Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

28

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

4

  • Opening Procedure
  • 7 steps
  • Battery Removal
  • 7 steps
  • Screen Removal
  • 6 steps
  • Force Touch Gasket
  • 8 steps

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Introduction

In order to replace the Force Touch gasket we recommend to remove the display first. However if you’re feeling confident, it’s possible to remove the Force Touch gasket without removing the screen.

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 Apple Pay account info before the replacement, and then re-enter it with the new display installed.

This guide shows the procedure on the standard, GPS-only version of the watch, but the cellular/LTE version is similar.

What you need

Step 1

              Display Opening
  • 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.

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.

1024

Step 2

              Safety Requirements
  • 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.

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.

Step 3

  • 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 gets loose enough.

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 gets loose enough.

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) to avoid damaging the Force Touch sensor.

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) to avoid damaging the Force Touch sensor.

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.

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

  • It’s likely that the Force Touch sensor will stick to the display frame instead to the watch’s body. In this case, insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.
  • 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) to avoid damaging other components.

It’s likely that the Force Touch sensor will stick to the display frame instead to the watch’s body. In this case, insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.

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) to avoid damaging other components.

Step 7

  • To avoid straining the display cables, don’t open the display all the way yet.
  • Open the display at max. to an 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. Since the adhesive needs to be replaced anyway, you can cut it if that makes removal easier for you.
  • Make sure to return to this point during the reassembly of your watch and then continue with the Resealing Procedure.

To avoid straining the display cables, don’t open the display all the way yet.

Open the display at max. to an 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. Since the adhesive needs to be replaced anyway, you can cut it if that makes removal easier for you.

Make sure to return to this point during the reassembly of your watch and then continue with the Resealing Procedure.

Step 8

              Battery
  • Carefully fold the screen to the back until you get enough space to pry out the battery.
  • Avoid tensioning the display cables when folding the screen to the back.
  • Insert an opening pick between the battery and the Taptic Engine.
  • A regular opening pick works fine with the 44mm version of the Apple Watch Series 4. However if you own the 40mm version and don’t have enough space you can customize your opening pick with scissors.

Carefully fold the screen to the back until you get enough space to pry out the battery.

Avoid tensioning the display cables when folding the screen to the back.

Insert an opening pick between the battery and the Taptic Engine.

A regular opening pick works fine with the 44mm version of the Apple Watch Series 4. However if you own the 40mm version and don’t have enough space you can customize your opening pick with scissors.

Step 9

  • Slide the opening pick along the edge of the battery to loosen the adhesive.
  • The adhesive which holds the battery in place is soft. However, if you’re struggling to pry out the battery you can place a heated iOpener on the rear side of the watch to loosen the adhesive. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.
  • Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the system board.
  • Mind the display cables and especially the Force Touch cable which covers the battery in one corner so you don’t damage them when levering the battery out.
  • Make sure you don’t puncture or deform the battery, as it can catch fire and/or explode if damaged.
  • Don’t try to remove the battery all the way yet. It is still connected to the watch assembly.

Slide the opening pick along the edge of the battery to loosen the adhesive.

The adhesive which holds the battery in place is soft. However, if you’re struggling to pry out the battery you can place a heated iOpener on the rear side of the watch to loosen the adhesive. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the system board.

Mind the display cables and especially the Force Touch cable which covers the battery in one corner so you don’t damage them when levering the battery out.

Make sure you don’t puncture or deform the battery, as it can catch fire and/or explode if damaged.

Don’t try to remove the battery all the way yet. It is still connected to the watch assembly.

Step 10

  • Carefully lift the battery and bring it in a 75° angle.
  • Use a pair of tweezers to peel the black sticker off the metal plate which covers the battery connector.

Carefully lift the battery and bring it in a 75° angle.

Use a pair of tweezers to peel the black sticker off the metal plate which covers the battery connector.

Step 11

  • Remove the Y000 screw (1.2 mm length).

Remove the Y000 screw (1.2 mm length).

Step 12

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the metal plate which covers the battery connector.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the metal plate which covers the battery connector.

Step 13

  • Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable.

Step 14

  • Remove the battery.
  • Be sure to remove the protective liner to expose the adhesive on your new battery before you set it in place.
  • Do not reinstall a damaged or deformed battery, as doing so is a potential safety hazard.
  • If you are reusing your old battery during reassembly, you can reuse the existing adhesive to secure the battery during reassembly. Alternatively, remove the old adhesive with high isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth and use a small piece of double-sided tape such as Tesa 61395, or a dab of liquid adhesive such as E6000.

Remove the battery.

Be sure to remove the protective liner to expose the adhesive on your new battery before you set it in place.

Do not reinstall a damaged or deformed battery, as doing so is a potential safety hazard.

If you are reusing your old battery during reassembly, you can reuse the existing adhesive to secure the battery during reassembly. Alternatively, remove the old adhesive with high isopropyl alcohol and a lint free cloth and use a small piece of double-sided tape such as Tesa 61395, or a dab of liquid adhesive such as E6000.

Step 15

              Screen Removal
  • The black foil which covers the display connectors is very fragile and likely to rip. To keep the tape intact while peeling it off, it’s necessary to use high isopropyl alcohol or an iOpener.
  • Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip and apply it to the black adhesive foil. Let it penetrate the adhesive for about two minutes.
  • Alternatively you can place an a heated iOpener on top of the screen to loosen the adhesive. Apply the iOpener at least for two minutes.

The black foil which covers the display connectors is very fragile and likely to rip. To keep the tape intact while peeling it off, it’s necessary to use high isopropyl alcohol or an iOpener.

Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip and apply it to the black adhesive foil. Let it penetrate the adhesive for about two minutes.

Alternatively you can place an a heated iOpener on top of the screen to loosen the adhesive. Apply the iOpener at least for two minutes.

Step 16

  • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel off the tape covering the three display cable connectors.

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel off the tape covering the three display cable connectors.

Step 17

  • Use one arm of a pair of tweezers to carfully open the three ZIF connectors on the rear side of the screen.

Use one arm of a pair of tweezers to carfully open the three ZIF connectors on the rear side of the screen.

Step 18

  • Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to peel up the sides of the black foil which adheres the cable to the rear side of the screen.

Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to peel up the sides of the black foil which adheres the cable to the rear side of the screen.

Step 19

  • Lift the body of the watch up and carefully slide a spudger underneath the display flex cable to loosen remaining adhesive.

Lift the body of the watch up and carefully slide a spudger underneath the display flex cable to loosen remaining adhesive.

Step 20

  • Carefully pull the display flex cables out of their ZIF connectors.
  • Make sure to hold on to the display flex cable during this procedure and avoid pulling only on the body of the watch. Otherwise the display cable might rip.
  • Separate the watch assembly and the screen.

Carefully pull the display flex cables out of their ZIF connectors.

Make sure to hold on to the display flex cable during this procedure and avoid pulling only on the body of the watch. Otherwise the display cable might rip.

Separate the watch assembly and the screen.

Step 21

              Force Touch Gasket

Step 22

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the metal plate which covers the Force Touch gasket connector.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the metal plate which covers the Force Touch gasket connector.

Step 23

  • Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry the Force Touch gasket connector out of its socket.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry the Force Touch gasket connector out of its socket.

Step 24

  • Place a heated iOpener on the Force Touch connector to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

Place a heated iOpener on the Force Touch connector to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.

Step 25

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the defective Force Touch gasket.
  • Avoid damaging the display flex cable when threading the Force Touch gasket connector through the gap between the adhesive foil and the display cable.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the defective Force Touch gasket.

Avoid damaging the display flex cable when threading the Force Touch gasket connector through the gap between the adhesive foil and the display cable.

Step 26

  • Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the adhesive leftovers from the Force Touch gasket on the case and on the screen.

Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>99%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the adhesive leftovers from the Force Touch gasket on the case and on the screen.

Step 27

  • Use a pair of tweezers to peel the new Force Touch gasket off the see-through backing film. Make sure you peel off the Force Touch gasket with both protective foils attached to it.
  • Peel off the protective foil from the bottom side of the Force Touch gasket. The bottom side is where the Force Touch connector faces.

Use a pair of tweezers to peel the new Force Touch gasket off the see-through backing film. Make sure you peel off the Force Touch gasket with both protective foils attached to it.

Peel off the protective foil from the bottom side of the Force Touch gasket. The bottom side is where the Force Touch connector faces.

Step 28

  • Hold the Force Touch gasket diagonally to thread it over the display cable. Make sure to position the Force Touch connector next to the home button.
  • Use the pointed end of a spudger to make final adjustments and press the Force Touch gasket into place.

Hold the Force Touch gasket diagonally to thread it over the display cable. Make sure to position the Force Touch connector next to the home button.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to make final adjustments and press the Force Touch gasket into place.

To reassemble your Apple Watch Series 4 follow these instructions in reverse order to reattach the screen and the battery.

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

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

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                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

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cucflek - Jul 29, 2022

Reply

Do I have to put also new adhesive or adhesive at the force touch is fine ?

Andrew Douglas - Aug 30, 2022

Reply

I have an Apple Watch SE 40mm that had a very cracked screen after falling on a tiled floor. Gift from my daughters for father’s day, ouch!

Was able to get the screen off using heat gun. Released the latches and gently removed the three ribbon cables. Removed the adhesive strip that was kind of clear in appearance. Saw a light brown strip in the channel around the base of the watch. Thought it was part of the adhesive and pulled it out. Then I thought, sh*^t, was that the Force Touch Gasket! To make matters even worse the two ribbon cables on each side tore. I think they insulate the signals?? Looks like my beloved SE is toast thanks to me being a bone head! Should have sent it in for 140.00!

Daniel Lux - Oct 28, 2022

Reply

Do I need to replace the Force Touch gasket even though it isn‘t used anymore sine WatchOS 7?

I mean while replacing a display glass do I need to keep the Force Touch intact?

Dennis Lehmann - Jan 7, 2023

Yes because you need to glue and fix the Display. It’s also for the water resistants. :)

Jim Kulyk - 4 days agoJan 19, 2023

Reply

Is the adhesive supplied with a new Force Touch gasket to be used for subsequent screen removal and replacement? It appears the new Force Touch gasket has some adhesive after removal of the protective foil, is this correct?