Apple Watch - Series 8 Screen Replacement

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

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Apple Watch - Series 8 Screen Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

40 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken, cracked, or defective screen on your Apple Watch Series 8.

It is possible to replace the screen of the Apple Watch Series 8 without removing or disconnecting the battery first. However, this can lead to a malfunction of the NFC antenna under certain circumstances. If you feel comfortable with your repair, skip the battery removal steps in this guide. Otherwise, follow this guide in it‘s original order.

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.

This guide shows the procedure on the 45 mm cellular/LTE version of the watch, but the GPS-only version is similar.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach the battery and the screen when reassembling the device.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Take your watch off the charger and power it down.
If your touchscreen is broken and you can't power off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.

Step 2

Because the gap between the screen and watch body is so thin, an iFlex is needed to separate the two.
Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the iFlex edge. 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 iFlex to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.
Wear eye protection. If the opening procedure is performed incorrectly or with too much pressure, the glass could crack, sending small glass shards flying.
Attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

Step 3

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen for three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
You may need to reheat the iOpener and repeat this procedure several times until the display adhesive softens.

Step 4

Take your time and work carefully to avoid scratching the watch body with your iFlex.
Insert the iFlex into the thin gap between the display and frame at the edge adjacent to the digital crown.
Tilt the iFlex down to pry the display open slightly and create a gap between the screen and the watch body.
The Apple Watch Series 8 display is equipped with a plastic bezel on its rear side. If you want to reuse your display, avoid using too much pressure with the iFlex or you may separate the bezel from the screen.

Step 5

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to slice the adhesive.

Step 6

Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge opposite to the watch crown to slice the adhesive.

Step 7

Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the next short edge to slice the adhesive.

Step 8

When slicing the adhesive on the edge with the watch crown, only insert the opening pick 2–3 mm to prevent damaging the display cables.
Slide the opening pick around the corner and toward the watch crown to slice the remaining adhesive.
Don't try to fully remove the display yet, as it‘s still connected to the watch assembly.

Step 9

Be careful not to strain the display cables when you open the display.
Lift the display and carefully pull it towards the watch crown.
Swing the display open to an upright position.
To reseal your watch follow this general Apple Watch resealing guide.

Step 10

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the rear glass for two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath the battery.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 11

Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with your tool—a punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a fire.
Insert an opening pick into the gap between the watch body and the long edge of the battery.
Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry up the battery.
Don't try to remove the battery all the way yet, as it‘s still connected to the motherboard.

Step 12

The battery flex cable is long enough to allow you to place the battery outside the watch housing, but avoid straining or sharply folding the cable when you lift the battery out of its recess.
Carefully lift the battery out of its recess and place it next to the watch body.

Step 13

Use a Tri-Point Y000 screwdriver to remove the 1.1 mm-long screw securing the battery connector bracket.

Step 14

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector bracket.

Step 15

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don‘t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 16

Remove the battery.
Don‘t reuse the battery if it has been deformed or damaged, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Secure a new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the battery well at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery itself. Peel back any adhesive liners and press the new battery firmly into place.
If you're reusing your old battery, you can reuse the existing adhesive to secure the battery during reassembly.

Step 17

Use a pair of tweezers to peel the black protective tape off both display connectors.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your watch and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your watch back down completely before you continue working.

Step 18

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the small, hinged locking flap on the display ZIF connectors.

Step 19

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen for two minutes to loosen the heat dissipation tape underneath.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 20

Slide an opening pick underneath the display cables to separate them from the screen.

Step 21

Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to pull both display cables out of the ZIF connectors.
Avoid pulling on the watch assembly, or you may rip the display cables.
During reassembly, you can reuse your old heat dissipation tape if it's in good condition. Otherwise, replace it with new tape.