Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

24

Time Required

                          30 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

5

  • Pentalobe Screws
  • 1 step
  • Opening Procedure
  • 9 steps
  • Battery Disconnection
  • 3 steps
  • Display Assembly
  • 4 steps
  • Home/Touch ID Sensor
  • 7 steps

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Introduction

Most replacement home buttons won’t work, so check carefully before starting your repair. Your iPhone’s original home button is uniquely paired to the logic board at the factory—and without Apple’s proprietary calibration process, even a genuine replacement home button from another iPhone won’t work. To fix a broken home button, you should install a specially-made, universal-style home button. Note that these replacements only work as a button; Touch ID will not function.

If you are only replacing a broken screen, you can use this guide to carefully remove and transfer your working original home button to a new screen, preserving all functions, including Touch ID.

During this procedure, to avoid accidentally straining or tearing the display cables, it’s best to completely detach the display assembly before beginning repairs on the home/Touch ID sensor. But if you are comfortable doing so, you may skip the display assembly section of this guide and go straight to the home/Touch ID sensor section.

What you need

Step 1

              Pentalobe Screws
  • Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.
  • Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
  • Remove the two 3.4 mm pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
  • Opening the iPhone’s display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

Remove the two 3.4 mm pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Opening the iPhone’s display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

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Step 2

              Opening Procedure
  • Heating the lower edge of the iPhone will help soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.
  • Use a hairdryer or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Heating the lower edge of the iPhone will help soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

Use a hairdryer or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 3

  • Apply a suction cup to the lower half of the front panel, just above the home button.
  • Be sure the suction cup does not overlap with the home button, as this will prevent a seal from forming between the suction cup and front glass.
  • If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape 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 cup to the lower half of the front panel, just above the home button.

Be sure the suction cup does not overlap with the home button, as this will prevent a seal from forming between the suction cup and front glass.

If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape 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.

Step 4

  • Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
  • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap.
  • The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you’re having a hard time opening a gap, rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you can fit a spudger inside.
  • While pulling up on the suction cup, twist the spudger to widen the opening between the screen and rear case.

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap.

The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you’re having a hard time opening a gap, rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you can fit a spudger inside.

While pulling up on the suction cup, twist the spudger to widen the opening between the screen and rear case.

Step 5

  • Insert the flat end of the spudger between the front panel and the rear case at the lower left edge of the iPhone.
  • Slide the spudger up the left edge of the phone starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch, breaking up the adhesive holding the display in place.
  • Do not try to pry the top edge of the display away from the rear case, as it is held in place by plastic clips that may break.

Insert the flat end of the spudger between the front panel and the rear case at the lower left edge of the iPhone.

Slide the spudger up the left edge of the phone starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch, breaking up the adhesive holding the display in place.

Do not try to pry the top edge of the display away from the rear case, as it is held in place by plastic clips that may break.

Step 6

  • Remove the spudger from the left side of the phone and insert the flat end into the bottom right corner.
  • Slide the spudger up the right edge of the phone to the top corner, breaking up the adhesive holding the display in place.

Remove the spudger from the left side of the phone and insert the flat end into the bottom right corner.

Slide the spudger up the right edge of the phone to the top corner, breaking up the adhesive holding the display in place.

Step 7

  • Pull up on the suction cup to lift up the display and open the iPhone.
  • Do not raise the display more than 10º as there are delicate ribbon cables along the right edge of the device connecting the display to the logic board.

Pull up on the suction cup to lift up the display and open the iPhone.

Do not raise the display more than 10º as there are delicate ribbon cables along the right edge of the device connecting the display to the logic board.

Step 8

  • Pull up on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

Pull up on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

Step 9

  • Slide an opening pick underneath the display along the top edge of the phone to loosen the last of the adhesive.

Slide an opening pick underneath the display along the top edge of the phone to loosen the last of the adhesive.

Step 10

  • Pull the display assembly slightly away from the top edge of the phone to disengage the clips holding it to the rear case.
  • Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.
  • Don’t try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone’s logic board.

Pull the display assembly slightly away from the top edge of the phone to disengage the clips holding it to the rear case.

Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.

Don’t try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone’s logic board.

Step 11

              Battery Disconnection
  • Remove the following four tri-point Y000 screws securing the lower display cable bracket to the logic board:
  • Three 1.2 mm screws
  • One 2.6 mm screw

Remove the following four tri-point Y000 screws securing the lower display cable bracket to the logic board:

Three 1.2 mm screws

One 2.6 mm screw

Step 12

  • Remove the lower display cable bracket.

Remove the lower display cable bracket.

Step 13

  • Use the point of a spudger to lift the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board.
  • Bend the connector cable up slightly to prevent it from making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone.

Use the point of a spudger to lift the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board.

Bend the connector cable up slightly to prevent it from making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone.

Step 14

              Display Assembly
  • Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cables in this step.
  • Use the flat end of a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the two lower display connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets on the logic board.
  • To re-attach press connectors, press down on one end until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other end. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is even slightly misaligned, the connector can bend, causing permanent damage.
  • If you have a blank screen, white lines on the display, or partial or complete lack of touch response after reassembling your phone, try disconnecting and carefully reconnecting both of these cables and make sure they are fully seated.

Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cables in this step.

Use the flat end of a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the two lower display connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets on the logic board.

To re-attach press connectors, press down on one end until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other end. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is even slightly misaligned, the connector can bend, causing permanent damage.

If you have a blank screen, white lines on the display, or partial or complete lack of touch response after reassembling your phone, try disconnecting and carefully reconnecting both of these cables and make sure they are fully seated.

Step 15

  • Remove the three tri-point Y000 screws securing the bracket over the front panel sensor assembly connector:
  • One 1.3 mm screw
  • Two 1.0 mm screws
  • Remove the bracket.

Remove the three tri-point Y000 screws securing the bracket over the front panel sensor assembly connector:

One 1.3 mm screw

Two 1.0 mm screws

Remove the bracket.

Step 16

  • Disconnect the front panel sensor assembly connector from its socket on the logic board.
  • This press connector should also be reconnected one end at a time to minimize the risk of bending.

Disconnect the front panel sensor assembly connector from its socket on the logic board.

This press connector should also be reconnected one end at a time to minimize the risk of bending.

Step 17

  • Remove the display assembly.
  • During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the adhesive around the edges of the display.

Remove the display assembly.

During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the adhesive around the edges of the display.

Step 18

              Home/Touch ID Sensor
  • Remove the four Y000 screws securing the bracket over the home/Touch ID sensor:
  • One 1.1 mm screw
  • Three 1.3 mm screws
  • During reassembly, be careful not to overtighten these screws, or your home button may not work.

Remove the four Y000 screws securing the bracket over the home/Touch ID sensor:

One 1.1 mm screw

Three 1.3 mm screws

During reassembly, be careful not to overtighten these screws, or your home button may not work.

Step 19

  • Remove the bracket that secures the home/Touch ID sensor.

Remove the bracket that secures the home/Touch ID sensor.

Step 20

  • Pry under the left edge of the home button cable connector to disconnect it from its socket.
  • If the entire connector begins to flip up without separating, press down on the cable at the top edge of the connector with the flat of your spudger, while simultaneously prying up the left edge of the connector. Be very careful not to damage the cable or connector, or you will permanently disable the sensor.

Pry under the left edge of the home button cable connector to disconnect it from its socket.

If the entire connector begins to flip up without separating, press down on the cable at the top edge of the connector with the flat of your spudger, while simultaneously prying up the left edge of the connector. Be very careful not to damage the cable or connector, or you will permanently disable the sensor.

Step 21

  • Carefully pry up the underlying connector and move it out of the way of the home/Touch ID cable.
  • It’s very easy to damage your iPhone during this step. Work slowly and take care where you pry with your tool. If you damage the Touch ID hardware, it can only be replaced by Apple.
  • If the connector doesn’t pry up easily, use a hair dryer or iOpener to heat and soften the adhesive securing the connector, and then try again.
  • Don’t try to detach the connector completely—simply flip it up slightly so that the underlying home/Touch ID sensor cable can be removed.

Carefully pry up the underlying connector and move it out of the way of the home/Touch ID cable.

It’s very easy to damage your iPhone during this step. Work slowly and take care where you pry with your tool. If you damage the Touch ID hardware, it can only be replaced by Apple.

If the connector doesn’t pry up easily, use a hair dryer or iOpener to heat and soften the adhesive securing the connector, and then try again.

Don’t try to detach the connector completely—simply flip it up slightly so that the underlying home/Touch ID sensor cable can be removed.

Step 22

  • Heating the area around the home/Touch ID sensor will help soften the adhesive holding its delicate cable in place, making it easier to remove safely.
  • Flip the display assembly over. Use a hairdryer or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the display for about 90 seconds in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Heating the area around the home/Touch ID sensor will help soften the adhesive holding its delicate cable in place, making it easier to remove safely.

Flip the display assembly over. Use a hairdryer or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the display for about 90 seconds in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 23

  • Use an opening pick to gently separate the adhesive holding the home/Touch ID sensor cable to the back side of the display panel.

Use an opening pick to gently separate the adhesive holding the home/Touch ID sensor cable to the back side of the display panel.

Step 24

  • Remove the home/Touch ID sensor assembly by lifting it through the front side of the display.
  • To reinstall, first feed the cable through the hole in the front of the display.
  • Your replacement part may come with an extra Y000 screw already installed right of the Home Button. Remove the unnecessary screw so that you can reinstall the home button bracket.
  • Follow this guide to install replacement display adhesive on your screen.

Remove the home/Touch ID sensor assembly by lifting it through the front side of the display.

To reinstall, first feed the cable through the hole in the front of the display.

Your replacement part may come with an extra Y000 screw already installed right of the Home Button. Remove the unnecessary screw so that you can reinstall the home button bracket.

Follow this guide to install replacement display adhesive on your screen.

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 the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or search our Answers forum for help.

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Author

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                    Paige Reisman

Member since: 04/07/2014

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Victor Rodriguez - Jun 11, 2017

Reply

Correct, and that is also stated in the introduction. This guide is primarily for folks who need to transfer the home button onto a new/replacement display. So Jeff if I’m transferring button to a new display will I retain Touch ID functionality? Or would it be lost? My screen is cracked and I want to replace it. Thanks.

Jeff Suovanen - Jun 12, 2017

Yes, if you carefully move your original home button to your new display, it should be good as new, Touch ID and all.

Talon - Jun 23, 2017

Reply

Can the home button not be removed through the back? Does it only come through the front?

Rachelle - Jul 19, 2017

Reply

You can replace the home button but your touch ID wont work anymore. Apple has it coded with your logic board. once you remove it yes, the home button will work well but you can’t use the touch ID.

kishore.k kishore.k - Sep 16, 2017

Reply

Hello,

The home button was cracked with keys in my pocket when it cracked the home button is started to heat when screen is turned off , when i use with display turned on the home button we not heat, Am wondering what could be wrong,

Any suggestion is appreciated

Does home button will work? after replacing with after-market home button, i just want know any one tried it?

i know touch id will not work.

Recently i have replaced the home button with after market, the phone will not boot up, just flashing with apple logo.

after replacing original it worked for me.