Eric Metzger

At Simple Computer Repair in Monument, Colorado, We have opened a number of iPhone 7's. The adhesive is definitely strong. We use a Kobalt heat gun on the edges. Start at the bottom (left side of the home button. We heat the bottom and left side first. We use a single edge razor blade inserted vertically between the phone case and the screen. We then gently pry up on the screen until it begins to separate. We then run the razor blade along the side releasing the adhesive. We use opening picks to hold the screen open and keep it from re-adhering as we work along the edge. Don't put too much of the razor blade in, especially along the right side so as not to cut the home button cable. Once you get through the adhesive, remember that the iPhone 7 opens like a book, not bottom to top. Good luck.

The digitizer and screen are a single unit. You can usually find the screen/digitizer for around $135-$140.

One step is missing during reassembly. After putting the battery half back to the screen and securing the parts together with the 22 torx screws, remove the rubber protective cover on the upper left of the assembly and ensure that the power/volume flex cable is still connected to the board. Then reinstall the rubber cover and finish by installing the back of the phone.

No need to remove battery or logic board. After disconnecting battery and removing screen, Do steps 26 and 27. Then remove the two stand-offs on the lower part of the logic board (shown in orange in step 30) and the screw on the far right of the logic board (bottom screw shown in red in step 30). Using a spudger, pop off the cellular data antenna (shown in step 21). Remove the screw on the bottom right securing the speaker in the frame and grounding the home button (this is the blue screw in step 34). You can carefully peel the lightning connector ground off the speaker (large flat ribbon on the bottom right. Then carefully peel the home button ground contact ribbon off the speaker on the left side. You can then gently slide the speaker out from under the logic board and replace it. Put tings back in reverse order. You can use a little piece of battery sticker to re-glue the home button ground contacts back to the left side of the speaker. No need to remove the data port or any other component.