Skip to main content
🔧
HowMuchToFixAI for a Greener Future
Optics
moderate

iPad Pro 11" Gen 3 Camera Repair

Complete guide to iPad Pro 11" Gen 3 camera repair. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.

💰 Cost:$60 - $250
⏱️ Time:30 min - 1 hour
🌍 CO₂ Saved:124 kg

🌍 Share Your Environmental Impact

Inspire others to repair instead of replace! Share how much CO₂ you're saving.

Share your impact:

💰 Cost Breakdown

Parts$36 - $150
Labor$24 - $100
Total Estimated Cost$60 - $250

💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.

🔧 Repair Overview

Camera Repair is one of the most common repairs for iPad Pro 11" Gen 3. This repair involves replacing the damaged optics component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 30 min - 1 hour and requires moderate skill level.

🔧 Required Tools

🔩 Replacement Parts

What You'll Need

  • Replacement optics part (OEM or aftermarket)
  • Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
  • Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
  • Adhesive strips or glue
  • Clean workspace with good lighting

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare your iPad for disassembly

Step 1 - Image 1

Allow your iPad's battery to fully drain before starting this repair. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged during the repair.

Unplug any cables and fully shut down your iPad.

Step 2: Screen removal information

Step 2 - Image 1
Step 2 - Image 2

While your iPad looks uniform from the outside, there are delicate components under portions of the screen. To avoid damage, follow instructions exactly as written and note the following areas as you open your iPad:

Camera module, ambient light sensors, proximity senor, and front microphone

Display cables

Screen magnets

Step 3: Heat the right edge

Step 3 - Image 1

Apply a [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Instructions/11677|new_window=true|heated iOpener] to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.

You can also use a hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun], or hot plate—but extreme heat can damage the screen and/or internal battery, so proceed with care.

Step 4: Anti-Clamp instructions

Step 4 - Image 1
Step 4 - Image 2

The next three steps demonstrate the [product|IF145-513|Anti-Clamp], a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. ***If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.***

For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, [guide|152309|check out this guide|new_window=true].

Pull the blue handle backward to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.

Place an object under your iPad so it rests level between the suction cups.

Position the suction cups near the middle of the right edge—one on the top, and one on the bottom.

Hold the bottom of the Anti-Clamp steady and firmly press down on the top cup to apply suction.

If you find that the surface of your iPad is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, [guide|159595|use tape|new_window=true] to create a grippier surface.

Step 5:

Step 5 - Image 1
Step 5 - Image 2

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.

Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.

Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Step 6:

Step 6 - Image 1
Step 6 - Image 2

Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.

If your screen isn't getting hot enough, you can use a hair dryer to heat along the right edge of the iPad.

For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Hair+Dryer+to+Soften+Adhesive/157348|new_window=true|check out this guide].

Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.

If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.

Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.

***Skip the next step.***

Step 7: Insert an opening pick

Step 7 - Image 1
Step 7 - Image 2

If your screen is badly cracked, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Tape+Over+a+Cracked+Phone+Screen/140533|covering it with a layer of clear packing tape|new_window=true] 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.

Apply a suction handle to the right edge of the screen, about 5 cm from the bottom edge.

Pull up on the suction handle with firm, constant pressure to create a gap just small enough to insert an opening pick.

Only create a gap small enough to insert an opening pick. Overbending the screen will damage it.

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm or you may damage the LCD.

Step 8: Separate the right edge adhesive

Step 8 - Image 1
Step 8 - Image 2

Insert a new opening pick in the gap you just created.

Slide the pick along the right edge to separate the adhesive.

When sliding near the volume buttons, don't insert the pick more than 2 mm or you'll damage the screen magnets.

Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 9: Heat the top edge

Step 9 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 10: Top edge information

Step 10 - Image 1
Step 10 - Image 2

The top edge of the iPad contains the camera module, two ambient light sensors, the proximity sensor, and front microphone. These components are fragile and easily damaged if an opening pick is inserted too far. ***Only separate the adhesive in the marked locations to avoid damage.***

The two ambient light sensors can be hard to see and can be located using a [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/XdNdJyCnLkvCSKPO.full|new_window=true|flashlight] or by placing the iPad under a bright light.

Don't insert an opening pick more than 2 mm near the top left and right edges or you'll damage the ambient light sensors.

Don't insert an opening pick more than 1 mm near the middle of the top edge or you'll damage the camera module, proximity sensor, and front microphone.

Step 11: Separate the top edge adhesive

Step 11 - Image 1
Step 11 - Image 2

Insert a new opening pick in the gap you just created.

Slide the pick along the top right edge, stopping when you reach the right ambient light sensor.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm.

Leave the pick in to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 12:

Step 12 - Image 1
Step 12 - Image 2

Insert a new opening pick to the right of the ambient light sensor.

Slide the pick along the middle section of the top edge, stopping when you reach the left ambient light sensor.

Don't insert the pick more than 1 mm or you'll damage the proximity sensor and front microphone.

Leave the pick in to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 13:

Step 13 - Image 1
Step 13 - Image 2

Insert a new opening pick to the left of the ambient light sensor.

Slide the pick along the top left edge, stopping when you reach the left ambient light sensor.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm.

Once the top edge adhesive has been separated, you can remove the two picks near the ambient light sensors.

Step 14: Heat the bottom edge

Step 14 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 15: Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Step 15 - Image 1
Step 15 - Image 2

Insert a new opening pick in the bottom right corner below the existing pick.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 2 mm when sliding on the right edge.

Slide the pick around the bottom right corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 16:

Step 16 - Image 1
Step 16 - Image 2

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge, stopping at the USB-C port.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm when separating the bottom edge adhesive.

Leave the pick in to prevent the bottom edge adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 17:

Step 17 - Image 1
Step 17 - Image 2

Insert a new opening pick to the left of the USB-C port.

Separate the remaining bottom edge adhesive.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm when slicing the bottom edge adhesive.

Leave the pick in the bottom left corner to prevent the bottom edge adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 18: Heat the left edge

Step 18 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 19: Left edge information

Step 19 - Image 1
Step 19 - Image 2

The left edge of the iPad contains several [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/XGHTo5M1qEGAstCG.full|new_window=true|display cables]. These cables are extremely fragile and easily damaged if an opening pick is inserted too far or at the wrong angle. ***Follow the instructions exactly as written to avoid damage.***

The display cables are located within small indents of the frame and require an opening pick to be inserted at a 45° angle.

There are flat sections of the frame which require an opening pick to be inserted horizontally.

Step 20: Separate the left edge adhesive

Step 20 - Image 1
Step 20 - Image 2

***Insert an opening pick at a 45˚ angle*** just above the bottom left corner.

Don't insert the pick more than 5 mm or you'll damage the display cables.

Carefully slide the pick along the left edge, stopping when you reach the flat section of the frame.

Step 21:

Step 21 - Image 1
Step 21 - Image 2

Lower the opening pick so it is horizontal to the screen.

Don't insert the pick more than 5 mm.

Continue separating the left edge adhesive until you reach the next indented section of the frame.

Step 22: Separate the remaining adhesive

Step 22 - Image 1

Separate the remaining adhesive, making sure to ***follow the instructions exactly as written.***

Slide the pick at a 45˚ downward angle and don't insert the pick more than 5 mm.

Slide the pick horizontally and don't insert the pick more than 5 mm.

Step 23: Separate the screen from the frame

Step 23 - Image 1
Step 23 - Image 2

At this point, you've separated most of the screen adhesive. Lift the edges of the screen up slightly to check if there is any remaining adhesive.

Use an opening pick to remove any remaining adhesive keeping the screen stuck to the frame.

Grab the top right and bottom left corners of the screen.

Slowly slide the screen towards the bottom right corner to separate it from the frame.

Don't fully remove the screen as it is held in place by several ribbon cables underneath.

Shift the screen towards the ***bottom right corner of the frame*** until the ambient light sensor ribbon cable near the top edge is uncovered.

Step 24: Unscrew the ambient light sensor cable bracket

Step 24 - Image 1
Step 24 - Image 2

Throughout this repair, [https://www.ifixit.com/products/fixmat|keep track of each screw|new_window=true] and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the ambient light sensor cable bracket to the logic board:

One 1.3 mm screw

One 2.0 mm screw

During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPad and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your iPad back down before you continue working.

Step 25: Remove the ambient light sensor cable bracket

Step 25 - Image 1

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to remove the bracket.

Step 26: Disconnect the ambient light sensor cable

Step 26 - Image 1
Step 26 - Image 2

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the ambient light sensor cable by lifting straight up on the press connectors.

To re-attach [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Recognizing+&+Disconnecting+Cable+Connectors/25629#s70308|press connectors|new_window=true] like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 27: Reposition the screen

Step 27 - Image 1
Step 27 - Image 2

Don't try to remove the screen yet, as it's still attached by delicate ribbon cables.

Grip the right edge of the screen and fold it open like a book.

Lay the screen down over the left edge of the iPad.

Step 28: Unfasten the lower cable shield

Step 28 - Image 1
Step 28 - Image 2

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five screws securing the lower cable shield to the logic board:

Two 2.0 mm screws

Three 1.3 mm screws

Step 29: Remove the lower cable shield

Step 29 - Image 1

Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to grab and remove the lower cable shield.

Step 30: Unfasten the top cable shield

Step 30 - Image 1
Step 30 - Image 2

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three 1.2 mm screws securing the top cable shield.

Step 31: Heat the top cable shield

Step 31 - Image 1
Step 31 - Image 2

Apply a heated iOpener to the top cable shield for one minute to soften the adhesive securing it to the logic board.

Step 32: Insert an opening pick

Step 32 - Image 1
Step 32 - Image 2

Insert an opening pick under the top cable shield and gently pry up to separate the adhesive.

Step 33: Remove the top cable shield

Step 33 - Image 1
Step 33 - Image 2

Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to grab and remove the top cable shield.

Step 34: Disconnect the IR dot projector cable

Step 34 - Image 1
Step 34 - Image 2

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the IR dot projector cable.

Step 35: Disconnect the camera cables

Step 35 - Image 1
Step 35 - Image 2

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing camera and Face ID camera.

Step 36: Unfasten the front camera assembly

Step 36 - Image 1

Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the two 2.1 mm screws securing the front camera assembly to the frame.

Step 37: Remove the front camera assembly

Step 37 - Image 1
Step 37 - Image 2

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and loosen the front camera assembly.

Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to remove the front camera assembly.

📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

iFixit Difficulty: Difficult | Time: NaNh NaNm

DIY vs Professional Repair

✋ DIY Repair

  • ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $36-$150)
  • ✅ Learn new skills
  • ❌ Risk of further damage
  • ❌ No warranty
  • ❌ Requires tools and time

🔧 Professional Repair

  • ✅ Expert installation
  • ✅ Warranty included
  • ✅ Faster turnaround
  • ❌ Higher cost ($60-$250)
  • ❌ Need to find reputable shop

Environmental Impact

By choosing to repair your iPad Pro 11" Gen 3 instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 124 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new iPad Pro 11" Gen 3 generates 128 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 4 kg of CO₂. That's a 97% reduction in carbon emissions!

Get a Personalized Repair Estimate

Upload a photo of your iPad Pro 11" Gen 3 and get an AI-powered cost estimate in seconds. See exactly what's damaged and how much it'll cost to fix.

Related Repair Guides