Introduction
This is a professional-level repair that requires special tools and skills.
Replacing the display on an iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or 11 Pro Max is no easy task. Apple's tight integration of software and hardware means that only displays installed by authorized technicians with Apple tools and parts will fully function. You may have encountered the dreaded "Important Display Message" after a third-party repair shop, or after you swapped in an aftermarket screen.
This error essentially disables certain features like auto-brightness and True Tone as Apple's diagnostic software detects the non-genuine display. Bypassing this restriction requires advanced technical skills, opening the phone, and reprograming the microcontroller chip.
This guide will walk through the process of installing a new display while retaining full functionality. We'll cover:
- Required tools like an SPI flasher and soldering iron to access the EEPROM chip
- Safely disassembling the phone without damage
- Reading and backing up the original EEPROM data
- Flashing the microcontroller to re-enable True Tone
- Rearranging display components from the old screen
- Securing and testing the new display's connections
It's a complicated procedure but following this repair manual will allow even non-certified technicians to replace an iPhone 11 series screen while retaining the original calibration and features. Ready to get started? Let's begin by gathering the necessary tools and parts.
What you need
Video Overview
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The phone comes with an unresponsive and damaged screen. We need to replace with a new screen. Take apart the phone and remove the screen.
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Get a new OEM screen installed. Press the power button to turn on the phone. The Important Display Message appears.
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Why the Display Repair Warning for iPhone 11 series appears? The system will verify the touch module data during start up. Since the touch module is located on the back of the screen, screen replacement can result in a mismatch between the touch module data and the phone.
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The only workable solution by now is to solder the touch module of the original screen onto the new replacement screen.
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Also, since the touch module is located on the back of the screen, traditional desoldering tools can easily damage the screen. We will adopt a new chip grinding tool today.
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Stick high-temperature tape around the touch module on the replacement screen. Then wrap the screen with protective film.
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Now we will grind the touch module with the electric chip grinding tool.
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With solder joints coming out, stop the grinding work. Clean the bonding pad with PCB Cleaner soaked cotton swap afterwards.
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Now we need to remove the touch module on the original screen and solder it onto the new replacement screen.
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Remove the earpiece speaker and sensor flex cable on the original screen. Then put a piece of paper under the touch flex cable. Heat with Hot Air Gun and pry up the touch module on the original screen.
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Then apply low-temp solder paste to the touch module. Heat with Soldering Iron at 365℃ to clean residual solder paste and black adhesive. Clean thoroughly with Solder Wick afterwards. Then clean with PCB Cleaner.
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Continue to get the touch module reballed.
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Now we need to solder the reballing-finished touch module onto the replacement screen.
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Before soldering, insert a pry piece under the touch flex cable. For better operation, we can apply some alcohol here. The metal plate and paper are used here for heat insulation. So that the screen won’t be damaged by high temperature during soldering.
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Apply some paste flux to the bonding pad. Get the touch module in the right position. Solder with Hot Air Gun.
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Get the earpiece speaker and sensor flex cable installed.
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Now we can assemble the phone and test. Press the power button to turn on the phone. Go to Settings>About. There is no more Important Display Message here
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Tips: professional motherboard repair techniques and handwork skills are required during the process.
Tips: professional motherboard repair techniques and handwork skills are required during the process.
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16 Comments
If we change it by an original display, we must change the touch ic?
Or you must buy a board that copy the data from the old screen to the new.
Do you know where to buy the board which can copy data from original screen onto new screen?
Cazzate, il problema si presenta anche se cambi con un display originale (provato personalmente a spostere un display originale tra due iphone 11)
Hai letto per bene la guida? C’è scritto che il messaggio non dipende dall’originalità dello schermo, ma dal modulo touch, che deve essere trasferito dal vecchio pannello del telefono a quello nuovo. Oppure è possibile acquistare delle schede che copiano i dati dal modulo e li sovrascrivono sul nuovo.