Introduction
This guide shows how to remove or transfer the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly in your iPhone 12 mini. This assembly is affixed to the back of the display and also includes a microphone, ambient light sensor, flood illuminator, and proximity sensor.
This assembly is paired to your individual iPhone from the factory, so you must transfer it from your old display to your new one during any display replacement.
The flood illuminator forms part of the biometric Face ID security feature, and Face ID functions will fail if the original component is damaged or incorrectly installed. Replacing it with a new part will also cause Face ID to fail, so take extra care not to damage any of these components during this procedure. If damaged, only Apple or an “Apple authorized” technician can restore Face ID function.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
What you need
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Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
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Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
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Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
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Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's screen until the whole face is covered.
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If you can't get the suction cup to stick in the next few steps, fold a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lift the screen with that instead.
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Tool used on this step:Clampy - Anti-Clamp$24.95
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Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
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Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
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Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
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Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
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Support your iPhone on something sturdy such as a hardcover book so it rests hands-free and parallel to the ground; this makes it easier to work with in the following steps.
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Use a hair dryer to heat along the bottom edge of the iPhone. The screen should feel slightly too hot to touch.
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Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
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Insert an opening pick under the screen's plastic bezel when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
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Skip the next three steps.
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Use a hair dryer or a heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
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If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, as close to the edge as possible.
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If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
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Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the screen and the metal frame.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen's plastic bezel.
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Use a hair dryer to heat the right edge of the iPhone (the edge with the power button) for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
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Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
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Use a hair dryer to heat the top edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
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Use a hair dryer to heat the left edge of the iPhone for 90 seconds or until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.
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Insert a second opening pick in the bottom left corner of the iPhone.
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Twist both picks simultaneously until the left edge clips release.
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Rotate your iPhone so the right edge faces you.
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Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
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Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
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Tool used on this step:Magnetic Project Mat$19.95
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Remove the 1.25 mm-long Y000 screw securing the battery & display connector cover bracket.
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery & display connector bracket.
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Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
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Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.
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Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the OLED panel cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.
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Remove the five 1 mm-long Y000 screws securing the front sensor assembly cover bracket.
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Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.
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Remove the 1.1 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw.
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Remove the 1.8 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw.
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Remove the two 1.6 mm-long Phillips #00 screws.
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Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the top front of the display for 1-2 minutes, in order to soften the adhesive securing the sensors.
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Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully pry the proximity sensor out of its recess.
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Tool used on this step:Tweezers$4.99
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Use a spudger or a pair of tweezers to pry the flood illuminator out of its recess.
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Remove the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly.
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Flood illuminiator
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Proximity sensor
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Microphone
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Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 12 mini Answers community for help.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 12 mini Answers community for help.
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