How to Fix the Display Touchscreen Digitizer on the 2018-2020 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd and 4th Gen (DIY Repair Guide)

Does your 2018-2020 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd and 4th Gen (model numbers: A1876, A1895, A1983, A2014, A2069, A2229, A2232, and A2233) have a cracked or shattered display? Does the screen register inconsistent or ghost touches, stay dark, flicker unexpectedly, or show flashing lines? If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s time to replace the display LCD touchscreen digitizer.

In this DIY repair guide, we show you how to replace the display touchscreen digitizer on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch with new OEM spares without technical skills or expertise. You will find all the tools required for this repair and original replacement parts below.

Want to get your tablet repaired by a professional? Send us the 2018-2020 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th Gen), and our repair ninjas will restore it to peak working condition. Follow the link, select the issues you’re experiencing, click Continue, enter your email ID, and click Get My Estimate to view the repair cost instantly.

Repair Difficulty

Moderate / Requires 45-60 minutes to complete.

This repair involves carefully removing the fragile display from the iPad housing without cracking it and preserving the delicate internal cables and antennas during disassembly. You don’t need prior experience or technical skills to complete this repair yourself. With the right tools, patience, and attention to detail, you can replace the display screen on the 2018-2020 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch yourself.

Replacement Parts You’ll Need

Restore your Apple iPad Pro’s form and functionality with original replacement parts. Select the OEM spares from the drop-down menu below and bring your device back to peak working condition.

• Apple iPad Pro 12.9-Inch 3rd 4th Generation Touch Screen LCD Replacement - Parts

• Apple iPad Repair Kit Pro Air Screen Opening Resealing Tool Set

Get an OEM replacement display touchscreen LCD digitizer for your Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th Gen) today. Click the link to visit our store, then scroll down to the Customers Also Add section to purchase the original replacement part and the tools you’ll need for this repair at a discount.

Tools You’ll Need

Before starting the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch display and touch digitizer replacement, gather the following tools. Using the correct instruments will help you complete the repair successfully. We used the following tools and recommend them for a safe, professional-quality DIY fix at home.

• 2.0mm Phillips Screwdriver
• 1.5mm Flathead Screwdriver
• Nylon Spudger
• Heat Gun
• Apple iPad LCD Screen Removal Thin Pry Star Shape Tool
• Apple iPad LCD Tablet Screen Removal Thin Triangle Shape Plastic Pry Pick Tool
• 3M Double-sided Tape (2mm)
• 3M Double-sided Tape (4mm)
• B7000 Adhesive
• Heat-proof Anti-skid Rubber Work Mat

Not ready to invest in tools yet? Find your device in our repair catalog, select the issues it’s experiencing, and send it to us. Our repair ninjas will restore your device to peak working condition.

Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Replacing the Broken, Cracked, or Damaged Display on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch at Home

In this detailed DIY repair guide, we show you how to replace the shattered, cracked, or unresponsive touchscreen display on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th Gen) yourself. Follow each step carefully and use the accompanying images as a visual guide to complete the repair with confidence.

Technical Note: Before starting any electronics repair, we recommend powering off the device and disconnecting it from the power source. This reduces the risk of electrical damage and ensures the device’s safety during repair.

Step 1: Separate the Cracked, Broken, and Damaged Display from the Housing

1.1. Insert a start pry tool into the seam between the display and the housing where the volume control buttons are located. With a heat gun set at 250°C (582°F) at low airflow, apply heat uniformly along the bezel to soften the adhesive.

Repair Tip: Do not direct the heat gun at one spot. Keep it moving along the bezel to soften the underlying adhesive without damaging the internal circuit or melting the housing.

1.2.  Once the display begins to lift away from the housing, insert a plastic pick into the seam to keep the adhesive from sticking back together. Avoid using a metal pry tool to cut through the adhesive around the housing, as it can easily damage the ribbon cables underneath or the GPS and cellular antennas.

1.3. Work your way around the housing with a second plastic pick. Apply heat as necessary to prevent the glue from hardening.

Word of Advice: Do not insert the pick more than 2mm into the bezel, or you may damage the Face ID ribbon and the antennas.

1.4. Once you’ve cut the adhesive tape on 3 sides, stand the iPad on the work mat and pry the display off with the plastic pick while heating the bezel.

1.5. Once the screen starts to separate, use your fingers to widen the gap and continue working your way around all 4 sides.

1.6. Once the screen pops off the housing, slide it slightly to reveal the Face ID ribbon, then unfasten the 2 screws with a 2.0mm Phillips screwdriver and set the hardware aside.

1.7. Disconnect the Face ID ribbon with a nylon spudger.

1.8. Flip the display without damaging the ribbon cables, then unfasten 5 screws securing the plate on top of the display connectors with a 2.0mm Phillips screwdriver.

Keep in Mind: One of the 5 screws is longer. Store them separately to avoid mixing them up during reassembly.

1.9. Disconnect all the ribbon cables from the display to the main board with a nylon spudger, then set the old display aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Housing to Install the New Display

Scrape away any old adhesive tape from the housing with a flathead screwdriver or nylon spudger.

Pro Tip: Remove the adhesive tape while it is still warm. Once it cools, the adhesive becomes much harder to remove.

Step 3: Apply New Adhesive Tape on the Housing

3.1. Apply new adhesive tape on all four sides of the housing. Cut the ends with a paper cutter, then round the edges of the tape to match the shape of the housing with a nylon spudger.

3.2. Apply the 4mm tape on the bottom and right sides of the housing and the 2mm tape on the top and left sides where the bezel is thinner. Do not apply tape over the front cameras.

Step 4: Harvest the Main Cable and Face ID Sensors from the Damaged Display

4.1. Unfasten the 2 screws over the display connector with a 2.0mm Phillips screwdriver and disconnect the cable with a nylon spudger.

Keep in Mind: The Face ID sensor assembly is paired to the device's circuit board. When installing a new display, you must transfer the original Face ID sensors to the replacement screen. Installing a new sensor assembly will disable Face ID functionality.

4.2. Peel the tape over the Face ID sensors with a nylon spudger.

4.3. Pry out the sensors with a star pry tool and set the assembly aside.

Handy Tip: Apply heat as necessary to soften the adhesive. Do not remove the adhesive from the sensors, as you will need it during reassembly.

4.4. Unplug the front microphone from the old display with the star pry tool.

Step 5: Install the Main Cable and Face ID Ribbon in the New Display

5.1. Peel away all adhesive tape and protective film from the new display.

5.2. Poke the small hole in the new display with a safety pin and use it as a reference to align the Face ID sensor with the housing.

5.3. Align the Face ID sensors with the new display and press them so that the Adhesive bonds securely.

DIY Tip: If the old adhesive on the sensors is insufficient to hold the assembly, apply fresh B7000 adhesive and double-sided tape as necessary.

5.4. Install the main cable in the new display and fasten the 2 screws to secure it in place.

5.5. Install the top plate and secure it with 2 screws.

Step 6: Transplant 2 Magnets from the Old to the New Display

6.1. Pry out the magnets from the old display with a nylon spudger.

6.2.  Cut small slits in the double-sided tape where the magnet will sit. This prevents the tape from tightening when the magnets are installed, ensuring a better seal.

6.3. Install the magnets in the new display.

6.4. Connect the display ribbons to the main board.

6.5. Install the top plate and fasten 5 screws.

6.6. Flip the display over the housing, attach the Face ID ribbons to the circuit board, and fasten the 2 screws over the top plate to secure the assembly in place.

6.7. Peel off the paper cover from the double-sided tape on all 4 sides, align the new display with the housing, and press them together so that the adhesive bonds.

Congratulations! Your Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd and 4th Gen) is Ready to Use!

You have successfully replaced the cracked, shattered, or flickering display touchscreen LCD assembly on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch. Check the touch response, charging stability, and fitment to confirm that the device has been repaired correctly.

If you found this guide helpful and would like to try your hand at DIY gadget repair, visit our store for essential tools and spare parts. You can also check out our at-home DIY tablet repair guides for common Apple iPad repair tutorials.

Have questions or suggestions about this repair? Text a repair ninja or email us, and we’ll reply shortly.