The back of the enclosure is warped or the camera lens is scratched.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 5’s defective back cover. This repair can help if the back cover is warped or scratched, or if your rear camera no longer takes sharp pictures because the lens is scratched.

Required tools

  • Heat gun

    Heat gun

    You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.

    from €15.99 on Amazon
  • For storing screws

    For storing screws

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

    from €10.99 on Amazon
  • Menda ESD Spudger

    Menda ESD Spudger

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

    from €26.38 on Amazon
  • Tweezers

    Tweezers

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

    on Amazon
  • Pick Set

    Pick Set

    You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.

    from €14.99 on Amazon
  • Steel Laboratory Spatula

    Steel Laboratory Spatula

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

    on Amazon
  • Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

    Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing pentalobe PL1 screws.

    on Amazon
  • Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.

    from €10.84 on Amazon
Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 5 
Replacing the back cover

Steps

47 Steps

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 5

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

47 steps
  1. Removing the enclosure screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the enclosure screws 01
    1. You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone 5.
    2. Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the Lightning connector. LPut the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
  2. Lifting the display

    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 01
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 02
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 03
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 04
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 05
    1. Put your iPhone 5 on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.
    2. To lift the front panel, you need a suction cup and the hard plastic pick. If the screen is severely cracked, cover all of it with packing tape.
    3. Place the suction cup over the Home button (if possible) or next to it (see figure 1). While lifting the screen with the suction cup, insert the hard plastic pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame and press down the aluminum frame. Also use the hard plastic pick to raise the screen (see figures 2 and 3). This usually takes several attempts.
    4. As soon as you can lift the screen a little bit (see figure 4), you have to carefully work your way around the outside until it’s loosened on both sides (see figure 5).
    5. Once the display is fully detached, you can flip it up at the Home button. Note that the display cables are still connected to the logic board (see next step).
  3. Disconnecting the connectors

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the connectors 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the connectors 02
    1. First remove the three Phillips screws from the silver cover (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)
    2. Now you can disconnect the following three connectors (see figure 2). Be very careful.
    3. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board. In later batches of phones, the resistors are protected by a black plastic film.
      LCD
      Touchscreen
      Front camera/sensor/earpiece
  4. Disconnecting the battery connector

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the battery connector 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the battery connector 02
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the battery connector 03
    1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the Phillips screws on the battery connector (see figure 1). Then lift the cover using the spudger (see figure 2). Put all the parts in the same compartment of the organizer tray.
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw (funnel head)
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the pointed tip of the ESD spudger slightly below the connector (see figure 3). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
  5. Removing the battery

    iPhone 5 - Removing the battery 01
    1. Now remove the battery. It’s sometimes glued firmly in place. Insert the flat end of the spudger into the space between the battery and the logic board, and carefully lift the battery.
      The logic board is very sensitive. You can also lift the battery from the other side.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 slightly warm the glue from the outside and soften it.
  6. Plastic tab

    iPhone 5 - Plastic tab 01
    1. Fold the plastic tab with the warning over and press it firmly onto the adhesive strip. This way, it won’t get in the way during your repair.
  7. Removing the SIM card tray

    iPhone 5 - Removing the 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.
  8. Disconnecting the ribbon cable

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the ribbon cable 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the ribbon cable 02
    1. Remove the Phillips screw and the silver cover below it (see figure 1). Put the parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
    2. Disconnect the connector of the Lightning connector’s ribbon cable (see figure 2) by placing the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lifting it up. Then carefully fold the cable over.
  9. Disconnecting the contact

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the contact 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the contact 02
    1. Carefully lift off the antenna connector using the laboratory spatula (see figure 1).
    2. Then lift the standby/volume cable set connector to remove it (see figure 2). Carefully place the pointed tip of the spudger or spatula below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off any of the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
  10. Removing the Phillips screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the Phillips screws 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the Phillips screws 02
    1. Remove the two Phillips screws and the bracket below them. There’s another connection underneath. Put the parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
  11. Removing the antenna screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the antenna screws 01
    1. Remove the two Phillips screws that connect the antenna to the frame.
      2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
  12. Removing the connection cables

    iPhone 5 - Removing the connection cables 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the connection cables 02
    1. Remove the two connection cables (see figures 1 and 2). Carefully place the pointed tip of the spudger or spatula below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off any of the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
  13. Removing the logic board screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the logic board screws 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the logic board screws 02
    1. Now unscrew all five screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 1).
    2. Three of the screws have an internal thread. The one next to the rear camera isn’t magnetic. You can remove this screw with a flathead screwdriver or the spatula. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      3 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screws
      2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screws
    3. Lift the camera flash using the laboratory spatula (see figure 2).
  14. Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 02
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 03
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 04
    1. Slightly raise the logic board using the spudger (see figure 1) and turn it around the longitudinal axis by the plastic tab (see figures 2 and 3).
    2. On the other side, disconnect the antenna connector by carefully pulling it off the plug head using the spudger (see figure 3).
    3. Carefully remove the logic board.
  15. Removing the standby screw

    iPhone 5 - Removing the standby screw 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the standby screw 02
    1. First remove the foam sticker (see figure 1).
    2. Now remove the Phillips screw (see figure 2). Put the screw and foam sticker in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 1.9 mm Phillips screw
  16. Removing the screws and the metal bracket

    iPhone 5 - Removing the screws and the metal bracket 01
    1. Now remove the screws and the metal bracket. Use the laboratory spatula or a flathead screwdriver to remove the screw with the internal thread.
      1 x 2.9 mm Phillips/flathead screw
      1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw
  17. Removing the vibration motor

    iPhone 5 - Removing the vibration motor 01
    1. Remove the three screws that hold the vibration motor and its support frame in place.
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now remove the vibration motor.
  18. Removing the volume and mute button bracket

    iPhone 5 - Removing the volume and mute button bracket 01
    1. Remove the three Phillips screws in the volume and mute button bracket. This bracket is glued to the cable set.
    2. 1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.9 mm Phillips screw
  19. Removing the cable set

    iPhone 5 - Removing the cable set 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the cable set 02
    iPhone 5 - Removing the cable set 03
    iPhone 5 - Removing the cable set 04
    1. The cable set is still lightly glued in place. Carefully detach it using the laboratory spatula (see figures 1 and 2).
    2. The standby button is glued to the metal rocker switch (see figure 3). Now detach the cable set from the rocker switch. It’s better if you don’t remove the rocker switch because putting it back in is pretty tough.
    3. Once the cable set is detached from the rocker switch, you can take it out with tweezers (see figure 4) or your fingers.
  20. Removing the buttons

    iPhone 5 - Removing the buttons 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the buttons 02
    iPhone 5 - Removing the buttons 03
    iPhone 5 - Removing the buttons 04
    1. Remove the volume, mute and standby buttons, as well as the standby button’s rocker switch.
    2. The standby button’s rocker switch is hooked onto a metal peg. Reuse this metal peg if there isn’t one in your new back cover.
  21. Removing the screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the screws 01
    1. Now remove the following five Phillips screws. Put the screws in different compartments of your organizer tray so you can easily identify them later.
      2 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
      2 x 3.1 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2,4 mm Phillips-Schraube
  22. Removing the speaker

    iPhone 5 - Removing the speaker 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the speaker 02
    iPhone 5 - Removing the speaker 03
    1. Use the laboratory spatula to detach the Home button contact cable, which is lightly glued in place (see figure 1).
    2. Remove the silver cover attached to the cable (see figure 2).
    3. Now remove the speaker (see figure 3).
  23. Removing the Lightning connector

    iPhone 5 - Removing the Lightning connector 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the Lightning connector 02
    1. Now carefully remove the ribbon cable using your fingers (see figure 1). In this process, use the spatula or spudger to detach the Lightning connector, headphone jack and microphone.
    2. Make sure you don’t lose the little washers below the cable set (see figure 2).
  24. 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.
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  25. Removing the SIM card tray ejector lever

    iPhone 5 - Removing the SIM card tray ejector lever 01
    1. Unscrew the Phillips screw and remove the ejector lever.
      1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
  26. Removing the antenna cable

    iPhone 5 - Removing the antenna cable 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the antenna cable 02
    1. Remove the silver rail. Insert the laboratory spatula below the rail and detach it from the back cover (see figure 1).
    2. Insert the laboratory spatula below the antenna ribbon cable and detach it from the back cover (see figure 2).
  27. Removing the four retaining brackets

    iPhone 5 - Removing the four retaining brackets 01
    1. Each of the four retaining brackets is secured with two Phillips screws. Remove them. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      8 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
  28. Removing the plastic tab

    iPhone 5 - Removing the plastic tab 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the plastic tab 02
    1. Remove the plastic tab, which is lightly glued in place (see figure 1).
    2. You may have to keep other parts of your old back cover for your new one (see figure 2).
  29. Inserting the plastic tab

    iPhone 5 - Inserting the plastic tab 01
    1. Stick the plastic tab on the new back cover and fold it over. You can also hold off on this step until you install the battery.
  30. Attaching the four retaining brackets

    iPhone 5 - Attaching the four retaining brackets 01
    1. Attach the four brackets using the Phillips screws.
      8 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
  31. Sticking the antenna cable in place

    iPhone 5 - Sticking the antenna cable in place 01
    1. Stick the antenna cable to the back cover and attach the silver rail.
  32. Installing the SIM card tray ejector lever

    iPhone 5 - Installing the SIM card tray ejector lever 01
    1. Attach the ejector lever using the Phillips screw. The higher part of the ejector lever is to the left of the SIM card slot.
      1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
    2. Check whether you can push the SIM card tray in and out.
  33. Inserting the Lightning connector

    iPhone 5 - Inserting the Lightning connector 01
    1. Now put in the Lightning connector (see figure 1). Make sure the washers are on the thread.
    2. Push the nipple of the microphone’s rubber seal into the little black groove and make sure that the Lightning connector and audio jack are fitted properly against the frame.
  34. Installing the speaker

    iPhone 5 - Installing the speaker 01
    iPhone 5 - Installing the speaker 02
    iPhone 5 - Installing the speaker 03
    1. Turn the speaker to one side to put it in the original position (see figure 1).
    2. Put on the silver cover, which is attached to the cable (see figure 2).
    3. Now you can fasten the Philipps screws again (see figure 3).
      1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw
      2 x 3.3 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.9 mm Phillips screw
  35. Inserting the buttons

    iPhone 5 - Inserting the buttons 01
    iPhone 5 - Inserting the buttons 02
    iPhone 5 - Inserting the buttons 03
    iPhone 5 - Inserting the buttons 04
    1. Put the volume, mute and standby buttons, as well as the standby button’s rocker switch, back in their original positions. The rocker frame for the standby button has to face downward. Make sure you insert the volume button correctly.
  36. Installing the cable set

    iPhone 5 - Installing the cable set 01
    iPhone 5 - Installing the cable set 02
    iPhone 5 - Installing the cable set 03
    iPhone 5 - Installing the cable set 04
    1. Stick the standby button securely onto the metal rocker switch again (see figure 1). This part is a bit tricky. If you can’t do it, take out the rocker switch and then stick the standby button on it.
    2. Connect the vibration switch and volume controller at their original location (see figure 2).
    3. When you install the vibration rocker switch, make sure the vibration switch is facing downward (you can see the orange stripe outside along the frame). This makes it easier to connect the button to the rocker switch the right way. (See figure 3).
    4. Then screw in the volume and mute button bracket (see figure 4).
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.9 mm Phillips screw
  37. Installing the vibration motor

    iPhone 5 - Installing the vibration motor 01
    1. Fasten the three Phillips screws that hold the vibration motor and its support frame in place.
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
  38. Screwing in the cable set

    iPhone 5 - Screwing in the cable set 01
    iPhone 5 - Screwing in the cable set 02
    iPhone 5 - Screwing in the cable set 03
    1. Attach the metal bracket and the following screws (see figure 1).
      1 x 2.9 mm Phillips/flathead screw
      1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now fasten the Phillips screw on the standby switch (see figure 2). The rocker frame for the standby button has to face upward in this process.
      1 x 1.9 mm Phillips screw
    3. Attach the foam sticker (see figure 3).

  39. Installing the logic board

    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 01
    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 02
    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 03
    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 04
    1. Reconnect the WLAN antenna connector to the logic board (see figure 1) and put the logic board back in its original position (see figure 2). Use figure 4 to check whether your logic board is in the right place.
    2. Put in the camera flash (see figure 3).
    3. Now screw in all five screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 4).
      3 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screws
      2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screws
  40. Connecting the connection cables

    iPhone 5 - Connecting the connection cables 01
    1. Connect the two connection cables again. Make sure the connectors are fitted properly.
  41. Fastening the antenna screws

    iPhone 5 - Fastening the antenna screws 01
    1. Fasten the two Phillips screws that connect the antenna to the frame.
      2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
  42. Fastening the Phillips screws

    iPhone 5 - Fastening the Phillips screws 01
    1. Install the bracket and fasten it with the two Phillips screws.
      1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
  43. Connecting the contacts

    iPhone 5 - Connecting the contacts 01
    iPhone 5 - Connecting the contacts 02
    1. Connect the antenna connector and the standby/volume cable set connector again (see figure 1).
    2. Now connect the ribbon cable, put the cover over it and screw it in (see figure 2).
      1 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
  44. Aligning the plastic tab

    iPhone 5 - Aligning the plastic tab 01
    1. Detach the plastic tab with the warning or stick it back in if you took it out.
  45. Installing the battery

    iPhone 5 - Installing the battery 01
    1. Now put the battery back in the iPhone and position it as close to the logic board as possible.
    2. Click the battery connector back into place.
    3. Then put the cover on and screw it in.
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw (funnel head)
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
  46. Attaching the display

    iPhone 5 - Attaching the display 01
    iPhone 5 - Attaching the display 02
    iPhone 5 - Attaching the display 03
    1. Now reconnect the connectors (see figure 1). The LCD connector sometimes comes undone when you connect the touchscreen connector.
      LCD
      Touchscreen
      Front camera/sensor/earpiece
    2. Reattach the battery connector and fix the coverplate again.
    3. Start your iPhone as soon as the connectors are securely attached. Check the function of the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera and earpiece.
    4. Now attach the cover and screw it in place (see figure 2).
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)
    5. Then carefully fold down the screen. Make sure that the edge of the screen where the cables are clicks into place properly. Now carefully press the screen on toward the Home button until it’s properly installed in the frame. (See figure 3).
  47. Fastening the enclosure screws

    iPhone 5 - Fastening the enclosure screws 01
    1. Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
      2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
  48. Setting the time

    iPhone 5 - 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.
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