FIXONICBefore you begin
If you've tried cleaning the lightning port to no avail, follow this guide to replace the Lightning connector assembly, which includes the lower microphones, antenna converter cable, and Lightning connector.
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iPhone 8 Lightning Connector Assembly Replacement
If you've tried cleaning the lightning port to...
Apple iPhone 8
Moderate
1 - 2 hours
Guide 111207
Licensed iFixit integration
This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.
Remove the SIM card
Repair step
- Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.
Remove the pentalobe screws
Mark your opening picks
Anti-Clamp instructions
- Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
- Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone just above the home button—one on the front, and one on the back.
- Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
Repair step
- Pull the blue handle forwards to lock the arms.
- Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
- Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.
Repair step
- Heat an iOpener and thread it through the arms of the Anti-Clamp.
- Fold the iOpener so it lays on the bottom edge of the iPhone.
- Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap.
- Skip the next three steps.
Heat the display
- Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes. This softens the adhesive securing it.
- Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom half of the screen until it’s slightly too hot to touch
Separate the display
Repair step
- Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the screen and the frame.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap.
Repair step
- Slide the opening pick up the left edge of the phone starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch, breaking up the adhesive holding the display in place.
- Stop near the top left corner of the display.
Screen information
Repair step
Repair step
- Gently pull up on the suction cup to lift up the bottom edge of the display.
- Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.
Repair step
- Slide an opening pick underneath the display around the top left corner and along the top edge of the phone to loosen the last of the adhesive.
Repair step
- Slide the display assembly slightly down (away from the top edge of the phone) to disengage the clips holding it to the rear case.
Repair step
- Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.
- Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
Disconnect the battery
- Remove four Phillips screws securing the lower display cable bracket to the logic board, of the following lengths:
- Two 1.3 mm screws
- Two 2.8 mm screws
- Remove the bracket.
Repair step
- Use the point of a spudger to pry the battery connector out of its socket in the logic board.
- Bend the battery connector cable slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.
Disconnect the display and digitizer
Repair step
Repair step
- Remove the three 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the bracket over the front panel sensor assembly connector.
- Remove the bracket.
Repair step
Remove the display assembly
Remove the Wi-Fi diversity antenna
- Remove the three screws securing the bracket next to the Taptic Engine:
- One 1.3 mm Y000 screw
- One 2.7 mm Phillips screw
- One 2.9 mm Phillips screw
Repair step
- Remove the bracket.
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
- Slide an opening pick under the antenna flex cable to hold the socket down.
- Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna flex cable from its socket, using the opening pick to hold the socket down.
Repair step
- Remove the Wi-Fi diversity antenna.
Remove the Taptic Engine
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
Remove the barometric vent
- Remove the two screws securing the barometric vent to the rear case:
- One 2 mm Phillips screw
- One 1.8 mm Phillips screw
Repair step
Repair step
- Remove the barometric vent.
Disconnect the logic board
Repair step
- Remove the two screws securing the rear-facing camera bracket:
- One 3.0 mm standoff screw
- One 3.1 mm Phillips screw
Repair step
- Remove the rear-facing camera bracket.
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
Remove the top left antenna component
Repair step
Repair step
- Remove the antenna component.
Remove the top left grounding clip
- Remove the two Phillips screws securing the grounding clip at the top left edge of the logic board:
- One 1.5 mm Phillips screw
- One 2.6 mm Phillips screw
Repair step
- Remove the grounding clip.
Unscrew the logic board
- Remove the three screws securing the motherboard:
- One 1.8 mm Phillips screw
- One 2.5 mm standoff screw
- One 2.2 mm standoff screw
Repair step
Repair step
Disconnect the Lightning connector assembly
Disconnect the wireless charging coil
Remove the logic board
Repair step
Remove the speaker
- Remove the two screws securing the speaker to the rear case:
- One 1.5 mm Phillips screw
- One 2.1 mm Phillips screw
Repair step
- Remove the speaker.
Remove the Lightning connector assembly
- Remove the three screws securing the Lightning connector cable in place:
- One 1.3 mm Phillips screw
- Two 2.2 mm Phillips screws
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
- Slide an opening pick underneath the top portion of the Lightning connector assembly flex cable, and begin separating the cable from the rear case.
- Gently slide the pick toward the outside edge of the iPhone (away from the battery).
Repair step
- Continue separating the upper portion of the flex cable, being careful not to damage any other components along the way.
- Stop sliding the pick once it passes the lower edge of the battery.
Repair step
- Starting at the corner of the phone, slide the pick underneath the cable towards the Lightning connector.
- Stop sliding the pick when it reaches the Lightning connector.
Repair step
Repair step
- Slide an opening pick below the Lightning connector to further separate the assembly from the rear case.
- Continue to slide the pick until the Lightning connector assembly is no longer adhered to the bottom of the rear case.
Repair step
Repair step
- Remove the Lightning connector assembly.
- Use a plastic tool to scour any bits of adhesive residue from the rear case. You can use some high concentration isopropyl alcohol to help clean the surface.
Repair step
- The small adhesive patch on the bottom of each microphone also protects your iPhone from liquid and dust intrusion. For best results, replace the two adhesive patches before installing your Lightning connector assembly.