Apple Watch Series 2 Screen Replacement

Written By: Tobias Isakeit

Comments: 39

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

2 - 3 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken, cracked, or defective display on your Apple Watch Series 2.

Make sure to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 5 or later (and the paired iPhone to iOS 12 or later) to avoid pairing issues after a display replacement.

Replacing the display can cause issues with Apple Pay. If possible, to reduce the likelihood of problems, delete all your ApplePay account info before the replacement, and then re-enter it with the new display installed.

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 a pair of tweezers to peel off the tape covering the display cable connectors.
Start from the bottom right of the tape and carefully work your way towards the connector in the middle.
The tape can be stubborn, so take care not to pull too hard and damage the cables underneath. If needed, apply a little heat or some isopropyl alcohol to help soften the adhesive.

Das Klebeband muss gar nicht vollständig abgelöst werden. Es reicht aus, die Stecker freizulegen. So hat man beim Wiederzusammensetzen das Klebeband wieder in der optimalen Position und auch nicht das Risiko, die leitende Folie zu verletzen.

BMJ -

BMJ's comment translated by translate dot google dot com:
"The adhesive tape does not need to be completely removed. It is enough to expose the connectors. This means that when you put it back together you have the adhesive tape in the optimal position again and there is no risk of damaging the conductive film."

Robert -

Step 11

The leftmost connector contains a piece of conductive foil, which may tear when taking off the tape.
If it tears, grab it from the bottom left to remove it completely. This way the matching foil underneath (on the display) will remain unharmed.

How important is the conductive tape?

John Ellis - 02/09/20

Step 12

Carefully use a pry tool or a clean fingernail to unlock the first of the three ZIF connectors by prying up the small black locking flap opposite the cable.

Ir is viral to lift the small black flap or you ruin the entire process here, I lost everythign here...the first one stuck and the entire connector discintigrated on me, not my first rodeo, but lost the entire project.

Lisa Russell -

Step 13

Pry up the locking flaps on the remaining two ZIF connectors.
Replacement screens usually ship with these locking flaps closed. During reassembly, make sure the flaps are open before inserting the cables, or you may damage your watch.

Step 14

Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the display flex cables by gently pulling them out.
If the cables are stubborn, try carefully walking them out in a left-to-right-motion while pulling gently.

Step 15

Remove the display.
For detailed reassembly instructions, including replacing the Force Touch gasket and surrounding adhesive, see the guide linked in the conclusion below.

how are you

Please answer me quickly

i have a apple watch 3 and broken lcd

can i replace this lcd with a lost apple watch lcd?

Does it work?

I've heard that Apple does not allow this and ban the device!!!!

Hossean Dad - 24/07/19

Conclusion

Continue from Step 10 of our Force Touch Sensor guide to re-seal your watch and complete your repair. For best results, don’t connect your new display until after Step 17.

Author

Tobias Isakeit

Member since: 31/03/14

122448 Reputation

18 comments

Job done….With a smashed screen remember to apply clear scotch tape to hold the screen together. Continue to heat the remaining stuck shards when the main bulk of the glass comes out. Pick them out carefully, and not to raise the gasket. Use a strong magnifying glass. the ifixit heat gel pack and tweezers helped me. Ensure that all tiny bits of glass have been removed form the body. Just turn it upside down, give a couple of gentle taps with something plastic. Pick out if necessary, taking care around the components. For a smashed screen, needs a good hour or more.

pep073 - 22/04/19

Congratulations on the successful repair. And thanks for your comment and additional hints.

Tobias Isakeit - 23/04/19

This one was tough…and I’ve been doing various repair for years. Thank you iFixIt for top notch tutorials and instructions (and the progressive photos). I had a broken display and an iCloud locked watch for parts. Getting the display off the broken iWatch was easy…getting the replacement/good display off the other iWatch was very difficult. I keep at it and eventually it released, but I think I chipped the display edges slightly. If I have to do this one again, I may think twice. I’d say use plenty of heat. I used the iRemover, which helped a lot, it gets plenty hot and holds the heat for job. Once you’re inside, you’ll need that every so special 000 tri-lobe bit for the battery (for this I bought the iFixIt Pro toolkit…worth it to have a solidly made set of disassembly tools). I don’t think it’s worth breaking down the iWatch for repairs much further than the display or battery. The water resistant seal is compromised enough as it is with the display removal.

Erica Rogers - 01/06/19

Just wondering are the ion x glass and sapphire crystal screens interchangeable because I have a broken series 2 aluminum case and it comes with the ion x glass but I want to get the sapphire crystal glass instead to make it stronger

Jacob Gerhart - 09/06/19

Displays of the same Series, model and size should be compatible.

Tobias Isakeit - 12/06/19

Just noticed that my reply might come across a little vague.

Same Series hopefully makes sense (some swapped Series 3 onto Series 2 and vice versa which lead to the displays getting warmen than usually).

Same model means LTE or GPS which is probably irrelevant since the Series 2 does not have LTE.

And same size is hopefully a no-brainer ;)

So to summarize, yes, Sapphire display of the same watch should work instead of an ion-x.

Please let me know if it won’t work.

Tobias Isakeit - 13/06/19

I have an Apple Watch series 2 with wOS 5.2 and an iPhone 8 with iOS 12.3.1

After installing a new aftermarket display I’ve connected the watch with my phone with out any trouble. But I was not able to update to wOS 5.2.1 Also I added my credit card to wallet on the phone after the repair job, but was not able to add it to the watch.

So I tried to completely reset the watch and try it all again but now I am not able to connect it to my iPhone at all.

I have another Apple Watch 2 that has wOS 5.2.1 and a weak battery and a Digital Crown with ghosting behaviour but still the original display. Might it work to install the original display on the other watch to resolve the connection problems?

Has anybody made similar experiences and any idea/advice what I might do?

Kristian Heitkamp - 11/07/19

I figured out, why the Apple Watch did not pair even though wOS 5 was installed.

I opened it and figured out, that the GPS modules connector was loose and just fell of the display, when I touched the cable.

Connecting the (broken) display from another watch made it pair and upgrade again but still I am not able to add Apple Pay. I guess that it recognises the GPS module and since it is wOS 5 it works even though it is not the original GPS module. But I think, because it is not properly connected to all three cables of the display the GPS maybe is not able to fix a location which disables the Apple Pay function out of security or licensing reasons.

Now I think this experiment confirms, that any display will work under wOS 5.2 (maybe even wOS 5), even if it is the display from another Apple Watch.

Kristian Heitkamp - 11/07/19

Hat super geklappt,

zwar wurde ich während der arbeit vom Hund erschrocken und habe somit den Force Touch Sensor etwas beschädigt; habe mich aber dazu entschieden einfach ohne ihn zu Leben. :)

Wirklich genutzt habe ich ihn nur für das löschen aller Benachrichtigungen.

Patrick - 14/09/19

I’m curious about the following statement.

“Continue from Step 10 of our Force Touch Sensor guide to re-seal your watch and complete your repair.For best results, don’t connect your new display until after Step 17.”

where is step 17? My up to date chrome browser is only showing 15 steps.

Other than that, I’m excited to fix my watch.

alexander perry - 30/09/19

Hi alexander, that is step 17 in the Force Touch Gasket guide, not in this guide (which has only 15 steps). The Force Touch Gasket guide shows the steps with the display attached, but since you took it off during this guide you’re much better off attaching it after step 17. Have a successful repair

Tobias Isakeit - 08/10/19

Do i need to change the front screen with the lcd screen or can i change only the glass?

Cecilie Falch - 30/10/19

Hi Cecilie, though it is possible to only change the glass, I’d not recommend it. You might feel the same after watching this video (it’s a Series 4 but basically the same procedure for the glass)—or you feel empowered by it and will try that procedure (with success hopefully): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZYWzsB_...

Tobias Isakeit - 04/11/19

Si po montare un display serie 2 sul in serie 3? Grazie

vale rosi - 07/11/19

it would be the same display of series 2 to series 3?

Abraham Mojica E. - 06/08/20

Ich konnte vor dem Displaytausch mein ApplePay nicht mehr deaktivieren. Nun lässt sich mit dem neune Display keine ApplePay-Karte mehr hinzufügen. Gibt es hierzu eine Lösung?

Christian Ritter - 26/08/20

Hello, good afternoon, if one applewach is locked, does the display still work for another applewach?

Polo - 03/11/21

Yes, swapping the display from a locked watch to an unlocked watch should work. Only thing that could not work is the NFC / Apple Pay since the chip on the back of the display carries the NFC information and needs to be transferred.

Tobias Isakeit -