This professional guide covers the complete disassembly and replacement process for the iPhone 5 motherboard, including the removal of the lower acoustic and haptic modules to ensure a safe repair.
⚠️ Pre-Repair Precautions
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Battery Safety: Discharge your battery below 25% before starting. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire or explode if accidentally punctured.
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Power Off: Turn off your iPhone completely before beginning disassembly.
- Waterproofing: Opening the display will compromise the waterproof seals. If you do not replace the adhesive gaskets, your phone will no longer be water-resistant.
- SIM tray: Please remove the SIM tray from the device before taking out the motherboard.
Part 1: Opening the Device
Step 1: Remove the bottom screws
Remove the two P2 pentalobe screws located on either side of the charging/Lightning port at the bottom edge of the phone.
Step 2: Heat the bottom of the screen
Use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the bottom edge of the screen until it feels slightly hot to the touch.
Step 3: Create a gap
1. Attach the suction cup to the bottom of the screen.
2. Pull the handle upward with firm, steady force to create a gap between the screen and the frame.
Step 4: Cut the adhesive
1. Insert an opening pick into the gap.
2. Heat the right edge of the phone until slightly warm, then slide the triangular pick along the edge to cut the adhesive on the right side.
3. Sequentially heat and cut the adhesive along the edges. Use multiple picks if needed.
Step 5: Open the device
1. Remove the suction cup from the screen.
2. Flip the screen open from the down side toward the top (like a book).
3. Rest the screen against a book or box, keeping it vertical or tilted to the left.
Part 2: Removing the Screen
Step 6: Remove the protective covers
1. Use a screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the battery connector cover.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the screen connector cover.
Step 7: Disconnect the screen
1. Use a spudger to gently pry the battery connector upward out of its socket to disconnect it.
2. Use a spudger to gently pry the screen connector upward out of its socket to disconnect it.
Step 8: Remove the screen and battery
- Remove it from the device.
- Grasp the exposed transparent plastic tab and pull it to the right to completely detach the battery from the device body.
Phase 3: Remove the motherboard
Step 9: Disconnect the data antenna
Pry the data antenna cable connector out of its socket.
Step 10: Disconnect the Lightning cable assembly
Use a pry tool to unclip the Lightning flex cable from its connector.
Step 11: Remove the metal bracket
1. Remove the two screws securing the bracket at the top of the motherboard.
2. Remove the bracket.
Step 12: Remove the screws
Remove the two securing screws at the top of the back cover.
Step 13: Disconnect the ribbon cable
Disconnect the volume and power button ribbon cables from the motherboard.
Step 14: Remove the screws
1. Remove the five screws that secure the motherboard to the back cover.
2. Do not remove the motherboard immediately. There is a Wi-Fi antenna cable connected to the back of the motherboard. Disconnect this cable before removing the motherboard.
Step 15: Remove the rear camera
Remove the two screws securing the rear camera bracket.
Step 16: Remove the motherboard
At this point, the motherboard has been completely disconnected from the other components.