FIXONICBefore you begin
The iPhone 11’s SIM card reader is modular and can be replaced separately from the logic board. If you’re having issues with your SIM card or cellular network connection, replacing the SIM reader may resolve the problem.
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iPhone 11 SIM Card Reader Replacement
The iPhone 11’s SIM card reader is modular and...
Apple iPhone 11
Moderate
1 - 2 hours
Guide 129681
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 pentalobe screws
- Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
- Remove the two 6.7 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Mark your opening picks
Tape over any cracks
- Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's screen until the whole face is covered.
- If you can't get the suction cup to stick in the next few steps, fold a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lift the screen with that instead.
Screen damage warning
- To avoid damaging your screen in the next step, note the following:
- There's a plastic bezel on the underside of the screen. Your opening pick will go underneath this bezel.
- There's a seam between the plastic bezel and the display panel. Don't insert your pick here or you'll damage the screen.
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—one on the top, and one on the bottom.
- Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
Repair step
- Pull the blue handle forward 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 under the screen and the plastic bezel, not the screen itself.
- Skip the next three steps.
Heat the lower edge of the phone
Repair step
Lift the display slightly
- Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen and the plastic bezel, not the screen itself.
Separate the screen adhesive
- Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Screen information
Repair step
Repair step
Repair step
- Continue pulling the display down (toward the Lightning port) as needed in order to make a gap large enough for the pick.
- Slide the pick to the top left corner and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.
Remove the suction cup
Open the iPhone
Repair step
Unscrew the battery connector cover
Remove the battery connector cover
Disconnect the battery
- Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
- Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally contacting the socket.
Unscrew the logic board cover screws
Remove the logic board cover bracket
Disconnect the display
Disconnect the front sensors
Remove the display assembly
Disconnect the Lightning port flex cable
Remove three Phillips screws
- Remove the three Phillips screws surrounding the SIM card reader:
- One 1.5 mm screw
- One 1.9 mm screw
- One 1.6 mm screw securing a grounding bracket
- Removing the grounding bracket secured by the final screw.
Remove the standoff screw
Remove the SIM reader's connector bracket
Disconnect the SIM card reader
- While gently lifting the Lightning connector flex cable out of the way, use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the SIM card reader flex cable.
Push the SIM eject plunger aside
Remove the SIM reader
- Lift the SIM card reader and slide it toward the outside edge of the iPhone.
- Remove the SIM card reader.