The rear-facing camera isn’t working.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 5s’ defective rear camera on your own. You need this repair if the rear camera isn’t working, your pictures are blurry, or the camera doesn’t focus.

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.

    from €10.99 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
  • Plastic prying tool

    Plastic prying tool

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

    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

Required replacement part

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 5s 

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 5s

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

10 steps
  1. Removing the enclosure screws

    iPhone 5s - Removing the enclosure screws 01
    1. You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone 5s.
    2. Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the Lightning connector. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      2 x 4.0 mm pentalobe screws
  2. Lifting the display

    iPhone 5s - Lifting the display 01
    iPhone 5s - Lifting the display 02
    iPhone 5s - Lifting the display 03
    iPhone 5s - Lifting the display 04
    1. Put your iPhone 5s 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 figure 2). This usually takes several attempts.
    4. Do not lift the display more than two centimeters to avoid tearing the Home button cable below it.
    5. As soon as you can lift the screen a few millimeters (see figure 3), you have to carefully work your way around the outside until it’s loosened on both sides (see figure 4).
  3. Disconnecting the Home button cable

    iPhone 5s - Disconnecting the Home button cable 01
    iPhone 5s - Disconnecting the Home button cable 02

    If the display is disconnected, only lift it a little bit. The Home button cable connects the display to the Lightning connector. This cable can tear if you lift the display too much.

    1. Remove the silver cover over the Home button connector by placing the pointed tip of the spudger slightly below the cover and lifting it out (see figure 1).
    2. Now you have to disconnect the contact from the connector.Carefully pull it off using the laboratory spatula or spudger.
    3. Once the cable is disconnected, you can lift the display at the Home button. Note that the LCD/touchscreen cables are still connected to the logic board (see next step).
  4. Disconnecting the connectors

    iPhone 5s - Disconnecting the connectors 01
    iPhone 5s - Disconnecting the connectors 02
    1. First remove the four Phillips screws from the silver cover (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray. Then lift the cover to remove it.
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws (not magnetic)
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
    2. Disconnect the following three connectors (see figure 2). Be very careful. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up.
      Touchscreen
      LCD
      Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone
  5. Removing the iSight camera

    iPhone 5s - Removing the iSight camera 01
    iPhone 5s - Removing the iSight camera 02
    iPhone 5s - Removing the iSight camera 03
    1. The camera is attached with a rubber strap to stabilize it. Insert the laboratory spatula or a pair of tweezers below the rubber strap and uncover the camera (see figure 1).
    2. Now disconnect the connector. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figure 2).
    3. Now lift the camera out of the phone (see figure 3).
  6. 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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  7. Connecting the camera

    iPhone 5s - Connecting the camera 01
    iPhone 5s - Connecting the camera 02
    1. Reconnect the camera (see figure 1) and attach the rubber strap again. The strap has to be on the side below the clip (see figure 2).
  8. Connecting the display

    iPhone 5s - Connecting the display 01
    iPhone 5s - Connecting the display 02
    1. Reattach the connectors (see figure 1). The touchscreen connector sometimes comes undone when you connect the LCD connector.
      Touchscreen
      LCD
      Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone
    2. Start your iPhone as soon as the connectors are securely attached. Check the function of the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera and earpiece.
      If the connectors aren’t connected properly, stripes will appear on the display or parts of the touchscreen won’t work.
    3. Now attach the cover and screw it in place (see figure 2).
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (magnetic)
    4. Make sure you don’t screw the big 1.7 mm screw into a different thread because that could damage conductive paths on the logic board and cause a bluescreen.
  9. Installing the Home button cable

    iPhone 5s - Installing the Home button cable 01
    iPhone 5s - Installing the Home button cable 02
    iPhone 5s - Installing the Home button cable 03
    1. This step is pretty tough. Use tweezers or the spudger to position the cable set’s connector and then use the spudger to carefully press the connector onto the connection (see figure 1).
    2. If the connector is fitted correctly, put the silver cover over the connector. It’s easiest to position the cover using tweezers (see figure 2). Using the spudger, carefully press the cover on until it gently clicks into place (see figure 3).
  10. Attaching the display

    iPhone 5s - Attaching the display 01
    1. Then carefully fold down the screen. Make sure that the edge on the upper part of the screen where the cables are clicks into place properly. Now carefully push the screen on toward the Home button until it is properly installed in the frame.
  11. Fastening the enclosure screws

    iPhone 5s - Fastening the enclosure screws 01
    1. Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
      2 x 4.0 mm pentalobe screws
Ø 4.6 (22 Ratings)

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