Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

25

Time Required

                          30 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

2

  • Front Panel Assembly
  • 22 steps
  • Rear Facing Camera
  • 3 steps

Flags

0

  • BackiPhone SE (1st Generation)

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Introduction

The camera is not compatible with an iPhone 5s part.

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

              Rear Facing Camera
  • Using a pair of tweezers, flip the rubber camera cover out of its clip, and toward the outside of the rear case.
  • Do not attempt to fully remove this cover, it is attached to the rear case, and only needs to be flipped open, not removed.

Using a pair of tweezers, flip the rubber camera cover out of its clip, and toward the outside of the rear case.

Do not attempt to fully remove this cover, it is attached to the rear case, and only needs to be flipped open, not removed.

Step 24

  • Using a plastic opening tool, disconnect the rear-facing camera cable connector from the logic board.
  • Be careful to only pry up on the connector, not the socket itself.

Using a plastic opening tool, disconnect the rear-facing camera cable connector from the logic board.

Be careful to only pry up on the connector, not the socket itself.

Step 25

  • Remove the rear-facing camera from the rear case.
  • During reassembly, ensure that the camera cable bends in a ‘U’ shape to slot in behind the logic board.
  • If the rubber camera bumper has shifted, be sure to replace it before reassembling your iPhone.

Remove the rear-facing camera from the rear case.

During reassembly, ensure that the camera cable bends in a ‘U’ shape to slot in behind the logic board.

If the rubber camera bumper has shifted, be sure to replace it before reassembling your iPhone.

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

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                    Sam Goldheart

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Eddie - Sep 18, 2016

Reply

Just to let everyone know, this is not the same Rear Camera as the iPhone 5s.

jotto - Apr 17, 2018

Reply

Hello, I have a problem: I have removed the camera to clean it from dust. That was ok. But as I removed the screws in step 17 I scratched the black sticker pad on the cpu-cover. (In my iphone SE there is no label with a QR-code like on the pictures above. Instead there is something like a black pad / upholster that I scratched.) Is that a problem or is which function has that pad? (Please excuse my poor english, I am not a native speaker.) Thanks!

nicola - Nov 30, 2018

Reply

Thank You, as expected my camera cable was detached, fixed like a dragon!

Marvin Spiegel - Jun 25, 2019

Reply

Super Anleitung,

habe meine Linse von innen gereinigt, da sich dort Staub gesammelt hatte. Hab dazu ein Wattestäbchen und etwas Isopropanol benutzt.

Ferdinand Frenchhorn - Jan 21, 2020

Reply

es wäre gut ein oder zei kleine Schreauben mitzuliefern, da diese extrem leicht kaputt gehen

Danke

sonst hat es toll geklappt