iPad Pro 11" 3rd Gen USB-C Port Replacement

Written By: Chayton Ritter

Comments: 5

iPad Pro 11" 3rd Gen USB-C Port Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the USB-C port on your iPad Pro 11" 3rd-gen.

This guide is written with an A2301 (cellular + mmWave) model iPad Pro. If you're fixing a Wi-Fi model, you can still use this guide—there will be some visual discrepancies, and you'll need to skip the steps related to the cellular antennas.

Some photos in this guide show the screen disconnected and fully removed. This isn't necessary for the procedure, so this guide skips those steps. If you wish to remove the screen, follow this guide.

Some photos show the battery connector blocked with two card strips. While this is an optional method, it's more reliable to fully discharge the battery. Ignore this visual discrepancy as you work through the guide.

Tools

Step 1

Allow your iPad's battery to fully drain before starting this repair. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged during the repair.
Unplug any cables and fully shut down your iPad.

Step 2

While your iPad looks uniform from the outside, there are delicate components under portions of the screen. To avoid damage, follow instructions exactly as written and note the following areas as you open your iPad:
Camera module, ambient light sensors, proximity senor, and front microphone
Display cables
Screen magnets
LCD edges

Step 3

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
You can also use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but extreme heat can damage the screen and/or internal battery, so proceed with care.

If using a heat gun, what would be the ideal temperature?

geddy76 -

Step 4

The next three steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
Pull the blue handle backward to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Place an object under your iPad so it rests level between the suction cups.
Position the suction cups near the middle of the right edge—one on the top, and one on the bottom.
Hold the bottom of the Anti-Clamp steady and firmly press down on the top cup to apply suction.
If you find that the surface of your iPad is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 5

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.
Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Step 6

Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
If your screen isn't getting hot enough, you can use a hair dryer to heat along the right edge of the iPad.
For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, check out this guide.
Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.
Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next step.

Step 7

If your screen is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
Apply a suction handle to the right edge of the screen, about 5 cm from the bottom edge.
Pull up on the suction handle with firm, constant pressure to create a gap just small enough to insert an opening pick.
Only create a gap small enough to insert an opening pick. Overbending the screen will damage it.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm or you may damage the LCD.

Step 8

Insert a new opening pick in the gap you just created.
Slide the pick along the right edge to separate the adhesive.
When sliding near the volume buttons, don't insert the pick more than 2 mm or you'll damage the screen magnets.
Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 9

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 10

The top edge of the iPad contains the camera module, two ambient light sensors, the proximity sensor, and front microphone. These components are fragile and easily damaged if an opening pick is inserted too far. Only separate the adhesive in the marked locations to avoid damage.
The two ambient light sensors can be hard to see and can be located using a flashlight or by placing the iPad under a bright light.
Don't insert an opening pick more than 2 mm near the top left and right edges or you'll damage the ambient light sensors.
Don't insert an opening pick more than 1 mm near the middle of the top edge or you'll damage the camera module, proximity sensor, and front microphone.

Step 11

Insert a new opening pick in the gap you just created.
Slide the pick along the top right edge, stopping when you reach the right ambient light sensor.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm.
Leave the pick in to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 12

Insert a new opening pick to the right of the ambient light sensor.
Slide the pick along the middle section of the top edge, stopping when you reach the left ambient light sensor.
Don't insert the pick more than 1 mm or you'll damage the proximity sensor and front microphone.
Leave the pick in to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 13

Insert a new opening pick to the left of the ambient light sensor.
Slide the pick along the top left edge, stopping when you reach the left ambient light sensor.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm.
Once the top edge adhesive has been separated, you can remove the two picks near the ambient light sensors.

Step 14

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 15

Insert a new opening pick in the bottom right corner below the existing pick.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 2 mm when sliding on the right edge.
Slide the pick around the bottom right corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 16

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge, stopping at the USB-C port.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm when separating the bottom edge adhesive.
Leave the pick in to prevent the bottom edge adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 17

Insert a new opening pick to the left of the USB-C port.
Separate the remaining bottom edge adhesive.
Don't insert the opening pick more than 5 mm when slicing the bottom edge adhesive.
Leave the pick in the bottom left corner to prevent the bottom edge adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 18

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 19

The left edge of the iPad contains several display cables. These cables are extremely fragile and easily damaged if an opening pick is inserted too far or at the wrong angle. Follow the instructions exactly as written to avoid damage.
The display cables are located within small indents of the frame and require an opening pick to be inserted at a 45° angle.
There are flat sections of the frame which require an opening pick to be inserted horizontally.

Step 20

Insert an opening pick at a 45˚ angle just above the bottom left corner.
Don't insert the pick more than 5 mm or you'll damage the display cables.
Carefully slide the pick along the left edge, stopping when you reach the flat section of the frame.

Step 21

Lower the opening pick so it is horizontal to the screen.
Don't insert the pick more than 5 mm.
Continue separating the left edge adhesive until you reach the next indented section of the frame.

Step 22

Separate the remaining adhesive, making sure to follow the instructions exactly as written.
Slide the pick at a 45˚ downward angle and don't insert the pick more than 5 mm.
Slide the pick horizontally and don't insert the pick more than 5 mm.

Step 23

At this point, you've separated most of the screen adhesive. Lift the edges of the screen up slightly to check if there is any remaining adhesive.
Use an opening pick to remove any remaining adhesive keeping the screen stuck to the frame.
Grab the top right and bottom left corners of the screen.
Slowly slide the screen towards the bottom right corner to separate it from the frame.
Don't fully remove the screen as it is held in place by several ribbon cables underneath.
Shift the screen towards the bottom right corner of the frame until the ambient light sensor ribbon cable near the top edge is uncovered.

This (step 23) is by far the hardest part, the glue, even in warmed-up state, is quite strong and the panel extremely fragile.

ifaxit -

Step 24

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the ambient light sensor cable bracket to the logic board:
One 1.3 mm screw
One 2.0 mm screw
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPad and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your iPad back down before you continue working.

Step 25

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the bracket.

Step 26

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the ambient light sensor cable by lifting straight up on the press connectors.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 27

Don't try to remove the screen yet, as it's still attached by delicate ribbon cables.
Grip the right edge of the screen and fold it open like a book.
Lay the screen down over the left edge of the iPad.

Step 28

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five screws securing the lower cable shield to the logic board:
Two 2.0 mm screws
Three 1.3 mm screws

Step 29

Use tweezers or your fingers to grab and remove the lower cable shield.

missing battery disconnect

CPR Princeton -

Just to affirm the other comment.

You need to unscrew the battery connection and insert a battery separator. I think the iFixit separator is too big. Very thin plastic can work in a pinch.

gatewaynomad -

Step 30

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the USB-C port cable.

Step 31

The USB-C port cable is secured to the logic board with weak adhesive.
Slide an opening pick between the cable and the logic board to separate the adhesive.

Step 32

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 1.9 mm screws securing the USB-C port to the frame.

Step 33

Use tweezers to remove the two grounding contacts from each side of the USB-C port.

Step 34

Lift up and remove the USB-C port.

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPad Pro 11" 3rd Gen Answers community for help.

Author

Chayton Ritter

Member since: 21/08/20

20864 Reputation

One comment

Full disclosure: I haven't been inside an idevice since iPhone 4S, and neither eye-sight nor dexterity has gotten better since, but this operation IMHO most definitely deserve the "difficult" label. Apple had told me that my USB-C port had rusted [sic!] due to humidity and the only repair was a replacement at almost the price of a refurbished (but with much less warranty), so trying this was a cheap investment. I got it open, replaced the port and reassembled, but at the cost of a cracked screen (step 23 is quite tricky), and the patient still wouldn't charge. It's satisfying proving apple wrong (that or the spare I got was broken, ifixit didn't have one, so I had to turn to ebay, which is a lot less reassuring), but if you can't afford to lose your ipad and aren't particularly skilled with fragile mechanics, consider professional help for this. The guide is most excellent, any blame for my cracked screen lies squarely on me and I don't regret trying.

ifaxit -