Motherboard Cover Removal

ID: 155439

Description: This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide...

Steps:

1. Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paperclip into the SIM card tray hole on the left edge of the phone.
2. Push the SIM eject tool into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.
3. Remove the SIM card tray.

4. Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover's right edge for two minutes.
5. A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

6. Flip your phone over so the display is facing up.
7. Apply a suction handle to the middle of the display's left edge, as close to the edge as possible.
8. Place the tip of an opening pick in the small gap between the back cover and the display.
9. Pull up on the suction cup with a strong, steady force and push the opening pick down at a 45 degree angle until it slides into the gap between the back cover and the display.
10. If you're having a hard time inserting the pick, reheat the adhesive with an iOpener and try again.

11. Both adhesive and clips secure the back cover.
12. During steps that involve sliding the opening pick, keep it angled down at a 45 degree angle.
13. Slide the pick along the left edge down to the bottom left corner, and then up to the top left corner, to release the clips and slice the adhesive.
14. Leave the pick inserted in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

15. Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the back cover's top edge for two minutes.

16. Flip your phone over and rotate the pick around the top left corner.

17. Slide the pick along the top edge to release the clips and slice the adhesive.
18. Leave the pick inserted in the top right corner.

19. Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the back cover's left edge for two minutes.

20. Flip your phone over and rotate the pick around the top right corner.

21. Slide the pick along the right edge to release the clips and slice the adhesive.
22. Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

23. Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the back cover's bottom edge for two minutes.

24. Flip your phone over and rotate the pick around the bottom right corner.

25. Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to release the clips and slice the adhesive.

26. Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the fingerprint sensor on the back cover for two minutes.

27. Adhesive secures the fingerprint sensor to the back case.
28. A fragile cable secures the fingerprint sensor to the motherboard. Be very careful during this step to avoid damaging the cable.
29. Press down on the fingerprint sensor with the flat end of a spudger or your finger.
30. While pressing down on the fingerprint sensor, gently pull up the bottom edge of the back cover until the sensor detaches.

31. Lift the back cover up and remove it.
32. If the back cover is still stuck to the frame, slide an opening pick around the entire perimeter until the cover separates completely.
33. During reassembly:
34. This is a good point to test your phone's functionality before sealing it up. Use this guide to run a hardware test. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
35. Apply new adhesive to the perimeter of the underside of the back cover after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and a micro-fiber cloth.

36. The fingerprint reader is secured to the motherboard cover with light adhesive.
37. Insert the flat end of a spudger under the fingerprint sensor.
38. Gently pry up and detach the fingerprint sensor from the motherboard cover.
39. Don't try to remove the fingerprint sensor yet, as it's still attached to the motherboard by a delicate ribbon cable.

40. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven 3.9 mm screws securing the motherboard cover.

41. The motherboard cover is secured with tight clips.
42. Insert the flat end of a spudger in the gap between the frame and the bottom left corner of the motherboard cover.
43. Lift straight up with the spudger to release the clips securing the motherboard.
44. Don't pry against the battery, as this could damage it.
45. This may take take a few attempts. It you're having trouble, try gripping the spudger closer to the flat end.
46. During reassembly, press down around the perimeter of the motherboard cover to engage the clips.

47. Pull the motherboard cover towards the top of the phone to remove it.
48. Make sure to avoid the fingerprint sensor cable when removing the cover, as it can easily rip.