The front-facing camera isn’t working or your pictures are blurry.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone SE’s defective front camera/sensor cable. You need this repair if the front camera isn’t working, the aperture doesn’t open, or your pictures are blurry. Even if your screen no longer goes dark when you’re talking on the phone, replacing this cable will fix the problem. Also replace the cable if your microphone no longer works for videos or FaceTime.

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 SE 

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone SE

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

13 steps
  1. Turning off your iPhone SE

    iPhone SE - Turning off your iPhone SE 01
    iPhone SE - Turning off your iPhone SE 02
    iPhone SE - Turning off your iPhone SE 03
    1. Turn your iPhone off completely to avoid damaging it during the repair.
    2. Press the standby button for about three seconds until the slider appears.
    3. Wipe it from left to right. Now your iPhone will shut down completely, which can take about ten seconds.
  2. Removing the enclosure screws

    iPhone SE - Removing the enclosure screws 01
    iPhone SE - Removing the enclosure screws 02
    iPhone SE - Removing the enclosure screws 03
    • 2 × Pentalobe
    1. You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone SE.
    2. Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the Lightning connector. Store these screws in the same box.
  3. Lifting the display

    iPhone SE - Lifting the display 01
    iPhone SE - Lifting the display 02
    iPhone SE - Lifting the display 03
    iPhone SE - Lifting the display 04
    iPhone SE - Lifting the display 05
    iPhone SE - Lifting the display 06
    1. Put your iPhone SE on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.
    2. To lift the display, you need a suction cup and a hard plastic pick. If the screen is severely cracked, cover all of it with tape before you continue. Risk of injury due to broken glass.
    3. Place the suction cup over the Home button if possible (otherwise, put it next to the button). While lifting the display with the suction cup, use the hard plastic pick to press down the aluminum frame. At the same time, insert the hard plastic pick between the aluminum frame and the display. This usually takes several attempts.
    4. Once a little gap has opened up between these two parts, you can open it further by slightly turning the pick.
    5. As soon as you can lift the display a few millimeters, you have to carefully work your way around the outside until it’s loosened on both sides.Don’t take off the display all the way. You have to disconnect the Home button first.
    6. There’s a metal cover blocking the Home button. Carefully detach the cover using a pair of tweezers.
    7. As soon as the cover is off, you can disconnect the Home button from the flexible flat Lightning cable.
  4. Disconnecting the battery contact

    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the battery contact 01
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the battery contact 02
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the battery contact 03
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the battery contact 04
    • 2 × 1.5 mm Phillips
    • Connector
    1. The battery contact and the contact for the flexible flat Lightning cable are under a cover. This cover is fastened with two Phillips screws. Remove the Phillips screws using a Phillips screwdriver and then lift the cover with a pair of tweezers. Put all the parts in the same compartment of the organizer tray.
    2. Carefully detach the battery contact using the spudger. Insert the pointed tip of the spudger slightly below the connector. If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
  5. Disconnecting the display contacts

    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 01
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 02
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 03
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 04
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 05
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 06
    iPhone SE - Disconnecting the display contacts 07
    • 1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
    • 1 × 1.5 mm Phillips
    • 2 × 1.1 mm Phillips
    • Connector
    1. First remove the four Phillips screws from the silver cover. Put the screws in the same container. Then lift the cover to remove it.
    2. Disconnect the following three overlapping connectors in the order shown in the image. Be very careful. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below each contact and lift it up.
  6. Removing the earpiece

    iPhone SE - Removing the earpiece 01
    iPhone SE - Removing the earpiece 02
    iPhone SE - Removing the earpiece 03
    • 1 × 4.0 mm Phillips
    • 1 × 2.2 mm Phillips
    1. The earpiece is on the back of the display unit. Remove the two Phillips screws from the cover on the earpiece and put them in the same container.
    2. Take the cover off and put it with the screws you removed before.
    3. Remove the earpiece.
  7. 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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  8. Removing the front camera/sensor cable set

    iPhone SE - Removing the front camera/sensor cable set 01
    iPhone SE - Removing the front camera/sensor cable set 02
    iPhone SE - Removing the front camera/sensor cable set 03
    iPhone SE - Removing the front camera/sensor cable set 04
    iPhone SE - Removing the front camera/sensor cable set 05
    1. You have to remove the cable set in two steps. First, carefully lift the sensors by pushing the spudger below the ribbon cable at the part where the earpiece is. The ribbon cable is lightly glued in place at this point.
    2. Now you can lift the cable set and fold it over toward the rear panel. Carefully detach the ambient microphone using a pair of tweezers.
  9. Installing the camera/sensor cable set

    iPhone SE - Installing the camera/sensor cable set 01
    iPhone SE - Installing the camera/sensor cable set 02
    iPhone SE - Installing the camera/sensor cable set 03
    iPhone SE - Installing the camera/sensor cable set 04
    1. First press the ambient microphone into the hollow in the rubber to secure it.
    2. Then connect the front camera and the sensors to the corresponding brackets, and press them with the spudger so the glue will stick.
      It’s important to position the flexible flat cable correctly because, otherwise, the front camera and proximity sensor won’t be fully functional.
  10. Installing the earpiece

    iPhone SE - Installing the earpiece 01
    iPhone SE - Installing the earpiece 02
    iPhone SE - Installing the earpiece 03
    iPhone SE - Installing the earpiece 04
    iPhone SE - Installing the earpiece 05
    • 1 × 4.0 mm Phillips
    • 1 × 2.2 mm Phillips
    1. Put the earpiece back in its original position on the front camera’s flexible flat cable. Then put the cover back on.
    2. Now fasten the Phillips screws. Make sure the front camera is centered on the front of the display. Move it slightly if necessary.

    Note that the screws aren’t the same length. If you mix them up, a screw will press against the display glass from the inside and damage it.

  11. Connecting the display

    iPhone SE - Connecting the display 01
    iPhone SE - Connecting the display 02
    iPhone SE - Connecting the display 03
    iPhone SE - Connecting the display 04
    iPhone SE - Connecting the display 05
    • Front camera flex
    • LCD
    • Digitizer
    • 1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
    • 1 × 1.5 mm Phillips
    • 2 × 1.1 mm Phillips
    1. Reconnect the connectors. Connecting the display connector sometimes takes a few tries. Be very careful to avoid bending the connectors.
    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 display connectors aren’t connected properly, stripes will appear on the display or parts of the touchscreen won’t work.
    3. Install the cover and screw it in place.
  12. Connecting the battery contact

    iPhone SE - Connecting the battery contact 01
    iPhone SE - Connecting the battery contact 02
    iPhone SE - Connecting the battery contact 03
    iPhone SE - Connecting the battery contact 04
    • Connector
    • 2 × 1.5 mm Phillips
    1. Connect the battery contact to the logic board.
    2. Put the cover back on and screw it in place with the two Phillips screws.
  13. Attaching the display

    iPhone SE - Attaching the display 01
    iPhone SE - Attaching the display 02
    iPhone SE - Attaching the display 03
    iPhone SE - Attaching the display 04
    iPhone SE - Attaching the display 05
    iPhone SE - Attaching the display 06
    1. Insert the display into the enclosure at the upper edge where the connection cables are. The display has to click into place correctly.
    2. Before you can connect your device to the display, you have to connect the Home button to the Lightning connector and secure them with the cover.
    3. Carefully press on the display toward the Home button until it’s entirely in the frame. The display has to be flush with the frame.
  14. Fastening the enclosure screws

    iPhone SE - Fastening the enclosure screws 01
    iPhone SE - Fastening the enclosure screws 02
    • 2 × 3.8 mm Pentalobe
    1. Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
Ø 2.3 (6 Ratings)

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