iPhone SE 2022 Rear Camera Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 27 Steps
Ready to swap out the rear camera on your iPhone SE 2022? This guide walks you through the process on the A2783 (international) model. Heads up: if you skip replacing the adhesive seals when putting your device back together, it will still work fine but might lose its water resistance. Make sure you have replacement adhesive on hand to keep everything sealed tight.
Step 1
- First things first, power down your phone before diving into the guts of it. Safety first, always!
- Now, grab your trusty screwdriver and remove the two 3.4mm P2 pentalobe screws along the bottom edge of your iPhone. Easy does it!
Step 2
Be careful not to push your opening pick in too far—it can cause damage. Use this step to mark your pick so you can work safely and avoid any mishaps.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements for even more precision.
If you'd like, tape a coin 3mm from the tip of the pick. This makes it easier to maintain a safe distance while working.
- Mark the opening pick 3 mm from the tip using a permanent marker—precision is key for a smooth start!
Step 3
Pop on some safety glasses to keep your eyes safe from any rebellious glass bits that might fly around during the repair.
Got a cracked screen on your iPhone? No worries! Just slap some tape on that bad boy to keep the shards in check and protect yourself while you work your magic.
And if things get really tricky, don't hesitate to superglue that suction cup right onto the screen for a little extra grip!
- Grab some clear packing tape and lay down overlapping strips over the iPhone's screen until it's fully covered. You've got this!
- If the suction cup isn’t feeling cooperative in the next few steps, just grab a sturdy piece of tape (like duct tape) and fold it into a handle. Use that to give the screen a gentle lift instead.
Step 4
Next up, we're showing off the Anti-Clamp—a nifty gadget that makes cracking open your device a breeze. If you’re skipping the Anti-Clamp, just jump ahead three steps for the classic method.
Want the full rundown on mastering the Anti-Clamp? Check out this guide.
If your iPhone is slipperier than a banana peel and the Anti-Clamp won’t grip, slap on some tape for extra traction.
- Give that blue handle a gentle pull backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms—like opening a secret gadget.
- Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone. No need to overthink it, just pick a side!
- Get the suction cups lined up close to the bottom edge, just above the home button—one on the front, one on the back. They're like your phone's new best friends.
- Squeeze those cups together to create some serious suction right where you want it.
Step 5
- Slide the blue handle forward to lock those arms in place.
- Rotate the handle a full 360 degrees clockwise, or until you see the cups start to stretch out.
- Keep an eye on the suction cups—make sure they stay perfectly lined up. If they start to drift, just loosen the cups a bit and realign the arms.
Step 6
Take it easy! Don't go more than a quarter turn at a time, and be sure to pause for a minute in between. Let the Anti-Clamp and the magic of time do their thing!
You can try a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to warm things up—but go easy! Too much heat might harm the screen or battery, so handle with care.
If the Anti-Clamp isn’t opening enough, give the area a bit more warmth and twist the handle a quarter turn to coax it open.
- Warm up an iOpener and slide it between the arms of the Anti-Clamp.
- Bend the iOpener so it rests comfortably on the bottom edge of your iPhone.
- Take a breather for about a minute to let that adhesive loosen up and create a little opening for you.
- Gently slide an opening pick beneath the plastic bezel, steering clear of the screen itself.
- Go ahead and skip the next two steps.
Step 7
If you're rocking a suction handle, just follow the next two steps to give that rear glass a little wiggle and free it up.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but keep an eye on the temperature! Too much heat can mess with the phone's display and internal battery. Stay cool, and don't overdo it!
- Grab an iOpener and stick it on the screen for about two minutes to soften that stubborn adhesive hiding underneath.
Tools Used
Step 8
If you're having a tough time making a gap, no worries! Just crank up the heat a bit more on the bottom half of the screen to help that adhesive loosen up. And remember to follow the iOpener instructions to keep things from getting too toasty!
- Place a suction handle on the lower half of the front panel, right near the home button.
- Gently pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap between the front panel and the frame.
- Slip an opening pick into the gap under the screen's plastic bezel and carefully work it around.
Tools Used
Step 9
- Gently slide your opening pick down to the bottom right corner to carefully cut through the front panel adhesive.
- Pop in a second opening pick along the bottom edge of your phone to keep things moving.
- Now, slide that pick over to the bottom left corner to slice through the remaining adhesive.
- Keep those picks in place to stop the adhesive from snapping back together.
Step 10
Avoid attempting to wiggle the top edge of the display away from the rear case, as it's snugly secured by some plastic clips that could snap. Keep everything intact for a smooth repair!
If the adhesive is giving you a hard time and feels tough to slice through, it’s probably taken a little chill pill. Just grab your trusty iOpener and give it a warm hug for two to three minutes to heat things up again.
- Gently slide the bottom left opening pick up along the left edge of your phone to carefully cut through the adhesive.
- Pause once you reach the top left corner of the display.
Tools Used
Step 11
Be careful not to insert your pick more than 3 mm! Going too deep might cause some unwanted damage to the internals. Keep it gentle and steady, and everything will be just fine.
- Gently glide the bottom right opening pick along the right edge of your phone to cut through that pesky adhesive.
- Stop just shy of the top right corner of the display.
Step 12
Be careful not to tilt the display more than 15º – you don't want to risk putting any strain on those delicate ribbon cables connecting the display. Keep it steady, and your device will thank you!
- Time to take off those opening picks! Get them out of the way first.
- Now, give that suction handle a gentle pull to lift up the bottom edge of the display. Easy does it!
- Next, remove the suction handle. You've got this!
Tools Used
Step 13
- Gently slide an opening pick under the top left corner of the display.
- Carefully work the pick around the top left corner and along the top edge of the phone to cut through the remaining adhesive.
Step 14
- Gently slide the display assembly downward toward the charging port to pop the clips free from the rear case.
Step 15
Hold up on pulling the display completely away from the phone just yet—there are a few delicate ribbon cables still hanging out, keeping it connected to the logic board.
- Flip the phone open by swinging the display up from the left side, just like opening the back cover of a book.
- Prop the display up by leaning it against something sturdy so it stays put while you work your magic on the phone.
Step 16
- Time to unscrew—grab your Phillips screwdriver and remove the four screws holding the lower display cable bracket in place:
- Tip: Keep your screws organized! Mixing them up can lead to trouble, so make sure each one finds its way back home during reassembly.
- Two screws: 1.2 mm long
- Two screws: 2.8 mm long
Step 17
- Grab your trusty tweezers and gently lift out the lower display cable bracket like a pro.
Tools Used
Step 18
- Grab your trusty spudger and use the pointy end to gently pry the battery connector straight up from its socket. Take your time, no rush – you’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 19
The display and digitizer cables are stacked one on top of the other, like tech pancakes. Always unplug the top cable first, and never try to yank them both out together—these cables don't like sharing the spotlight!
- Grab your trusty spudger and use the pointy end to gently pry up the bottom two display cables from their sockets. Just a little nudge will do the trick – no need to go overboard.
- To put those connectors back in place, start by pressing down on one side until it clicks. Then, repeat the same for the other side. Skip the middle—pressing there could cause the connector to misalign and bend, which means bad news down the road.
Tools Used
Step 20
- Grab a Phillips screwdriver and carefully take out the three 1.2mm screws holding the front sensor assembly bracket in place. Easy does it!
Step 21
- Grab a pair of tweezers and gently lift out the front sensor assembly bracket. Take your time, no rush – we’re almost there!
Tools Used
Step 22
- Grab the pointed end of your spudger and gently pop up the front sensor assembly connector straight out of its socket—like opening a tiny treasure chest.
Tools Used
Step 23
- Carefully take out the display assembly to get started.
Step 24
- Grab the pointed end of your spudger and gently pop the rear camera connector straight up from its socket. Nice and easy—think of it as giving your device a little high-five!
Tools Used
Step 25
If you're reaching for a small flathead screwdriver, go slow and steady—these little guys love to slip and scratch up your parts if you're not careful!
To make your life easier, grab a standoff screwdriver or bit to remove those tricky standoff screws. It'll save you some time and frustration!
- Take out the two screws holding the rear-facing camera bracket in place:
- One 3.0 mm-long standoff screw
- One 3.1 mm-long Phillips screw
Step 27
- Before sealing everything up, why not power up your device and give your repair a test run? It's like a little victory dance for your hard work!
- Take a moment to compare your shiny new part with the original. You might need to shuffle some bits around or peel off that pesky adhesive backing before you get to work.
- Time to put it all back together! Just retrace your steps in reverse order like a pro.
- Don't forget, e-waste deserves a second chance! Drop it off at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
- If things didn’t go quite as planned, don’t sweat it! A little basic troubleshooting might do the trick, or you can always ask our Answers community for a helping hand.
