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iPhone 16 Plus Earpiece Speaker Replacement

Follow this guide to replace the earpiece...

Apple iPhone 16 Plus Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 177955
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Guide overview

Before you begin

Follow this guide to replace the earpiece speaker in your iPhone 16 Plus. If the sound coming through your iPhone's top speaker, especially during phone calls, is faint or crackling, your earpiece speaker may need to be replaced. You'll need replacement back glass adhesive to complete this repair. If your phone includes a 5G mmWave antenna (US models only), you'll need replacement adhesive or thin, double-sided tape for it as well.

Step 1

Prepare your phone for disassembly

  • 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

  • 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

Mark your opening picks

  • 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 4

Remove the pentalobe screws

  • Use a P2 pentalobe driver to remove the two 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the USB-C port.
Step 5

Heat the bottom edge

  • Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the back glass for two minutes.
  • Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
  • Be careful not to heat the phone hotter than this—the battery is susceptible to heat damage.
Step 6

Insert an opening pick

  • Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass, above the USB-C port.
  • 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

  • As you slice the adhesive securing the back glass in the next steps, be careful of the following areas:
  • There's a delicate cable connecting the back glass to the phone, right next to the volume up button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.
  • There are multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone. Be extra careful not to insert your pick deeper than suggested in each step to avoid bending these contacts.
Step 8

Separate the bottom edge adhesive

  • Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm on the bottom edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
  • Slide your pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
  • Leave your pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 9

Heat the right edge

  • Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back glass for two minutes.
  • When using a hair dryer or heat gun, heat the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
Step 10

Separate the bottom right corner adhesive

  • Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm along the right edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts and ribbon cable.
  • Slide your pick around the bottom right corner and slide it halfway up the right edge, or until you feel a hard stop at a clip securing the back glass.
  • Don't slice near the volume buttons to avoid damaging the wireless charging/flash cable.
  • Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 11

Heat the left edge

  • Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the back glass for two minutes.
  • When using a hair dryer or heat gun, heat until it's hot to the touch.
Step 12

Separate the left edge adhesive

  • Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm along the left edge to avoid damaging the spring contact.
  • 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 13

Heat the top edge

  • Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back glass, angled to include the volume buttons, for two minutes.
  • When using a hair dryer or heat gun, heat until it's hot to the touch.
Step 14

Separate the top edge adhesive

  • Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm along the top edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
  • Slide your opening pick across the top edge and around the top right corner to the volume up button to separate the adhesive.
  • You should hear and feel clicks as the top two clips release.
Step 15

Swing open the back glass

  • Don't try to fully remove the back glass just yet—it's still attached with a delicate ribbon cable. Follow the next few steps to remove it safely.
  • If the back glass doesn't swing open easily, don't force it—go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
  • You may need to lift the back glass up slightly before swinging it open to fully disengage the clips.
  • Gently swing open the back glass towards the volume buttons.
  • Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object like a small box to avoid straining the cable.
  • Remove the opening picks.
Step 16

Unfasten the middle connector cover

  • Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the two 1.3 mm-long screws securing the middle connector cover.
Step 17

Remove the middle connector cover

  • Be careful not to dent or puncture the battery during this step.
  • Use blunt-nose tweezers or your fingers to 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 18

Disconnect the battery

  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.
Step 19

Disconnect the wireless charger

  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil press connector.
Step 20

Remove the back glass

  • Lift the back glass off the frame and remove it.
Step 21

Remove the upper connector cover

  • Remove the four screws securing the upper connector cover:
  • Two 1.4 mm-long Phillips screws
  • One 3.5 mm-long Phillips screw
  • One 1.0 mm-long tri-point Y000 screw
Step 22

Repair step

  • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the upper connector cover.
Step 23

Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna press connector.
Step 24

Remove the stretch release adhesive

  • Use your tweezers to grab the strech-release adhesive pull-tab, located on the right edge of the 5G mmWave antenna.
  • 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.
  • For additional grip, you can twist the adhesive 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.
Step 25

Remove the antenna

  • Lift the 5G mmWave antenna off the earpiece speaker and remove it.
Step 26

Disconnect the earpiece speaker

  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the earpiece speaker press connector.
Step 27

Remove the earpiece speaker screws

  • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven screws securing the earpiece speaker:
  • One 2.1 mm‑long screw
  • One 2.0 mm‑long screw
  • Two 1.7 mm‑long screws
  • Three 1.35 mm‑long screws
Step 28

Disconnect the front cameras

  • 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 29

Remove the front cameras

  • Remove the front camera assembly.
  • Be careful not to damage the delicate spring contacts on the back of the camera assembly.
Step 30

Disconnect the rear camera

  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear camera press connector, located on the left edge of the logic board.
Step 31

Remove the earpiece speaker

  • Insert the flat end of a spudger under the top edge of the earpiece speaker, near the front camera cutout.
  • Pry up the earpiece speaker to separate it from its square cutout in the top edge of the frame.
  • Remove the earpiece speaker.
Step 32

Disassembly complete

  • Congratulations on completing disassembly! The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your iPhone.
  • Some reassembly photos are of the iPhone 16 non‑Plus, which may look slightly different. The procedure is correct.
Step 33

Install the earpiece speaker

  • Align the earpiece speaker with its recess in the phone.
  • Insert the top edge of the earpiece speaker into its cutout at a downward angle, then press it flat to the frame.
  • Ensure the earpiece speaker's rubber gasket is fully seated in its cutout.
Step 34

Repair step

  • Use your finger or a spudger to connect the earpiece speaker press connector.
  • To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down 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 35

Repair step

  • Use a Phillips screwdriver to install the seven screws securing the earpiece speaker:
  • One 2.1 mm‑long screw
  • One 2.0 mm‑long screw
  • Two 1.7 mm‑long screws
  • Three 1.35 mm‑long screws
Step 36

Connect the rear camera

  • Use your finger or a spudger to connect the rear camera press connector, located on the left edge of the board.
Step 37

Install the front camera assembly

  • We recommend using a dust blower to remove any dust from the camera lenses and their cut-out before installation.
  • Set the front camera assembly into its recess.
Step 38

Repair step

  • Use your finger or a spudger to connect the two front camera assembly press connectors, located on the top left corner of the logic board.
  • The second press connector is above the first.
Step 39

Apply adhesive (if required)

  • If your replacement part doesn't include new adhesive, use a 5 mm x 16 mm strip of thin, double-sided tape to secure the antenna to the earpiece speaker.
Step 40

Install the antenna

  • Slide the new antenna underneath the front camera cables and make sure its cable routes in the channel above the logic board.
  • Connect the antenna press connector, and press the antenna onto the earpiece speaker to adhere it.
Step 41

Install the upper connector cover

  • Use tweezers or your fingers to align the upper connector cover with its screw holes and set it in place.
Step 42

Repair step

  • Install the four screws securing the upper connector cover:
  • Two 1.4 mm‑long Phillips screws
  • One 3.5 mm‑long Phillips screw
  • One 1.0 mm‑long tri-point Y000 screw
Step 43

Remove the back glass adhesive

  • 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 44

Repair step

  • 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 45

Clean the frame

  • 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 46

Clean the back glass

  • 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 47

Orient the adhesive

  • 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 48

Expose the bottom edge of the adhesive

  • 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 49

Apply the adhesive

  • 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 50

Repair step

  • 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 51

Press the adhesive into place

  • 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 52

Remove the pink liner

  • Use the small pull tab in the top-right corner to remove the pink adhesive liner.
Step 53

Repair step

  • 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 54

Connect the charging coil

  • 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 55

Connect the battery

  • Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the battery.
Step 56

Install the cover

  • 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 57

Install the cover screws

  • Use a tri-point Y000 driver to install the two 1 mm‑long screws securing the middle connector cover.
Step 58

Remove the final adhesive liners

  • 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 59

Repair step

  • 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 60

Place the back glass

  • 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 61

Heat the back glass

  • 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 62

Press the back glass

  • 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 63

Repair step

  • 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 64

Repair step

  • 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 65

Repair step

  • 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 66

Install the pentalobe screws

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