iPhone 5s – Replacing the back cover
Duration: 105 min.
Steps: 45 Steps
Hey there! Ready to tackle the replacement of your iPhone 5s' back cover? In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to swap out that worn-out back cover all by yourself! Whether your back cover is looking a bit warped, scratched, or your rear camera is struggling to take clear photos because of a scratched lens, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started and bring your iPhone back to life! If you find yourself in a pickle, don’t hesitate to schedule a repair.
Step 1
- Grab your trusty pentalobe screwdriver to get the iPhone 5s opened up!
- Next, let's tackle those two pentalobe screws hanging out at the bottom of the enclosure. They’re right next to the Lightning connector, one on each side. Make sure to toss those screws into the same compartment of your organizer tray so they don’t wander off! You’ll be dealing with 2 x 4.0 mm pentalobe screws.
Step 2
Keep that display lift to a max of two centimeters, or you might just end up giving the Home button cable a surprise tear party below it!
- Lay your iPhone 5s on a soft, clean surface to keep that back looking sharp!
- To pop that front panel off, grab a suction cup and a hard plastic pick. If your screen is looking like it went through a battle, slap on some packing tape to hold it together.
- Stick the suction cup over the Home button (if you can) or just beside it (check out figure 1). While you’re lifting the screen with the suction cup, slide the hard plastic pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame, pressing down on the aluminum frame. Use that pick to help lift the screen (see figure 2). It might take a few tries, but you’ve got this!
- Once you can lift the screen just a little bit (see figure 3), gently work your way around the edges until it’s loosened up on both sides (see figure 4).
Step 3
If the display is disconnected, just give it a gentle lift. The Home button cable is the lifeline connecting the display to the Lightning connector, and lifting too high might just send it into a tearful farewell!
- Gently remove the shiny cover over the Home button connector by sliding the pointed tip of your spudger just underneath and lifting it out (check out figure 1 for a visual!).
- Next up, it’s time to disconnect the contact from the connector. Use your trusty laboratory spatula or spudger to carefully pull it off.
- With the cable now disconnected, you can lift the display from the Home button area. Just a heads up, the LCD/touchscreen cables are still attached to the logic board, so stay tuned for the next step!
Step 4
- First, let's tackle those four Phillips screws keeping the silver cover in place (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 go on an adventure! Now, gently lift that cover off.
- Next up, it's time to disconnect three connectors (see figure 2). Take your time and be super careful! Use the pointed tip of your spudger just a smidge below the contact and lift it up. You’re disconnecting the Touchscreen, LCD, Front camera/sensor, earpiece, and ambient microphone. You've got this!
Step 5
- The camera is held in place with a rubber strap for extra stability. Slide your laboratory spatula or a pair of tweezers underneath that strap to reveal the camera (check out figure 1).
- Next, it's time to disconnect the connector. Gently place the pointed tip of your spudger just below the contact and lift it up (see figure 2).
- Now, carefully lift the camera out of the phone (see figure 3).
Step 6
- Grab your Phillips screwdriver and start unscrewing those Phillips screws on the battery connector (check out figure 1 for a visual!). Once you've done that, gently lift the cover using your spudger (see figure 2). Don't forget to keep all those little parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray – we want them to stay together!
- Now, it's time to carefully lift the battery connector. Just slide the pointed tip of your spudger in just below the connector (see figure 3). And hey, if you don’t have a spudger handy, your trusty fingernail can do the trick too!
Step 7
- Now remove the following seven Phillips screws. Put the screws in different compartments of your organizer tray so you can easily identify them later.1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw (smooth head)2 x 3.5 mm Phillips screws2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws2 x 2.9 mm Phillips screws
Step 8
- Lift the speaker gently as shown in figure 1.
- You'll notice a bit of the speaker is tucked under the logic board. Just give it a little twist to the side to free it up (check out figure 2).
- Now, simply pull it out by hand.
Step 9
- Slide your laboratory spatula gently underneath the ribbon cable and detach it with care from the base. Remember, it's only glued at the spot where the speaker used to be, so it should come off without too much fuss!
- Use that trusty spatula or spudger to ease out the headphone jack (check out figure 2), the microphone (figure 3), and the Lightning connector (figure 4). You got this!
- Now, with a gentle touch, remove the ribbon cable using your fingers (see figure 5). You're almost there!
Step 10
- First, let's peel off that sticker next to the camera. There’s a sneaky little screw hiding right beneath it (check out figure 1).
- Next, gently lift the standby/volume cable set connector to free it up (see figure 2). Use the pointed tip of your spudger or spatula to slide underneath the contact and give it a little lift.
- Now, it's time to disconnect the Lightning connector’s ribbon cable (see figure 3). Just place the flat end of your spudger slightly below the contact and lift it up with care. Don’t forget to fold the cable over gently afterward.
- Lastly, carefully lift off the antenna connector using your trusty laboratory spatula (see figure 4).
Step 11
- You can totally grab your SIM Tool or even a trusty paperclip to pop out that SIM card tray! Just press the SIM Tool into the tiny hole on the tray, and voilà, it's out!
Step 12
- Time to get your screwdriver on! Unscrew all six screws that keep the logic board snug and secure.
- Four of these screws have an internal thread, and that sneaky one next to the rear camera? It’s not magnetic! Grab a flathead screwdriver or your trusty spatula to remove it. Make sure to keep all those screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray for easy access later. You’ll be dealing with: 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 13
- First, let’s get those two Phillips screws out of the way (check out figure 1) along with the bracket beneath them (see figure 2) that keeps the antenna snugly connected to the frame. Make sure to keep these little guys in the same compartment of your organizer tray so they don’t go on a wild adventure! You’ll be dealing with 1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw and 1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw.
Step 14
- Gently lift the logic board with your spudger (check out figure 1) and give it a little twist around the longitudinal axis using the plastic tab (see figure 2).
- On the flip side, carefully disconnect the antenna connector by gently pulling it off the plug head with the spudger (see figure 3).
- Now, with a delicate touch, remove the logic board.
Step 15
- Gently lift the black end of the sticker and grab a pair of scissors to snip it right down the middle (check out figures 1 to 3).
- Now, slowly pull one half of the adhesive strip to the side, keeping it as flat as you can at the level of the iPhone (see figure 4). Do the same for the other half and then go ahead and remove the battery (see figure 5).
Step 16
- First, let's tackle those three screws holding the vibration motor and its trusty support frame in place (check out figure 1). You’ll need: 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (smooth head), 1 x 2.5 mm Phillips screw, and another 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw.
- Now, with a gentle touch, remove the vibration motor (see figure 2) and detach it from the support frame that’s glued on. You’re doing great!
Step 17
- Let's get those three Phillips screws out of the volume and mute button bracket! This little bracket is glued to the cable set, so handle it with care. Make sure to stash those screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray so they don’t go on a wild adventure!
Step 18
- The cable set is stuck down just a little. Use your laboratory spatula to gently pry it loose!
Step 19
- First, let's tackle those two Phillips screws that are keeping the flash cover snug and secure (check out figure 1). You’ll be dealing with 2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws.
- Once you've got those screws out, go ahead and lift off the cover (see figure 2) and gently raise the flash (see figure 3). Remember to stash the screws and cover in the same compartment of your organizer tray so they don't go on a little adventure!
Step 20
- First, let’s get that elastic cover off (check out figure 1) and peel away the foam sticker (see figure 2).
- Next up, grab your Phillips screwdriver and unscrew that little Phillips screw (see figure 3). It's a 1 x 1.9 mm Phillips screw!
- Now, gently detach the tiny antenna cable that’s glued onto the standby switch (see figure 4). Don’t forget to toss everything into the same container so they don’t get lost!
Step 21
- Turn the metal switch to the side to remove it. The standby button is glued to it. This part is a bit tricky.
- Now you can remove the cable set.
Step 22
- Let's get those buttons off along with that Phillips screw, and while you're at it, remove the ejector lever too! Make sure to stash everything in the same spot in your organizer tray so you don’t lose any of those little guys. You’ll be dealing with 1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw.
Step 23
- Slide your spudger (the scratch protector for your glass) under the antenna ribbon cable and give it a gentle tug to disconnect it from the back cover.
Step 24
- Each of the four retaining brackets is held in place by two Phillips screws. Time to unscrew them! Make sure to stash those screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray so they don’t go on a little adventure. You’ll be working with 8 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws.
- Now, grab all those tiny adhesive pieces and give them a new home on the fresh back cover. You're doing great!
Step 25
- It's time to attach those four brackets with some Phillips magic! Grab your 8 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws and get to work. You've got this!
Step 26
- Attach that antenna cable to the fresh back cover like it’s getting a cozy hug!
Step 27
- Secure the ejector lever with that trusty Phillips screw! The top part of the ejector lever should be positioned to the left of the SIM card slot. You’ll need 1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw for this step.
- Give the SIM card tray a gentle push to see if it slides in and out smoothly.
- Now, let’s pop those buttons into place!
Step 28
- Hook that switch onto the metal bar and slide it into the frame like a pro (check out figures 1 and 2 for some visuals!).
- Next, pop that little antenna cable back where it belongs (figure 3 is your guide) and secure the switch with a screw (figure 4 will show you how). Give that standby button a test press and see if it feels just right. Don't forget, you'll need a 1 x 1.9 mm Phillips screw for this part!
- Finally, let's wrap it all up with that soft black sticker and the elastic cover (figures 5 and 6 are here to help you out).
Step 29
- Slide the flash into its cozy little spot and secure the cover over it. Make sure that cover is snugly fitted into place (check out figure 1 for a visual!). Then, grab those two Phillips screws and fasten them down tight (see figure 2). You’ll be using 2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws for this step!
Step 30
- Reconnect the vibration switch and volume controller to their original spots.
- When you're setting up the vibration rocker switch, ensure it's facing downwards (you'll spot the orange stripe peeking out along the frame). This little detail makes it a breeze to connect the switch to the rocker switch correctly.
- Now, go ahead and secure the volume and mute button bracket with some screws.
Step 31
- Let's get that vibration motor in place and secure it with three Phillips screws. You’ll need: 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (smooth head), 1 x 2.5 mm Phillips screw, and another 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw. You're doing awesome!
Step 32
- Stick those new adhesive strips on! Give them a good press against the back cover before you peel off the film (check out figures 1 and 2 for a little visual help).
- Time to slide that battery back into your iPhone (see figure 3 for guidance).
- Now, fold over that black tear-off strip right in the middle. You're doing great!
Step 33
- Reconnect the antenna connector to the logic board (check out figure 1) and slide it back into its cozy original spot (see figure 2). Use figure 3 to make sure your logic board is sitting just right!
Step 34
- Let's get that bracket in place to connect the antenna to the frame (check out figure 1), and fasten it down with those screws (see figure 2). You’ll need: 1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw and 1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw. You've got this!
Step 35
- It's time to get your screwdriver on! Secure all six screws that keep the logic board snug and secure (see figure 1). You'll be working with: 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. Keep those screws organized in your tray so they don’t wander off!
Step 36
When you connect that slim antenna connector, make sure it’s snug as a bug! Gently press it into the slot like you’re tucking it in for a cozy nap.
- 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 37
- Let's slide that Lightning connector into place (check out figure 1 for a visual!).
- Now, give a little push to the microphone’s rubber seal, tucking it into that tiny black groove. Ensure the Lightning connector and audio jack are snug against the frame (see figure 2). Finally, reattach that ribbon cable with confidence!
Step 38
- Gently rotate the speaker to its original position, ensuring it fits snugly (check out figure 1!).
- Time to bring out your trusty Phillips screwdriver and secure those screws again (figure 2)! You'll be using: 1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw (smooth head), 2 x 3.5 mm Phillips screws, 2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws, and 2 x 2.9 mm Phillips screws.
- Now, reconnect the antenna cable (figure 3) and the ribbon cable like a pro!
Step 39
- Now it's time to pop that cover back on and secure it with a couple of screws! You’ll be using 2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws to keep everything snug and tidy.
Step 40
- Reconnect the camera (check out figure 1) and reattach that rubber strap like a pro! Just make sure the strap is snugly positioned on the side beneath the clip (see figure 2).
Step 41
If those connectors are feeling a bit shy and aren’t snugly connected, you might see some funky stripes on your display or notice that parts of the touchscreen are taking a little nap. Let’s keep everything connected and happy!
- Reconnect those connectors (check out figure 1). Sometimes the touchscreen connector likes to play hide and seek when you plug in the LCD connector. Just a friendly reminder: Touchscreen, LCD, Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone are all in this together!
- Once everything is snug and secure, fire up your iPhone! Give the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera, and earpiece a quick check. If those connectors aren’t playing nice, you might see some funky stripes on the display or parts of the touchscreen could be taking a little nap.
- Now, let’s put that cover back on and screw it down (figure 2 is your guide). 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 42
- Alright, this step might seem a bit tricky! Grab your tweezers or that trusty spudger to line up the cable set’s connector just right. Then, give it a gentle press with the spudger to secure it in place (check out figure 1 for a visual!).
- If everything's looking good and the connector fits snugly, pop that silver cover right over it. Tweezers can really help you get it just right (see figure 2). Then, using the spudger, press down gently until you hear that satisfying little click (figure 3).
Step 43
- Now, let’s gently fold that screen down like a pro! Make sure the top edge where those cables are clicks into place just right. Once that’s done, carefully nudge the screen towards the Home button until it fits snugly in the frame. You’ve got this!
Step 44
- Alright, time to wrap things up! Grab your pentalobe screwdriver and let’s get those two pentalobe screws snugged back in at the bottom of the enclosure. You’ll be dealing with 2 x 4.0 mm pentalobe screws, so make sure they’re cozy in their spots!
Step 45
Removing the battery can send your iPhone on a wild time travel adventure back to 1:00 a.m. on 1/1/1970! To avoid any hiccups with your cellular connection, be sure to set the time correctly.
- Let's sync up your iPhone with iTunes or hop onto a WLAN network and hang tight until the time is set right!
- Time to pop out that SIM tray along with the SIM card, then slide it back in like a pro.
- Flip on airplane mode for a moment, then flip it back off. Easy peasy!
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