Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

60

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

9

  • Pentalobe Screws
  • 1 step
  • Opening Procedure
  • 9 steps
  • Battery Disconnection
  • 3 steps
  • Display Assembly
  • 4 steps
  • Left Wi-Fi Antenna
  • 4 steps
  • SIM Card
  • 2 steps
  • Logic Board
  • 17 steps
  • Barometric Vent
  • 3 steps
  • Lightning Connector Assembly
  • 17 steps

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Introduction

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.

1024

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

              Left Wi-Fi Antenna
  • Remove three Phillips screws securing the antenna component:
  • Two 1.3 mm screws
  • One 1.2 mm screw

Remove three Phillips screws securing the antenna component:

Two 1.3 mm screws

One 1.2 mm screw

Step 19

  • Remove the 1.3 mm Phillips screw securing the antenna component to the top edge of the rear case.

Remove the 1.3 mm Phillips screw securing the antenna component to the top edge of the rear case.

Step 20

  • The screw boss at the top of the antenna component is tucked into a small recess in the top edge of the iPhone.
  • Tilt the antenna component up towards the top of the phone.
  • Slide the screw boss down and out of its recess.

The screw boss at the top of the antenna component is tucked into a small recess in the top edge of the iPhone.

Tilt the antenna component up towards the top of the phone.

Slide the screw boss down and out of its recess.

Step 21

  • Remove the top left antenna component.

Remove the top left antenna component.

Step 22

              SIM Card
  • Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray.
  • Press firmly to eject the tray.

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray.

Press firmly to eject the tray.

Step 23

  • Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.
  • The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.
  • When reinserting the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.
  • A thin rubber gasket around the SIM tray provides water and dust protection. If this gasket is damaged or missing, replace the gasket to protect your iPhone’s internal components.

Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.

The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.

When reinserting the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.

A thin rubber gasket around the SIM tray provides water and dust protection. If this gasket is damaged or missing, replace the gasket to protect your iPhone’s internal components.

Step 24

              Logic Board
  • Use an iFixit opening tool or a fingernail to disconnect the dual camera cable connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets.

Use an iFixit opening tool or a fingernail to disconnect the dual camera cable connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets.

Step 25

  • Remove the two screws securing the rear-facing camera bracket:
  • One 1.6 mm Phillips screw
  • One 2.2 mm standoff screw
  • Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff screwdriver or bit.
  • In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.

Remove the two screws securing the rear-facing camera bracket:

One 1.6 mm Phillips screw

One 2.2 mm standoff screw

Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff screwdriver or bit.

In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.

Step 26

  • Remove the bracket covering the rear-facing camera.

Remove the bracket covering the rear-facing camera.

Step 27

  • Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the upper cable bracket.

Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the upper cable bracket.

Step 28

  • Remove the upper cable bracket.

Remove the upper cable bracket.

Step 29

  • Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the grounding clip at the top left edge of the logic board.

Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the grounding clip at the top left edge of the logic board.

Step 30

  • Remove the grounding clip.

Remove the grounding clip.

Step 31

  • Remove the 1.3 mm Phillips screw securing the antenna flex cable to the top edge of the iPhone’s rear case.
  • Remove the remaining Phillips screw from the antenna flex cable.

Remove the 1.3 mm Phillips screw securing the antenna flex cable to the top edge of the iPhone’s rear case.

Remove the remaining Phillips screw from the antenna flex cable.

Step 32

  • Use a fingernail or the sharp end of an iFixit opening tool to pry up and disconnect the antenna flex cable connector from the logic board.

Use a fingernail or the sharp end of an iFixit opening tool to pry up and disconnect the antenna flex cable connector from the logic board.

Step 33

  • Slide the flat edge of a spudger underneath the antenna flex cable to separate the adhesive holding it in place.

Slide the flat edge of a spudger underneath the antenna flex cable to separate the adhesive holding it in place.

Step 34

  • The screw boss at the top of the antenna flex cable is tucked into a small recess in the top edge of the iPhone.
  • Tilt the antenna flex cable up toward the top of the iPhone.
  • Slide the screw boss down and out of its recess.
  • Remove the antenna flex cable.

The screw boss at the top of the antenna flex cable is tucked into a small recess in the top edge of the iPhone.

Tilt the antenna flex cable up toward the top of the iPhone.

Remove the antenna flex cable.

Step 35

  • Use a thin pry tool or tweezers to carefully pry up and disconnect the two coaxial cable connectors from the logic board.
  • During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. One at a time, hold each connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat of your spudger. The connector should snap into place.

Use a thin pry tool or tweezers to carefully pry up and disconnect the two coaxial cable connectors from the logic board.

During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. One at a time, hold each connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat of your spudger. The connector should snap into place.

Step 36

  • Disconnect the two remaining ribbon cables from the logic board:
  • Disconnect the upper cable connector by prying from the top
  • Disconnect the Lightning port connector by prying along the outer edge

Disconnect the two remaining ribbon cables from the logic board:

Disconnect the upper cable connector by prying from the top

Disconnect the Lightning port connector by prying along the outer edge

Step 37

  • Remove the seven screws securing the logic board:
  • One 1.3 mm Phillips screw
  • Two 2.1 mm standoff screws
  • Two 2.0 mm standoff screws
  • Two 2.2 mm standoff screws
  • Standoff screws are best removed using an [linked product missing or disabled: IF145-343-1] and driver handle.
  • In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.

Remove the seven screws securing the logic board:

One 1.3 mm Phillips screw

Two 2.1 mm standoff screws

Two 2.0 mm standoff screws

Two 2.2 mm standoff screws

Standoff screws are best removed using an [linked product missing or disabled: IF145-343-1] and driver handle.

Step 38

  • Use the point of a spudger to push the SIM card eject plunger out of the logic board’s way.

Use the point of a spudger to push the SIM card eject plunger out of the logic board’s way.

Step 39

  • Use the point of a spudger to carefully de-route the two coaxial cables from the small metal clip holding them to the logic board.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully de-route the two coaxial cables from the small metal clip holding them to the logic board.

Step 40

  • Lift the logic board from the bottom edges and slide it toward the bottom of the iPhone to remove it.
  • Be careful not to snag the logic board on any cables.
  • During reassembly, note the position of the black grounding clip at the top right edge of the logic board, near the rear cameras. The logic board should slide underneath the clip.

Lift the logic board from the bottom edges and slide it toward the bottom of the iPhone to remove it.

Be careful not to snag the logic board on any cables.

During reassembly, note the position of the black grounding clip at the top right edge of the logic board, near the rear cameras. The logic board should slide underneath the clip.

Step 41

              Barometric Vent
  • Remove the following two Phillips screws securing the barometric vent to the rear case:
  • One 2.9 mm screw
  • One 2.1 mm screw

Remove the following two Phillips screws securing the barometric vent to the rear case:

One 2.9 mm screw

One 2.1 mm screw

Step 42

  • Gently push the barometric vent in the direction of the Taptic Engine to separate the adhesive securing it to the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Gently push the barometric vent in the direction of the Taptic Engine to separate the adhesive securing it to the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Step 43

  • Remove the vent.

Remove the vent.

Step 44

              Lightning Connector Assembly
  • Pry up the Taptic Engine’s ribbon cable connector to disconnect it.

Pry up the Taptic Engine’s ribbon cable connector to disconnect it.

Step 45

  • Remove the three 1.5 mm Phillips screws securing the Taptic Engine to the rear case.

Remove the three 1.5 mm Phillips screws securing the Taptic Engine to the rear case.

Step 46

  • Remove the Taptic Engine.

Remove the Taptic Engine.

Step 47

  • Carefully de-route the two coaxial cables from the metal bracket holding them to the side of the speaker.

Carefully de-route the two coaxial cables from the metal bracket holding them to the side of the speaker.

Step 48

  • Remove the five Phillips screws securing the speaker:
  • Three 1.3 mm screws
  • One 2.3 mm screw
  • One 3.3 mm screw

Remove the five Phillips screws securing the speaker:

Three 1.3 mm screws

One 2.3 mm screw

One 3.3 mm screw

Step 49

  • Remove the speaker.

Remove the speaker.

Step 50

  • Remove the 2.9 mm Phillips screw at the top left of the Lightning port.

Remove the 2.9 mm Phillips screw at the top left of the Lightning port.

Step 51

  • Remove the spring contact underneath the screw you just removed.

Remove the spring contact underneath the screw you just removed.

Step 52

  • Remove the following three Phillips screws securing the Lightning connector:
  • Two 1.7 mm screws
  • One 2.8 mm screw

Remove the following three Phillips screws securing the Lightning connector:

Two 1.7 mm screws

One 2.8 mm screw

Step 53

  • Remove the two 1.2 mm Phillips screws securing the Lightning port to the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Remove the two 1.2 mm Phillips screws securing the Lightning port to the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Step 54

  • Use the sharp edge of an iFixit Opening Tool to pry the two microphones free from the adhesive securing them in place.
  • Don’t try to completely remove the microphones; just separate the adhesive as shown.

Use the sharp edge of an iFixit Opening Tool to pry the two microphones free from the adhesive securing them in place.

Don’t try to completely remove the microphones; just separate the adhesive as shown.

Step 55

  • Slide an opening pick or thin pry tool underneath the top portion of the Lightning connector assembly flex cable, and begin separating it from the rear case.
  • If necessary, use a hair dryer or apply an iOpener to heat the rear case and soften the adhesive, in order to make it easier to separate.

Slide an opening pick or thin pry tool underneath the top portion of the Lightning connector assembly flex cable, and begin separating it from the rear case.

If necessary, use a hair dryer or apply an iOpener to heat the rear case and soften the adhesive, in order to make it easier to separate.

Step 56

  • Continue separating the upper portion of the flex cable, being careful not to damage any other components along the way.

Continue separating the upper portion of the flex cable, being careful not to damage any other components along the way.

Step 57

  • Carefully slide your pick from the corner of the battery to the corner of the iPhone to separate the portion of the flex cable adhered to the outer frame.

Carefully slide your pick from the corner of the battery to the corner of the iPhone to separate the portion of the flex cable adhered to the outer frame.

Step 58

  • Slide your pick across the width of the iPhone to separate all the remaining strands of the flex cable from the rear case.
  • Be very careful not to damage the battery in the process. A punctured battery can leak dangerous chemicals and/or catch fire.

Slide your pick across the width of the iPhone to separate all the remaining strands of the flex cable from the rear case.

Be very careful not to damage the battery in the process. A punctured battery can leak dangerous chemicals and/or catch fire.

Step 59

  • Remove the Lightning connector assembly.
  • Before installing or replacing the Lightning connector assembly:
  • Use a plastic tool to scour any bits of adhesive residue from the rear case.
  • You can clean any remaining residue from the surface with isopropyl alcohol (90% concentration or greater) and a lint-free cloth. Wipe in one direction only, not back and forth.
  • Make sure the Lightning connector assembly is correctly positioned so that the two white dots on the iPhone’s rear case show through the two circular cutouts in the Lightning flex cable. If they don’t, the flex cable will remain misaligned and you won’t be able to reconnect it to its socket on the logic board.

Remove the Lightning connector assembly.

Before installing or replacing the Lightning connector assembly:

Use a plastic tool to scour any bits of adhesive residue from the rear case.

You can clean any remaining residue from the surface with isopropyl alcohol (90% concentration or greater) and a lint-free cloth. Wipe in one direction only, not back and forth.

Make sure the Lightning connector assembly is correctly positioned so that the two white dots on the iPhone’s rear case show through the two circular cutouts in the Lightning flex cable. If they don’t, the flex cable will remain misaligned and you won’t be able to reconnect it to its socket on the logic board.

Step 60

  • A rubber gasket on the bottom of the Lightning connector protects your iPhone from liquid and dust intrusion. If you are installing a new Lightning connector assembly, you may need to carefully remove and transfer the gasket to the new part.
  • The small adhesive patch on the bottom of each microphone also protects your iPhone from liquid and dust intrusion. For best results, replace the two adhesive patches before installing your Lightning connector assembly.

A rubber gasket on the bottom of the Lightning connector protects your iPhone from liquid and dust intrusion. If you are installing a new Lightning connector assembly, you may need to carefully remove and transfer the gasket to the new part.

The small adhesive patch on the bottom of each microphone also protects your iPhone from liquid and dust intrusion. For best results, replace the two adhesive patches before installing your Lightning connector assembly.

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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                    Jeff Suovanen

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Brady8812 - Nov 19, 2017

Reply

NOTE TO ALL: When you put the port back in, LINE UP THE HOLES ON THE FRAME. If you don’t line up the holes perfectly on the cable (even if it’s off by a millimeter), the cable will NOT extend and plug into the logic board. It has to be perfect. You’re welcome :)

Sean Smyth - Sep 18, 2019

I have this issue but cant seem to get it to set properly? any ideas the po seems like it’s in fine but wont connect to logic board

Conrad - Jun 23, 2020

I feel like this is the most important piece of information on this entire guide. I drove myself mad disassembling and reassembling multiple iPhone 7/8 Plus devices with this exact issue.

Brandon Rasco - Jan 16, 2018

Reply

So i did this and now my home button does not work. Any suggestions?

Jeff Suovanen - Jan 16, 2018

So far as I can tell, the only part of this procedure that affects the home button is when it’s disconnected from the board in step 14. I’d probably double-check those connectors to make sure they’re seated properly for a start. Check the sockets for dust/debris or pin damage. Inspect the cables for damage. While you’re troubleshooting, remember to always disconnect the battery first and reconnect it last. Good luck!