Follow this guide to replace the USB-C charging port in your iPad Pro 12.9" 4th generation.
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.
This guide is written with an A2229 (Wi-Fi only) model iPad Pro. If you have the cellular model, use this guide as a general reference, but you may need to perform extra disassembly not covered in 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.
If your battery is swollen, [[What to do with a swollen battery|take appropriate precautions|new_window=true]].
Prepare your iPad for disassembly
⚠️ Caution: 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.
Heat the right edge
Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
💡 Note: A hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun], or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the iPad—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.
Anti-Clamp instructions
💡 Note: The next three steps demonstrate the [product|IF145-513|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.
💡 Note: For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, [guide|152309|check out this guide|new_window=true].
Pull the blue handle backwards 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.
💡 Note: If you find that the surface of your iPad is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, [guide|159595|use tape|new_window=true] to create a grippier surface.
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.
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.
💡 Note: For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Hair+Dryer+to+Soften+Adhesive/157348|new_window=true|check out this guide].
Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
💡 Note: If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.
⚠️ Caution: 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.
Insert an opening pick
💡 Note: If your screen is badly cracked, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Tape+Over+a+Cracked+Phone+Screen/140533|covering it with a layer of clear packing tape|new_window=true] 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 screen as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction handle with a strong, steady force to create a small gap between the frame and screen.
⚠️ Caution: The large screen is very fragile. Only create a gap big enough to insert an opening pick.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
⚠️ Caution: Don't insert the pick more than 5 mm to avoid damaging the screen.
Right edge information
⚠️ Caution: Along the frame's right edge, there are two cutouts for the screen magnets where the adhesive is very thin. As you slice along this edge in the next step, don't insert your opening pick deeper than 2 mm in these locations:
One magnet begins 2 cm from the top edge and is 2.5 cm long.
The second magnet begins 3 cm from the bottom edge and is 2.5 cm long.
Slice the right edge adhesive
Slide your opening pick back and forth along the right edge of the screen to slice the adhesive.
⚠️ Caution: Angle your pick downward and insert it no more than 2 mm near the magnet cutouts and 5 mm everywhere else.
Slice the corner adhesive
Rotate your opening pick around the bottom right corner of the screen.
Leave your pick in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Heat the bottom edge
Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes.
💡 Note: A hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun], or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the iPad—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.
Slice the bottom edge adhesive
Insert a second opening pick in the bottom right corner of the screen.
⚠️ Caution: Don't insert your opening pick more than 5 mm.
Slide your pick to the bottom left corner to slice the bottom edge adhesive.
Slice the corner adhesive
Rotate your opening pick around the bottom left corner of the screen.
Leave your pick in the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Heat the left edge
Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the left edge of the screen for two minutes.
💡 Note: A hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun], or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the iPad—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.
Left edge information
⚠️ Caution: Along the left edge of the screen, there are three cutouts for cables where the adhesive is very thin. As you slice along this edge in the next step, don't insert your opening pick deeper than 2 mm in these locations:
The upper cutout begins 4 cm from the top edge and is 2.5 cm long.
The middle cutout is exactly in the middle of the frame and is 2.5 cm long.
The lower cutout begins 4 cm from the bottom edge and is 2.5 cm long.
⚠️ Caution: Everywhere else, don't insert your opening pick more than 5 mm.
Slice the left edge adhesive
Insert a third opening pick in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Slide your pick to the top left corner to slice the left edge adhesive.
Slice the corner adhesive
Rotate your opening pick around the top left corner of the screen.
Leave your pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Heat the top edge
Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.
💡 Note: A hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun], or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the iPad—the screen and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.
Top edge information
While the top edge adhesive softens, note the following:
There are two ambient light sensors near the corners. Only insert the very tip of your pick here to avoid damaging them.
There are three strips of heat dispersion tape. Angle your pick upward as you slice here.
The front-facing camera assembly is in the center of the top edge. Don't insert your pick here to avoid damaging them.
⚠️ Caution: Everywhere else, don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm to avoid damaging the screen.
Slice the top edge adhesive
Slide your opening pick 9 cm toward the center of the top edge to slice the adhesive, paying attention to the spots mentioned in the previous step.
⚠️ Caution: If you slice farther than 9 cm, you will reach the front camera assembly and risk damaging its components.
💡 Note: Leave your pick inserted. You will use another pick to slice the remaining adhesive.
Insert a fourth opening pick to the right of the front camera assembly, 4 cm from the previous opening pick and 9 cm from the right edge of the screen.
Slide your pick to the top right corner to slice the remaining adhesive.
Reposition the screen
Grab two opposing corners of the screen and gently shift it around to separate it from the frame.
⚠️ Caution: Don't fully remove the screen yet, as it's still attached by several cables.
💡 Note: If the screen feels stuck, slide your opening picks around the perimeter to separate any remaining adhesive. Pay attention to sensitive components mentioned in the previous steps.
Shift the screen towards the bottom right corner of the frame until the ribbon cable near the top edge is uncovered.
Unfasten the upper cable shield
💡 Note: Throughout this guide, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/products/fixmat|new_window=true|keep track of each screw] and reinstall it exactly where it came from.
Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the upper cable shield:
One 1.8 mm-long screw
One 2.0 mm-long screw
💡 Note: 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.
Remove the upper cable shield
Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to grab and remove the upper cable shield.
💡 Note: During reassembly, orient the shield so the notch faces up and to the right.
Disconnect the upper sensors
Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the upper sensors press connector.
💡 Note: To re-attach [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Recognizing+&+Disconnecting+Cable+Connectors/25629#s70308|press connectors|new_window=true], carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.
Reposition the screen
Grip the right edge of the screen and fold it open like a book.
⚠️ Caution: Don't pull on the screen—the ribbon cables near the bottom are still attached.
Lay the screen down over the left edge of the iPad.
Unfasten the lower cable shield
Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the five screws securing the lower cable shield:
Four 1.1 mm screws
One 2.0 mm screw
Remove the lower cable shield
Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to grab and remove the lower cable shield.
Disconnect the USB-C port
Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the USB-C port press connector from the logic board.
Soften the adhesive
Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the USB-C port for two minutes.
Loosen the USB-C port cable
Slide an opening pick under the USB-C port cable to separate it from the logic board.
Unfasten the USB-C port
Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 1.6 mm-long screws securing the USB-C port.
Remove the USB-C port
Grab and remove the USB-C port from its recess in the frame.
Use caution not to lose the grounding contacts on either side of the USB-C recess.
💡 Note: During reassembly, install the USB-C port underneath the grounding contacts.
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 [[E-Waste|R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler|new_window=true]].
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some [[Troubleshooting Problems After a Repair|basic troubleshooting]], or ask our [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/iPad%20Pro%2012.9%22%204th%20Gen|iPad Pro 12.9" 4th Gen Answers community] for help.