Step-by-step

1. 1

   Eject the SIM card tray

   1 min

   Insert a SIM eject tool into the hole next to the SIM tray on the left side of the phone. Push firmly to pop out the tray and slide it out completely.

2. 2

   Heat the back cover

   2 min

   Apply a heat gun or hair dryer to the rear edges of the phone for approximately 1-2 minutes. This softens the perimeter adhesive holding the plastic back cover.

3. 3

   Slice perimeter adhesive

   4 min

   Attach a suction cup near the bottom edge and pull up gently to create a gap. Insert a plastic opening pick between the back cover and the frame, then slide it around the perimeter.

4. 4

   Remove the back cover

   1 min

   Carefully lift the back cover away from the chassis. Set the back cover aside in a safe, clean spot.

5. 5

   Unscrew the upper motherboard frame

   3 min

   Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the screws securing the upper plastic motherboard shield. Keep track of screw locations for reassembly.

6. 6

   Remove the motherboard shield

   2 min

   Pry up the edges of the upper motherboard shield using a spudger and lift it off the device.

7. 7

   Disconnect the battery cable

   1 min

   Use a plastic spudger to gently pop the battery press connector off the motherboard. This cuts power and prevents further electrical damage.

8. 8

   Unscrew the speaker assembly

   2 min

   Remove the Phillips #000 screws holding down the lower loudspeaker housing at the bottom of the device.

9. 9

   Remove the speaker enclosure

   2 min

   Insert a spudger beneath the loudspeaker module and lift it out of the frame.

10. 10

    Disconnect interconnect flex cables

    2 min

    Disconnect the main display flex cable, sub-board interconnect cable, and antenna cable from the motherboard.

11. 11

    Lift out the mainboard

    2 min

    Carefully pry under the edges of the mainboard with a plastic spudger to free it from the phone frame.

12. 12

    Scrub mainboard with isopropyl alcohol

    5 min

    Submerge or thoroughly douse the mainboard in 99% isopropyl alcohol. Gently scrub all corrosion and mineral deposits using a soft anti-static brush.

13. 13

    Clean the daughterboard

    4 min

    Pry up the lower daughterboard from the bottom housing and scrub it thoroughly with 99% isopropyl alcohol to remove liquid residue.

14. 14

    Dry components with compressed air

    10 min

    Use short bursts of compressed air to blow away remaining alcohol and trapped moisture from both circuit boards. Allow them to air-dry for at least 30 minutes.

15. 15

    Reassemble boards and flex cables

    3 min

    Place the dried mainboard and daughterboard back into the chassis. Reattach all display, sub-board, and antenna cables firmly.

16. 16

    Secure internal shields

    3 min

    Reinstall the lower speaker housing and upper motherboard shield, securing all Phillips screws back into place.

17. 17

    Reconnect battery and reattach back cover

    3 min

    Snap the battery connector back onto the mainboard. Apply fresh adhesive strips along the phone frame and press the back cover firmly into place.