Step-by-step

1. 1

   Heat the front glass edges

   3 min

   Use a heat gun to warm the perimeter of the display for 2-3 minutes to soften the frame adhesive.

2. 2

   Attach a suction cup

   2 min

   Place a suction cup on the upper left corner of the screen and pull upward gently to create a tiny gap.

3. 3

   Insert an opening pick

   2 min

   Slide a plastic opening pick under the glass gap to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

4. 4

   Slice perimeter adhesive

   8 min

   Slide picks carefully around the top, left, and bottom edges, avoiding the home button area.

5. 5

   Open the digitizer glass

   2 min

   Hinge the front glass open from the left side like a book cover.

6. 6

   Unscrew the LCD shield plate

   4 min

   Remove the Phillips screws securing the large metal shield plate over the logic board.

7. 7

   Lift out the metal shield

   2 min

   Carefully remove the metal plate using tweezers or a plastic spudger.

8. 8

   Unscrew the LCD panel

   3 min

   Remove the four Phillips screws located at each corner of the LCD panel.

9. 9

   Lift the LCD panel

   2 min

   Gently lift the top edge of the LCD screen and fold it forward toward the home button.

10. 10

    Disconnect the battery

    2 min

    Insert a plastic battery blocker or spudger under the battery contact terminal to isolate power.

11. 11

    Disconnect the display cables

    3 min

    Pry up the LCD and digitizer flex connectors from the logic board using a spudger.

12. 12

    Remove the display and glass

    1 min

    Set the digitizer glass and LCD screen assembly aside on a clean, soft surface.

13. 13

    Unscrew the logic board fasteners

    5 min

    Remove all Phillips screws securing the logic board and Lightning connector bracket to the frame.

14. 14

    Warm the logic board adhesive

    3 min

    Apply mild heat to the rear of the enclosure behind the lower logic board section.

15. 15

    Pry up the logic board end

    4 min

    Gently pry up the bottom edge of the logic board to expose the soldered Lightning port assembly.

16. 16

    Apply flux to solder joints

    2 min

    Coat the Lightning port solder pads on the logic board generously with liquid or paste flux.

17. 17

    Desolder the damaged port

    8 min

    Apply heat with a soldering iron or hot air rework tool to melt the joint pads and slide the old port off.

18. 18

    Clean the solder pads

    4 min

    Use desoldering braid and isopropyl alcohol to clear excess solder and debris from board pads.

19. 19

    Position the new Lightning port

    3 min

    Align the replacement Lightning port's contact pins precisely over the board pads.

20. 20

    Solder the new port

    10 min

    Solder each individual pin to its corresponding board pad, applying flux to prevent solder bridges.

21. 21

    Reseat and screw the logic board

    4 min

    Lower the logic board back into place and reinstall all retaining screws securely.

22. 22

    Reconnect display flex cables

    3 min

    Attach the digitizer and LCD connectors firmly back onto the logic board sockets.

23. 23

    Remove the battery isolation card

    1 min

    Pull out the plastic battery isolation card to restore power connection.

24. 24

    Secure the LCD display

    3 min

    Lay the LCD down and replace the four corner Phillips screws.

25. 25

    Reinstall the metal shield plate

    3 min

    Position the metal shield back over the logic board and tighten its screws.

26. 26

    Apply new frame adhesive and seal

    5 min

    Apply pre-cut adhesive strips along the frame perimeter, align the digitizer, and press firmly closed.