Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

12

Time Required

                          20 - 35 minutes            

Sections

2

  • Opening Procedure
  • 6 steps
  • Core Assembly Removal
  • 6 steps

Flags

0

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Introduction

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach the back cover assembly when reassembling the device. Your device will function normally, but will lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

What you need

Step 1

              Power down your watch               
  • Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.
  • Remove the watch band.

Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.

Remove the watch band.

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Step 2

              Unfasten the back cover               
  • Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the four 4.1 mm-long screws securing the back cover.

Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the four 4.1 mm-long screws securing the back cover.

Step 3

              Loosen the back cover adhesive               
  • Apply a heated iOpener to the rear side of the watch for 5 minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
  • A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device.

Apply a heated iOpener to the rear side of the watch for 5 minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device.

Step 4

              Pry up the back cover assembly               
  • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the microphone opening at the top edge of the back cover.
  • Pry upwards to loosen the back cover assembly. This may require some force.
  • Don’t try to remove the back cover assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the daughterboard.
  • Swing the back cover assembly open by 45 degrees to gain access to the sensor assembly cable.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the microphone opening at the top edge of the back cover.

Pry upwards to loosen the back cover assembly. This may require some force.

Don’t try to remove the back cover assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the daughterboard.

Swing the back cover assembly open by 45 degrees to gain access to the sensor assembly cable.

Step 5

              Disconnect the sensor assembly cable               
  • Use a spudger to disconnect the sensor assembly cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
  • 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, causing permanent damage.

Use a spudger to disconnect the sensor assembly cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

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, causing permanent damage.

Step 6

              Remove the back cover assembly               
  • Remove the back cover assembly.

Remove the back cover assembly.

Step 7

              Disconnect the microphone cable               
  • Use a spudger to disconnect the microphone cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the microphone cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 8

              Unfasten the core assembly               
  • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm-long screws securing the core assembly.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm-long screws securing the core assembly.

Step 9

              Pry up the core assembly               
  • Insert the point of a spudger between the right edge of the core assembly and the watch frame.
  • Pry upwards to loosen the core assembly.
  • Don’t try to remove the core assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the screen.

Insert the point of a spudger between the right edge of the core assembly and the watch frame.

Pry upwards to loosen the core assembly.

Don’t try to remove the core assembly all the way yet. It’s still connected to the screen.

Step 10

              Swing open the core assembly               
  • Carefully swing open the core assembly like the front cover of a book.
  • Avoid straining or tearing the display cables at the bottom of the core assembly.

Carefully swing open the core assembly like the front cover of a book.

Avoid straining or tearing the display cables at the bottom of the core assembly.

Step 11

              Disconnect the display cables               
  • Use a spudger to disconnect the screen and the digitizer cables by prying the connectors straight up from their sockets.

Use a spudger to disconnect the screen and the digitizer cables by prying the connectors straight up from their sockets.

Step 12

              Remove the core assembly               
  • Remove the core assembly.

Remove the core assembly.

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

During reassembly, apply new adhesive where it’s necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

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 TicWatch Pro 3 answers community for help.

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Author

                    Dominik Schnabelrauch                     

Member since: 11/23/2016

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