iFixit Posts Apple Watch Repair Manuals for Battery, Screen and More

iFixit has released Apple Watch repair manuals for various components of the device, including the battery, screen, adhesive, and NFC antenna. The guides provide step-by-step instructions on how to replace the Apple Watch's OLED display and battery, alongside additional steps for repairing the adhesive and NFC antenna that can be damaged as a result of opening the casing.

iFixit Apple Watch Display Repair
The steps required to replace the OLED display and fused glass digitizer, in simplified terms, include separating the screen from the watch body with a sharp, curved knife and opening pick, prying and removing the internal battery, disconnecting the display data and digitizer cables, and removing the screen. The steps to replace the battery are nearly identical.

Replacing the Apple Watch's adhesive involves laying the backed adhesive tape down on the NFC antenna, around the edge of the case where the screen rests, using a plastic opening tool to reconnect the display data and digitizer cable connectors, reinstalling the metal bracket, pressing the battery back into its position, and pressing the casing down firmly on the new adhesive.

iFixit Apple Watch Adhesive Repair
While many of the tools used in the repair guides are available for purchase, iFixit has not yet stocked the necessary Apple Watch replacement parts needed to make these repairs. Given that the Apple Watch has only been available for one week, it could be some time before the website makes replacement batteries, screens, adhesive and NFC antennas available through it online store.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: iFixit
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

Tuesday September 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Apple recently revealed that the feature would soon be available in North Dakota, and starting today, the feature has officially gone...
space black mbp

Here's Every New Apple Product That Leaked Yesterday

Wednesday October 1, 2025 8:27 am PDT by
A handful of upcoming Apple products leaked yesterday, through a combination of YouTube videos out of Russia and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) documents that were released, despite Apple's confidentiality requests. The leaked products include an iPad Pro with an M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro and Apple Vision Pro models. All of these devices had already been rumored...
maxresdefault

New iPad Pro With M5 Chip Leaked in Unboxing Video

Tuesday September 30, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
An apparent unboxing video for an unannounced iPad Pro with the M5 chip was uploaded to YouTube today by Russian channel Wylsacom. The same YouTube account leaked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip before it was announced by Apple last year, so this is likely a legitimate leak. Based on the box shown in the video, this appears to be a 13-inch iPad Pro with an M5 chip, 256GB of...
fcc vision pro leak

FCC Accidentally Leaks Apple's Next Vision Pro

Tuesday September 30, 2025 3:48 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has seemingly confirmed Apple's work on an updated version of the Vision Pro headset. One of several documents the FCC shared today references an Apple-designed "Head Mounted Device" with a model number of A3416. An included image confirms the device is a Vision Pro. The FCC's uploads are transmission tests, SAR test reports, and...
macbook pro prime day 2025

FCC Leaks Upcoming MacBook Pro and More

Tuesday September 30, 2025 1:58 pm PDT by
The United States Federal Communications Commission has confirmed Apple's work on a new version of the MacBook Pro and several other products, leaking details on the devices ahead of launch. The FCC published documents that reference model numbers that do not correspond with existing devices. A3434, for example, references an unreleased MacBook Pro, while other numbers are likely for...
iOS 26 Feature

iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Wednesday October 1, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
iOS 26 was released last month, but the software train never stops, and iOS 26.1 beta testing is already underway. So far, iOS 26.1 makes both Apple Intelligence and Live Translation on compatible AirPods available in additional languages, and it includes some other minor changes across Apple Music, Calendar, Photos, and Safari. More features and changes will follow in future versions,...
iPhone 17 vs Air and Pros Feature

New iPhones See 'Stronger Than Expected' Demand With One Exception

Thursday October 2, 2025 7:26 am PDT by
Nearly two weeks after the iPhone 17 series launched, analysts at investment banking firm Morgan Stanley said demand for the devices has been "modestly stronger than we originally expected," based on a combination of extended shipping estimates on Apple's online store and information it gathered from Apple's supply chain. There has been strong early demand for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro,...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.0.1 With Fixes for Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Camera Issues on iPhone 17 Models

Monday September 29, 2025 10:12 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1, the first updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out earlier this week. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes for the update, iOS 26.0.1 addresses a bug that could cause aberrations in...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Apple's 2025 Product Roadmap: What's Still Coming

Wednesday October 1, 2025 3:56 pm PDT by
Apple's two big yearly events, WWDC and the iPhone launch, are done and over with, but there are still some new products that we're expecting to see before the end of the year. Apple TV The Apple TV hasn't been updated since 2022, so it's due for a refresh. It doesn't look like Apple is going to change the design of its set-top box, but we can expect a faster chip Apple code suggests...

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
136 months ago
The first rule of Watch Repair Club is don't repair the Watch.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jagolden Avatar
136 months ago
Am I the only one who thinks this product is ludicrous?

No, your simply someone who can't think beyond yourself. It's a big, busy world outside of your basement.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k1121j Avatar
136 months ago
Am I the only one who thinks this product is ludicrous?

yes
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winston1236 Avatar
136 months ago
Finally now I can upgrade the RAM ;)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rumplestiltskin Avatar
136 months ago
Am I the only one who thinks this product is ludicrous?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PabloGS Avatar
136 months ago
Finally an article I can make use of in the event I break something. Though I doubt I will considering I have the sturdy SS with Sapphire. I'm always the DIY type. :D

You are aware, that the saphire glass breaks more easily than the ion x glass? ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)