Step-by-step

1. 1

   Power down the device

   1 min

   Press and hold the Power button, then select Power Off on the screen. Do not attempt to charge a water-damaged device.

2. 2

   Remove the SIM tray

   1 min

   Insert a SIM eject tool into the small hole beside the SIM tray at the bottom edge. Push firmly to pop the tray out and set it aside.

3. 3

   Heat the rear panel

   3 min

   Apply a heated iOpener or heat gun around the edges of the plastic back cover for two minutes. This softens the adhesive perimeter.

4. 4

   Slice the back cover adhesive

   5 min

   Attach a suction handle to the lower back panel and pull up to create a small gap. Insert an opening pick and slide it along the edges to slice through the tape.

5. 5

   Disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable

   2 min

   Carefully tilt the back cover open toward the left side. Use a spudger to pry the fingerprint sensor flex cable straight up from the motherboard.

6. 6

   Unscrew the upper motherboard bracket

   4 min

   Remove the Phillips #00 screws securing the upper plastic shield and camera bezel. Store the screws in a organizer tray to track their positions.

7. 7

   Remove the motherboard bracket

   2 min

   Insert a plastic spudger beneath the motherboard cover edge. Lift and unclip the plastic bracket to expose the main board.

8. 8

   Disconnect the battery cable

   1 min

   Pry the battery press connector directly up from its socket using the flat end of a spudger. Disconnecting power immediately prevents further short circuits.

9. 9

   Unscrew the loudspeaker housing

   3 min

   Remove the Phillips #00 screws holding the lower speaker module to the frame.

10. 10

    Remove the loudspeaker frame

    2 min

    Pry the speaker module out of the lower chassis with a spudger. Set the speaker component aside to reveal the daughterboard.

11. 11

    Disconnect internal ribbon cables

    2 min

    Pry up the main interconnect cable, display flex cable, and antenna coaxial cables from both the main board and sub-board.

12. 12

    Remove the motherboard

    3 min

    Gently pry the main motherboard out of the plastic housing using a nylon spudger. Take care not to flex the circuit board.

13. 13

    Scrub motherboard corrosion

    10 min

    Dip a soft ESD brush in 99% isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub all liquid residue and white/green corrosion from the motherboard. Ensure you clean underneath shield covers if reachable.

14. 14

    Clean the daughterboard and contacts

    8 min

    Scrub the lower charging daughterboard, USB-C port interior, and flex cable connectors with high-purity isopropyl alcohol. Allow all cleaned boards to air dry completely for at least one hour.

15. 15

    Inspect for hidden corrosion

    5 min

    Examine the board under a magnifying glass to check for shorted component pads or trace damage. Repeat alcohol scrubbing on any missed spots.

16. 16

    Reinstall the motherboard and secure connectors

    5 min

    Set the dried motherboard back into the frame and snap all flex cables back into place. Reconnect the battery connector last.

17. 17

    Reattach speaker housing and back cover

    5 min

    Screw the upper bracket and lower speaker housing into place. Clean old adhesive, apply fresh replacement tape, and press the back cover firmly onto the phone.