Apple Watch Series 4 Screen Replacement

Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.

If your touchscreen is broken and prevents powering off the watch, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Power+Off+a+Broken+Apple+Watch/125834|use this alternate method to power it down].

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 [https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Safety-Glasses/IF145-125?o=3|eye protection.|new_window=true]''' The knife or glass may break, sending pieces flying.

Feel free to attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

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 gets loose enough.

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.

Do not insert the knife more than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm) to avoid damaging the Force Touch sensor.

Once you've opened a small gap with the curved blade, remove the blade and insert the thinner edge of an opening tool into the gap.

Push the opening tool into the gap, using your thumb as a pivot to lift the display open a bit farther.

Don't try to fully open or detach the display yet.

It's likely that the Force Touch sensor will stick to the display frame instead to the watch's body. In this case, insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.

To preserve the Force Touch gasket, pry carefully under the edge of the display. If the Force Touch gasket splits when lifting the display, or if you separate the gasket layers, you'll also need to replace the Force Touch gasket itself.

Slide the pick around the display to separate the adhesive between the Force Touch gasket and the display.

Don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm) to avoid damaging other components.

To avoid straining the display cables, don't open the display all the way yet.

Open the display at max. to an 45° angle, and use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to peel off the adhesive between the display and the Force Touch gasket.

Thread the adhesive around and behind the display cables to get it off completely. Since the adhesive needs to be replaced anyway, you can cut it if that makes removal easier for you.

Make sure to return to this point during the reassembly of your watch and then continue with the [guide|134081|Resealing Procedure|new_window=true].

Carefully fold the screen to the back until you get enough space to pry out the battery.

Avoid tensioning the display cables when folding the screen to the back.

Insert an opening pick between the battery and the Taptic Engine.

A regular opening pick works fine with the 44mm version of the Apple Watch Series 4. However if you own the 40mm version and don't have enough space you can [https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4juulZTqFTclpKur.full|customize your opening pick with scissors|new_window=true].

Slide the opening pick along the edge of the battery to loosen the adhesive.

The adhesive which holds the battery in place is soft. However, if you're struggling to pry out the battery you can place a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] on the rear side of the watch to loosen the adhesive. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the system board.

Mind the display cables and especially the Force Touch cable which covers the battery in one corner so you don't damage them when levering the battery out.

Make sure you don't puncture or deform the battery, as it can catch fire and/or explode if damaged.

Don't try to remove the battery all the way yet. It is still connected to the watch assembly.

Carefully lift the battery and bring it in a 75° angle.

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to peel the black sticker off the metal plate which covers the battery connector.

Remove the Y000 screw (1.2 mm length).

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the metal plate which covers the battery connector.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable.

Remove the battery.

Be sure to remove the protective liner to expose the adhesive on your new battery before you set it in place.

Do not reinstall a damaged or deformed battery, as doing so is a potential safety hazard.

If you are reusing your old battery during reassembly, you can reuse the existing adhesive to secure the battery during reassembly. Alternatively, remove the old adhesive with high isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth and use a small piece of double-sided tape such as [https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Tesa-61395-Tape/IF317-072?o=1|Tesa 61395|new_window=true], or a dab of liquid adhesive such as [https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/E6000-Adhesive-Glue/IF145-413?o=1|E6000|new_window=true].

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.

Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip and apply it to the black adhesive foil. Let it penetrate the adhesive for about two minutes.

Alternatively you can place an [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|a heated iOpener|new_window=true] on top of the screen to loosen the adhesive. Apply the iOpener at least for two minutes.

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to carefully peel off the tape covering the three display cable connectors.

Use one arm of a pair of tweezers to carfully open the three ZIF connectors on the rear side of the screen.

Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to peel up the sides of the black foil which adheres the cable to the rear side of the screen.

Lift the body of the watch up and carefully slide a spudger underneath the display flex cable to loosen remaining adhesive.

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

Make sure to hold on to the display flex cable during this procedure and avoid pulling only on the body of the watch. Otherwise the display cable might rip.

Separate the watch assembly and the screen.

The following steps describe how to apply replacement adhesive before reassembling your watch.

Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip or use a [https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Adhesive-Cleanup-Kit-Set-of-12/IF145-308-1|cleaning pad|new_window=true] to gently remove the leftover adhesive on top of the Force Touch gasket.

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to carefully remove the replacement adhesive with the blue protective film from the backing paper.

Hold the replacement adhesive diagonally to thread it over the display cable.

Position the replacement adhesive on top of the Force Touch gasket.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to make final position adjustments and press the adhesive into place.