How to Bypass Apple's Important Display Message by Swapping the IC Chip

If you've ever replaced an iPhone screen from the iPhone 11 onward, you might have encountered Apple's "Important Display Message," which indicates that the display may not be genuine. This message appears because each display is paired with the phone's logic board via an IC chip. However, you can bypass this message by transferring the original IC chip from the broken display to the new one. Here’s how you can do it.

What You’ll Need:

• Flux

• Hot air station ( whichever works)

• Microscope (optional but helpful - I linked the cheapest one but any works)

• Small nozzle for hot air station

• Flat chip removing tool

• Solder paste

• Rosin and solder wick

• Soldering iron

• Reballing stencil (if needed- comes with platform)

• Metal pieces and coins for protection ( Anything protective works- even Kapton tape)

Steps to Transfer the IC Chip:

1. Preparation: Ensure your work area is clean and well-lit. Prepare your hot air station by setting the temperature to 250-300 degrees Celsius and airflow to 2 or 3.

2. Removing the IC Chip:

   • Heat the Chip: Place the broken display under the microscope if you have one. Apply heat to the IC chip with the hot air station. Use a small nozzle to concentrate the heat.

   • Scratch the Underfill: Use a sharp tool to carefully scratch off the underfill from the sides of the IC chip.

   • Add Flux: Once the underfill is removed, add flux around the chip to aid in the desoldering process.

   • Remove the Chip: Continue heating until you can slide a flat chip removing tool under the IC chip. Gently lift it off.

3. Cleaning the IC Chip:

   • Heat and Scrape: Use heat or a soldering iron to remove any remaining underfill from the IC chip.

   • Apply Solder Paste: Apply solder paste to the chip and then use rosin and a solder wick to clean up the remaining solder with your soldering iron.

4. Preparing the New Screen:

   • Remove the Fake Chip: If your new screen comes with an easily removable fake IC chip, use the same heat and airflow values to remove it.

   • Reballing the IC Chip: If the new screen’s chip is not pre-balled, you’ll need to reball the IC chip using a stencil or by hand.

5. Resoldering the IC Chip:

   • Protect the Screen: Place a metal piece under the new screen and use coins to distribute the pressure evenly, as the screens are fragile.

   • Position the Chip: Apply flux to the IC chip area on the new screen and position the chip.

   • Heat and Solder: Use the hot air station to resolder the chip in place. It should naturally find its position with some gentle nudges.

   • Cool Down: Let the chip cool down naturally.

6. Testing:

   • Power On the Device: Once the chip has cooled, reassemble the phone and power it on. The "Important Display Message" should no longer appear. If it still appears repeat the process again ( the chip is probably poorly connected).

   • True Tone Feature: For earlier models, this process retains the True Tone feature. For newer models, additional programming might be required to enable True Tone.

Important Considerations:

• Difficulty Level: This process is challenging and requires precision. It is recommended for those with experience in micro-soldering.

• Equipment: While a microscope is not absolutely necessary, it greatly aids in the precision required for this task.

• Screen Compatibility: Do not attempt this on screens that are not designed for IC transfer, as the failure rate is very high.