iPhone 5c Rear Case Replacement - iPhone 5c

Step 1 | Taping the display glass

To mitigate the risk of additional shattering and potential injury while working on a cracked display glass, secure it with tape.
Completely cover the iPhone's screen with multiple layers of transparent packing tape, ensuring the entire display surface is protected.
To prevent scattered glass fragments and maintain stability during the display separation process, this step is crucial.
To safeguard your eyes from potential glass fragments released during the repair process, always use safety glasses.

Step 2 | Removing the Pentalobe screws

To prevent a potential fire or explosion hazard during repair, ensure the iPhone's lithium-ion battery is depleted to less than 25% capacity prior to beginning work; a fully charged battery poses a significant risk of combustion if damaged.
To prevent electrical shock or damage to components, ensure the iPhone is completely de-energized prior to starting the repair process.
Using appropriate tools, detach the two P2 Pentalobe screws, each measuring 3.8 mm, located on both sides of the Lightning connector.

Step 3 | Starting the iSclack Opening Procedure

For users performing multiple repairs on iPhone 5, 5s, or 5c models, we suggest utilizing the iSclack to ensure safe separation of the device; those not employing this tool should proceed directly to Step 5.
Actuate the iSclack handle to release the clamping force of the suction-cup jaws.
Position the iPhone's lower edge between the suction cups, ensuring it contacts the plastic depth gauge.
Position the uppermost suction cup so it hovers slightly above the home button.
To secure the iPhone, position the suction cups centrally, then apply firm pressure to both the top and bottom surfaces while opening the iSclack handles to release its clamping jaws.

Step 4 | Finishing the iSclack Opening Procedure

Using a firm grip on the iPhone, disengage the iSclack’s handle to release the suction cups, then lift the front panel away from the rear case.
This specialized tool allows for controlled separation of the iPhone's components, providing sufficient clearance for disassembly without risking cable damage.
Carefully detach the two suction cups from the iPhone's exterior.
Proceed directly to Step 8, bypassing Steps 4, 5, and 6.

Step 5 | Manual Opening Procedure

Position a suction cup directly on the display surface, situated slightly higher than the home button's location.
Ensure the entire cup makes contact with the screen surface to guarantee a secure seal.

Step 6 | Start lifting the front panel assembly

Secure the front panel assembly to the suction cup, ensuring a strong and stable connection.
Using one hand to secure the iPhone, lift the suction cup vertically to gently create a small gap between the front panel and the rear enclosure.
Exercise caution and use steady, even pressure when installing the display assembly, as it requires a significantly tighter fit than typical device components.
Using a plastic opening tool, carefully separate the rear case from the display assembly by gently levering it upwards, simultaneously lifting with a suction cup.
To release the front panel assembly from the rear case, carefully disengage the multiple retaining clips, which may require the coordinated use of both a suction cup and a plastic opening tool.

Step 7

To detach the suction cup, depress the plastic projection that maintains the airtight seal.
Detach the display assembly's suction cup.

Step 8 | Opening up the phone

To expose the connectors located at the top edge of the device, gently raise the front panel, beginning at the home button end.
Carefully position the display at a roughly 90-degree angle, then secure it in a supported position to prevent movement during the repair process.
As a temporary measure, an unused, sealed can of soda can substitute for the display during the repair process.
To avoid stressing the display's wiring during the repair process, secure it with a rubber band.

Step 9

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the metal bracket that holds the battery connector by unscrewing the two 1.6 mm screws it uses.

Step 10

Detach the bracket securing the battery connector using a tri-point screwdriver, ensuring no damage occurs to surrounding components.

Step 11 | Disconnecting the battery connector

Carefully lift the battery connector away from its corresponding socket on the logic board, employing a spudger or a clean fingernail to avoid damage.
Exercise extreme caution during the lifting process, ensuring force is applied solely to the battery connector; applying pressure to the logic board socket or the board itself risks socket destruction or damage to adjacent components.

Step 12

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the bracket that holds the front panel assembly cable by unscrewing the screws that fasten it to the logic board.
Use two screws, each measuring 1.3 millimeters.
A screw with a 1.7 mm head diameter is required.
A single screw with a 3.25 mm diameter is required.
Carefully manage all screws during this stage to ensure correct reassembly; improper screw selection, such as using a 3.25 mm screw or a 1.7 mm screw in the bottom right hole, will critically damage the logic board and prevent the device from powering on.
To prevent damage, avoid excessive torque when tightening screws; if resistance is encountered during installation, verify screw size and do not apply force.

Step 13

Detach the cable bracket securing the front panel assembly wiring harness from the logic board.

Step 14 | Disconnecting the front panel assembly cables

Carefully detach the front camera and sensor cable connector from its socket using a plastic pry tool or your fingernail.
Avoid applying force to the logic board socket while releasing the connector.

Step 15

Prior to either detaching or reattaching the cables in this procedure, ensure the battery's electrical connection is broken.
Carefully detach the LCD cable connector by gently separating it from its housing using a plastic opening tool or your fingernail.
Because the LCD and Digitizer share a single cable connection, lifting the LCD connector will simultaneously release both connections. Ensure both cables are completely detached prior to display removal.
A disconnected LCD cable from its connector during reassembly can result in a blank screen or white lines; to resolve this, ensure the cable is securely attached and restart the device by briefly removing and reinstalling the battery.

Step 16 | Separating front panel assembly and rear case

Detach the front panel assembly by disengaging it from the rear case.

Step 17 | SIM Card

Power off the device entirely to prevent any potential issues before accessing and extracting the SIM card and its associated tray.
Using a SIM card eject tool or a straightened paperclip, gently push into the tiny aperture located on the SIM card tray to release it.
Using the SIM card eject tool, depress it fully to release the SIM tray.
Applying considerable pressure might be necessary.

Step 18

Using a SIM ejection tool or a small, sturdy paperclip, carefully release and extract the SIM Card tray assembly from the iPhone.
When putting everything back together, verify the SIM card's alignment within the tray, matching its position to the intended design.

Step 19 | SIM Ejector

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the SIM ejector by unscrewing the single 2.0 mm screw that holds it in place.

Step 20

Employ tweezers to extract the SIM ejector tool from the device.
When putting the ejector back together, ensure its raised side faces toward the phone's lower edge.

Step 21 | Battery

Using a spudger, carefully separate the battery from the headphone jack by releasing the adhesive tab.

Step 22

Carefully detach the battery's adhesive strip from the device.

Step 23

Using a sharp blade, sever the black battery adhesive tab by slicing through the two white adhesive strips that hold it in place, thus releasing it.

Step 24

To prevent the strips from adhering and tearing, maintain their flatness and avoid creases throughout this step.
Gently peel one of the battery's adhesive strips downwards, moving it towards the iPhone's lower edge.
To detach the strip, apply consistent, even force while guiding it out from the space between the battery and the rear case; ensure the pulling angle remains at 60 degrees or less to optimize the process.
Maneuver the adhesive strip along the battery's edge, ensuring it follows the corner and ascends the side, while avoiding contact with other internal iPhone parts to prevent damage.
To release the strip completely, exert continuous tension, potentially repositioning your grip closer to the battery as needed, because it will extend significantly beyond its initial size.

Step 25

Perform the same procedure again to detach the remaining strip.

Step 26

Disconnect power to the device by detaching the battery, ensuring no damage occurs during removal.
Should the adhesive strips break during removal, preventing retrieval with tweezers, avoid forcing the battery from its position; proceed directly to the subsequent steps for safe battery extraction.

Step 27 | Battery removal with latent adhesive

To loosen the adhesive securing the battery, carefully introduce a small amount of isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of 90% or higher beneath it, allowing the liquid to spread around the adhesive. This high-concentration alcohol functions as a solvent and evaporates completely, preventing any damage to the iPhone.
Using a plastic card, gently insert the edge beneath the battery, positioning it closest to the logic board.
Applying force to the logic board could result in device damage.
Exercise caution and do not insert tools near the battery's upper edge to prevent potential damage to the ribbon cable connecting the upper component.
To release the battery, advance the card along its length, directing it towards the device's perimeter.
Should the need arise, perform the identical steps on the battery's opposite face.

Step 28

To release a battery that remains adhered to the device housing, apply heat using the iOpener procedure outlined in our instructions, or alternatively, use a hair dryer to soften the adhesive bonding the battery to the back cover.
Position the iOpener horizontally against the iPhone’s rear casing, directly adjacent to the camera module, ensuring full surface contact by gently pressing it down.
Allow the desiccant bag to remain in contact with the iPhone for roughly 90 seconds prior to battery removal.
Apply warmth to the rear casing of the iPhone with a heat gun or hair dryer, ensuring the surface reaches a temperature just beyond comfortable touch.
Avoid direct application of heat to the battery.
Exposure to excessive heat poses a fire risk to the iPhone's battery.

Step 29

Carefully detach and extract the iPhone's battery.
To prevent damage, ensure any residual alcohol solution is completely removed by wiping with a clean cloth or by permitting full evaporation before proceeding with battery installation.
Confirm a lack of obstruction; if the battery is still adhered, reapply heat with the iOpener and attempt separation once more.
Carefully detach the protective plastic packaging from the new battery by gently separating it from the ribbon cable.
To guarantee correct positioning within its designated space, briefly plug the battery connector back into the motherboard socket prior to securing the new battery.
Secure the battery in place, then sever its electrical connection before proceeding with the remaining assembly steps.
To secure a battery lacking factory-applied adhesive, follow the instructions in this guide for adhesive strip replacement.
Following reassembly, execute a full system reset to mitigate potential problems and streamline any subsequent diagnostic procedures.

Step 30 | Lightning Connector Assembly

Carefully lift the home button spring contact cable away from the speaker enclosure using a plastic opening tool.

Step 31

Using the appropriate screwdriver, detach the speaker enclosure from the rear case by unscrewing the specified fasteners.

Use two Phillips head screws, size #000 and measuring 2.7 mm.
A Phillips head screw, size #000 and measuring 2.2 millimeters.

Step 32

Carefully lift the speaker enclosure away from the back cover using the flat edge of a spudger, applying gentle pressure.

Step 33

Carefully detach the speaker enclosure, ensuring the antenna cable remains undisturbed to prevent damage.

Step 34

A contact bracket encircles the speaker's rightmost screw hole; this component is prone to detachment, requiring removal and careful documentation of its positioning before reinstallation.
Ensure the speaker makes full contact with the clip's planar surface, referencing the provided illustration for proper alignment.
The speaker assembly's alignment bracket, located at the distant end, is affixed with adhesive and susceptible to detachment with rough handling.
Ensure the beveled extremity is oriented upwards, aligning it precisely with the speaker's exterior boundary.

Step 35

Carefully detach the Lightning connector ribbon cable from its corresponding socket on the logic board, utilizing a plastic opening tool to avoid damage.

Step 36

Carefully separate the Lightning connector cable from its protective shield on the logic board by gently lifting it with the spudger's flat edge.

Step 37

Carefully detach the cellular antenna connector from the logic board's underside.

Step 38

Using appropriate tools, detach the Lightning connector from the rear case by unscrewing the specified fasteners.
Use two screws, each measuring 3.4 millimeters and featuring a Phillips #000 head.
A Phillips head screw, size #000 and measuring 2.2 millimeters.
A Phillips head screw, size #000 and measuring 2.7 millimeters.

Step 39

Carefully lift the Lightning connector assembly away from the back of the device enclosure.

Step 40

Employ the spudger's flat edge to ensure the assembly is fully disengaged.

Step 41

Detach the Lightning connector assembly.
Carefully move the tiny rubber gasket, which is affixed to the microphone, to the replacement component.

Step 42 | Logic Board

Employing the flat spudger tip, carefully separate the audio control cable connector from its corresponding socket on the logic board.
Carefully detach the rear camera's cable connector from the socket located on the logic board.

Step 43

If a strip of tape is covering the logic board's grounding clip, carefully detach it with tweezers.

Step 44

Detach the logic board grounding clip from the rear case by unscrewing the screws holding it in place.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver, size #000, with a tip measuring 1.2 mm to access the top side-wall.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver, size #000, with a shaft diameter of 2.5 millimeters.

Step 45

Employing tweezers, detach the logic board grounding clip.

Step 46

Using the appropriate screwdriver, detach the logic board from the rear case by unscrewing the listed fasteners.
Use two Phillips screws, each measuring 2.3 millimeters.
Use three screws, each measuring 2.7 millimeters in diameter.
To detach standoff screws, utilize a standoff screwdriver or a compatible bit.
If a dedicated tool isn't available, a small flathead screwdriver can be carefully employed; however, exercise heightened awareness to prevent slippage and potential harm to nearby parts.

Step 47

Carefully maintaining a horizontal orientation for the device, raise the logic board's lower edge until you can comfortably secure a grip on it.
Carefully separate the logic board from the rear camera assembly, creating only enough space to reveal the gold contact cap located at the board's upper edge.
Carefully detach the gold contact cap from the threaded post located on the rear case, ensuring it is stored safely.

Step 48

To access the antenna connector, rotate the logic board so that the volume control buttons face upwards.
Before detaching the logic board from the rear case, be aware that it remains secured by an antenna cable located on its backside.

Step 49

Carefully detach the antenna connector from the logic board's rear panel.

Step 50

Carefully detach the logic board from the rear case.

Step 51 | Audio Control and Power Button Cable

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the rear camera cover from the rear case by unscrewing the two 1.5 mm screws that hold it in place.

Step 52

Carefully detach the camera cover located on the rear of the device.

Step 53

Carefully detach the rear camera assembly.

Step 54

Using the appropriate screwdriver, detach the vibrator motor from the rear case by unscrewing the specified fasteners.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver, size #000, with a tip measuring 1.2 millimeters.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver, size #000, with a shaft diameter of 2.2 millimeters.

Step 55

Detach the vibrator motor.

Step 56

Using appropriate tools, detach the upper assembly contact bracket from the rear case by unscrewing the specified fasteners.
A 3.0-millimeter standoff screw is required.
Utilize a Phillips screwdriver, size #000, to tighten or loosen a 1.5-millimeter screw.

Step 57

Detach the contact bracket, which secures the upper assembly, from the rear case.
During reassembly, be mindful that the tiny rubber bumper affixed to the bracket's upper surface could detach; ensure it is retained.

Step 58

Carefully clear away any foam tape that is covering the screws located close to the camera housing.

Step 59

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the power/sleep button bracket by unscrewing its two 1.4 mm fasteners.

Step 60

Carefully leverage the power/sleep button bracket away from the rear case's top edge using the tip of a spudger, applying gentle pressure to fold it downwards.
Employing tweezers, carefully detach the button.
Ensure the metal bar aligns level with the button's lower edge during reassembly.
To access the power button from within the device's enclosure, gently depress it outward using a spudger.

Step 61

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the mute/silent switch bracket by unscrewing its two 1.6 mm screws.

Step 62

Carefully detach and temporarily store the bracket clip securing the mute/silent switch.
When putting everything back together, position the bracket clip so it covers the mute/silent switch bracket, making sure the angled side faces rightward.
Carefully use the pointed end of a spudger to depress the mute/silent switch bracket, pivoting it downwards.

Step 63

Employing tweezers, carefully detach the mute/silent switch.
When putting the button back together, ensure the red line is positioned uppermost. Also, align the notch on the switch’s rear side so it corresponds with and engages the mechanical switch on the cable.

Step 64

Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the volume rocker bracket from the side wall by unscrewing the 1.6 mm screw that holds it in place.

Step 65

Carefully use a spudger tip to depress the volume rocker bracket against the device's side wall, folding it downwards.
Carefully detach the volume rocker assembly.

Step 66

Carefully separate the power/sleep button cable from the rear case using the pointed end of a spudger.

Step 67

Carefully use a spudger to detach the flash assembly cable from the device, applying gentle pressure.

Step 68

Carefully lift the upper assembly cable, moving from the right side towards the left, to release the adhesive securing it to the case.

Step 69

Exercise caution when separating the cable's vibrator contact end from the phone, ensuring no damage occurs.
To avoid corrosion and ensure proper electrical contact, refrain from physical contact with the metal contacts.
Carefully detach the assembly from the device.