02/25/2026
I started service on this poor iPhone 14 Pro Max yesterday. Oddly, I found it extremely difficult to open this iPhone. Apple's methods were not even letting this screen loosen at all. I soon discovered that this iPhone had been improperly serviced by someone else.
Instead of correctly replacing the waterproof seal, (that is specific to each iPhone model) this person had decided to use a very tough glue to actually glue the screen onto the iPhone's frame. Even after the correct amount of heat was applied, the necessary forces needed to remove this 'glued on' screen actually made this screen split apart where it is bonded in the factory!
Imagine if this was a 100% working screen and the customer merely wanted the battery replaced. Well in this case, the customer would have to pay to have the screen replaced as well.
Also I discovered that this person had lost 3 screws attaching the metal logic board electrostatic shield. iPhone screws are completely specific. a missing screw cannot merely be substituted with any screw. each screw is unique in its microscopic dimensions. The wrong screw placed in such a crucial place could easily destroy this logic board! Such carelessness concerning these screws could be catastrophic for this iPhone.
This person also left the plastic protector on the inside of the old screen. This should ALWAYS be removed to prevent Electrostatic damage to the logic board. Under this plastic is a delicate electrostatic shield that must be facing the logic board while the iPhone is assembled to properly protect the delicate logic board.
This glue that was used to glue this screen onto the iPhone had to be removed using a special high speed rotary tool that was made for this purpose. This took more than an hour and took a very steady hand with very careful control to avoid the huge risk of severe damage that even a momentary slip with it would have caused. All this could have been avoided had this iPhone been serviced correctly.
Please make certain that when you have your device(s) serviced that you make very sure that the technician that is going to service them is properly trained and ethical.
I can only speak for myself in these matters. Personally, I was trained by Apple to do this work 100 % correctly. Every device that comes across my own work bench is treated with all the care and respect that I apply to my own devices.
This iPhone will now be repaired correctly and so if it needs service in the future, there won't be any nasty surprises awaiting whomever services it in the future.
