iPhone 13 Pro Max Rear-Facing Camera Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 31 Steps
Dive into this guide to swap out your rear-facing cameras in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The coolest part? All camera modules come as a single replacement package! And just a heads up: on iOS 18 and later, you can fine-tune those shiny new camera modules with Apple’s Repair Assistant. If you find yourself stuck, feel free to schedule a repair for some expert help!
Step 1
Hey there! Before you jump in, make sure to drain your iPhone battery down to less than 25%. A lithium-ion battery that's fully charged could become a little firecracker if accidentally poked. Safety first, always!
Popping open your iPhone’s display will break its waterproof seals. Make sure you have new seals on hand before you go any further, or be extra careful to keep liquids away if you plan to put it back together without replacing them.
- Make sure to power off your iPhone before you start taking it apart.
- Next, remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws located at the bottom edge of your iPhone.
Step 2
If your pick goes in too deep, it could hurt your device. To avoid that, give your pick a little marker and stay safe.
You can also mark the other corners with measurements that work for you.
Or, grab a coin, tape it to your pick about 3mm from the tip, and you're good to go.
- Take your trusty ruler and measure 3 mm from the tip. Give that opening pick a little mark with a permanent marker to guide your way!
Step 3
Pop on some safety glasses to keep your eyes safe from any tiny glass pieces that might decide to take a flying leap during the repair.
Got a cracked screen on your iPhone? No worries! Just tape over that glass to keep any further damage at bay and to protect yourself while you tackle the repair.
If you're really in a bind, a little superglue on the suction cup can do the trick to help it stick to the screen.
- Start by laying down strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone screen, making sure they overlap a little, until the entire front is covered.
- If the suction cup isn’t sticking in the next steps, no worries! Simply grab a piece of strong tape (like duct tape), fold it into a handle, and use that to lift the screen instead.
Tools Used
Step 4
The next three steps showcase the Anti-Clamp, our nifty little tool designed to make opening your device a breeze. If you’re not rolling with the Anti-Clamp, just skip ahead three steps for an alternative method.
For all the juicy details on using the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
If your iPhone's surface is feeling a bit too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to grip, a bit of tape can help create a stickier surface. Get creative!
- Give that blue handle a little tug towards you to free the Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Slide those arms over the edge of your iPhone—left or right, it's your call!
- Place the suction cups just above the bottom edge of your iPhone—one on the front and one on the back.
- Press the cups together to create a snug suction in the area you want to work on.
Step 5
- Give that blue handle a gentle push away from the hinge to kick things into opening mode!
- Now, twist the handle to the right until those suction cups start stretching like they're getting ready for a workout.
- Keep an eye on those cups to make sure they're still best buds. If they start drifting apart, just loosen them a tad and realign the arms. You've got this!
Step 6
Take it easy and only twist a quarter turn at a time, then kick back for a minute before your next move. Let the Anti-Clamp and patience do their magic for you.
Looking to master the art of using a hair dryer? Check out this guide for all the details you need!
If the Anti-Clamp isn’t giving you enough of a gap, try applying a little more heat to the area and twist the handle a quarter turn. That should do the trick!
- Place your iPhone on a solid surface like a hardcover book so it sits hands-free and flat, making the next steps way easier to handle.
- Grab a hair dryer and warm up the bottom edge of your iPhone until it feels just a bit too hot to keep your finger on.
- Give it a minute to let the adhesive loosen up and create a little gap for you to work with.
- Slide an opening pick under the screen's plastic bezel once the Anti-Clamp has made a big enough gap.
- Skip the next three steps.
Tools Used
Step 7
Keep that hair dryer moving! Don't let it stay in one spot for too long, or it might overheat. Give it a little wiggle to keep things cool.
- Grab a hair dryer or heat gun and focus on the bottom edge of your iPhone for around 90 seconds, or until it feels just a tad too warm to touch. You want it nice and cozy, but not scalding hot. This'll help loosen things up without any drama.
Tools Used
Step 8
- Stick a suction cup to the bottom edge of your phone, but be sure to steer clear of the very edge of the glass.
- Give the suction cup a firm, steady pull to gently create a small gap between the screen and the frame.
- Slide an opening pick into the gap just beneath the screen’s plastic bezel to start the separation.
The adhesive keeping the screen securely in place is tough, so don't be surprised if it takes some elbow grease to create that initial gap. If you're struggling, try adding a bit more heat, then gently rock the screen back and forth to help loosen the adhesive. Once you get a small gap, you'll be able to slide in your tool and make progress. Patience is key here!
Tools Used
Step 9
- Grab your trusty hair dryer and give the right edge of your iPhone (that's the one with the power button) a warm hug for about 90 seconds, or until it feels just a smidge too hot to handle. You're doing great!
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Step 10
Keep your pick shallow—no deeper than 3 mm—or you’ll risk poking something delicate inside.
- Gently slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner of the iPhone to loosen the adhesive holding it together.
- Keep sliding the pick up along the right edge of the iPhone until you reach the top right corner.
- Once there, leave the pick in place at the top right corner before moving on to the next step.
Step 11
- Grab a hair dryer and give that top edge of your iPhone a nice warm hug for about 90 seconds, or until it feels a bit too toasty to touch. You're just warming things up for some smooth sailing ahead!
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Step 12
Keep your pick shallow—3 mm is the max, or those top sensors might get cranky!
- Glide your opening pick along the top right corner of your iPhone to break up that stubborn adhesive. Nice and easy, like slicing through butter.
- Park the pick in the top left corner and let it chill there before you keep going.
Step 13
- Grab a hair dryer and warm up the left edge of your iPhone for about 90 seconds, or until it feels just a bit too toasty to keep your finger on.
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Step 14
Heads up! There are some fragile cables running along the left edge of your iPhone. Avoid sliding your pick there to keep everything safe and sound.
Step 15
Gently twist your way through this part, taking it slow and steady.
If the adhesive is being stubborn, give the left edge a little heat boost to help it along.
- Slide a second opening pick into the bottom left corner of your iPhone.
- Give both picks a twist at the same time to free those left edge clips. You've got this!
Step 16
Hold up on pulling the display all the way off—there are still some delicate ribbon cables hooking it up to the iPhone's logic board.
- Time to say goodbye to your suction handle! Gently lift it off the screen.
- Turn your iPhone so the right edge is waving hello to you.
- It’s showtime! Open your iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, just like flipping the front cover of a book.
- Prop that display up against something sturdy so it can take a breather while you work your magic on the phone.
- When it's time to put everything back together, lay the display back down in its rightful spot. Make sure to align those clips along the top edge and press the top edge down gently before giving the rest of the display a little snap. If it’s being stubborn and doesn’t click into place, take a peek at the clips around the edge to ensure they’re not bent out of shape.
Tools Used
Step 17
Keep a sharp eye on every single screw during this repair—make sure each one goes back exactly where it came from to keep your iPhone safe and sound.
- Grab your Y000 screwdriver and take out the three 1.3 mm screws holding down the battery connector cover. Tiny screws, big moves!
- When you're putting things back together, this is a perfect moment to fire up your iPhone and make sure everything’s working before you close up the display. Just don’t forget to shut it down again before you keep tinkering!
Step 18
- Time to get to work! Start by popping off the battery connector cover. Just a gentle pull and you'll be good to go.
Step 19
Be careful not to mess up the black silicone seal around this and other board connections! These little guys are like the superheroes of your device, keeping out pesky water and dust. So let's give them some love and keep everything safe and sound!
- Grab the pointed end of a spudger or your clean fingernail, and gently lift the battery connector up from its cozy spot on the logic board.
- Once it's free, give the connector a slight bend away from the logic board. This keeps it from accidentally reconnecting and powering up your phone while you work on it.
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Step 20
- Grab a spudger or your trusty clean fingernail and gently lift that display connector up from its cozy little home on the logic board. It's like a game of peek-a-boo, but with electronics!
- When it’s time to reconnect, carefully line up the connectors and press down gently on one side until you hear that satisfying click. Then, do the same on the other side. Remember, no middle pressing! We don't want any pins going rogue and bending out of shape. Take it slow and steady!
Tools Used
Step 21
- Grab your trusty Y000 screwdriver and let's kick things off by unscrewing those two 1.1 mm screws from the front sensor connector cover. You've got this!
- Next up, take your Phillips screwdriver and tackle the last two screws holding the front sensor connector cover in place:
- One 1.5 mm screw, nice and easy.
- And don't forget about that one 1.8 mm screw, it's waiting for you too!
Step 22
- Gently pop off the front sensor connector cover to get things started.
Step 23
- Grab the pointy end of your spudger and gently pop off the front sensor assembly cable connector. Easy does it!
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Step 24
- Time to say goodbye to the display assembly! Carefully remove it to make way for the magic ahead.
- As you put everything back together, feel free to hit the pause button here if you're thinking about swapping out the waterproof adhesive around the display edges. It's a great way to keep your device safe and sound!
Step 25
- Grab your Y000 driver and take out the four screws holding the rear-facing camera cover in place:
- Next up, use a Phillips screwdriver to remove one 1.6 mm screw.
- Then, tackle the three 1.4 mm screws.
- Finally, unscrew the one 1.3 mm screw to finish up.
Step 26
- Gently pop the camera cover off, starting from the edge that's closest to the logic board, and set it aside.
Step 27
- When popping the camera module cover back on, make sure that lip along the right side tucks neatly under the phone’s chassis—no sneaky edges sticking out!
Step 28
- Gently lift with the sharp end of a spudger to free the two camera cables from the logic board. You've got this!
Tools Used
Step 29
- Gently pop the camera assembly out of your iPhone with the tip of a spudger—think of it as giving the camera a smooth lift-off.
Tools Used
Step 30
- Detach those rear-facing cameras and give your device the makeover it deserves!
Step 31
- Double-check your shiny new part against the old one—sometimes you'll need to move over bits and pieces or peel off protective stickers before popping it in.
- Ready to put everything back together? Just work backwards through these steps and your device should be good as new.
- For certain parts, you might be able to fine-tune things using Apple's Repair Assistant starting with iOS 18. Just update your device, go to Settings→General→About→Parts & Service History, hit Restart & Finish Repair, and follow the prompts.
- Done with the old parts? Give them a proper send-off at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
- If things didn’t go as smoothly as you hoped, try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 13 Pro Max Answers community for tips. And if you’re still stuck, you can always schedule a repair.
