iPhone 5s – Removing the mainboard
Duration: 60 min.
Steps: 22 Steps
Welcome to the fun world of DIY repairs! In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the steps to remove the logic board from your iPhone 5s. Whether you’re looking to give it a good clean or just curious about the inner workings, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get that logic board out and shine some light on what’s going on inside your device!
Step 1
- Grab your trusty pentalobe screwdriver to get that iPhone 5s open!
- Carefully unscrew the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of your device. They're hanging out right next to the Lightning connector, one on each side. Make sure to toss those screws into the same compartment of your organizer tray. You’ll need 2 x 4.0 mm pentalobe screws for this!
Step 2
Keep the display lift to a max of two centimeters, or you might just end up giving that Home button cable a surprise tear party below! Let's avoid that, shall we?
- Set your iPhone 5s down on a soft, clean surface to keep that back looking sharp and scratch-free!
- To pop off the front panel, you’ll need a suction cup and a hard plastic pick. If your screen is looking a bit worse for wear, slap some packing tape over those cracks for extra support.
- Stick the suction cup over the Home button (or right next to it if that's tricky). As you lift the screen with the suction cup, slide the hard plastic pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame, pushing down on the aluminum frame. Use the pick to gently nudge the screen up (check out figure 2). It might take a few tries, but don’t worry—you’ve got this!
- Once you can lift the screen a tiny bit (see figure 3), carefully work your way around the edges until it’s loosened on both sides (see figure 4).
Step 3
If the display is disconnected, just give it a gentle lift—like a little hello! The Home button cable is the bridge to the Lightning connector, and we don’t want it to throw a tantrum and tear. So, let’s keep it chill and avoid any surprises!
- Gently lift off the shiny cover over the Home button connector by sliding the pointy tip of your spudger just below it and popping it out (check out figure 1 for a visual!).
- Now it's time to disconnect that contact from the connector. Use your lab spatula or spudger to carefully pull it away, like a gentle hug goodbye.
- Once that cable is free, you can lift the display near the Home button. Just a heads up—the LCD and touchscreen cables are still hanging out with the logic board (stay tuned for the next step)!
Step 4
- First, let's tackle those four Phillips screws holding down the shiny silver cover (check out figure 1 for a visual!). Make sure to toss those screws into the same compartment of your organizer tray so they don't wander off. After that, just lift the cover off to say goodbye to it! You'll need: 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws (not magnetic), 2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws, and 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw.
- Now, it's time to disconnect those three connectors (see figure 2). Take it slow and steady! Use the pointed tip of your spudger, slide it just below the contact, and gently lift it up. We're talking about the Touchscreen, LCD, Front camera/sensor, earpiece, and ambient microphone here—let's keep them all in one piece!
Step 5
- The camera is snugly held in place with a rubber strap to keep it steady. Slide your trusty lab spatula or a pair of tweezers underneath that rubber strap and gently reveal the camera (check out figure 1 for guidance!).
- Next up, it's time to disconnect the connector! Position the pointed tip of your spudger just below the contact and give it a little lift (see figure 2 for a visual).
- Finally, lift the camera out of the phone with care (see figure 3). You’re doing great!
Step 6
- Grab your Phillips screwdriver and get ready to tackle those pesky screws on the battery connector (check out figure 1 for a visual!). Once you’ve got them out, gently lift the cover using your trusty spudger (see figure 2). Don’t forget to keep all those little parts cozy in the same compartment of your organizer tray—you're going to need 2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws for this!
- Now, with the precision of a ninja, carefully lift the battery connector by sliding the pointed tip of your spudger just below it (see figure 3). If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t have a spudger handy, your fingernail can step in as a backup tool!
Step 7
- First, let’s peel off that sticker hanging out next to the camera. There's a sneaky screw hiding just below it (check out figure 1 for a peek!).
- Next, gently lift the standby/volume cable set connector to free it (see figure 2). Slide the pointy end of your spudger or spatula right underneath the contact and give it a little nudge upwards.
- Now, let’s disconnect the ribbon cable for the Lightning connector (see figure 3). Just slide the flat end of your spudger slightly below the contact and lift it up. Once that’s done, carefully fold the cable over to the side.
- Finally, with a steady hand, lift off the antenna connector using your lab spatula (see figure 4). You’re doing awesome!
Step 8
- You can use the SIM Tool or a paperclip to remove the SIM card tray. Press the SIM Tool into the small hole in the SIM card tray to remove it.
Step 9
- Time to bust out that screwdriver and tackle those six screws that are keeping the logic board snug as a bug in a rug!
- Four of these little guys have an internal thread, and the one hanging out next to the rear camera is a bit of a rebel—not magnetic! You can use a flathead screwdriver or your trusty spatula to coax it out. Remember to keep all your screws in the same cozy compartment of your organizer tray. Here's the lineup: 3 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screws, 1 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screw (not magnetic), and 2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screws.
Step 10
- Let's tackle those Phillips screws! Remove both of them (check out figure 1) and the bracket right below them (see figure 2) that keeps the antenna snug against the frame. Remember to stash those screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray. You’ll need 1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw and 1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw for this little adventure!
Step 11
- Gently lift the logic board using your spudger (check out figure 1) and give it a little twist around the longitudinal axis by the plastic tab (see figure 2).
- On the flip side, it's time to disconnect the antenna connector—just carefully pull it off the plug head with your spudger (see figure 3).
- Now, with care, remove the logic board from its cozy spot.
Step 12
- Reconnect the antenna connector to the logic board (check out figure 1) and gently place it back where it belongs (see figure 2). Use figure 3 as your trusty guide to ensure your logic board is snug as a bug in its rightful spot!
Step 13
- Let's get that bracket in place, connecting the antenna to the frame (check out figure 1 for a visual guide). Once you've got it lined up, tighten it down with those screws (figure 2 is here to help!). You'll need 1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw and 1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw for this little task!
Step 14
- Now it's time to secure that logic board with all six screws, making sure it stays snug and happy in its home (check out figure 1 for a visual!). You'll need: 3 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screws, 1 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screw (not magnetic), and 2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screws. Let's keep everything in its cozy spot!
Step 15
When you're connecting that sleek antenna connector, give it a snug fit! Just press it gently into the slot and you're golden!
- Now reconnect the following connectors:Antenna connectorBattery connectorDock connector plugStandby/volume cable set connectorWhen you connect the thin antenna connector, make sure it’s fitted properly. Press it carefully onto the slot.
Step 16
- Now, let's pop that cover back on and secure it with two trusty 1.6 mm Phillips screws. You’re almost there!
Step 17
- Reconnect the camera (check out figure 1) and reattach that rubber strap like a pro! Just make sure the strap is snugly placed on the side below the clip (see figure 2).
Step 18
If those connectors are feeling a bit shy and don’t connect just right, you might see some funky stripes on your display or parts of the touchscreen might just decide to take a break. Let’s keep everything snug and working smoothly!
- Reattach those connectors like a pro (check out figure 1 for a visual!). Sometimes the touchscreen connector likes to play hide and seek when you connect the LCD connector. We're talking about the Touchscreen, LCD, Front camera/sensor, earpiece, and ambient microphone here—let's keep them all in one piece!
- Once you've got those connectors snugly in place, fire up your iPhone! Give the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera, and earpiece a quick check-up. If those connectors aren’t properly connected, you might see some funky stripes on the display or find parts of the touchscreen taking an unexpected vacation.
- Now, let's get that cover back on and secure it with some screws (see figure 2). You'll need: 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic), 2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws, and 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (magnetic).
Step 19
- This step can be a bit of a challenge! Grab your trusty tweezers or spudger to get that cable set’s connector in place, then use the spudger to gently press the connector onto its connection (check out figure 1 for a visual!).
- If everything's snug and secure, it's time to cover up that connector with the shiny silver cover. Tweezers make it super easy to position the cover just right (see figure 2). Then, with your spudger, give that cover a gentle press until it clicks into place (figure 3).
Step 20
- Now, let's gently fold down that screen like a pro! Make sure the upper edge where those cables are clicks into place just right. Once that's done, give the screen a careful push toward the Home button until it's snugly fit in the frame.
Step 21
- It's time to fasten those two pentalobe screws at the bottom of your enclosure! Just grab your trusty screwdriver and give them a little twist. You'll need 2 x 4.0 mm pentalobe screws for this part. Let's get it all snug and secure!
Step 22
When you pop that battery out, your iPhone might just decide to throw a little time party and reset to 1:00 a.m. on 1/1/1970! If that happens, don’t fret, but do keep in mind that you might have some hiccups connecting to the cellular network until you set the time right.
- Get your iPhone in sync with iTunes or hop onto a WLAN network and hang tight until the time is set just right!
- Pop out the SIM tray, give that SIM card a little love, and then slide it back in.
- Turn on airplane mode for a sec, then switch it off again. Easy peasy!
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