Step-by-step

1. 1

   Eject the SIM tray

   1 min

   Insert a SIM eject tool into the pinhole on the left edge of the phone. Push firmly inward until the tray pops out, then pull it completely free.

2. 2

   Heat the rear cover edges

   2 min

   Apply a heated iOpener or heat gun around the perimeter of the back panel for two minutes to soften the underlying adhesive.

3. 3

   Insert an opening pick

   2 min

   Attach a suction cup to the lower portion of the rear panel and pull upward to create a slight gap. Insert a thin opening pick under the seam.

4. 4

   Slice through the rear cover adhesive

   4 min

   Slide the opening pick around all four edges of the device to cut through the perimeter tape securing the back panel.

5. 5

   Lift off the rear cover

   1 min

   Carefully remove the back cover from the frame and place it in a safe, dust-free area.

6. 6

   Unfasten the midframe screws

   3 min

   Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove all screws securing the plastic upper midframe cover.

7. 7

   Pry off the upper midframe shield

   2 min

   Insert a plastic spudger beneath the edge of the midframe shield and gently lift it away from the phone body.

8. 8

   Disconnect the battery cable

   1 min

   Use the flat end of a plastic spudger to detach the battery press connector from its logic board socket.

9. 9

   Disconnect display and interconnect flexes

   2 min

   Pry up the display connector and the main interconnect board flex cable from the lower section of the logic board.

10. 10

    Detach the antenna coaxial cables

    2 min

    Gently lift the black and white coaxial antenna cable heads straight up from their sockets using fine-tip tweezers.

11. 11

    Remove the logic board screw

    1 min

    Unscrew the single Phillips screw holding the logic board flush against the aluminum inner chassis.

12. 12

    Extract the logic board

    2 min

    Carefully lift the logic board up from the top of the chassis by its edges to avoid disturbing surface-mount components.

13. 13

    Apply flux to targeted solder pads

    3 min

    Dispense a small dab of liquid or paste flux over the cold or damaged solder joints needing repair on the board.

14. 14

    Reflow board component connections

    5 min

    Briefly touch the fine tip of a hot soldering iron to each flux-coated joint to melt and reform sound solder connections.

15. 15

    Clean logic board residue

    2 min

    Dip a cotton swab in 99% isopropyl alcohol and lightly scrub the repair area to clear away lingering flux.

16. 16

    Reseat the logic board

    2 min

    Lower the logic board back into the chassis pocket, ensuring all flex cables remain on top and accessible.

17. 17

    Reconnect all internal cables

    3 min

    Snap the display, interconnect, and antenna connectors back into place, finishing by reconnecting the main battery cable.

18. 18

    Reinstall the midframe and back cover

    4 min

    Screw down the upper midframe plastic housing, apply fresh pre-cut adhesive, and press the rear cover firmly back onto the phone.