Start with the case size
Apple Watch parts are sold by case size and series, and nothing else matters as much. The size is engraved on the back of the case along with the series. The families are:
| Series | Year | Case sizes | Display |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1, 2, 3 | 2016 to 2017 | 38 / 42 mm | OLED Retina |
| Series 4, 5, 6, SE (1st and 2nd gen) | 2018 to 2022 | 40 / 44 mm | LTPO OLED; Always-On on 5 and 6, not on 4 and SE |
| Series 7, 8, 9 | 2021 to 2023 | 41 / 45 mm | LTPO OLED, Always-On |
| Ultra, Ultra 2 | 2022 to 2023 | 49 mm | LTPO OLED, Always-On |
| Series 10 | 2024 | 42 / 46 mm | LTPO3 wide-angle OLED |
A 44 mm Series 6 screen does not fit a 45 mm Series 7, and a 40 mm SE screen does not fit a 41 mm Series 8. Within a family, the glass is shared across series of the same size (40 mm Series 4, 5, 6 and SE use the same front glass), but the complete display assemblies are series-specific because the flex and the Always-On driver differ. Our Apple Watch Parts category lists assemblies per series and size and glass with OCA per size family.
Full assembly or glass only
- Screen Assembly (Original): the OLED with glass and digitizer as one unit, pulled and tested. Use it when the display is dark, shows lines or has dead touch. We list these per series and size.
- Front Glass with OCA: the sapphire or Ion-X glass with adhesive, for watches where the OLED still works under cracked glass. Sold per size family: 40/44 mm for Series 4 through SE, 41/45 mm for Series 7 through 9. Also available as glass with digitizer and OCA for Series 4, 5, SE and 6, which saves separating the touch layer.
- Laminating mold set for Series 7/8 in both sizes, needed to align the glass over the small OLED during lamination.
Reglassing a watch is a lamination job like an iPhone, only smaller and less forgiving: the OLED is a few tenths of a millimetre thick and the glass is curved at the edges. Shops already refurbishing phone screens can add watches with the mold set and the same laminator; shops that are not should buy full assemblies. Molds, laminators and lamps are in Refurbishing Supplies.
Opening the watch
- Heat the screen on a heating platform at about 70 °C for two to three minutes. Watch adhesive is thin and sets hard; too little heat and the glass shatters, too much and the OLED delaminates from the glass.
- Insert a thin blade between the screen and the case at the bottom edge (the 6 o’clock position), angled down against the case, and work it around. Keep it under 2 mm deep: the display flex and the Force Touch gasket (on Series 3 to 5) sit right under the edge.
- Lift the screen from the bottom and hinge it up towards the top. The display and digitizer flexes are at the top edge on most series; on Series 7 and later the flexes are shorter, so the opening angle is small.
- Remove the battery connector bracket and disconnect the battery before the display connectors. On Series 4 and later the battery is held by adhesive and the connector is under a small bracket; on Series 7 and later the whole process is done with the screen hinged open, as the internals are tightly packed.
Force Touch gasket
Series 3, 4 and 5 have a Force Touch sensor gasket between the screen and the case. It is part of the water seal and part of the touch system; a torn one leaves the watch without the pressure-sensitive menu on watchOS versions that still use it, and without water resistance. Replace it with a new gasket if the old one is cut. Series 6, SE and later dropped Force Touch, and the seal is a plain adhesive gasket.
Fitting the new screen
- Clean the old adhesive from the case lip with a plastic tool and isopropyl.
- Apply the new screen adhesive gasket for the exact size. Connect the display flexes, then the battery, and test before pressing down: touch, swipe from every edge, brightness, Always-On on supported series, the Digital Crown and side button.
- Press the screen into the case evenly with a flat clamp and leave it for the adhesive’s cure time. A screen pressed at one corner first sits proud at the other.
Grade and expectation notes
All complete assemblies we list are Original grade: pulled from a watch and tested. There is no aftermarket OLED supply for Apple Watch of consistent quality, and we do not list one. Expect light wear on the glass of an Original assembly; the listing states it. Glass with OCA is aftermarket and comes in Ion-X equivalent glass; sapphire is not available aftermarket. Water resistance is reduced after any screen repair; tell the customer.
Safety
- The watch battery is small, but it sits directly under the screen and the blade. A puncture here is a fire in a very small case; keep the blade shallow.
- Do not heat the watch with the back cover off; the adhesive on the sensor cover releases and the back glass can fall out.
- Work under magnification; the display connectors are among the smallest in any Apple device.
FAQ
Which screen do I order for a 44 mm Series 5?
The Series 5 44 mm assembly. The Series 4 and Series 6 44 mm screens have the same shape but different flex and driver; the Series 5 listing is the one to use.
Can I reglass a Series 7 with a 41/45 mm glass?
Yes, that family covers Series 7, 8 and 9. You need the Series 7/8 laminating mold in the matching size.
Why does touch not work after fitting the new screen?
Most often the digitizer flex is not fully seated or was pinched during closing. Reopen, reseat, test with the screen hinged open.
Does a new screen bring back water resistance?
No. A new gasket helps, but we do not claim any depth rating after repair.