Apple Watch Series 2 Force Touch Gasket Replacement

Written By: Tobias Isakeit

Comments: 25

Apple Watch Series 2 Force Touch Gasket Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

2 - 3 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the Force Touch gasket in your Apple Watch Series 2. This guide shows the procedure while leaving the display connected. If you prefer to disconnect the display or are replacing the display anyway, please refer to this guide and replace the Force Touch gasket after removing the display.

If your Force Touch function works correctly and you just need new adhesive to re-seal your watch, follow the adhesive replacement guide instead.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.
If your touchscreen is broken and prevents powering off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.

Verify your model. The back of the Cellular model just says GPS, so be sure to check the groves where the watch band goes to determine you model. I made the mistake of just reading the back of the device and since I’d been gifted the device didn’t know it was cellular. Cellular has a different type of touch force gasket, different screen, and different battery connections.

Ryan Holt - 07/10/19

From what I just read on Apple, the only differences in watch series 3 is 38mm and 42mm.

mcr4u2 - 27/01/21

As a consumer all you need to know are 38mm and 42mm

Michael Adoga - 05/05/21

The back will say GPS LTE if it’s the cellular version. If it doesn’t say LTE it is only the GPS version. The displays are different whether or not it is LTE(cellular).

themepark -

This alternative method only reboots the watch.

Gregg Stanley -

Step 2

Prepare an iOpener (or grab a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch until it's slightly too hot to touch.
Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least a minute to fully heat the screen and soften the adhesive holding it to the case.
You may need to reheat the iOpener, or move it around on the screen as sections cool, to heat the screen enough to pry it off.

I have heated up the iOpener to 165 degrees and left it on for more than a minute. No way I can lift the screen off with the exact knife. Tried different angles in various places, but no go. I also used a hair dryer un til the watch screen was too hot to touch and even tried a very hard cutting tool blade and also no go. Could n ever get the blade under the face I applied enough force where I could see that the blade left small marks, not very big, but could never get anything to move or lift. What am I doing wrong? I spent 47 years at a global computer company and I am used to taking apart small things and applying force when required. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. Please help me.

Rafael Blanco - 28/10/20

Getting the initial gap is not easy. Maybe a playing card could work its way in the tiny gap and cut some adhesive. After that there might be some success with an exacto knife. Or you want to try a piece of aluminum foil (folded for more rigidity) for cutting the adhesive. Be aware of the force touch gasket and that it might get damaged during that procedure.

Tobias Isakeit - 03/11/20

I finally used a hot air gun set to 150 deg. C heating up the edges by slowly spinning the watch around before the technique worked. Difficult is the level noted and it’s correct. Finally worked and watch perfectly functioning.

Chris Giavotto -

I used a heat gun, too. I was worried after reading comments that it would burn up the LCD, so I heated it a little bit at a time, rotating it like you did, and checking to see if I could get my knife under it. I must have hit one of the buttons because it did turn on, but that did reassure me that the display was okay.

It's open. Now that the watch and I have had a few minutes to cool down, I'm ready for the next step. Not as difficult as I thought it could be. Tomorrow, I'll be replacing the battery in an iPod Touch 6th Gen.

bester -

I had to heat the iOpener 2 times and leave it on top of the watch for 10 minutes.

Axel Trujillo -

Step 3

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 eye protection. 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.

Don’t cut your finger off!

Mike -

The Watch 3 stainless Steel has an additional Frame. Where do i have To Open it?

asteffen@me.com -

I wore thick gardening gloves just to be safe 😅 and it took a while but the screen did come off.

Axel Trujillo -

Step 4

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).

It’s difficult to grip case in a way that keeps fingers safe from the blade but doesn’t hit the side buttons and turn the device on!

If it’s a struggle to get the display to release, warm case for a few more minutes.

Kyle Powderly -

I have tried so may times to get the display to release but nothing works. Should have bought a new watch LOL. Kept the iOpener on 2 times for 10 minutes and it still won't open. There must be a better way.

Susan E. White -

Hi Susan,

if you're struggling to get the adhesive loose enough a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device. The edge should feel slightly too hot to the touch.

Dominik Schnabelrauch -

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.
iFixit screen and battery repair kits include a replacement Force Touch gasket, so don't fret too much if yours is damaged.
Otherwise, 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).

Step 7

To avoid straining the display cables, don't open the display all the way yet.
Open the display to about a 45° angle, and use 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.

Step 8

Use a Y000 driver to remove the Tri-point screw securing the metal battery connector cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 9

Disconnect the battery by prying its connector straight up with the edge of a pry tool.
Bend the connector up slightly to make sure it does not make contact by accident.

Step 10

Use the tip of a pry tool to disconnect the Force Touch gasket by prying it straight up from the outside edge.
The connector you unplug actually leads to the motherboard. The socket underneath that connector lies on the Force Touch gasket itself.

Step 11

Lift up the connector plate of the Force Touch gasket.
Slide your tweezers or a pry tool underneath the gasket to separate the glue underneath.
Separate the glue all around the perimeter of the watch except the edge where the display cables lie, to avoid ripping them by accident.

Step 12

Carefully pull the Force Touch gasket over and around the display.
If the display is already detached because you're replacing it, it's easier to leave the new display disconnected for now. Connect the display after the Force Touch gasket is replaced (five steps down).
Flip the display almost shut so that you can safely peel the Force Touch gasket from the remaining edge.
Remove the Force Touch gasket.

Step 13

Apply a little bit of isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove any remaining adhesive from the former force touch gasket.
To remove the adhesive on the side under the display cables, hold the display nearly closed and pull it gently away from the edge while you clean it.

Step 14

Flip the watch upside-down so the display lays flat while slightly lifting up the case.
Carefully remove any remaining adhesive from the back of the display.

Step 15

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the protective liner from the bottom of your new Force Touch gasket, exposing the adhesive underneath.
Make sure the gasket is oriented with the connector pins facing away from you, or you'll remove the liner from the wrong side.

There’s a clear plastic stiffener that must be removed at the same time as or just before removing the protective liner. Be careful to remove only the plastic and not the protective liners, it is possible!

Kyle Powderly -

Step 16

Hold the Force Touch gasket diagonally to thread it over the display.
Slightly tilt the display forward so you can align the Force Touch gasket with the frame.
Starting on the corner opposite the Force Touch gasket connector, set the gasket onto the frame, and press it down.

Step 17

Use a pry tool to fold the connector plate of the Force Touch gasket down into its recess.
Reconnect the flex cable by pressing it down gently.

Step 18

Make sure your display is connected before you reconnect the battery.
Use the point of a spudger to bend the battery connector back into its original position.
Gently press down to reconnect the battery flex cable.

Step 19

Use a pair of tweezers to place the metal plate covering the battery connector back in its original position.
Install the Tri-point #000 screw.
At this point you might want to turn on the watch and check if everything is working, before sealing it shut.

My watch didn’t turn until I connected it to a charger…

Björn Tirsén -

Step 20

Use a pair of tweezers to gently remove the protective film on top of the Force Touch gasket.

Step 21

Align the display and press it down firmly onto the adhesive.
To improve bonding of the adhesive you can use an iOpener to warm up the display. Then apply some pressure for a few hours (placing it under one or two heavy books overnight might be a way).

Conclusion

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or search our Answers forum for help.

Author

Tobias Isakeit

Member since: 31/03/14

122448 Reputation

7 comments

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Jaime Villa - 18/01/20

Hola Jaime! Bienvenido! Muchas gracias por tu comentario. Nos alegra que te guste nuestro sitio. Cualquier duda que tengas, no dudes en consultarme. Soy la moderadora y líder de la comunidad hispanohablante.

Mariana Roca - 15/02/21

The gasket comes with all the necessary adhesive or you need to put he the sealing adhesive separately? I need to replace my screen and I got the gasket and screen but don’t know if I need glue to waterproof it?

Jose F - 11/02/21

I bought iFixit’s battery replacement kit and the gasket which I received had adhesive on both sides, just like in this guide.

The repair kit does comes with extra gasket adhesive, which confused me at first. The extra adhesive is included in case you manage to open the watch without damaging the original gasket.

dalexgray - 17/02/21

I have no idea why they include the extra adhesives. When I tried to use one the screen sat too high and it looked bad.

Donald Fournier - 24/03/21

Thank you for an awesome guide. It got a little dodgy for a second there, but I replaced the screen, Force Touch Gasket and Battery. It works as new!

Donald Fournier - 24/03/21

Congrats, welcome to the club of fixers :)

Tobias Isakeit - 19/05/21