage to the display surface; a visible separation should be apparent, and the tool should move freely without obstruction; if a gap isn't visible, increase the upward screen movement.
The screen is secured by a robust, waterproof sealant; establishing this initial separation requires considerable force.
Should you encounter difficulty in creating the separation, apply additional heat and gently oscillate the screen in an upward and downward motion to reduce the adhesive's strength until a sufficient gap is achieved for tool insertion.

Step 12 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Proceed to step 12.
Ensure the initial insertion depth of the opening pick remains at a maximum of 3 millimeters from the lower border.
Employ a reciprocating motion of the pick along the lower edge to effectively sever the adhesive bond.
Maintain the pick's position within the lower-right corner to inhibit adhesive re-adhesion.

Step 13 | Heat the right edge

To facilitate adhesive separation, apply warm air from a hair dryer to the right-hand perimeter of the iPhone’s enclosure, specifically the area adjacent to the power button, until the surface temperature reaches a point where it is noticeably uncomfortable to the touch.

Heating the right edge of the iPhone with a hair dryer encourages the release of the adhesive securing the display assembly, ensuring a safer separation process.

Step 14 | Separate the right adhesive

Begin the separation process by positioning a specialized opening tool at the lower-right perimeter of the iPhone’s enclosure.

Progress the tool's movement along the right-hand side of the device, directing it upwards until the upper-right corner is reached.
Exercise caution to prevent the tool's insertion depth from exceeding 3 millimeters, mitigating the risk of harm to delicate internal components.
Maintain the tool's position within the upper-right corner of the iPhone’s housing, pausing before proceeding to the next step.
The adhesive bond between the iPhone’s components is released by carefully maneuvering the opening tool along the specified edges.

Step 15 | Heat the top edge

Employ a hair dryer, directing heat toward the iPhone's upper perimeter, until the screen's surface temperature reaches a point where it becomes uncomfortably warm to the touch.

Applying warmth to the iPhone's top edge with a hair dryer facilitates screen separation by slightly raising its temperature to a level just beyond comfortable contact.

Step 16

Utilize a specialized opening pick and carefully maneuver it along the upper-right edge of the iPhone's enclosure to release the adhesive bond.
Maintain the pick's position within the upper-left corner of the device while proceeding with subsequent steps.
Pay close attention to the following information:To prevent potential harm to the proximity and ambient light sensors, ensure the pick's insertion depth does not exceed 3 millimeters.

Step 17 | Heat the left edge

To facilitate separation, apply warmth to the left lateral edge of the iPhone's enclosure using a hair dryer, ensuring the display surface reaches a temperature just beyond comfortable touch.

Step 18 | Separate the left adhesive

Observe carefully before proceeding.Ensure the separation tool does not penetrate beyond a depth of 2 millimeters along the left side.This precaution prevents damage to the two cables that interface the display assembly with the device’s mainboard.Employ a rotational motion with the separation tool, focusing on the upper-left corner of the display.

Advance the separation tool along the left edge to release the adhesive bond.
Should adhesive separation prove difficult, apply localized heat to the left edge to soften the adhesive.
Reheating facilitates easier separation of the adhesive layer.

Step 19 | Open the iPhone

Orient the iPhone, positioning the right side towards you for better access.
Initiate the opening process by pivoting the display upwards from the right side, mimicking the action of opening a book's cover.

Pay close attention to the following details.

Should resistance be encountered during closure, inspect the clips encircling the display's perimeter to verify they are free from any deformation.

Step 20 | Unscrew the battery and display connector cover

Detach the battery and display connector cover by unscrewing two Y000 screws, each measuring 1.1 mm in length.Carefully observe the location of each screw during disassembly, ensuring correct placement during reassembly to prevent potential damage to the iPhone.Maintaining an organized record of screw locations is crucial to avoid component damage during the repair process.

Prior to permanently securing the display, it's advisable to perform a functional test by briefly powering on the iPhone at this stage.

Step 21 | Remove the battery connector cover

Detach the protective housing.

Step 22 | Disconnect the battery

Employing a spudger tool, or a meticulously clean fingernail, carefully lift the battery connector's retaining clip from its corresponding receptacle on the logic board's surface.Exercise caution to avoid compromising the integrity of the black silicone sealant that encases this connector and others, as it serves as a critical barrier against water and particulate contamination.To preclude unintended power delivery to the device during the repair process, gently deflect the battery connector slightly outward, away from the logic board's planar structure.
The silicone seals, integral to the device's environmental protection, must remain intact to maintain resistance against water and dust ingress.
Securely separating the battery connector from its socket is essential to prevent accidental electrical connections that could energize the phone while the repair is underway.

Step 23 | Disconnect the display cable

Employ a spudger tool, or a fingernail, to detach the display cable's connector.For reattachment, position the connectors precisely, then apply pressure to one edge until a click is heard, subsequently repeating the process on the opposing edge.Avoid applying pressure to the central portion of the connector during reattachment.
Misalignment of the connector can result in pin deformation, potentially leading to irreversible damage.

Step 24 | Disconnect the digitizer cable

Employ a spudger tool, or a fingernail, to carefully detach the digitizer cable's connector.Should any portion of the display fail to register touch input following the repair procedure, remove the battery and then reconnect the connector, ensuring a secure, audible click and verifying the absence of contaminants within the socket.Properly securing the connector is essential for restoring full functionality.
Dust or debris obstructing the connector can prevent proper electrical contact and impair touch responsiveness; thorough cleaning is recommended.

Step 25 | Unscrew the front sensor connector cover

Employ a Y000 driver to detach the four screws that fasten the front sensor connector cover.The front sensor connector cover is held in place by four screws, requiring a Y000 driver for their removal.Four screws, each requiring a Y000 driver for disassembly, secure the front sensor connector cover.
Three screws, measuring 1.1 millimeters in length, are used to secure the front sensor connector cover.The front sensor connector cover utilizes three screws, each with a length of 1.1 mm.
A single screw, with a length of 1.4 millimeters, is also part of the front sensor connector cover's securing mechanism.To release the front sensor connector cover, a Y000 driver is needed to unscrew four fasteners, including three at 1.1 mm and one at 1.4 mm.

Step 26 | Remove the front sensor connector cover

Move the cover upwards, originating from the left side, to release the small retaining clip situated on the right.
Detach the cover completely.
When reattaching, initially position the right-side clip into its corresponding receptacle, subsequently pivoting the remainder of the cover into its final alignment.

Step 27 | Disconnect the front sensors

Employ a spudger tool, or carefully utilize a fingernail, to release the front sensor assembly's cable connector.The cable connector securing the front sensor assembly must be detached using a spudger or a fingernail.To separate the front sensor assembly cable connector, a spudger is recommended as an alternative to a fingernail.A spudger, or a fingernail, can be used to carefully disconnect the connector of the front sensor assembly cable.For disconnecting the front sensor assembly cable connector, a spudger offers a preferable method compared to using a fingernail.

Step 28 | Remove the display assembly

Detach the display unit from the device.
If a replacement of the waterproof adhesive is desired during the reassembly process, a temporary halt should be initiated at this point.The waterproof adhesive serves to create a seal around the perimeter of the display.This adhesive is located along the edges of the display assembly.

Step 29 | Unscrew the SIM card reader connector cover

Employ a Y000 driver for the disassembly of the SIM card reader connector cover's fasteners.The screws, each measuring 1.4 millimeters in length, retain the cover in place.Carefully unscrew these fasteners using the appropriate driver.Ensure the Y000 driver is properly seated to prevent damage to the screw heads.Removal of these screws will allow access to the SIM card reader connector cover.

Step 30 | Remove the SIM card reader cable connector cover

To access the SIM card reader cable connector, detach the protective cover.

Step 31 | Disconnect the SIM card reader

Employ the tip of a spudger to carefully lift the SIM card reader cable connector vertically from its connection on the logic board.The connector must be disengaged by applying upward force with the spudger's point.Ensure the connector is fully detached from the socket to prevent damage to the logic board or SIM card reader cable.

Step 32 | Unscrew the SIM card reader

Employ a Y000 driver for the disassembly of the three screws that retain the SIM card reader.Three screws, each measuring 1.4 millimeters in diameter, are utilized for SIM card reader retention.A single screw with a 1.1-millimeter diameter is also part of the SIM card reader's securing mechanism.
To detach the SIM card reader, the three screws must be removed using a Y000 driver.The SIM card reader is fastened in place by a combination of screw sizes.
The screws holding the SIM card reader in place include two with a 1.4 mm diameter and one with a 1.1 mm diameter.A Y000 driver is the appropriate tool to loosen and extract the screws that secure the SIM card reader assembly.

Step 33 | Remove the Taptic Engine cable connector bracket

Detach the securing bracket that holds the Taptic Engine cable connector in place.

Step 34 | Unscrew the SIM card reader

Employing either a standoff screwdriver or a miniature flathead driver is necessary for the extraction of the standoff screw.The standoff screw, measuring precisely 2.82 mm in length, fastens the SIM card reader in place.Optimal removal of standoff screws is achieved with a dedicated standoff screwdriver or a compatible bit.
While a small flathead screwdriver can serve as a substitute, exercising heightened care is essential to prevent slippage and potential harm to nearby parts.
Damage to adjacent components can occur if the screwdriver slips during the standoff screw removal process, so proceed with caution.

Step 35 | Remove the SIM card reader

Detach the SIM card reader assembly.
Prior to reassembly, confirm the SIM eject plunger is depressed towards the device's side.The SIM eject plunger is a small component used to release the SIM tray.Ensuring the SIM eject plunger is fully retracted facilitates proper SIM tray insertion.