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Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken, cracked, or defective display on your Apple Watch SE.

Replacing the display can cause issues with Apple Pay. If possible, to reduce the likelihood of problems, delete all your Apple Pay account info before the replacement, and then re-enter it with the new display installed.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.

What you need

  1. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Power down your watch: step 1, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Power down your watch: step 1, image 2 of 2
    Edit

  2. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Safety requirements: step 2, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Safety requirements: step 2, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Safety requirements: step 2, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Safety Glasses
    $3.19
    Buy

    • Because the gap between the screen and watch body is so thin, a sharp blade is needed to separate the two. Read the following warnings carefully before proceeding.

    • Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the knife. If in doubt, protect your free hand with a heavy glove, such as a leather shop glove or gardening glove.

    • Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this might cause the knife to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.

    • Wear eye protection. The knife or glass may break, sending pieces flying.

    • Attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

    Edit

  3. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Soften the display adhesive: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Prepare an iOpener (or use a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch to loosen the display adhesive.

    • Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least two minutes to fully heat the screen and soften the adhesive holding it to the case.

    • You may need to reheat the iOpener and repeat this procedure several times until the display adhesive softens.

    Edit

  4. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Display opening: step 4, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Display opening: step 4, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Display opening: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Place the edge of a curved blade into the thin gap between the display and the outer case. Start at the short side of the display, closest to the digital crown.

    • Press firmly straight down into the gap.

    • Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly.

    Edit

  5. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Insert an opening pick in the gap you've created.

    • Slide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to cut the adhesive.

    Edit

  6. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • When slicing near the crown, don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

    • Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge where the crown is located to cut the display adhesive.

    Edit

  7. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the opening pick around the corner to cut the remaining adhesive on the short edge farthest away from the crown.

    Edit

  9. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Place the watch on a flat surface and use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.

    • When slicing near the crown, don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

    • Slide an opening pick under the opposite display edge of the watch crown.

    Edit

  10. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Reinsert the opening pick on the short edge of the watch, next to the watch crown.

    • Twist the opening pick to loosen the display off the watch case.

    • Don't try to remove the display. It is still connected to the watch assembly.

    Edit

  11. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Be careful not to strain the display cables when you fold the display to the side.

    • Lift the display and carefully pull it in direction of the short edge farthest away from the crown.

    • Swing the display open to an upward position.

    Edit

  12. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Loosen the adhesive: step 11, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Loosen the adhesive: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • The black foil which covers the display connectors is very fragile and likely to rip. To keep the tape intact while peeling it off, it's necessary to use high isopropyl alcohol or an iOpener.

    • Prepare an iOpener (or use a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch to loosen the adhesive tape.

    • You may need to reheat the iOpener and repeat this procedure several times until adhesive softens.

    • Alternatively, apply a little bit of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip and apply it to the black adhesive foil on top of the display connectors. Let it penetrate the adhesive for about two minutes.

    Edit

  13. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Peel off the foil: step 12, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Peel off the foil: step 12, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel off the tape covering the right display cable connector.

    Edit

  14. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel off the tape covering the middle and left display cable connector.

    Edit

  15. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Open the ZIF connectors: step 14, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Open the ZIF connectors: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to open the right ZIF connector on the rear side of the display by bringing its flap in an upright position.

    Edit

  16. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to open the middle and left ZIF connectors by bringing their flaps to an upright position.

    Edit

  17. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Peel off the display cable sticker: step 16, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Peel off the display cable sticker: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to peel the left edge off the display cable sticker off the rear side of the display.

    • Do not try to remove the sticker all the way, you will reuse it when reassembling your watch. Only peel the area off which adheres the cable to the rear side of the display.

    Edit

  18. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers to peel the right edge off the display cable sticker off the rear side of the display.

    Edit

  19. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Pull the cable out of the ZIF connector: step 18, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Pull the cable out of the ZIF connector: step 18, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Pull the cable out of the ZIF connector: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully pull the display flex cables out of their ZIF connectors.

    • Only pull close to the ZIF connector and not on the watch body. Otherwise the display cable might rip.

    Edit

  20. Apple Watch SE Screen Replacement, Remove the display: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Separate the watch assembly and the display.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your Apple Watch SE follow these instructions in reverse order to reattach the screen and the battery.

Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the edges of the watch case and the screen before installing new adhesive.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

37 other people completed this guide.

Author

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Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 11/23/16

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8 Comments

any idea where I can purchase the replacement screen itself?

donald maida - Reply

Would have nice to know about the NFC antenna before this. I now have no Apple Pay.

Care O - Reply

Where is the NFC antenna? I wish they showed how the new one will adhere to the body. They have listed to buy a roll of adhesive tape but I don't get it.

David -

Does the pre-cut adhesive card have the necessary cuts to re-attach the crystal ?

RLRams - Reply

Will I be able to preserve the NFC antenna after replacing the screen?

Jake_a_spade - Reply

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