Iphone Se Lightning Connector Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          50 minutes - 3 hours

Sections

Front Panel Assembly
22 steps
Speaker
4 steps
Lightning Connector
7 steps

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Introduction

This component is not compatible with the iPhone 5s.

What you need

Step 1

              Removing the Pentalobe screws

Before you proceed, 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 3.9 mm Pentalobe screws from either side of Lightning connector.

Before you proceed, 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 3.9 mm Pentalobe screws from either side of Lightning connector.

1024

Step 2

              Taping the display glass

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.
Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone’s display until the whole face is covered.
This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone’s display until the whole face is covered.

This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

Step 3

              Display separation prevention

In the following steps you will be pulling the display up out of the phone body. The display is composed of a glass screen and a plastic bezel with metal clips.
Regardless of the tool you use, you need to be sure you pull up the entire display.
If the glass begins to separate from the plastic, as shown in the first image, slide a plastic opening tool between the plastic frame and the metal phone body to pry the metal clips out of the case.
If you are reassembling a phone with a separated display bezel, you may want to place a thin strip of adhesive between the plastic bezel and the glass to keep the phone closed.

In the following steps you will be pulling the display up out of the phone body. The display is composed of a glass screen and a plastic bezel with metal clips.

Regardless of the tool you use, you need to be sure you pull up the entire display.

If the glass begins to separate from the plastic, as shown in the first image, slide a plastic opening tool between the plastic frame and the metal phone body to pry the metal clips out of the case.

If you are reassembling a phone with a separated display bezel, you may want to place a thin strip of adhesive between the plastic bezel and the glass to keep the phone closed.

Step 4

              Starting the iSclack Opening Procedure

The next two steps demonstrate using the iSclack, a great tool for safely opening the iPhone that we recommend for anyone doing more than one repair. If you aren’t using the iSclack, skip the next two steps.
Close the handle on the iSclack, opening the suction-cup jaws.
Place the bottom of your iPhone in between the suction cups, against the plastic depth gauge.
The top suction cup should rest just above the home button.
Open the handles to close the jaws of the iSclack. Center the suction cups and press them firmly onto the top and bottom of the iPhone.

The next two steps demonstrate using the iSclack, a great tool for safely opening the iPhone that we recommend for anyone doing more than one repair. If you aren’t using the iSclack, skip the next two steps.

Close the handle on the iSclack, opening the suction-cup jaws.

Place the bottom of your iPhone in between the suction cups, against the plastic depth gauge.

The top suction cup should rest just above the home button.

Open the handles to close the jaws of the iSclack. Center the suction cups and press them firmly onto the top and bottom of the iPhone.

Step 5

              Finishing the iSclack Opening Procedure

Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to separate the suction cups, pulling the front panel up from the rear case.
The iSclack is designed to safely open your iPhone just enough to separate the pieces, but not enough to damage the home button cable.
Peel the two suction cups off your iPhone.
Skip the next three steps and continue on Step 9.

Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to separate the suction cups, pulling the front panel up from the rear case.

The iSclack is designed to safely open your iPhone just enough to separate the pieces, but not enough to damage the home button cable.

Peel the two suction cups off your iPhone.

Skip the next three steps and continue on Step 9.

Step 6

              Manual Opening Procedure

If you don’t have an iSclack, use a single suction cup to lift the front panel:
Press a suction cup onto the screen, just above the home button.
Be sure the cup is completely on the screen to get a tight seal.

If you don’t have an iSclack, use a single suction cup to lift the front panel:

Press a suction cup onto the screen, just above the home button.

Be sure the cup is completely on the screen to get a tight seal.

Step 7

              Start lifting the front panel assembly

The front panel is attached with clips, and there are several ribbon cables connecting it to the rest of the phone. Your goal here is to release the clips and open the phone only enough to disconnect the cables. Go slowly and carefully to avoid damage.
Make sure the suction cup is firmly attached to the front panel assembly near the home button.
While holding the iPhone down with one hand, pull up on the suction cup to slightly separate the home button end of the front panel from the rear case.
With a plastic opening tool, gently pry the edges of the rear case down, away from the front panel assembly, while you pull up with the suction cup.
Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The front panel assembly is a much tighter fit than on most other devices.

The front panel is attached with clips, and there are several ribbon cables connecting it to the rest of the phone. Your goal here is to release the clips and open the phone only enough to disconnect the cables. Go slowly and carefully to avoid damage.

Make sure the suction cup is firmly attached to the front panel assembly near the home button.

While holding the iPhone down with one hand, pull up on the suction cup to slightly separate the home button end of the front panel from the rear case.

With a plastic opening tool, gently pry the edges of the rear case down, away from the front panel assembly, while you pull up with the suction cup.

Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The front panel assembly is a much tighter fit than on most other devices.

Step 8

Do not try to completely remove the front panel assembly from the rear case, as there are several delicate ribbon cables connecting them.
Pull the plastic nub to release the vacuum seal on the suction cup.
Remove the suction cup from the screen.

Do not try to completely remove the front panel assembly from the rear case, as there are several delicate ribbon cables connecting them.

Pull the plastic nub to release the vacuum seal on the suction cup.

Remove the suction cup from the screen.

Step 9

              Removing the Touch ID cable bracket

Open the phone just enough to reveal the metal bracket covering the home button cable.
Do not open the phone too far or you risk damaging the home button cable, or the socket it plugs into. Keep the cable loose—if it is stretched taut, that’s too far.
Only the phone’s original home button assembly will be capable of using the Touch ID functionality. If you rip the cable, installing a new home button will only restore ordinary home button functions, not the Touch ID features.
Use the tip of a spudger to push the bracket free and remove it with tweezers.
The next two steps apply to reassembly. Skip them and continue to Step 12 until reassembly.

Open the phone just enough to reveal the metal bracket covering the home button cable.

Do not open the phone too far or you risk damaging the home button cable, or the socket it plugs into. Keep the cable loose—if it is stretched taut, that’s too far.

Only the phone’s original home button assembly will be capable of using the Touch ID functionality. If you rip the cable, installing a new home button will only restore ordinary home button functions, not the Touch ID features.

Use the tip of a spudger to push the bracket free and remove it with tweezers.

The next two steps apply to reassembly. Skip them and continue to Step 12 until reassembly.

Step 10

During reassembly, you will need to reinstall the Touch ID cable bracket. The top of the bracket needs to slide between the battery and Touch ID cable connector, in front of the metal tab. The bottom must latch down over the connector.
Slide the top of the bracket over the Touch ID cable connector from left to right.

During reassembly, you will need to reinstall the Touch ID cable bracket. The top of the bracket needs to slide between the battery and Touch ID cable connector, in front of the metal tab. The bottom must latch down over the connector.

Slide the top of the bracket over the Touch ID cable connector from left to right.

Step 11

During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to snap the front portion of the Touch ID cable bracket down over the cable connector.
If the bracket does not snap down flush, you may need to remove the bracket and slide it over the cable connector again for a better fit.

During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to snap the front portion of the Touch ID cable bracket down over the cable connector.

If the bracket does not snap down flush, you may need to remove the bracket and slide it over the cable connector again for a better fit.

Step 12

              Disconnecting the home button cable connector

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the home button cable connector up out of its socket.
Be sure you’re separating the cable connector from its socket, and not prying the entire socket up. The socket is on its own glued-down cable that can be pried up if you aren’t careful.

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the home button cable connector up out of its socket.

Be sure you’re separating the cable connector from its socket, and not prying the entire socket up. The socket is on its own glued-down cable that can be pried up if you aren’t careful.

Step 13

              Opening up the phone

Once the connector has been released, pull the home button end of the assembly away from the rear case, using the top of the phone as a hinge.
Open the display to about a 90º angle, and lean it against something to keep it propped up while you’re working on the phone.
Add a rubber band to keep the display securely in place while you work. This prevents undue strain on the display cables.
In a pinch, you can use an unopened canned beverage to hold the display.

Once the connector has been released, pull the home button end of the assembly away from the rear case, using the top of the phone as a hinge.

Open the display to about a 90º angle, and lean it against something to keep it propped up while you’re working on the phone.

Add a rubber band to keep the display securely in place while you work. This prevents undue strain on the display cables.

In a pinch, you can use an unopened canned beverage to hold the display.

Step 14

Remove the two 1.6 mm Phillips #000 screws securing the metal battery connector bracket to the logic board.

Remove the two 1.6 mm Phillips #000 screws securing the metal battery connector bracket to the logic board.

Step 15

Remove the metal battery connector bracket from the iPhone.

Remove the metal battery connector bracket from the iPhone.

Step 16

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
Be very careful to only pry up on the battery connector itself and not the socket on the logic board. If you pry up on the logic board socket or the board itself, you may destroy the socket or damage nearby components on the board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.

Be very careful to only pry up on the battery connector itself and not the socket on the logic board. If you pry up on the logic board socket or the board itself, you may destroy the socket or damage nearby components on the board.

Step 17

Remove the following screws securing the front panel assembly cable bracket to the logic board:
One 1.7 mm Phillips #000 screw
One 1.2 mm Phillips #000 screw
One 1.3 mm Phillips #000 screw
One more 1.7 mm Phillips #000 screw
This 1.7 mm screw tends to not be attracted to a magnetized screwdriver. Take care not to lose it when removing.
It is especially important to keep track of your screws in this step for reassembly. Accidentally using the 1.3 mm screw or one of the 1.7 mm screws in the bottom right hole will result in significant damage to the logic board causing the phone to no longer boot properly.
Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, and don’t force them. If they don’t fit easily when you are securing them, they may be the wrong size.

Remove the following screws securing the front panel assembly cable bracket to the logic board:

One 1.7 mm Phillips #000 screw

One 1.2 mm Phillips #000 screw

One 1.3 mm Phillips #000 screw

One more 1.7 mm Phillips #000 screw

This 1.7 mm screw tends to not be attracted to a magnetized screwdriver. Take care not to lose it when removing.

It is especially important to keep track of your screws in this step for reassembly. Accidentally using the 1.3 mm screw or one of the 1.7 mm screws in the bottom right hole will result in significant damage to the logic board causing the phone to no longer boot properly.

Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, and don’t force them. If they don’t fit easily when you are securing them, they may be the wrong size.

Step 18

Remove the front panel assembly cable bracket from the logic board.

Remove the front panel assembly cable bracket from the logic board.

Step 19

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front-facing camera and sensor cable.

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front-facing camera and sensor cable.

Step 20

Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cable in this step.
Disconnect the LCD cable connector.
When reassembling your phone, the LCD cable may pop off the connector. This can result in white lines or a blank screen when powering your phone back on. If that happens, simply reconnect the cable and power cycle your phone. The best way to power cycle your phone is to disconnect and reconnect the battery.

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

Disconnect the LCD cable connector.

When reassembling your phone, the LCD cable may pop off the connector. This can result in white lines or a blank screen when powering your phone back on. If that happens, simply reconnect the cable and power cycle your phone. The best way to power cycle your phone is to disconnect and reconnect the battery.

Step 21

Finally, disconnect the digitizer cable connector.

Finally, disconnect the digitizer cable connector.

Step 22

Remove the front panel assembly from the rear case.

Remove the front panel assembly from the rear case.

Step 23

              Speaker

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the antenna cable up from its socket on the logic board.
To reconnect the cable, use tweezers to position it directly over its socket, then push it straight down with the flat edge of your spudger.

Use the tip of a spudger to pry the antenna cable up from its socket on the logic board.

To reconnect the cable, use tweezers to position it directly over its socket, then push it straight down with the flat edge of your spudger.

Step 24

Remove the following Phillips #000 screws:
One 2.9 mm screw
One 1.5 mm screw
One 3.6 mm screw

Remove the following Phillips #000 screws:

One 2.9 mm screw

One 1.5 mm screw

One 3.6 mm screw

Step 25

Use the point of a spudger to gently pry between the speaker and the rear case, lifting the speaker enough to grab with your fingers.
Do not attempt to pry the speaker entirely out of the case, you may break plastic tabs holding the speaker in place.

Use the point of a spudger to gently pry between the speaker and the rear case, lifting the speaker enough to grab with your fingers.

Do not attempt to pry the speaker entirely out of the case, you may break plastic tabs holding the speaker in place.

Step 26

Swivel the speaker downwards and toward the left of the phone to free the upper tab from underneath the logic board.
Slide the speaker up and to the right to free the left-hand tab from under the home button cable connector.
Remove the speaker from the iPhone.

Swivel the speaker downwards and toward the left of the phone to free the upper tab from underneath the logic board.

Slide the speaker up and to the right to free the left-hand tab from under the home button cable connector.

Remove the speaker from the iPhone.

Step 27

              Lightning Connector

Remove the following four Phillips #000 screws:
One 3.1 mm screw
One 2.9 mm screw
One 1.5 mm screw
One 3.4 mm screw

Remove the following four Phillips #000 screws:

One 3.1 mm screw

One 3.4 mm screw

Step 28

Use a spudger to pry the Lightning connector cable up from its socket on the logic board.

Use a spudger to pry the Lightning connector cable up from its socket on the logic board.

Step 29

The Lightning connector data cable is held to the logic board and rear case with mild adhesive.
Use an opening pick to slowly separate the cable from the logic board.

The Lightning connector data cable is held to the logic board and rear case with mild adhesive.

Use an opening pick to slowly separate the cable from the logic board.

Step 30

Continue prying with the flat end of a spudger.

Continue prying with the flat end of a spudger.

Step 31

Continue prying with an opening pick to separate the Lightning connector assembly from the rear case.
Be sure to separate all parts of the assembly from the rear case, including the Lightning connector, headphone jack and home button cable socket.

Continue prying with an opening pick to separate the Lightning connector assembly from the rear case.

Be sure to separate all parts of the assembly from the rear case, including the Lightning connector, headphone jack and home button cable socket.

Step 32

Remove the Lightning connector assembly.
Examine your replacement part, and your original cable carefully to be sure they match. Your replacement Lightning connector assembly may be missing certain components that need to be transferred from the original.
Components that commonly need to be transferred include a clip routed along the left and top edges of the headphone jack, the rubber microphone cover, and the bracket for the Touch ID cable connector.

Remove the Lightning connector assembly.

Examine your replacement part, and your original cable carefully to be sure they match. Your replacement Lightning connector assembly may be missing certain components that need to be transferred from the original.

Components that commonly need to be transferred include a clip routed along the left and top edges of the headphone jack, the rubber microphone cover, and the bracket for the Touch ID cable connector.

Step 33

There are several spacers loosely placed on screw posts under the Lightning connector assembly. While not essential to phone function, you should replace these washers where you found them when reassembling the phone. Spacers may vary between devices, this unit has spacers as follows:
One bracket
One C washer
Two small washers
If you are removing more components, take these pieces out and set them aside for safe keeping.

There are several spacers loosely placed on screw posts under the Lightning connector assembly. While not essential to phone function, you should replace these washers where you found them when reassembling the phone. Spacers may vary between devices, this unit has spacers as follows:

One bracket

One C washer

Two small washers

If you are removing more components, take these pieces out and set them aside for safe keeping.

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

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                    Sam Goldheart

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Eddie - Sep 18, 2016

Just so everyone knows, this flex cable is not the same at the iPhone 5s flex cable.

Aaron - Dec 3, 2016

I tried replacing this part after my phone constantly was searching for signal. After replacing now I only have 1x signal. Wifi, BT still work. Any idea what went wrong? iPhone SE Sprint.

jamieoyakawa - Feb 12, 2018

Thanks for all the awesome guides!!

Aleha Overcast - Feb 24, 2018

After replacing my screen it is now just a black screen can’t see any thing on it! What could it b?

austin barney - Mar 4, 2018

Changed and the headphone still doesn’t work any ideas?

Introduction#

What you need#

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Introduction

What you need

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