How to replace anything in your iPhone, with images

Nov 21, 2014 09:35 GMT  ·  By

Throughout the years, repair shop iFixit has made it its business to empower others to mend or even upgrade their own electronics, using simple tools and comprehensive tutorials.

The firm offers much of its knowhow for free through various tear-downs and tutorials, but it also sells physical goods, such as tools designed specifically to pry open iDevices. Apple’s hardware is notoriously non-repairable, but iFixit manages to make the task less daunting by supplying the proper tools for each job.

Replacement guides with easy steps and photos

iFixit now offers a set of guides, 21 strong, for replacing various parts in the iPhone 6. These include the battery, the earpiece speaker, the cameras and sensor cables, the front panel, the home button, the Lightning connector, the Logic Board, the rear case, the SIM eject lever, the speaker, the vibrator, and more.

Made by tinkering experts who also have a way with words, the guides are comprehensive in nature and a joy to simply read through. A few examples can be found in the image gallery below.

Here’s how iFixit describes a few steps in the process of opening the phone to get to the battery.

“While holding the iPhone down with one hand, pull up on the suction cup to slightly separate the front panel assembly from the rear case. Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The display assembly is a much tighter fit than most devices.”

“Using a plastic opening tool, begin to gently pry the rear case down, away from the display assembly, while continuing to pull up with the suction cup. There are several clips holding the front panel assembly to the rear case, so you may need to use a combination of the suction cup and plastic opening tool to free the front panel assembly.”

iFixit visitors can contribute to the guides with their own knowhow. An input system is offered, allowing users to add comments to particular steps in a guide. iFixit decides what passes through and what doesn’t.

iPhone warranty

As you’d imagine, undertaking these tasks will void your warranty. This is because Apple requires all servicing to be done by its trained staff. It can be cheaper to do it yourself, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you might end up spending even more money on additional repairs.

Needless to point out, Apple doesn’t recommend prying open iDevices. All the signs are there: small screws or no screws at all, no seams, no easily accessible entry areas.

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