iPhone X - Replacing the Lightning connector

1. Turn off your iPhone X before making repairs to protect it from potential damage. To do so, press the standby button and one of the two volume buttons simultaneously for about three seconds.
2. When the "Power Off" slider appears on the display, wipe it from left to right. Your iPhone will shut down completely within about 10 seconds.

• 2 × 6,8 mm Pentalobe

You need a pentalobe screwdriver (PL1) to open your iPhone X.

1. Remove the two pentalobe screws located to the right and left of the Lightning connector and put them in a screw storage box.

To ensure that you do not lose any of the removed components and screws, we recommend that you use a screw storage box. For this purpose, you can for example convert an old sewing box. We use a high-quality magnetic pad for our repairs, on which the removed components can also be arranged in the same way as they were installed in the telephone. This way you know exactly where each screw was located, which makes it much easier for you to assemble later.

iPhone X is opened via the display. Since it is strongly glued to the rest of the case, you have to heat the glue first to be able to remove the display.

1. Place your iPhone X on a soft and clean surface to avoid scratching the back of your iPhone X when lifting the display.
2. Now use a hot air tool, such as a hot air dryer or a regular hairdryer, to run evenly over the glued edge of the display.

The rule of thumb is to heat your device only enough to be comfortable to touch without being uncomfortably hot.

Once the iPhone X has been opened, no warranty can be given for waterproofness. Also the warranty for protection against dust and splashing water of the IP67 classification expires.

1. Place the suction cup on the bottom edge of your device and pull it upwards to create a narrow gap between the stainless steel and display frame.
2. Insert a sturdy, flat tool into the narrow gap to enlarge it. At the same time, press the display slightly upwards with the tool, using flat plastic picks.

Be careful not to go further than 5 mm into the gap with your tool to avoid damaging any components inside the Iphone X.

1. Move the tool one step at a time around the frame of your iPhone to remove the stuck display completely. Use the plectrum to keep pushing upwards so that the noses come off the stainless steel frame.

To avoid overstretching the sensitive flex cables connected to the display, you should not completely fold the display over while it is still connected.

1. Remove the display from the aluminium frame by gently pushing it upwards with a hard plastic plectrum.
2. When the display is completely detached, you can slowly fold it up to the side of the standby button.
3. Lean it against a stable object so that it remains in a vertical position.

• 1 × 3,0 mm Y-Type
• 3 × 1,0 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 3,6 mm Y-Type
• Connector

When starting the repair, always disconnect the battery connector to avoid a potential short circuit.

Note that the screws installed in iPhone X vary in length.

1. Unscrew the Y-type screws with a Y-type screwdriver and remove the cover plate.
2. Now carefully disconnect the battery connector by sliding it under with a flat plastic tool. We use a plastic spudger for this.

• Display Connector
• Earpiece Connector

The display is attached to the rest of the iPhone X via three connectors.

To avoid damaging something on the logicboard while disconnecting the connectors, you should always use your tools from the side where there are no components.

1. Use a spudger to carefully remove the connectors from the Logicboard one by one. Please be aware, that the ear piece flex cable on the top of the display is slightly glued.
2. When all connectors are disconnected, you can remove the display completely.

• 1 × 1,5 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1,4 mm Phillips
• 2 × 1,8 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1,0 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1,5 mm Phillips
• 1 × 2,2 mm Phillips
• Connector

1. Loosen the Phillips and Y-Type screws from the bracket plate of the speaker.
2. Flip the plate up and separate the connector with a spudger.
3. Now remove the bracket plate.

• 1 × 2.1 mm Y-Type
• Connector

1. Loosen the Y-type screw of the bracket plate and then remove the cover plate.
2. Disconnect the speaker connector and lift up the flex cable.
3. Loosen the heavily bonded speaker a little by carefully lifting it up with the spudger.
4. Once the speaker is loosened, you can remove it from your machine along with the flex cable.

• 1 × 2,2 mm Phillips
• Connector

1. First unscrew the Phillips screws that hold the Taptic Engine in place.
2. Carefully separate the connector of the Taptic Engine with a spudger.
3. Take the Taptic Engine carefully out of your iPhone with tweezers.

The iPhone X battery is attached to the case with four tabs that you can pull out by their tabs. Three tabs are taped to the bottom and one to the top edge of the battery.

1. Use tweezers or a spatula to remove the black tabs. The white adhesive strips are underneath.

To prevent the battery from falling out of the device, you should hold it firmly when pulling out the last adhesive strip.

1. Now pull out the adhesive strips as slowly and flatly as possible from under the battery so that they do not tear.

If one of the tapes tears, use a wide, sturdy tool to gently lever the battery out without bending it. We use a battery spudger for this purpose.

1. When all the adhesive strips are removed, you can take out the battery off your device.

• Camera Connector
• 1 × 2,2 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1,9 mm Phillips

1. First loosen the two Phillips screws that fix the bracket plate of the iSight camera.
2. Lift up the small eyelet on the upper edge of the rear case clamping the bracket plate.
3. Use a spudger to separate the two connectors of the iSight camera from the logicboard.
4. Now you can carefully lever the camera out of its lead with the spudger and put it aside.

Before you can remove the logicboard, you have to remove the SIM card tray.

1. Use a SIM tool or a paperclip to go into the opening next to the SIM card tray and then remove it.

• 1 × 2,8 mm Phillips
• 1 × 2,1 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1,1 mm Phillips
• Lightning connector
• Camera flash connector
• Speaker connector
• Front-facing camera connector
• Wi-Fi antenna connector
• Wireless charging connector

1. Use a spudger to carefully disconnect all connectors from the logicboard. This includes the Lightning connector, flash light, FaceTime camera and volume buttons.
2. A connector is located under the flex cable of the FaceTime camera. Bend the cable carefully to the side to be able to detach the connector.

If the connector cannot be released immediately, you can also remove the FaceTime camera first.

1. Loosen the screws that keep the logicboard in place.

One of the screws fixes a small metal component.

1. When all screws and connectors are loosened, bend the flex cables carefully to the side and take out the logicboard.

• 1 × 2,3 mm Standoff

Where the headphone jack was located on the previous models, a small plastic cover is now screwed on.

1. Loosen the screw and take out the plastic cover with tweezers.

The Standoff screws can be unscrewed with a special screwdriver. However, it is also possible with a thin, suitable slotted screwdriver.

• 1 × 1,9 mm Y-Type
• 2 × 2,6 mm Standoff
• 2 × 3,5 mm Phillips

The flex cable of the Lightning connector is glued into the back cover of your iPhone X. Additionally the Lightning connector is fixed with several screws.

1. Loosen all screws of the Lightning connector. Two screws are slightly longer and therefore more difficult to loosen.

Heat the entire flex cable with a hot air device to make it easier to remove.

1. Use a flat, sturdy tool to gently drive under the flex cable and gradually remove it from the bottom of the back cover. We use a steel spatula for this purpose.
2. Use the lever with the steel spatula to carefully remove the microphone from the edge of the rear case.
3. Also lever the Lightning connector out of its lead in the rear case's edge.
4. When everything is detached, you can remove the Lightning connector including the flex cable.

• Microphone

1. Compare the old lightning connector with the new one. There may still be a small adhesive surface on the microphone that you need to take over for the microphone to sit firmly in the frame.
2. Remove any protective film over the adhesive surfaces of the new lightning connector.

• 1 × 1,9 mm Y-Type
• 2 × 2,6 mm Standoff
• 2 × 3,5 mm Phillips

1. Place the Lightning connector in its original position in the iPhone and slide it into its opening on the bottom case frame.
2. Push the microphone back into the bottom frame of the rear case.
3. Press the flex cable firmly on the edge of the back cover by running your finger along the cable.
4. Screw in the lightning connector and the flex cable.

• 1 × 2,3 mm Standoff

1. Place the barometric vent in its place at the bottom edge of the rear case and screw it on.

• 1 × 2,7 mm Phillips
• 1 × 2,1 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1,1 mm Phillips
• Lightning connector
• Camera flash connector
• Speaker connector
• Front-facing camera connector
• Wi-Fi antenna connector
• Wireless charging connector

1. Bend all loose flex cables a bit to the side before you put the logicboard back into the back cover, so that none of them gets jammed.
2. Put the small metal cover back in its original position and screw it in place.
3. Fix the logicboard with the remaining screws.
4. Now attach all connectors.

1. Slide the SIM card tray back into the frame of the back cover.

You shouldn't feel any strong resistance when inserting the SIM card tray. Otherwise the logicboard might not be properly seated.

• Camera Connector
• 1 × 1,9 mm Phillips
• 1 × 2,2 mm Phillips

Before inserting the iSight camera, make sure there are no dust or fingerprints on the camera lens or inside the camera cover.

1. Place the iSight camera back into the respective opening of the enclosure and gently squeeze it in.
2. Attach the connectors of the two cameras.
3. Place the metal cover next to the iSight camera and upright on the rear case.
4. Fold it over so that the screw holes are aligned correctly.

Make sure the small metall eyelet lies above the metal cover.

1. Secure the cover plate with the two screws.

1. Place the battery back in the rear case and press it in to make it bond firmly.

Take care to position the battery correctly. Use the connector for orientation, for it has to fit exactly on the contact on the logicboard.

• 1 × 2,2 mm Phillips
• Connector

1. Put the Taptic Engine back in the rear case. The screw holes must be located correctly.
2. Attach the taptic engine’s connector.
3. Finally attach the Taptic Engine with the Phillips screws.

• Connector
• 1 × 2,2 mm Y-Type

1. Place the speaker back in its original position and press it in.
2. Attach the connector of the speaker.
3. Put the bracket plate on the speaker connector and screw it in using the Y-type screw.

• Connector
• 1 × 1.5 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.4 mm Phillips
• 2 × 1.8 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.0 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.5 mm Phillips
• 1 × 2.2 mm Phillips

1. Place the bracket plate vertically on the lower edge of the display in order to be able to attach the connector.
2. Then fold the bracket plate over. Align it, so that the screw openings are exactly above the threads.
3. Screw the plate tight with the Phillips and Y-type screws.

After applying a new adhesive strip, the iPhone is again protected against dust and splash water, but it is not 100% waterproof.

1. To ensure that the new adhesive frame fits properly everywhere, you must first remove all remaining adhesive residue on stainless steel and display frames.
2. Align the adhesive frame correctly and then pull off the protective film from the underside of the adhesive frame.

The corners of the adhesive frame are different and will help you align it correctly with your device's frame.

1. Place the adhesive frame only on one edge of the frame at first and press it down firmly as you go.

You can use the plastic spudger to press it down so that the frame is as smooth as possible.

1. Then pull off the middle part of the protective film.
2. Finally, remove the remaining protective film from the edge of the housing so that only a transparent adhesive film remains.

You can leave the remaining protective film on the edge of the housing until you have connected the display and attached the cover plates. This prevents anything from sticking to the adhesive frame beforehand.

• Display Connector
• Earpiece Connector

1. To prevent the sensitive flex cables from being overstretched when connecting the display, place the display on the side of the frame of your iPhone X and lean it against a stable object.
2. Connect the three display connectors by gently pressing them until you feel them click into place.

You may need to press the lower connector with the spudger to make sure it is properly seated.

• Connector
• 1 × 3,0 mm Y-Type
• 3 × 1,0 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 3,6 mm Y-Type

1. Reattach the battery connector.
2. Then put on the bracket plate and fix it with the Y-Type screws.

1. Take the display in both hands and carefully fold it over.
2. Press it down along the frame one by one.

Test the display and other functions of your iPhone before gluing it in place.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

1. Screw the two pentalobe screws to the left and right of the Lightning connector tight.