How to Replace the Battery in iPhone SE (2020) Guide
Duration: 45 min.
Steps: 36 Steps
If you find yourself nodding along, it’s time to give your iPhone battery a little love and replace it! We’ve got your back with a step-by-step photo guide that’ll help you restore your battery’s mojo safely and effectively. While our instructions feature the iPhone 8, don’t sweat it! The iPhone SE (2nd generation) is practically its twin, so the steps and visuals are spot on. With a sprinkle of patience and our easy-to-follow guide, you’ll be swapping out your battery like a pro in no time. Best of luck on your repair adventure! And if you ever feel overwhelmed, remember you can always schedule a repair with us.
Step 1
– Kick things off by powering down your iPhone SE (2nd generation) completely. This is super important to keep it safe while you work your magic. Just hold down the standby button until the “Power off” slider pops up.
– Slide that slider from left to right, and in about ten seconds, your iPhone will be off and ready for the repair journey ahead!
Step 2
– Alright, let’s get started! Grab your trusty Pentalobe screwdriver and remove those two Pentalobe screws hanging out on either side of the Lightning connector. Once you’ve got them out, toss those little guys into your screw storage box so they don’t wander off!
2 × 3.4 mm Pentablobe
To keep track of those tiny screws and parts you’ve removed, grab yourself a screw storage box! An old sewing box can work wonders as a makeshift organizer. We also love using a high-quality magnetic pad to keep everything neatly arranged just like it was in your phone. That way, you’ll know exactly where each screw belongs, making reassembly a breeze!
Step 3
When it comes to warming things up, think of it like this: your device should feel cozy to the touch, not like a sizzling skillet! Keep it friendly and manageable as you prep for the next steps.
– First, set your iPhone SE down on a soft, clean surface. This will keep it safe from scratches while you lift the display like a pro.
– Since the display is glued around the edges, you’ll want to warm it up a bit to make it easier to separate from the case. Grab a heat gun or even a hairdryer, and gently wave it over the edge of the display from the outside. Just like making a cozy campfire, keep it nice and even!
Tools Used
- heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove.
In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.” rel=”noopener”>Heat gun
Step 4
Once you pop open that iPhone SE (2nd generation), the warranty that kept it safe from dust and splashy water (the IP67 classification) goes poof! So, proceed with caution and enjoy the repair journey!
– Stick that suction cup right above the home button on the display and give it a gentle tug upwards. By lifting the display screen, you’re creating a nifty little gap between the aluminum and display frames!
Tools Used
Step 5
Hey there! Just a friendly reminder: keep your display opening to a maximum of 180° while it’s still connected. If you go beyond that, those flex cables might just get a little too adventurous and tear. So, let’s keep it safe and sound!
Step 6
– Grab your Phillips screwdriver and loosen those four screws on the contact cover—just like a light workout! Then, using your trusty tweezers, gently lift that cover out of your device. You’ve got this!
– Next up, it’s time to disconnect the battery contact. Slide a plastic spudger under the plug and lift it off with care. Remember, plastic spudgers are our go-to for this task—they’re like the gentle giants of the repair world!
2 × 2.6 mm Phillips
2 × 1.0 mm Phillips
Kick off your repair by disconnecting the battery connector right away! This little move not only keeps short circuits at bay but also makes sure your phone doesn’t accidentally come back to life while you’re working on it.
In this guide, we’re rocking some iPhone 8 photos! The battery connector might have a slightly different look on the iPhone SE (2nd generation), but no worries—it’s hanging out in the same spot on your device.
Step 7
– With your trusty plastic spudger in hand, gently pry off those two connectors snuggled up to the display (one for the display itself and the other for the home button).
Tools Used
Step 8
3 × 1.0 mm Phillips
– Grab your Phillips screwdriver (PH00) and loosen those three Phillips screws that are keeping the cover over the FaceTime connector in place. It’s like a gentle nudge to help them out!
– Next, take your trusty spudger and carefully pry the FaceTime connector away from the board. Easy does it! You’ve got this!
– And voilà! You can now lift the display right off. You’re on a roll!
Step 9
Antenna Flex Cable
– The iPhone SE’s battery is held in place with some sticky adhesive tape. To make your life easier, try to pull it out as flat as possible.
– If those tapes decide to play hard to get and tear, you might have to gently pry the battery out. Just a heads up, this could potentially cause some damage to other components.
– To keep the battery replacement smooth and safe, we suggest removing the Taptic Engine first. To do that, you’ll need to take out the speaker and the logic board first. Once that’s done, the upper adhesive+strips+iPhone+SE+(2020)&crid=1TJIMMAJSUJUZ&sprefix=repair+tools%2Caps%2C165&linkCode=ll2&tag=salvationrepa-20&linkId=c486487cf454ce8edd6f5beefab4110f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl’>adhesive strips will come out without a hitch.
– If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also disconnect the Taptic Engine without removing the speaker.
– For this, just take off the antenna glued to the speaker and bend the small flex cable to the side, over the Taptic Engine’s contact.
Step 10
1 × 2.9 mm Phillips
1 × 3.0 mm Standoff
While there are specialized screwdrivers designed for tackling those internal thread screws, don’t worry if you don’t have one! A regular, slim slotted screwdriver can do the trick just fine.
– Unscrew the two screws that hold the bracket plate of the iSight camera in place, then set that bracket plate aside like a pro!
Step 11
1 × 1.1 mm Phillips
1 × 2.7 mm Phillips
– First, let’s get those screws off the bracket plate that’s chilling above the standby and volume button connector. Easy peasy!
– Next, gently coax the connector away from the logic board using your trusty spudger. You’ve got this!
Step 12
2 × 1.2 mm Phillips
2 × 1.0 mm Phillips
1 × 2.5 mm Phillips
1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
One of those sneaky screws is snugly tucked into the side of the back cover. Make sure to keep an eye on it as you work your way through the repair!
– First, grab your trusty Phillips screwdriver and unscrew those four Phillips screws holding the plastic bracket in place. Once they’re free, you’ll be ready to lift that bracket off like a pro!
Step 13
1 × 1.3 mm Phillips
1 × 1.2 mm Phillips
– First, let’s tackle those Phillips screws that are keeping the Wi-Fi antenna snug as a bug! Unscrew them and set them aside.
– Next, grab your trusty plastic spudger and gently pry the antenna connector off the board. We want to keep things smooth and friendly here!
– If the antenna is feeling a bit stubborn, warm it up with a little hot air and slide a flat, stable lever tool underneath—like a steel spatula for that extra finesse.
– Once everything is feeling loosey-goosey, you can easily lift the antenna out of your iPhone SE. You’re doing great!
Step 14
– Grab a SIM tool or a trusty paperclip and get ready to liberate the SIM card tray from your phone! Just press the SIM tool into the tiny hole on the tray and give it a gentle push.
Tools Used
Step 15
– With a gentle touch, pop those three connectors off the logic board using your trusty spudger. You’re doing awesome!
Tools Used
Step 16
1 × 2.4 mm Standoff
1 × 2.1 mm Standoff
1 × 1.6 mm Phillips
Heads up! That sneaky Phillips screw is hiding behind a sticker—just like a shy kid at a party! Check out our photo for a little help in finding it.
– Loosen up those three screws that are keeping the logic board snug as a bug!
– Once those screws are relaxed, you can gently lift out the logic board. Just above the logic board, right next to the two holes for the iSight camera, there’s a little plastic holder for a screw. Keep an eye on it!
Step 17
1 × 1.2 mm Y-type
1 × 2.9 mm Phillips
1 × 2.5 mm Phillips
1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
1 × 2.1 mm Phillips
To tackle that Y-type screw, make sure you’ve got a Y-type screwdriver that fits just right. It’s like finding the perfect dance partner for your repair journey!
– First, let’s get those three screws from the cover plate that’s cozying up above the flexible speaker cable. Unscrew them and gently lift off the cover plate like a pro!
Step 18
1 × 2.0 mm Standoff
1 × 2.0 mm Phillips
– First, gently wiggle off that tiny flex cable hanging out above the Taptic Engine connector. You’ve got this!
– Next, loosen up those screws keeping the Taptic Engine snug and secure. They’re ready to be set free!
– Now, grab your trusty spudger and carefully detach the Taptic Engine connector. Once it’s free, gently lift it out of your phone like a pro!
Step 19
– Grab your tweezers or a spatula and gently peel off those black tabs. Underneath, you’ll find the white adhesive+strips+iPhone+SE+(2020)&crid=1TJIMMAJSUJUZ&sprefix=repair+tools%2Caps%2C165&linkCode=ll2&tag=salvationrepa-20&linkId=c486487cf454ce8edd6f5beefab4110f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl’>adhesive strips waiting for you!
– Now, take it slow and steady as you pull out the adhesive+strips+iPhone+SE+(2020)&crid=1TJIMMAJSUJUZ&sprefix=repair+tools%2Caps%2C165&linkCode=ll2&tag=salvationrepa-20&linkId=c486487cf454ce8edd6f5beefab4110f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl’>adhesive strips. Keep them as flat as possible, just like a well-laid pancake, right at the level of the iPhone.
– Once you’ve successfully freed all the adhesive+strips+iPhone+SE+(2020)&crid=1TJIMMAJSUJUZ&sprefix=repair+tools%2Caps%2C165&linkCode=ll2&tag=salvationrepa-20&linkId=c486487cf454ce8edd6f5beefab4110f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl’>adhesive strips, you can go ahead and lift out the battery. You’re almost there!
Hold onto that battery and your iPhone like it’s your favorite snack while you gently pull out the last adhesive strip. We want to keep that battery cozy and snug in its home, not taking an unexpected tumble!
If one of those sticky adhesive+strips+iPhone+SE+(2020)&crid=1TJIMMAJSUJUZ&sprefix=repair+tools%2Caps%2C165&linkCode=ll2&tag=salvationrepa-20&linkId=c486487cf454ce8edd6f5beefab4110f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl’>adhesive strips decides to go rogue and tears, don’t panic! Just grab your trusty battery spudger and gently pry that battery out. Remember, we want to treat it like a precious gem—bend it as little as possible!
Tools Used
Step 20
Keep an eye on those adhesive+strips+iPhone+SE+(2020)&crid=1TJIMMAJSUJUZ&sprefix=repair+tools%2Caps%2C165&linkCode=ll2&tag=salvationrepa-20&linkId=c486487cf454ce8edd6f5beefab4110f&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl’>adhesive strips! Make sure they’re lined up just right by giving them a test fit in the device before you commit. It’s like a warm-up before the big game!
To get that battery snug as a bug, you have a couple of options! You can either reassemble everything except for the logic board, or just slide that logic board into the back cover for a quick fit. Easy peasy!
Step 21
Give your new battery some breathing room! Keep it happily distanced from the frame and other components on all sides.
After you’ve snugged that battery into place, it’s time to give the logic board a little vacation! Remove it for a moment to get everything perfectly aligned. You’re doing great!
Step 22
1 × 2.0 mm Standoff
1 × 2.0 mm Phillips
Double-check that the screw holes for the taptic engine are lined up just right. It’s all about that perfect fit!
– Nestle the Taptic Engine back in between the battery and the Lightning connector. It’s like tucking in a cozy blanket, making sure everything is snug!
Step 23
1 × 2.1 mm Phillips
1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
1 × 1.2 mm Y-type
1 × 2.9 mm Phillips
1 × 2.5 mm Phillips
Make sure to slide that flex cable right in between the battery and speaker, just like a friendly little bridge! It’s all about keeping things cozy and in their right spots.
– Gently place the speaker back in its cozy spot and give it a nice firm press. It’s like tucking it in for a good night’s sleep!
Step 24
1 × 2.4 mm Standoff
1 × 2.1 mm Standoff
1 × 1.6 mm Phillips
– Gently place the logic board back where it belongs, making sure the camera bracket is snugly positioned above it.
– Now, tighten those screws on the logic board like you mean it!
Step 25
– First, align those connectors over their cozy little sockets and give them a gentle press down with your finger. You’re doing great!
Step 26
If that holder is giving you a hard time sliding in, take a moment to double-check the logic board’s position. A little adjustment might just do the trick!
– Slide that SIM card holder back into its cozy little home on the device frame. It’s like tucking in your favorite blanket, ensuring everything is snug and secure!
Step 27
1 × 1.3 mm Phillips
1 × 1.2 mm Phillips
– Time to get that Wi-Fi antenna back where it belongs in your iPhone SE! Slide it into the case and make sure it’s cozy.
– Next, grab your screwdriver and fasten the antenna mount to the case frame like a true repair champ.
– Give it a gentle press to ensure the adhesive film sticks back on. You got this!
– Finally, connect the antenna’s connector and make sure it’s snug as a bug!
Step 28
1 × 2.5 mm Phillips
1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
2 × 1.2 mm Phillips
2 × 1.0 mm Phillips
– Place that little connector piece back where it belongs and tighten it up like you’re securing a secret! You’ve got this!
– Now, slide in the plastic bracket and give it a good twist to lock it in place. You’re almost there!
Step 29
1 × 1.1 mm Phillips
1 × 2.7 mm Phillips
– Reconnect the standby and volume button connector with care.
– Reattach the bracket plate over the connector and secure it with the screws.
Step 30
1 × 2.9 mm Phillips
1 × 3.0 mm Standoff
– Carefully slide the camera back into its cozy little home in the case opening and give it a firm press to make sure it feels snug.
– Next, it’s time to connect the camera connector—just like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into place.
– Finally, place the camera cover plate back on and tighten those screws to keep everything secure and happy!
Step 31
After you’ve popped on that shiny new adhesive frame, your iPhone is all set to fend off dust and splash water, but remember, it’s not a submarine—so it’s not 100% waterproof!
The adhesive frame’s corners are uniquely shaped to guide you in aligning the back cover just right. It’s like having a built-in GPS for your repair journey!
– Start by giving your metal frame and display a little TLC—remove any leftover adhesive residue so the new adhesive frame can fit like a glove. Tweezers or a spudger will be your best buddies here!
– Next up, align that shiny new adhesive frame on the back cover of your iPhone SE. This will ensure everything is in its perfect place!
Tools Used
Step 32
3 × 1.0 mm Phillips
– Stand the display up on the upper case frame and connect the FaceTime connector to the logic board. You’re doing great!
– Now, gently lay the display aside on the case frame.
– Place the bracket plate back over the FaceTime connector and secure it with those three Phillips screws. Almost there!
Step 33
– With a gentle touch, connect the home button and display connectors to the logic board. It’s like giving them a warm hug, ensuring they’re all set to work together!
Step 35
Wrong position
Right position
Before you seal up your iPhone SE (2nd generation), take a moment to check that the cable chip is snug in its spot! If it’s feeling a bit off, you might end up with some funky display spots. Use our handy photo as your guide to get it just right!
Step 36
2 × 3.4 Pentalobe
– Let’s get those two pentalobe screws on either side of the Lightning connector snugly back into your iPhone SE’s rear case. Just a little twist to the left and right, and you’re all set!
