iPhone SE 2020 Front Camera And Sensor Cable Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 32 Steps
Get ready to swap out that front camera and sensor cable on your iPhone SE 2020! This nifty assembly comes packed with a microphone, front camera, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor—everything you need to keep your device looking sharp. Let's dive in and give your phone the TLC it deserves!
Step 1
Hey there! Before diving in, let's make sure your iPhone's battery is below 25%. A fully charged lithium-ion battery can be a bit of a drama queen and may catch fire or explode if it gets a little too friendly with a sharp object.
And remember, it's time to power down your iPhone before we get into the nitty-gritty of disassembly. Safety first, right?
Cracking open your iPhone’s display means those waterproof seals are taking a back seat. If you want to keep splash protection, grab some new seals before you go further. Skipping this? Just keep liquids far, far away if you’re putting things back together without swapping the seals.
- Grab your pentalobe screwdriver and remove the two 3.5 mm screws on the bottom edge of your iPhone. Time to get those screws out and open up the device!
Step 2
Don’t let your pick go too deep—mark the side so you know exactly where to stop and keep your device happy.
Feeling fancy? Mark the other corners with different measurements for extra precision.
Or, tape a coin to your pick about 3 mm from the tip. Instant depth control!
- Grab your opening pick and measure out 3 mm from the tip, then make a little mark with a permanent marker so you’ve got a clear reference point.
Step 3
In the next three steps, we'll introduce the Anti-Clamp, a nifty tool we've crafted to make opening your device a breeze. If you're not using the Anti-Clamp, feel free to skip ahead three steps for an alternative approach.
For all the juicy details on how to use the Anti-Clamp like a pro, check out this guide.
If your iPhone feels like it's auditioning for a slippery soap opera and the Anti-Clamp can't get a grip, a little tape can work wonders to create a stickier surface.
- Pull back the blue handle to release the Anti-Clamp's arms—it's like unlocking a secret door.
- Slide the arms over the left or right edge of your iPhone, whichever feels right.
- Place the suction cups just above the home button, one on the front, and one on the back, close to the bottom edge of your iPhone.
- Gently squeeze the cups together to create a solid grip on the phone. Now you’re ready for the next step!
Step 4
- Slide that blue handle forward to lock those arms in place.
- Give the handle a full 360-degree spin clockwise, or keep turning until you see the cups start to stretch.
- Keep an eye on the suction cups—they should stay perfectly lined up. If they start wandering off, loosen them up a bit and get those arms back on track.
Step 5
Turn the knob no more than a quarter twist at a time—patience is your friend here! Give it a minute between turns and let the Anti-Clamp work its magic.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate can work too—just keep the heat mellow, since too much can mess with your screen or battery.
If the Anti-Clamp isn’t giving you enough space, warm up the spot a bit more and give the handle a gentle quarter turn.
- Warm up that iOpener and slide it right through the arms of the Anti-Clamp.
- Bend the iOpener so it rests comfortably on the bottom edge of your iPhone.
- Give it a minute to let the adhesive loosen up and create a little opening for you.
- Gently slide an opening pick into that gap.
- Feel free to skip the next three steps!
Tools Used
Step 6
The next three steps will guide you through the process of using a suction cup to gently separate the screen. Let's dive in!
- Warming up the bottom edge of your iPhone can help loosen up the adhesive holding the display in place, making it way easier to open.
- Grab a hairdryer or an iOpener, apply it to the lower edge of the phone for about 90 seconds, and let the heat work its magic on the adhesive underneath.
Tools Used
Step 7
Make sure the suction cup stays clear of the home button—if it overlaps, you won’t get a good seal between the cup and the front glass. Keep it nice and centered for the best results!
- Place a suction cup on the lower part of the front panel, right above the home button. Give it a gentle pull to get things started.
Step 8
The adhesive holding the screen in place is tough, so getting that first gap open will take some muscle. If you're struggling, give it some extra heat and gently wiggle the screen up and down. This should loosen the adhesive enough to create a gap wide enough for your tool to slide in. Patience is key!
- Give that suction cup a steady pull—think of it like opening a stubborn jar, but cooler. You want to see a tiny gap between the screen and the frame.
- Slide an opening pick right into that new space. Nice and easy, like you're sneaking a cookie before dinner.
Step 9
Don't go prying at the top edge of the display—those plastic clips are holding on tight and can snap if you get too bold!
- Gently slide the opening pick along the left edge of the phone, starting from the bottom and moving up toward the volume buttons and silent switch, carefully loosening the adhesive holding the display in place.
- Pause once you reach the top left corner of the display.
Step 10
Watch out for those delicate cables along the right edge of your iPhone. Keep your pick clear of this area to avoid any accidental damage to them!
Step 11
Be careful not to insert your pick more than 3mm – you wouldn't want to accidentally mess with those delicate display cables.
- Carefully slide your tool into the lower right corner of the iPhone and gently glide it around the corner, making your way up the right side to break that adhesive seal. You've got this!
Step 12
Keep the display lift to under 15º—those ribbon cables are more delicate than they look!
- Carefully lift the bottom edge of the display by pulling up on the suction cup.
- Grab the little tab on the suction cup and pull it off the front panel.
Step 13
- Grab your opening pick and slide it smoothly under the display at the top left corner. Cruise along the top edge to loosen up the last bits of sticky adhesive. Nice and easy—you're almost there!
Step 14
- Gently nudge the display assembly downwards, away from the top edge of your phone, to pop those clips loose from the rear case. You've got this!
Step 15
Hold up on pulling the display all the way off—there are still some delicate ribbon cables chillin' between it and the iPhone's logic board.
- Swing the iPhone display up from the left side—think of it like opening a book cover.
- Prop the display up against something sturdy so it stays out of your way while you work your magic.
Step 16
- Unscrew the four Phillips screws holding the lower display cable bracket to the logic board. Here’s the lineup:
- Keep track of your screws as you go—each one belongs back in its original spot during reassembly. Mixing them up can cause serious trouble.
- Take off the bracket.
- Two screws measuring 1.3 mm
- Two screws measuring 2.8 mm
Step 17
- Gently use the spudger's point to lift the battery connector from its cozy little home in the logic board.
- Now, give the battery connector cable a gentle nudge away from the logic board so it won't sneak back into the socket and accidentally power up your phone while you're working on it.
Tools Used
Step 18
- Gently use the pointy end of a spudger to pop the lower display connector out of its socket.
- When snapping connectors like this back in, press down on one side until you hear a click, then do the same on the other side. Avoid pressing the middle — even a tiny misalignment can bend the connector and cause lasting damage.
Tools Used
Step 19
- Gently use the pointy end of a spudger to unplug the second lower display cable.
Tools Used
Step 20
- First things first, let’s kick those three 1.3 mm Phillips screws to the curb! Unscrew them to free the bracket that's holding back the front panel sensor assembly connector.
- Now, gently lift off that bracket like a pro!
Step 21
- Gently pry up with the pointy end of your spudger to unplug the front panel sensor assembly connector.
Tools Used
Step 22
- Carefully take out the display assembly.
- If you’re planning to swap out the adhesive around the edges of the display, now’s the perfect time to pause and handle that during reassembly.
Step 23
- Time to tackle those pesky Phillips screws holding down the top earpiece bracket! Let's get to it:
- First up, grab two of those 2.6 mm screws.
- And don't forget about the little guy—one 1.8 mm screw to finish the job!
Step 24
- Take off the earpiece speaker bracket.
Step 25
- Gently pop the front-facing camera out of its socket and swing it aside to keep it safe.
Step 26
- Time to unscrew the dynamic duo holding the earpiece speaker in place:
- One 1.8 mm Phillips screw
- One 2.3 mm Phillips screw
Step 27
- Pop out the earpiece speaker with a gentle touch, like you're unlocking a secret compartment. Make sure you're careful, though – it's delicate work!
Step 28
Take a breather for about two minutes to let that adhesive chill out and get nice and soft before we dive into the next step!
- Warm up an iOpener and gently place it on the top edge of the display to loosen the adhesive holding the front camera and sensor assembly.
Tools Used
Step 29
Slide your tool all the way under the sensor to gently lift it away from the clear plastic underneath. If you only pry against the cable, the sensor might pop off from the cable assembly and then you'll have to replace it. If you’re swapping out the sensor/cable assembly anyway, no worries!
- Carefully use the tip of a spudger to nudge the proximity sensor out of its little home on the front panel. Take it slow and steady!
Tools Used
Step 30
- Gently wiggle the tip of your spudger under the ambient light sensor flex cable, and pop that sensor right out of its little spot.
Tools Used
Step 31
- Gently slide an opening pick under the front camera cable assembly to loosen the adhesive that’s holding the camera and sensor cable in place. You're doing great!
Step 32
- Double-check that your new part matches the original. You might need to swap over any bits and peel off adhesive covers before popping it in.
- Put your device back together by retracing your steps in reverse—we're going full rewind mode.
- Give your old parts a proper send-off at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler. Mother Earth sends her thanks.
- If your repair went sideways, don't sweat it! The Salvation Repair community is here for you. Get troubleshooting help or schedule a repair if you need backup.
