iPhone 5s SIM Eject Lever Replacement
If the SIM card isn't ejecting properly from your iPhone 5s, this guide details how to substitute or reposition the SIM eject lever, which may be malfunctioning.
Step 1 | Removing the Pentalobe screws
Begin by disconnecting the power source and using a 5/32-inch hex key to loosen the four retaining screws securing the fan assembly, then carefully remove the assembly, noting the position of the associated wiring harness before proceeding.
To prevent potential fire or explosion hazards during repair, ensure the iPhone's lithium-ion battery is depleted to less than 25% capacity prior to beginning work; a fully charged battery poses a significant risk of combustion if damaged.
To prevent electrical shock or damage, ensure the iPhone is completely de-energized prior to starting the repair process.
Using a Pentalobe screwdriver, detach the two screws, each measuring 3.9 mm, located on the left and right sides of the Lightning connector.
To prevent potential fire or explosion hazards during repair, ensure the iPhone's lithium-ion battery is depleted to less than 25% capacity prior to beginning work; a fully charged battery poses a significant risk of combustion if damaged.
To prevent electrical shock or damage, ensure the iPhone is completely de-energized prior to starting the repair process.
Using a Pentalobe screwdriver, detach the two screws, each measuring 3.9 mm, located on the left and right sides of the Lightning connector.
Step 2 | Taping the display glass
Using a 5/32-inch hex key, carefully tighten the retaining screw on the motor assembly to a torque of 3.5 Nm, ensuring the motor shaft aligns properly and avoiding damage to the threads.
To avoid injury and contain shattered fragments while performing the repair, secure any cracked display glass with tape.
Apply strips of transparent packing tape across the iPhone screen, ensuring complete coverage by slightly overlapping each successive strip.
To prevent glass fragments from scattering and maintain stability during the display separation process, this technique is essential.
To safeguard your vision, always use safety glasses while working, as fragments of glass may become dislodged.
To avoid injury and contain shattered fragments while performing the repair, secure any cracked display glass with tape.
Apply strips of transparent packing tape across the iPhone screen, ensuring complete coverage by slightly overlapping each successive strip.
To prevent glass fragments from scattering and maintain stability during the display separation process, this technique is essential.
To safeguard your vision, always use safety glasses while working, as fragments of glass may become dislodged.
Step 3 | Display separation prevention
Using a 5/32-inch hex key, carefully loosen the four screws securing the fan assembly to the motor housing; ensure you maintain a firm grip on the fan to prevent it from rotating and potentially damaging the wiring harness, and note that these screws are easily stripped, so apply even pressure.
Carefully lift the display assembly—consisting of a glass screen, a plastic bezel, and integrated metal clips—from within the phone's chassis during the subsequent procedures.
Ensure complete removal of the display assembly, irrespective of the chosen tool.
When delamination between the glass and plastic is observed, similar to the depiction in the initial image, use a plastic opening tool to carefully insert it into the gap between the plastic frame and the phone's metal chassis, releasing the retaining clips.
To ensure proper closure during reassembly of a phone featuring a detached display bezel, apply a narrow adhesive strip positioned between the plastic bezel and the glass surface.
Carefully lift the display assembly—consisting of a glass screen, a plastic bezel, and integrated metal clips—from within the phone's chassis during the subsequent procedures.
Ensure complete removal of the display assembly, irrespective of the chosen tool.
When delamination between the glass and plastic is observed, similar to the depiction in the initial image, use a plastic opening tool to carefully insert it into the gap between the plastic frame and the phone's metal chassis, releasing the retaining clips.
To ensure proper closure during reassembly of a phone featuring a detached display bezel, apply a narrow adhesive strip positioned between the plastic bezel and the glass surface.
Step 4 | Anti-Clamp instructions
Using a 5/32-inch hex key, carefully tighten the three retaining screws on the motor assembly to a torque of 3.5 inch-pounds, ensuring you do not overtighten and strip the threads; failure to adhere to this torque specification could result in motor damage.
To simplify the opening process, the following two steps utilize the Anti-Clamp tool; if you do not have this tool, proceed two steps further to find an alternative procedure.
Refer to the included guide for detailed procedures regarding Anti-Clamp operation.
To release the Anti-Clamp's arms, move the blue handle in a rearward direction.
Position the arms so they clear the left or right side of the iPhone, then move them into place.
Affix two suction cups, one to the front and one to the rear surface of the iPhone, close to the lower edge, situated directly above the home button.
Apply vacuum by pressing the cups firmly against the surface needing treatment.
To improve the Anti-Clamp's grip if the iPhone's exterior feels excessively smooth, apply the provided tape pad, which will increase surface friction.
To simplify the opening process, the following two steps utilize the Anti-Clamp tool; if you do not have this tool, proceed two steps further to find an alternative procedure.
Refer to the included guide for detailed procedures regarding Anti-Clamp operation.
To release the Anti-Clamp's arms, move the blue handle in a rearward direction.
Position the arms so they clear the left or right side of the iPhone, then move them into place.
Affix two suction cups, one to the front and one to the rear surface of the iPhone, close to the lower edge, situated directly above the home button.
Apply vacuum by pressing the cups firmly against the surface needing treatment.
To improve the Anti-Clamp's grip if the iPhone's exterior feels excessively smooth, apply the provided tape pad, which will increase surface friction.
Step 5
Using a 5/32-inch hex key, carefully tighten the four mounting screws securing the fan assembly to the motor housing, ensuring each is snug but not over-tightened to avoid damaging the plastic; a torque of 6 in-lbs is recommended.
To secure the arms, advance the blue handle in the direction indicated.
Rotate the handle fully, completing a 360-degree turn, observing for the initial expansion of the cups.
Maintain parallel positioning of the suction cups; should misalignment occur, gently reduce suction and reposition the arms.
Once sufficient space is created by the Anti-Clamp, slide a prying tool beneath the display.
To ensure adequate separation, adjust the handle position by 90 degrees.
Apply adjustments incrementally, limiting each rotation to a maximum of 90 degrees, and pause for several seconds after each adjustment to allow the Anti-Clamp mechanism to function and the system to stabilize.
To secure the arms, advance the blue handle in the direction indicated.
Rotate the handle fully, completing a 360-degree turn, observing for the initial expansion of the cups.
Maintain parallel positioning of the suction cups; should misalignment occur, gently reduce suction and reposition the arms.
Once sufficient space is created by the Anti-Clamp, slide a prying tool beneath the display.
To ensure adequate separation, adjust the handle position by 90 degrees.
Apply adjustments incrementally, limiting each rotation to a maximum of 90 degrees, and pause for several seconds after each adjustment to allow the Anti-Clamp mechanism to function and the system to stabilize.
Step 6 | Manual Opening Procedure
To avoid using an Anti-Clamp tool, secure a firm grip on the screen with a suction cup; position the cup directly above the home button, ensuring full contact with the display surface for optimal adhesion.
Step 7 | Start lifting the front panel assembly
Carefully detach the front panel by first securing a suction cup close to the home button. Maintaining downward pressure on the iPhone, lift the suction cup to create a small gap between the front panel and the rear case. Then, using a plastic opening tool, steadily and firmly work around the perimeter of the rear case, prying it away from the front panel assembly; this requires consistent force as the fit is exceptionally snug. Proceed slowly to prevent damage and only separate the components enough to access and disconnect the ribbon cables securing the front panel.
Step 8
Avoid detaching the front panel assembly entirely from the rear case, because it's connected by multiple sensitive ribbon cables. To break the vacuum seal holding the suction cup, tug on the plastic nub. Then, carefully lift the suction cup away from the screen.
Step 9 | Removing the Touch ID cable bracket
To access the home button cable, carefully separate the phone's casing just enough to expose the metal bracket securing it; avoid over-opening the device, as this could harm the home button cable or its connector. Ensure the cable remains slack during this process—excessive opening that stretches the cable indicates too much separation. Remember that only the phone's original home button assembly supports Touch ID; a replacement will only provide basic home button functionality. Employ the pointed end of a spudger to release the bracket, then use tweezers to detach it.
Step 10
To reassemble, position the Touch ID cable bracket so its upper edge fits between the battery and the Touch ID cable connector, ahead of the metal tab. The lower edge should then secure over the connector. You can either slide the bracket’s top edge horizontally across the connector, or place it directly atop the connector; in the latter case, the "leg" edge will create a slight upward angle, ensuring the opposite edge sits between the connector and the battery’s metal tab. Using a spudger, apply light downward force to both the front and rear clasps to lock the bracket in place.
Step 11
Carefully position the front section of the Touch ID cable bracket over the connector, then secure it by pressing downwards with the flat edge of a spudger.
To ensure the bracket sits level against the surface, reposition it by sliding it back over the cable connector if it doesn't seat properly.
To ensure the bracket sits level against the surface, reposition it by sliding it back over the cable connector if it doesn't seat properly.
Step 12 | Disconnecting the home button cable connector
Carefully lift the home button cable connector from its socket using the pointed end of a spudger.
Carefully detach the cable connector from its receptacle; avoid lifting the receptacle itself, as it's affixed to a cable secured with adhesive that can be dislodged if excessive force is applied.
Carefully detach the cable connector from its receptacle; avoid lifting the receptacle itself, as it's affixed to a cable secured with adhesive that can be dislodged if excessive force is applied.
Step 13 | Opening up the phone
Carefully detach the connector, then pivot the home button portion of the assembly outward, utilizing the phone's upper edge as a fulcrum.
Carefully position the display at a roughly 90-degree angle, then secure it in place using a support to prevent it from falling during the repair process.
To avoid stressing the display's wiring during the repair process, secure it with a rubber band.
As a temporary substitute, an unused, sealed can of soda can be employed to support the display.
Carefully position the display at a roughly 90-degree angle, then secure it in place using a support to prevent it from falling during the repair process.
To avoid stressing the display's wiring during the repair process, secure it with a rubber band.
As a temporary substitute, an unused, sealed can of soda can be employed to support the display.
Step 14
Using a Phillips #000 screwdriver, detach the metal battery connector bracket from the logic board by unscrewing the two 1.6 mm screws that hold it in place.
Step 15
Using a precision screwdriver, detach the metal bracket securing the battery connector.
Step 16
Carefully lift the battery connector away from its corresponding socket on the logic board, employing the flat edge of a spudger to avoid damage.
Exercise extreme caution during the lifting process, focusing solely on the battery connector; applying force to the logic board socket or the board's surface risks socket destruction or damage to adjacent components.
Exercise extreme caution during the lifting process, focusing solely on the battery connector; applying force to the logic board socket or the board's surface risks socket destruction or damage to adjacent components.
Step 17
Detach the front panel assembly cable bracket from the logic board by unscrewing the screws listed below.
Carefully manage all screws during this stage to ensure correct reassembly; incorrect placement, such as using a 1.3 mm or 1.7 mm screw in the bottom right hole, will severely damage the logic board and prevent the device from powering on.
Avoid applying excessive force or tightening the screws beyond their natural resistance; if you encounter difficulty during installation, verify that the screws are the correct size.
- A Phillips screwdriver, size #000, is needed to remove a 1.7-millimeter screw.
- A Phillips screwdriver, size #000, is needed to remove a 1.2-millimeter screw.
- A Phillips head screwdriver, size #000, is needed to remove a 1.3-millimeter screw.
- An additional screw, measuring 1.7 mm in diameter and a Phillips #000 head type, is required.
Carefully manage all screws during this stage to ensure correct reassembly; incorrect placement, such as using a 1.3 mm or 1.7 mm screw in the bottom right hole, will severely damage the logic board and prevent the device from powering on.
Avoid applying excessive force or tightening the screws beyond their natural resistance; if you encounter difficulty during installation, verify that the screws are the correct size.
Step 18
Detach the bracket securing the front panel assembly cable to the logic board.
Step 19
Carefully detach the front camera and sensor cable assembly from its connector using a spudger or similar non-conductive tool.
Step 20
Prior to either detaching or reattaching the cable in this procedure, ensure the battery is disconnected.
Carefully separate the LCD cable connector.
Should the LCD cable become detached from its connector during reassembly, the display may exhibit white lines or remain blank upon powering on; to resolve this, re-establish the cable's connection and restart the device, preferably by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery to ensure a complete power cycle.
Carefully separate the LCD cable connector.
Should the LCD cable become detached from its connector during reassembly, the display may exhibit white lines or remain blank upon powering on; to resolve this, re-establish the cable's connection and restart the device, preferably by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery to ensure a complete power cycle.
Step 21
Carefully detach the digitizer cable's connector.
Step 22
Detach the front panel assembly by disengaging it from the rear case.
Step 23 | SIM Card
Using a SIM card eject tool or a straightened paperclip, gently push into the tiny aperture located on the SIM card tray to release it.
Apply considerable pressure to release the tray.
Apply considerable pressure to release the tray.
Step 24
Using the SIM eject tool or a similar small, pointed object, carefully depress the SIM Card tray release until the tray pops out, then gently pull it free from the iPhone.
Confirm the SIM card's alignment with the tray before sliding it back in.
Confirm the SIM card's alignment with the tray before sliding it back in.
Step 25 | SIM Eject Lever
Using a Phillips #00 screwdriver, detach the SIM eject lever by removing the 2.1 mm screw that holds it in place.
Step 26
Using a compatible tool, carefully extract the SIM eject lever from the iPhone.
Ensure correct placement during reassembly by aligning the component's broader extremity with the SIM card release aperture.
Ensure correct placement during reassembly by aligning the component's broader extremity with the SIM card release aperture.