iPhone 16 Pro 5G mmWave Antenna Removal

Step 1

Prepare the phone for 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 Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

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

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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 4

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 screwdriver to remove the two 7.4 mm‑long screws on either side of the USB-C port.

Step 5

Disconnect the earpiece speaker

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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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• The 5G mmWave antenna is only in United States and Puerto Rico iPhone 16 Pros (model A3083). For all other models, skip the next four steps.
• Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the earpiece speaker and 5G mmWave antenna press connectors, located on the top right corner of the logic board.

Step 6

Remove the earpiece speaker

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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 Phillips screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the earpiece speaker:
• Three 1.2 mm‑long screws
• Two 1.8 mm‑long screws
• One 1.7 mm‑long screw

Step 7

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger 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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• Insert the point of a spudger in the bottom-right corner of the earpiece speaker and pry it up to remove it.
• You may feel some resistance near the top edge, where the speaker gasket seals against the frame. Pull the speaker out gently to release the seal.

Step 8

Remove the stretch release 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 Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or Greater) Referenced by the iFixit guide

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• Use your tweezers to grab the stretch release adhesive pull tab, located on the 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 9

Remove the antenna

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