Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

60

Time Required

                          1 hour            

Sections

9

  • Pentalobe Screws
  • 1 step
  • iPhone 7 Opening Procedure
  • 10 steps
  • Battery Disconnection
  • 3 steps
  • Display Assembly
  • 4 steps
  • SIM Card
  • 1 step
  • Logic Board Connectors
  • 13 steps
  • Logic Board
  • 7 steps
  • Power and Volume Control Cable
  • 16 steps
  • Power Button
  • 5 steps

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Introduction

If you need to replace the volume and power control cable, follow this guide.

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 on 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 on 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

              iPhone 7 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

  • Attach a suction cup to the lower half of the display assembly, 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.

Attach a suction cup to the lower half of the display assembly, 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 to create a small gap between the display assembly and the rear case.
  • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap.
  • The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong, and 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.

Pull up on the suction cup to create a small gap between the display assembly and the rear case.

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap.

The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong, and 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.

Step 5

  • Slide the spudger to the left along the lower edge of the iPhone.
  • Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the display and rear case.

Slide the spudger to the left along the lower edge of the iPhone.

Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the display and rear case.

Step 6

  • Slide the spudger up the left side of the iPhone, starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch.
  • Do not pry along the top edge of the phone, you risk damaging the plastic clips securing the display.

Slide the spudger up the left side of the iPhone, starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch.

Do not pry along the top edge of the phone, you risk damaging the plastic clips securing the display.

Step 7

  • Insert the flat edge of a spudger into the bottom right corner of the device.
  • Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the display assembly and the rear case.
  • Slide the flat end of the spudger up the right side of the phone to break up the adhesive holding the display in place.
  • Do not insert the spudger further than the adhesive to avoid damaging delicate ribbon cables along the right edge.

Insert the flat edge of a spudger into the bottom right corner of the device.

Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the display assembly and the rear case.

Slide the flat end of the spudger up the right side of the phone to break up the adhesive holding the display in place.

Do not insert the spudger further than the adhesive to avoid damaging delicate ribbon cables along the right edge.

Step 8

  • 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 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 ribbon cables along the right edge of the device connecting the display to the logic board.

Step 9

  • 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 10

  • Slide an opening pick along the top edge of the iPhone, between the rear case and front panel, to break up the remaining adhesive holding the screen in place.
  • Be careful not to damage the plastic clips on the top edge of the phone.

Slide an opening pick along the top edge of the iPhone, between the rear case and front panel, to break up the remaining adhesive holding the screen in place.

Be careful not to damage the plastic clips on the top edge of the phone.

Step 11

  • 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 12

              Battery Disconnection               
  • Remove four tri-point Y000 screws securing the lower connector bracket, of the following lengths:
  • Three 1.2 mm screws
  • One 2.4 mm screw
  • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

Remove four tri-point Y000 screws securing the lower connector bracket, of the following lengths:

Three 1.2 mm screws

One 2.4 mm screw

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

Step 13

  • Remove the lower connector bracket.

Remove the lower connector bracket.

Step 14

  • 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 15

              Display Assembly               
  • Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cables in this step.
  • Use 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 reconnect these cables, press down on one end until it clicks into place, then repeat on the opposite 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 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 reconnect these cables, press down on one end until it clicks into place, then repeat on the opposite 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 16

  • Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips #000 screws securing the bracket over the front panel sensor assembly connector.
  • Some phones could be Y000. Apple started using Y000 for these at some point in the middle of the product’s lifecycle.

Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips #000 screws securing the bracket over the front panel sensor assembly connector.

Some phones could be Y000. Apple started using Y000 for these at some point in the middle of the product’s lifecycle.

Step 17

  • 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 18

  • 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 19

              SIM Card               
  • Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray.
  • Press to eject the tray.
  • This may require a significant amount of force. However, ensure the eject tool is properly aligned beforehand as to not damage the eject mechanism inside the phone.
  • Remove the SIM card tray assembly from the iPhone.
  • When reinserting the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.

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

Press to eject the tray.

This may require a significant amount of force. However, ensure the eject tool is properly aligned beforehand as to not damage the eject mechanism inside the phone.

Remove the SIM card tray assembly from the iPhone.

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

Step 20

              Logic Board Connectors               
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the rear-facing camera connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the rear-facing camera connector.

Step 21

  • Remove the following Phillips screws securing the rear camera bracket to the rear case:
  • One 1.3 mm screw
  • One 2.5 mm screw

Remove the following Phillips screws securing the rear camera bracket to the rear case:

One 1.3 mm screw

One 2.5 mm screw

Step 22

  • Remove the bracket.

Remove the bracket.

Step 23

  • Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bus connector, just left of the rear camera module.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bus connector, just left of the rear camera module.

Step 24

  • Remove the two 1.2 mm tri-point screws securing the upper cable bracket.

Remove the two 1.2 mm tri-point screws securing the upper cable bracket.

Step 25

  • Remove the upper cable bracket.

Remove the upper cable bracket.

Step 26

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the upper cable connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the upper cable connector.

Step 27

  • Remove the four Phillips screws securing the Wi-Fi antenna:
  • Three 1.2 mm screws
  • One 1.7 mm screw

Remove the four Phillips screws securing the Wi-Fi antenna:

One 1.7 mm screw

Step 28

  • Remove the top left antenna.

Remove the top left antenna.

Step 29

  • Remove the following Phillips screws:
  • One 1.3 mm screw
  • One 2.2 mm screw

Remove the following Phillips screws:

One 2.2 mm screw

Step 30

Step 31

  • Remove the 2.2 mm standoff screw from the grounding bracket.
  • 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 2.2 mm standoff screw from the grounding bracket.

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 32

  • Use tweezers to gently bend the logic board grounding bracket out of the way.

Use tweezers to gently bend the logic board grounding bracket out of the way.

Step 33

              Logic Board               
  • Use the point of a spudger to lift the two antenna cable connectors up off of the sockets on the logic board.

Use the point of a spudger to lift the two antenna cable connectors up off of the sockets on the logic board.

Step 34

  • Use tweezers to gently derout the antenna cables from the metal bracket on the logic board.

Use tweezers to gently derout the antenna cables from the metal bracket on the logic board.

Step 35

  • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the lower cable connector.

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the lower cable connector.

Step 36

  • Remove the following screws:
  • One 1.4 mm Phillips screw
  • Three 2.2 mm standoff screws
  • Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff driver.
  • 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 following screws:

One 1.4 mm Phillips screw

Three 2.2 mm standoff screws

Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff driver.

Step 37

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

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

Step 38

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery connector end of the logic board up.
  • Make sure you’re not pulling against any cables. If you feel resistance, check all cables, connectors, and components are clear of the board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery connector end of the logic board up.

Make sure you’re not pulling against any cables. If you feel resistance, check all cables, connectors, and components are clear of the board.

Step 39

  • Lift the battery connector end of the logic board and pull it up and out of the rear case.
  • Be careful not to snag the logic board on any cables.

Lift the battery connector end of the logic board and pull it up and out of the rear case.

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

Step 40

              Power and Volume Control Cable               
  • Remove the following Phillips screws:
  • Two 1.9 mm screws securing the power button.
  • Three 2.3 mm screws securing the volume buttons.

Two 1.9 mm screws securing the power button.

Three 2.3 mm screws securing the volume buttons.

Step 41

  • Remove the following 1.3 mm Phillips screws:
  • One screw beside the rear-facing camera
  • One screw on the rear case

Remove the following 1.3 mm Phillips screws:

One screw beside the rear-facing camera

One screw on the rear case

Step 42

  • From the outside of the phone, push the hold switch into the rear case with the point of a spudger.
  • This action will free the hold switch and gasket from the rear case.

From the outside of the phone, push the hold switch into the rear case with the point of a spudger.

This action will free the hold switch and gasket from the rear case.

Step 43

  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera.

Step 44

  • Moving from power button side of the phone, use an opening pick to separate the adhesive holding the antenna flex cable to the rear case.

Moving from power button side of the phone, use an opening pick to separate the adhesive holding the antenna flex cable to the rear case.

Step 45

  • Slide the point of an opening pick underneath the antenna flex cable towards the top of the phone, separating the remaining adhesive.

Slide the point of an opening pick underneath the antenna flex cable towards the top of the phone, separating the remaining adhesive.

Step 46

  • Use tweezers to move the antenna flex cable away from the edge of the phone, freeing the screw bracket from the rear case.
  • Remove the antenna flex cable.

Use tweezers to move the antenna flex cable away from the edge of the phone, freeing the screw bracket from the rear case.

Remove the antenna flex cable.

Step 47

  • Remove the 2.3 mm standoff screw securing the flash bracket to the rear case.
  • 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 2.3 mm standoff screw securing the flash bracket to the rear case.

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

Step 48

  • Remove the flash bracket.

Remove the flash bracket.

Step 49

  • Use the point of a spudger to gently unseat the flash module.

Use the point of a spudger to gently unseat the flash module.

Step 50

  • Use the blade of a Halberd spudger to separate the adhesive holding the microphone to the rear case.

Use the blade of a Halberd spudger to separate the adhesive holding the microphone to the rear case.

Step 51

  • Gently fold the power button module from the edge of the rear case.

Gently fold the power button module from the edge of the rear case.

Step 52

  • Slide the blade of a halberd spudger under the power button end of the button cable to separate it from the adhesive on the rear case.
  • Continue to separate the adhesive by moving the blade towards the top of the phone.

Slide the blade of a halberd spudger under the power button end of the button cable to separate it from the adhesive on the rear case.

Continue to separate the adhesive by moving the blade towards the top of the phone.

Step 53

  • Continue to move the blade of the halberd spudger underneath the power and volume control cable.
  • Move slowly to make sure that the cable is not damaged during removal.

Continue to move the blade of the halberd spudger underneath the power and volume control cable.

Move slowly to make sure that the cable is not damaged during removal.

Step 54

  • Slide the halberd spudger under the volume control portion of the button cable.
  • Gently slide the blade underneath the cable towards the bottom of the phone, separating the remaining adhesive.

Slide the halberd spudger under the volume control portion of the button cable.

Gently slide the blade underneath the cable towards the bottom of the phone, separating the remaining adhesive.

Step 55

  • Remove the power and volume control cable.

Remove the power and volume control cable.

Step 56

              Power Button               
  • Pull the clip towards the bottom of the phone and lift up to free it from the bracket.

Pull the clip towards the bottom of the phone and lift up to free it from the bracket.

Step 57

  • Remove the clip from the rear case.

Remove the clip from the rear case.

Step 58

  • Push the lower end of the power button bracket up off of peg securing it.

Push the lower end of the power button bracket up off of peg securing it.

Step 59

  • Pull the bracket from the rear case.

Pull the bracket from the rear case.

Step 60

  • Use the pointed end of a spudger to push the power button cover out of the rear case.
  • Remove the power button cover.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to push the power button cover out of the rear case.

Remove the power button cover.

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

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                    Scott Havard                     

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Vegeta Barrett - Feb 13, 2018

Reply

Alright so quick question…….

the clip shown in step 57 the one that resembles a staple,is this necessary?

Im doing a housing swap for myself and I cannot get these back on going on an hour now my hands are huge so im wondering if everything will be okay if I don’t replace these.(normally if it were another person’s device I would never take a shortcut,Never have and Never will in fact I despise this,but it’s my phone so it’s cool).

thanks

Martha Brewer - Jan 1, 2020

Reply

I can’t see a response. Are the clips necessary?

Ward Morren - Mar 29, 2022

Reply

It is probably to keep it in place, so I think it’s not necessary but recommended