The Home button only sometimes works or doesn’t work at all.

In this guide, we show you how to replace a defective Home button cable. You need this repair if the Home button no longer works or only sometimes works.

Required tools

  • For storing screws

    For storing screws

    We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.

    €10.00 at the iDoc store
  • Menda ESD Spudger

    Menda ESD Spudger

    You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.

    €7.00 at the iDoc store
  • Tweezers

    Tweezers

    We recommend using tweezers to remove screws and various small parts from your device.

    €11.00 at the iDoc store
  • Steel Laboratory Spatula

    Steel Laboratory Spatula

    You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.

    €4.00 at the iDoc store
  • Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

    Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing pentalobe PL1 screws.

    €12.00 at the iDoc store
  • Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.

    €12.00 at the iDoc store

Required replacement part

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 4s 

Passendes Werkzeug

Mit unserem Werkzeug gelingt dir die Reparatur.

for €55.00

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 4s

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

37 steps
  1. Removing the enclosure screws

    iPhone 4s - Removing the enclosure screws 01
    1. You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open your phone.
    2. Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the dock connector. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
  2. Removing the back cover

    iPhone 4s - Removing the back cover 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the back cover 02

    1. Use your thumbs or the palm of your hand to push the back cover of your iPhone about 4 mm away from the bottom of the phone where the dock connector is (see figure 1).
    2. Then you can lift the back cover at the end that’s sticking out past the phone (see figure 2).
  3. Disconnecting the battery connector

    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the battery connector 01
    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the battery connector 02
    1. If your iPhone’s still on, turn it off now by holding down the standby button for about five seconds and following the prompt on the display.
    2. Remove the two Phillips screws on the battery connector using a Phillips screwdriver (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
      The contact point on the logic board could come off. If the contact point breaks off but the soldering points are still intact, you can solder the contact point back on.
    3. Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the pointed ESD spudger slightly below the silver cover plate (see figure 2). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
    4. For the rest of the repair, you can also use the metal laboratory spatula instead of the spudger. This may make some steps easier for you. However, we explicitly recommend using the ESD spudger produced specifically for precision electronics.
  4. Removing the battery

    iPhone 4s - Removing the battery 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the battery 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the battery 03
    1. The antenna cover is under the battery connector. Remove the cover and put it in the same compartment of your organizer tray as the Phillips screws you removed before (see figure 1).
    2. Now remove the battery. It’s sometimes glued firmly in place. Insert the flat end of the spudger into the space (about 1 cm to the left of the volume down button) between the battery and the outer frame, and slowly lift the battery (see figure 2). If the battery’s really stuck on, use other leverage points to the right and left of the original spot to pry it off. If you still can’t detach the battery, you can use a heat gun to warm it slightly from the outside and soften the glue.
    3. Now you can also disconnect the antenna connector by carefully pulling it off the plug head using the spudger (see figure 3).
  5. Plastic tab

    iPhone 4s - Plastic tab 01
    iPhone 4s - Plastic tab 02
    1. Fold the plastic tab with the warning over and press it firmly onto the lower adhesive strip. This way, it won’t get in the way during your repair.
    2. Of course, you can also remove the plastic tab.

  6. Disconnecting the dock connector cable

    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the dock connector cable 01
    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the dock connector cable 02
    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the dock connector cable 03

    1. Remove the two Phillips screws from the dock connection cable and remove the silver cover (see figure 1).
      1 x 1.1 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
    2. Put the screws and cover in the same compartment of your organizer tray. It’s easy to tell them apart.
    3. Now you can carefully detach the connector by using the pointed tip of the spudger to lift the connector. Alternatively, you can also use your fingernail again (see figure 2).
    4. Pull the flat cable that’s lightly glued in place off of the logic board and bend it carefully over the frame (see figure 3).
  7. Removing the cover

    iPhone 4s - Removing the cover 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the cover 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the cover 03
    1. Remove the four Phillips screws from the cover (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray. It’s easy to tell them apart.
      1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw (thin thread)
    2. The cover is slightly clamped in place on the midframe (see figure 2). In order to remove the cover, use the spudger to push it slightly to the left, toward the dock connector (see figure 3).
  8. Removing the rear camera

    iPhone 4s - Removing the rear camera 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the rear camera 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the rear camera 03
    iPhone 4s - Removing the rear camera 04
    1. Use the spudger to lift off the camera connector and remove the camera (see figure 1).
    2. Use a pair of tweezers or the laboratory spatula to remove the black sticker below the flash (see figure 2).
    3. There’s a Phillips screw below that. Remove it (see figure 3).
      1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
    4. Now remove the copper contact (see figure 4).
    5. Put all the parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
  9. Disconnecting the connectors

    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the connectors 01
    1. Now you can disconnect the following five connectors. Be very careful.
    2. LCD
      Touchscreen
      Front camera
      Headphone output/volume controller
      Standby/proximity sensor Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
    3. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up.
    4. Start with the connector. There’s a second connector below it.
  10. Removing the antenna connector

    iPhone 4s - Removing the antenna connector 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the antenna connector 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the antenna connector 03
    1. Remove the Phillips screw on the antenna cover (see figure 1). Put the screw in a separate compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now you can remove the cover of the antenna cable (see figure 2). Put it with the screw you removed before.
    3. Disconnect the antenna connector below it using the spudger (see figure 3).
  11. SIM card tray

    iPhone 4s - SIM card tray 01
    1. You can use the SIM Tool or a paperclip to remove the SIM card tray. Press the SIM Tool into the small hole in the SIM card tray to remove it.
  12. Removing the logic board

    iPhone 4s - Removing the logic board 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the logic board 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the logic board 03
    iPhone 4s - Removing the logic board 04
    1. Now unscrew all four screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 1) and sort them as follows.
      / and / in two different compartments of your organizer tray.
    2. You’ll need both the Phillips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver or the laboratory spatula.
      1 x 4.9 mm Phillips/flathead screw
      1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 3.7 mm Phillips/flathead screw
    3. Now you can carefully lift the logic board below the battery connection using the spudger (see figure 2) and remove it by hand (see figure 3).
    4. There’s a little black rubber protector on the upper end of the logic board (see figure 4). It comes off easily. Put it with the screws from this step so it doesn’t get lost.
  13. Removing the vibration motor

    iPhone 4s - Removing the vibration motor 01
    1. Now remove the vibration motor.
    2. It’s glued firmly in place. It may help if you warm it up with a heat gun to soften the glue.
    3. Insert the spatula or spudger below the vibration motor and carefully lift it out.
  14. Removing the speaker

    iPhone 4s - Removing the speaker 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the speaker 02
    1. Loosen the two Phillips screws on the speaker but only remove the one in the turquoise circle (see figure 1). This way, you won’t have to struggle to get the little black triangle back in later. Put the screw in a separate compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 2.5 mm Phillips screw (just loosen)
      1 x 2.5 mm Phillips screw
    2. Use the spudger to remove the speaker (see figure 2).

  15. Loosening the screws on the sides

    iPhone 4s - Loosening the screws on the sides 01
    iPhone 4s - Loosening the screws on the sides 02
    iPhone 4s - Loosening the screws on the sides 03

    1. Now carefully loosen the six identical Phillips screws (three on each side) by two or three turns.
      6 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
    2. You don’t need to remove the screws completely. This way, it’ll be easier to put your phone back together later.
  16. Removing the four corner screws

    iPhone 4s - Removing the four corner screws 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the four corner screws 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the four corner screws 03
    1. The identical Phillips screws in the four corners of your iPhone are still holding the display in place.
    2. In the corner with the turquoise circle, this screw is under a sticker. You have to remove it first.
    3. Remove all four screws.
      3 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw
  17. Disconnecting the display

    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the display 01
    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the display 02
    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the display 03
    iPhone 4s - Disconnecting the display 04

    1. It may help to warm up the front of the display at the top and bottom using a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the glue (see figure 1).
    2. Insert the flat end of the spudger about 2 to 3 mm between the display assembly and the silver frame, and slowly lift the screen. If you use a different pointed or flat tool, make sure you don’t scratch the front panel from the inside. This is especially important when you’re replacing the Home button’s flexible flat cable because you’ll be using the same screen.
    3. Start between the headphone output and the standby button (see figure 2). As soon as there’s a little gap, try to pull off the display with your fingers. The strength of the glue can vary greatly.
    4. Using the spudger, work your way around the entire frame once (see figure 3). If the display is still really stuck on, use some more hot air.
    5. Keep warming it up until you can easily lift the display assembly (see figure 4) and it’s no longer stuck on (please note: The display’s connection cables are on the side with the standby button).
  18. Taking off the display

    iPhone 4s - Taking off the display 01
    1. Pay special attention to the touch and LCD cable when you remove the display.
    2. Carefully guide this cable through the midplane.
  19. The right tools for your repair

    With the right tools, you will succeed in any repair. In our store you will find a large selection of professional quality tools.
    VIEW NOW
  20. Removing the Home button cable

    iPhone 4s - Removing the Home button cable 01
    iPhone 4s - Removing the Home button cable 02
    iPhone 4s - Removing the Home button cable 03
    1. Carefully flip over the little black rocker switch on the dock connector cable set using the spudger or laboratory spatula (see figures 1 and 2).
    2. Then carefully pull off the Home button cable’s connector using tweezers or your fingers (see figure 3).
  21. Removing the cable set

    iPhone 4s - Removing the cable set 01
    1. Now use the spatula to remove the cable set glued to the other side of the iPhone.
  22. Installing the Home button cable

    iPhone 4s - Installing the Home button cable 01
    iPhone 4s - Installing the Home button cable 02
    iPhone 4s - Installing the Home button cable 03
    1. Stick the Home button on precisely (see figure 1). Guide the rest of the cable set through the middle plate again.
    2. Reconnect the Home button cable using a pair of tweezers (see figure 2) and flip the little rocker switch over again (see figure 3).
  23. Attaching the display

    iPhone 4s - Attaching the display 01
    iPhone 4s - Attaching the display 02
    iPhone 4s - Attaching the display 03
    iPhone 4s - Attaching the display 04

    When you put on the display, make sure you pull the LCD and touchscreen cables all the way through the slot in the midframe. You have to pull both cables through the slot up to the same length (see figures 1 and 2).

    1. See if you can press the Home button as usual once the assembly is evenly on the frame. Make sure that the display is properly fitted to the frame (see figure 3).
    2. Make sure the washers for the six identical Phillips screws are fitted properly (see figure 4). (The display’s clips should be between the washer and the frame.)
  24. Tightening the screws on the sides

    iPhone 4s - Tightening the screws on the sides 01
    1. Now you have to tighten the six identical Phillips screws (three on each side).
      6 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
  25. Putting in the corner screws

    iPhone 4s - Putting in the corner screws 01
    1. Fasten all four identical Phillips screws again.
      3 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw
    2. Don’t forget to put the little black sticker back on the screw.
  26. Installing the speaker

    iPhone 4s - Installing the speaker 01
    iPhone 4s - Installing the speaker 02
    1. Put the speaker back in.
    2. At first, only tighten the two Phillips screws on the speaker a little bit (see figure 1).
      1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
    3. The speaker’s clips have to be against the speaker behind the higher level of the middle cover (see figure 2). This is easiest if you only slightly screw in the speaker at first so it can still move around a little.
    4. Once the clips are fitted properly, you can tighten the screws.

  27. Installing the vibration motor

    iPhone 4s - Installing the vibration motor 01
    1. Now put the vibration motor in the appropriate position.
    2. The old glue is usually enough to hold it, but if the vibration motor is too loose, use new glue. If it’s not securely attached, your phone’s vibration will be weaker.
  28. Installing the logic board

    iPhone 4s - Installing the logic board 01
    iPhone 4s - Installing the logic board 02
    iPhone 4s - Installing the logic board 03
    1. Put the rubber protector back on the sharp edge of the logic board. The thicker part should be facing down (see figure 1).
    2. Put the logic board back in carefully as shown in the picture (see figure 2). The logic board will click gently into place when it’s in the right position. This may take several attempts. Use figure 3 to check whether your logic board is in the right place.
      Make sure the antenna cable attached to the speaker isn’t under the logic board.
    3. Now screw in all four Phillips screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 3).
      1 x 4.9 mm Phillips/flathead screw
      1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 3.7 mm Phillips/flathead screw
  29. Connecting the antenna connector

    iPhone 4s - Connecting the antenna connector 01
    iPhone 4s - Connecting the antenna connector 02
    iPhone 4s - Connecting the antenna connector 03
    1. Connect the antenna connector (see figure 1).
    2. Put on the cover for the antenna cable (see figure 2).
    3. Fasten the Phillips screw on the antenna cover (see figure 3).
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
  30. Connecting the connections

    iPhone 4s - Connecting the connections 01
    1. Reconnect all five contacts. Use your finger to carefully press them in. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.
    2. If the LCD cable is too short, you forgot to pull it tightly through the slot in the midframe.
  31. Installing the rear camera

    iPhone 4s - Installing the rear camera 01
    iPhone 4s - Installing the rear camera 02
    iPhone 4s - Installing the rear camera 03
    1. Put the copper contact back in as shown in the picture (see figure 1).
    2. Then tighten the Phillips screw in the thread again (see figure 2).
      1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
    3. Use tweezers or the laboratory spatula to put on the black sticker (see figure 3).
    4. Connect the camera connector.
  32. Installing the cover

    iPhone 4s - Installing the cover 01
    iPhone 4s - Installing the cover 02
    1. Carefully put on the cover. It will be slightly clamped in place (see figure 1).
    2. Fasten all the Phillips screws on the connector cover (see figure 2):
      1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw (thin thread)
  33. Attaching the dock connector cable

    iPhone 4s - Attaching the dock connector cable 01
    1. Connect the dock connection cable again and put the silver cover on it.
    2. Fasten the two Phillips screws for the dock connection cable.
      1 x 1.1 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
  34. Aligning the plastic tab

    iPhone 4s - Aligning the plastic tab 01
    1. Detach the plastic tab with the warning or stick it back in if you took it out.
  35. Installing the battery

    iPhone 4s - Installing the battery 01
    iPhone 4s - Installing the battery 02
    iPhone 4s - Installing the battery 03
    1. Now put the battery back in the iPhone.
    2. First you have to attach the antenna connector again (see figure 1).
    3. Then install the antenna cover (see figure 2).
    4. Now click the battery connector back into place and screw it in (see figure 3).
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
  36. Attaching the back cover

    iPhone 4s - Attaching the back cover 01
    1. Put the back cover back on and carefully push it the last few millimeters toward the dock connector.
  37. Fastening the enclosure screws

    iPhone 4s - Fastening the enclosure screws 01

    1. Now screw in the two screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
      2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
    2. Then all you have to do is push in the SIM card tray.
  38. Setting the time

    iPhone 4s - Setting the time 01

    When the battery is removed from the device, the iPhone loses the time and sets itself to 1:00 a.m. on 1/1/1970. You could have trouble connecting to the cellular network if the time isn’t set.

    After a repair, complete the following steps:

    1. Synchronize your iPhone with iTunes or connect to a WLAN network and wait until the time is set.
    2. Remove the SIM tray with the SIM card and reinsert it.
    3. Activate airplane mode on the device and then deactivate airplane mode.
Ø 5 (11 Ratings)

Bewerte unsere Anleitung

Hat dir unsere Anleitung weitergeholfen? Wir sind auf deine Beurteilung gespannt.

Submit rating

Submit rating

How did you like this repair guide?

Exceptional

Similar guides

You might also be interested in these guides.

You might be interested in

Get in touch with iDoc

Please contact our customer service for any questions about iDoc's products and services.

  • Send a message

    If you have a question about a guide or want to give us general feedback, just use our contact form

    Write a message
  • Free shipping

    From a minimum order value of 79.00 € your order will be shipped free of charge within Germany.

  • Call iDoc

    If you have any questions about our guides or services, call us from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    +49 30 200 514 455
  • 5 star service

    We offer top quality and service. Our customers confirm this as well.

    Show reviews

Profi-Insights & Tipps für deine erfolgreiche Handy-Reparatur

iDoc schenkt dir den ultimativen Reparatur-Guide GUIDE GRATIS ANFORDERN

Profi-Insights & Tipps für deine erfolgreiche Handy-Reparatur

iDoc schenkt dir den ultimativen Reparatur-Guide GUIDE GRATIS ANFORDERN