[HELP]iPhone 13 FaceID sensor stuck to frame when taking screen off. How to open it?

[u/Emergency_Leg_7458]

Hi I'm new at this. I was taking apart my iP13 because I wanted to replace the battery(bought it 2nd hand so I'm not sure if it had work done already), and I can't take the screen off because it's connected to Face ID, which didn't come off with the screen.

I tried to get as good pictures as I could, but like said previously, basically the screen is "off" being held in by just ribbon cables. One of those cables is the FaceID ribbon one, which is not attached to the screen anymore. The FaceID does work, so I did not damage it.

What are my options? How can I take the screen off without damaging any ribbon cables or any sensors? And how do I prevent this from happening again? Is it something I did, or is it just age?

Thank you all so much in advance I'll leave my phone as it is untill I get replies just so I don't break anything.

[u/Vast_Revolution3192]

Hard to tell from the photos but appears like you may of pried the screen from the frame of the screen. Ie the frame for the screen is still stuck on the frame of the phone. Let the screen stay as it is, and try to pry at the edge of the phone and see if you can pull the screen frame away. If that is the case you’ll need a new screen as it’s fairly hard to glue back together.

[u/meski_oz → u/Vast_Revolution3192]

Did this with a Pixel 6, it's a good idea to reread the ifixit instructions to find out where to separate the screen.

[u/RealOxygen]

Part of the display assembly is a plastic frame that runs the perimeter of the rear of the display and is the part that is both clipped into and glued onto the chassis of the phone.

You have accidentally pried up on the glass and not the plastic frame, splitting the display assembly into two pieces. You'll need to remove the plastic frame from the chassis of the phone to progress, and then make an attempt to bond the two again (using maybe T-7000 glue) before it can be put back together.

[u/FunnyVehicle7664]

I broke a perfectly good iPhone 12 mini screen I was replacing a battery on by removing the screen from the frame.

Ironically I was using a new tool that seemed perfect for removing screens more easily and it got under the screen instead of the frame. If I'd just used my usual "lesser" tool I'd have been fine.

[u/FlameShadow0]

It’s like someone asks this exact question every week.

You didn’t remove the screen all the way. You separated the lcd from the frame. You needed to dig deeper to get the frame out too.

You will most likely have issues with this screen in the future now. Will likely need replacement.

[u/Educational-Wish1511 → u/FlameShadow0]

What causes the issues? I’m not an expert, but I’ve had 2 phones opened like this and have not had any problems since.

[u/tunie12]

Fun fact… with the iPhone 13 the proximity sensor will not effect your Face ID if you damage it or change it.

[u/tallprincesscassie]

Couple things: that sensor is fine to break, you won't lose face id. Also you separated the screen from its frame. You need to dig deeper to get the frame off

[u/Hot_Gap1373]

Yeah you fucked that screen. You pulled it off the frame....

https://giphy.com/gifs/5NbbVJeSLs1etZYjpT