iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display Replacement

Before beginning any work on your iMac: Unplug the computer and press and hold the power button for ten seconds to discharge the power supply's capacitors.

Starting on the left of the display, near the power button, insert the iMac Opening Tool into the gap between the glass panel and the rear enclosure.

Use the tool like a pizza cutter—roll it along through the gap, and it will cut the foam adhesive through the center.

Run the tool up along the left side of the display.

Continue running the tool up around the top left corner.

Cut the adhesive along the top left of the display.

Continue along the top of the display.

Push the tool around the top right corner of the display.

Wheel the tool down along the right side of the display.

Finish pushing the opening tool to the bottom of the right side of the display.

Starting from the top right corner of the iMac, wedge a plastic card between the display and frame.

Gently twist the plastic card sideways to create a gap between the display and frame.

Move slowly and be careful not to stress the display glass too much—you only need to make a gap of about 1/4".

Slide the card toward the center of the display to cut any of the remaining adhesive along the top right corner of the iMac.

Wedge the plastic card into the top right corner once again, and leave it there to prevent the adhesive from resticking.

Insert a second plastic card into the gap between the display and frame near the top left corner of the iMac.

Gently twist the card upward, slightly increasing the space between the display and frame.

Slide the plastic card toward the center, again stopping just before the iSight camera.

Wedge the plastic card back into the top left corner.

With both plastic cards inserted as shown near the corners, gently twist the cards sideways to increase the gap between display and case.

Begin to lift the top of the display up from the frame.

Hold the display with one hand while using your other hand to unplug the display power cable.

Continuing to support the display with one hand, flip up the metal retaining bracket on the display data cable.

Carefully pull the display data cable from its socket on the logic board.

Lift the display up to a near-vertical position.

Grasp the small tab at the end of one of the bottom edge display adhesive strips and pull the adhesive toward the top of the iMac to remove it.

Repeat this step with the other adhesive strip and remove it.

Lift the display up from the frame and remove it from the iMac.

It may be necessary to slowly lift from one side to peel against the remaining adhesive.

Use your fingernail or the pointed tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the display data connector.

Pull the display data cable connector straight out of its socket on the back of the display.

Use an iOpener near the top edge of the display assembly to heat and soften the adhesive on the piece of tape holding the thermal sensor in place.

Peel up the piece of tape securing the thermal sensor to the back of the display assembly.

Use an opening pick to break up the adhesive holding the thermal sensor to the back of the iMac display.

Disconnect the thermal sensor from its socket on the back of the display.

Remove the thermal sensor and transfer it to your new display assembly.