Opening Procedure

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch
  • Comments: 4
Opening Procedure

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

9

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to open your Apple Watch Series 6 for repairs.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach the display when reassembling the device.

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    • 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.

    • Attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

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    • Prepare an iOpener (or use a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch to loosen the display adhesive.

    • 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 softens.

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    • 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, most distant to the digital crown.

    • Press firmly straight down into the gap.

    • Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly.

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    • Insert an opening pick in the gap your created.

    • Slide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to cut the adhesive.

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    • Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge on the opposite side of the watch crown to cut the display adhesive.

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    • Slide the opening pick around the corner to cut the remaining adhesive on the short edge of the watch next to the watch crown.

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    • Place the watch on a flat surface and use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.

    • Try not to slice near the watch crown to prevent damaging the display cables. If you must slice near the crown, don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

    • Slide an opening pick under the opposite display edge of the watch crown.

    • Twist the opening pick to loosen the display off the watch case.

    • Don't try to remove the display. It is still connected to the watch assembly.

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    • Be careful not to strain the display cables when you fold the display to the side.

    • Lift the display and carefully pull it towards the watch crown.

    • Swing the display open to an upward position.

    When I opened my watch I saw two layers of adhesive or are they gaskets? I broke one accidentally but not sure if I should keep the undamaged one in there? Or should both side be totally bare and the adhesive itself is also the seal?

    Also I think I damaged my battery when prying it up since it won’t hold a charge now. I bought a replacement battery and will try that but is there anything else it could be?

    Melina Jefferson -

    Be very careful here... My display cable broke before achieving the angle they show in the last pick above. You may well want to order new cables along with the battery and gaskets. The are only $19.95

    Robert Shettel -

Conclusion

To reassemble your Apple Watch Series 6, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the edges of the watch case and the screen before installing new adhesive.

Opening didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

224668 Reputation

2 comments

Where are the instructions for installing the new adhesive? Also, it's not listed in the tools/parts list.

Joseph Wisniewski -

Here's the guide for resealing the watch
How to Reseal an Apple Watch

TurianSniper -