Ultimate Repair Hub · DIY Guide
iPhone 12 Pro Max Battery Replacement
On the iPhone 12 Pro Max the battery comes out through the front, after the screen and the parts at the bottom of the phone. It’s held by 4 stretch-release adhesive strips.
- Difficulty
- ●●●●○Difficult
- Time
- 60–90 min
- Steps
- 15
- Opens from
- Front (screen)
DIY guide — for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, and repairs are performed at your own risk. Ultimate Wireless Solutions is an independent repair provider and is not affiliated with Apple Inc.
Tools
- Pentalobe screwdriver P2
- Tri-point screwdriver Y000
- Phillips screwdriver #000
- Heat pad, iOpener or heat gun on low
- Suction cup and thin plastic opening picks
- Blunt tweezers (for the adhesive strips)
- Nylon spudger and ESD-safe tweezers
- Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and lint-free wipes
- Clamps or a screen press
- Safety glasses, and a metal can of sand for the old battery
Parts
- iPhone 12 Pro Max replacement battery (adhesive included)
- Pre-cut display adhesive
Open the screen
Power off and remove the bottom screws
Back up and power the phone off. Remove the two P2 pentalobe screws on either side of the Lightning port. Tape over cracked glass first so it doesn’t flake and the suction cup can grip.
Power off and remove the bottom screws1 photo · Tap image to enlarge Soften the adhesive
Warm the edges of the screen evenly for 2–3 minutes. The glass should feel hot but still comfortable to hold.
Soften the adhesive1 photo · Tap image to enlarge Cut the adhesive around the sides and top
Lift near the bottom edge with a suction cup just enough for a hairline gap, slide a pick in and cut up both long sides. Keep the pick shallow so you don’t catch the cables or Face ID parts.
Slide the display a millimeter or two toward the bottom of the phone to release the top clips, then cut across the top. Don’t lift the bottom edge more than about 5°.
Cut the adhesive around the sides and top1 photo · Tap image to enlarge Open the display like a book
The display stays attached by short cables along one long edge, and that edge acts as the hinge. Lift the free edge, open it to about 90° and support it so the cables aren’t holding its weight.
Open the display like a book1 photo · Tap image to enlarge Disconnect the battery, then the display
Remove the 4 tri-point screws from the lower cover and lift it off. Remove 3 tri-point screws from the upper cover, then hold it while you remove the last one. The upper cover has a tab in a slot by the camera: tilt its outer edge up and slide it slightly toward the camera to free it.
Unplug the battery cable first, then the display cable and the earpiece cable.
Disconnect the battery, then the display3 photos · Tap image to enlarge Set the display aside
Lift the display away and lay it face down on a clean, soft surface.
Set the display aside1 photo · Tap image to enlarge
Remove the battery
Remove the speaker
Run a spudger between the battery shim and the Taptic Engine and speaker to loosen the shim. Remove the 4 Phillips screws from the speaker, lift out and discard the shim, then tilt the speaker up and lift it out.
Remove the speaker1 photo · Tap image to enlarge Remove the Taptic Engine
Remove the 1 Phillips screw from the Taptic Engine cover and lift it off. Remove the 2 screws and 1 Phillips screw from the Taptic Engine, unplug its cable and lift it out.
Remove the Taptic Engine3 photos · Tap image to enlarge Pull the bottom adhesive strips
Hold the phone down. Peel the first bottom tab completely off the battery before twisting, wrap it around blunt tweezers until white adhesive shows, then keep the tweezers low and parallel to the battery and pull toward the bottom of the phone, twisting as you go. Repeat with the other bottom strip.
Pull the bottom adhesive strips2 photos · Tap image to enlarge Pull the two top strips
Turn the phone around. Peel the top tabs gently, wrap each one around the tweezers and pull slowly at a low angle along the channel between the battery and the camera, toward the top of the phone. Don’t pull straight up, and keep clear of the Face ID camera.
Pull the two top strips1 photo · Tap image to enlarge If a strip snaps
Grab a visible broken end and keep twisting. Otherwise slide the flat end of a spudger only under a spot where a strip already came out and lift gently. Never pry where adhesive is still attached; if every strip broke, stop and bring it to a shop.
If a strip snaps1 photo · Tap image to enlarge Lift the battery out
Lift the battery out and put it straight into a metal can of sand.
Lift the battery out1 photo · Tap image to enlarge
Install and close
Seat the new battery
Clean the bay with alcohol, check for loose screws, apply the new battery’s adhesive and press it down firmly across the whole cell.
Rebuild and close
Reinstall the parts you removed in reverse order. Reconnect the display cables, then the battery cable last, refit the covers, lay fresh display adhesive, close and clamp the screen, and reinstall the bottom screws.
Test and finish
Charge for a few minutes before powering on. An aftermarket battery shows as an unknown part under Settings › General › About › Parts & Service History; that’s expected.
Want it done in 30 minutes?
Bring your iPhone 12 Pro Max to our Tustin store. We handle the disposal and the screen seal for you.
Facts checked against Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro Max repair manual. These guides are for informational purposes and repairs are done at your own risk. Ultimate Wireless Solutions is an independent repair shop and is not affiliated with Apple Inc.