iPhone 16 5G mmWave Antenna Replacement

Step 1

Before you begin

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Allow your phone's battery to drain below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery is a potential safety hazard.
Unplug any cables from your phone.
Hold the power and either volume buttons and slide to power off your phone.

Step 2

Tape over any cracks

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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If your screen or back glass is badly cracked, lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the glass to protect yourself and make disassembly easier.
Make sure there's a smooth area near the bottom edge that's big enough for a suction cup to stick to.

Step 3

Remove the pentalobe screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a P2 pentalobe driver to remove the two 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the charging port.

Step 4

Mark your opening picks

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 5

Heat the bottom edge

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
You can also use an iOpener to heat the back glass. Follow these instructions to heat and apply the iOpener properly.

Step 6

Insert an opening pick

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass.
While supporting the frame with one hand, pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 7

Back glass information

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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As you slice the adhesive securing the back glass in the following steps, don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the following areas:
A delicate cable connecting the back glass to the phone, right next to the volume down button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.
Multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone.

Step 8

Heat the right edge

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the right edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 9

Separate the bottom right adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Slide your pick around the bottom right corner and to the volume down button to separate the adhesive and release the metal clip.
Don't slide past the volume buttons to avoid damaging the wireless charging cable.
You'll hear and feel the metal clip release as you pass it.
Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 10

Heat the left edge

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the left edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 11

Separate the left adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.
Slide the second pick around the bottom left corner and along the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.
Leave this pick inserted at the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 12

Heat the top edge

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the top edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 13

Separate the top right adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Slide your second opening pick around the top left corner and along the top edge to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.
Continue sliding your pick around the top right corner until you reach the Action button.
Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 14

Reposition the back glass

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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At this point, the back glass should be free from the frame. If the back glass feels stuck, go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
Swing open the back glass to the right of the phone to separate the remaining adhesive.
Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object.
Remove the opening picks before continuing.

Step 15

Remove the middle connector cover screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the two 1 mm‑long screws securing the middle connector cover.

Step 16

Remove the middle connector cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Insert the point of a spudger in either cutout on the middle connector cover.
Slide the cover towards the left edge of the phone and release its hook from its slot on the logic board.
Remove the cover.

Step 17

Disconnect the battery

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.

Step 18

Disconnect the wireless charging coil

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil press connector.

Step 19

Remove the back glass

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Lift the back glass off the frame and remove it.

Step 20

Remove the top bracket screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the top bracket:
One 3.5 mm-long Phillips screw
Two 1.4 mm-long Phillips screws
One 1.0 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw

Step 21

Remove the top bracket

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the top bracket.

Step 22

Disconnect the front camera

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the two front camera press connectors.
The second press connector is underneath the first.

Step 23

Remove the front camera

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Insert the point of a spudger between the top edge of the front camera and the frame.
Lift the front camera out of the frame and remove it.

Step 24

Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna press connector.

Step 25

Remove the stretch release adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use angled tweezers to grip the black pull tab at the bottom right corner of the 5G mmWave antenna.
Press the antenna down with your free hand and use your tweezers to pull the stretch‑release adhesive strip out slowly and steadily at a low angle. Give it plenty of time to stretch and un-stick from under the antenna.
To better grip the adhesive strip, you can twist it around the tip of the tweezers while you pull.
If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it with your tweezers and continue pulling.
If you can't retrieve the strip, follow the next two steps for an alternate method. Otherwise, skip the next two steps.

Step 26

Apply isopropyl alcohol

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Apply a few drops of isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to the bottom edge of the 5G mmWave antenna.
Lift the bottom edge of the phone to let the isopropyl alcohol flow under the antenna.
Wait one minute for the adhesive to loosen.

Step 27

Pry up the antenna

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Insert the flat end of a spudger under the top left edge of the 5G mmWave antenna, near the front camera cutout.
Pry up the antenna to separate the adhesive.

Step 28

Remove the 5G mmWave antenna

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Lift the 5G mmWave antenna off the earpiece speaker and remove it.

Step 29

End of disassembly

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show you how to reassemble your device.
When reconnecting press connectors, align the connector carefully over its socket and press down with your fingertip or spudger—first on one side, then the other—until it clicks into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition it and try again.

Step 30

Remove the old adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the old adhesive from the top of the earpiece speaker.

Step 31

Apply new adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Apply thin double-sided tape, such as Tesa tape, to the back of the 5G mmWave antenna.
Only apply tape to the black fiberglass part of the antenna, not to the metal part.
Peel off the backing to expose the adhesive.

Step 32

Connect the antenna

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use tweezers or your fingers to hold the 5G mmWave antenna above its cutout in the earpiece speaker.
To ensure the antenna is correctly aligned, do not let the adhesive touch the earpiece speaker yet.
Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the antenna press connector.
Press the 5G mmWave antenna into its cutout to ensure it adheres fully to the earpiece speaker.

Step 33

Place the front camera assembly

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Place the front camera assembly into its recess in the frame.

Step 34

Connect the front camera assembly

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the front camera's bottom press connector, then the top press connector.

Step 35

Reinstall the top bracket

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to reinstall the top bracket.

Step 36

Install the top bracket screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tri-point Y000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a screwdriver to install the four screws securing the top bracket:
One 3.5 mm-long Phillips screw
Two 1.4 mm-long Phillips screws
One 1.0 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw

Step 37

Remove the back glass adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Be careful not to damage any of the spring contacts as you clean the frame.
This is a good point to test your repair before sealing up your phone. Connect the battery and back glass, power on your phone, and make sure it works as expected. Power it back down, disconnect the battery and back glass, and continue reassembly.
The adhesive remaining on your phone is difficult to remove and leaves residue. If you have trouble removing the adhesive, apply some heat using a hair dryer or heat gun.
Use the pointed end of a spudger to press and roll the adhesive until you can grip it with a pair of tweezers.

Step 38

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the tweezers to pull the adhesive off of the phone.
Repeat the previous step and this step until all of the adhesive is removed.

Step 39

Clean the frame

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Any leftover residue will compromise your iPhone's seal. Be sure to clean the frame thoroughly.
Wrap a microfiber or lint-free cloth over the point of a spudger and apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the cloth.
Wipe in one direction along the perimeter of the frame to clean the adhesive residue.
Wait a few minutes before proceeding to make sure any excess alcohol has evaporated.

Step 40

Clean the back glass

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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If you're not reusing your back glass, skip this step.
Apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to a microfiber or lint-free cloth and wipe around the perimeter of the back glass to prepare the surface for new adhesive.
If any clips on the back glass are bent, gently straighten them with your fingers.

Step 41

Orient the adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Orient your replacement adhesive over the frame with the larger blue liner on the underside and its pull tab in the bottom-right corner.
The color of your liner and the pull tab locations may be different on your adhesive.
Use features such as the camera cutout and notches along the edges to ensure the adhesive is oriented correctly.

Step 42

Expose the bottom edge of the adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the pull tab to begin peeling the back liner off of the adhesive starting from the bottom, but do not remove the liner all the way.

Step 43

Apply the adhesive

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Once the adhesive is pressed into place, you can't reposition it—you'll have to remove it and start over with new adhesive.
Hold the blue liner out of the way and align the adhesive with the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Lay the bottom edge of the adhesive into its recess in the frame, making sure the iPhone's spring contacts are aligned with their cutouts in the liner.

Step 44

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Continue peeling the back liner off of the adhesive while pressing the adhesive into place along the edges of the iPhone's frame.
If you correctly aligned the lower edge of the adhesive, the side and top edges will fall perfectly into place. If the adhesive is misaligned, remove it and start over with new adhesive.
If your adhesive is misaligned and you don't have another set handy, it's okay to temporarily put your iPhone back together and use it normally without any adhesive, but keep in mind that your iPhone's water resistance will be compromised until you install new adhesive.

Step 45

Press the adhesive into place

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the flat end of a spudger to press the adhesive into place around the perimeter of the frame.
Be careful not to touch the spring contacts sticking through the pink liner.

Step 46

Remove the pink liner

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the small pull tab in the top-right corner to remove the pink adhesive liner.

Step 47

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Once the top liner is removed, there should be three narrow liners on top of the adhesive with pull tabs near the bottom edge.
Your pull tabs may be in different positions.
If you don't see these pull tabs, you may have accidentally removed the thin liners in the previous step. If the adhesive is clean and properly aligned, you may proceed, just be careful not to touch anything to the exposed adhesive until you are ready to install the back glass.

Step 48

Connect the charging coil

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Prop up the back glass along the right edge of your iPhone, using a box or similar sturdy object to support the screen.
Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the charging coil press connector.

Step 49

Connect the battery

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the battery.

Step 50

Install the cover

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

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The connector cover has two hooks that slide into slots on the logic board.
Lay the connector cover on the phone so the hooks are slightly to the left of their slots in the logic board.
Use your finger to press the connector cover down and to the right until both hooks slide into their slots.

Step 51

Install the cover screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a tri-point Y000 driver to install the two 1 mm‑long screws securing the middle connector cover.

Step 52

Remove the final adhesive liners

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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As you remove the liners in this step, the adhesive will be fully exposed. Make sure nothing touches the exposed adhesive.
Use the blue tabs to remove the liners from the bottom, left, and top edges of your iPhone. Wait to remove the liner along the right edge.

Step 53

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Angled Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Without letting the back glass touch the adhesive, hold the back glass over the phone so you can access the final liner along the right edge of the phone.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the final liner along the right edge of the phone.

Step 54

Place the back glass

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Hold the back glass above the phone and align it with the frame.
Lay the glass straight down onto the frame and press until the clips engage.
Press around the perimeter of the back glass to engage all clips.

Step 55

Heat the back glass

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iOpener Referenced by the iFixit guide

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To help the adhesive bond, apply heat to the edges of the back glass using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's hot to the touch.
Firmly press around the perimeter of the back glass.
If you have screen vise clamps, use them to strengthen the bond of your new adhesive. If not, keep reading for more ways to secure the back glass.

Step 56

Press the back glass

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To evenly compress your iPhone and strengthen the bond of the back glass to the frame, you need to account for the camera bump.
If you have the box your iPhone came in, take the lid and place it on a flat surface.
If you don't have your original box, skip this step for an alternate method.
Place your iPhone screen-side-up in the lid of your box with the camera bump in its recess.
Find something close to the size of your iPhone, but taller than the sides of the box. Stack it on top of the iPhone, followed by a few heavy objects.
Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.

Step 57

Repair step

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If you don't have the original box for your iPhone, follow the next three steps for another method to evenly compress the back glass.
Place the iPhone screen-side-down on a soft, flat surface.
Apply tape to the back glass to protect its finish.

Step 58

Repair step

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Place two layers of coins or similarly thick objects on the tape along the edges of the back glass.
Evenly distribute the coins and make sure they are at least as thick as the camera bump.

Step 59

Repair step

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Stack multiple books or other heavy objects on your iPhone.
The coins may leave an impression on the bottom object, so don't use anything valuable.
Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.

Step 60

Install the pentalobe screws

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #000 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a P2 pentalobe driver to install the two 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the charging port.