Category Archives: TearDown

How to disassemble (teardown) Apple products such as iPhone and more.

Top Repair Tools Every Tech Needs to Work On Smartphones and Computers

Smartphones and computers have become indispensable in our daily lives, but they’re prone to malfunctions and breakdowns. To repair these devices efficiently, technicians require the right tools. In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential tools every technician needs for smartphone and computer repair. If you’d rather just leave it to the pros, visit a trusted repair shop like iFixYouri. You may also want to check our post about Common Smartphone Repairs.

top repair tools
Photo by Joel Rohland on Unsplash

Top Repair Tools: Precision Screwdriver Set

Smartphones and computers contain numerous small screws of varying sizes and shapes. Therefore, technicians must utilize a precision screwdriver set with interchangeable tips to disassemble these devices safely and efficiently. Some technicians prefer dedicated, fixed-head screwdrivers rather than the interchangeable tip version. It’s important to remember that you will probably need more than just a precision Phillips head, as different phones may use different types of screws.

Spudger Set

A spudger is a versatile tool for prying open electronic devices without causing damage. It’s particularly useful for separating tightly-fitted components like smartphone screens or laptop casings. Thus, having a set of plastic spudgers in different shapes and sizes is indispensable for any repair technician.

Suction Cup

Many smartphones and tablets feature glass screens held in place with adhesive. You may have to preheat the adhesive with hot air or a heating pad; there is more on that below. Consequently, a suction cup provides technicians with a secure grip for safe screen removal without damage to the device or its components.

Opening Picks

Opening picks are thin, flexible tools that aid in separating glued or tightly-fitted components. They are invaluable for disassembling devices such as smartphone screens or laptop casings. With a variety of opening picks available, technicians can safely dismantle devices without risking damage.

Heat Gun or Hot Air Rework Station

For screen repairs on tablets or other devices assembled with adhesives, you can start simply with a heating pad. For repairs involving soldering or reworking components, a heat gun or hot air rework station is essential. These tools allow precise application of heat to solder joints and components, facilitating successful repairs without collateral damage. Whether replacing a smartphone charging port or reflowing a laptop motherboard’s graphics chip, a heat gun or rework station is indispensable.

Anti-Static Wrist Strap:

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) poses a risk to sensitive electronic components. Wearing an anti-static wrist strap helps dissipate static electricity safely, protecting both the technician and the devices being repaired. Whether working on smartphones or computers, employing an anti-static wrist strap minimizes ESD-related damage during repairs.

Lighting and Safety Equipment

Good lighting is always important. Electronic components and screws are small, and you need to be able to see what you are doing. Plan some good overhead and task lighting; you’ll be glad you did. Also, don’t skip the safety equipment like gloves, eye protection, and a plan for those rare but serious battery puncture fires. Typically this includes pouring sand, not water, on the fire.

Repairing smartphones and computers demands technical expertise, precision tools, and attention to detail. By equipping themselves with this list of top repair tools, technicians can efficiently handle a wide range of repair tasks.

Whether professionals or DIY enthusiasts, investing in quality tools is crucial for successful smartphone and computer repair endeavors. Of course, if tools and DIY repair are not your thing, you can always bring your devices to a reputable electronics repair shop like iFixYouri.

iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair: How To

Introduction

iPhone 6s Plus Home button replacement is moderately challenging. The screen must be removed and several components and cables must be disconnected. You will note be able to use Touch ID after this repair – a note worth repeating.

Keep in mind that a home button replacement will eliminate the ability to use Touch ID.

Tools Needed

Recommended: Magnetic mat, screw capsules

Parts Needed:

  • iPhone 6s Plus Plus Home Button Assembly [BUY NOW]

General Repair Guidelines:

  • To reduce losing and confusing things, keep your workplace clean and organized.
  • Most screws cannot be interchanged. Group or strategically place your screws (in screw capsules) so you can track them.
  • Work in a well-lit space – smart device components are tiny. You’ll thank yourself for good lighting.

iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Steps

Remove the Screen

  1. Unscrew the pentalobe screws on both sides of the lightning port on the bottom of the iPhone.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 1 -
  2. Using the metal spudger, pry the screen away from the body, starting at the bottom edge of the phone.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 2 -
  3. A flex cable near the top of the phone connects the screen and body, so open it carefully like a notepad.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 3 -

Undo the Flex Cables

  1. Unscrew the silver rectangular shield near the bottom right of the battery. This shield covers the battery cable, which should be disconnected for practically every repair.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 4 -
  2. Disconnect the display flex cable using a plastic spudger. Plastic spudgers, rather than metal spudgers, should always be used for removing items on the inside of the phone.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 5 -

Remove the Home Button

  1. Unscrew the two screws which hold down the home button bracket.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 6 -
  2. Use a spudger to disconnect the home button connector.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 7 -
  3. Push up slowly on home button from the front. Use your spudger to assist in loosening the rubber gasket that holds the button on the screen.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 8 -
  4. Nice work! You have removed the home button on the iPhone 6s Plus.iPhone 6s Plus Home Button Repair Step 9 -

For further help visit the following links:

iPhone 6s Plus repair by iFixYouri Smart Device Repair

iPhone 6s Plus Parts for a DIY repair

iPhone 6s Home Button Repair: How To

Introduction

iPhone 6s Home button repair is moderately challenging. The screen must be removed and several components and cables must be disconnected. Doing this repair will remove functionality of the Touch ID, and I may repeat that.

Keep in mind that a replacement home button will eliminate the ability to use Touch ID.

Tools Needed

Recommended: Magnetic mat, screw capsules

Parts Needed:

General Repair Guidelines:

  • Always use good lighting – smart device components are small and you’ll need plenty of light to see what you are
    doing.
  • Maintain a clean, organized workspace so you don’t lose or confuse any components.
  • Group your screws so you can keep track of where they came from. Most screws can not be interchanged.

iPhone 6s Home Button Replacement Steps

Remove the Screen

    1. Remove the two pentalobe screws on either side of the lightning port on the bottom of the iPhone.
    1. Starting at the bottom edge of the phone, use the metal spudger to pry the screen away from the body.
  1. A flex cable near the top of the phone is connected to the body, so open the screen carefully like a
    notepad.

Undo the Flex Cables

    1. Unscrew the silver rectangular shield near the bottom right of the battery. This shield covers the battery cable, which should be disconnected for practically every repair.
  1. Disconnect display cable flex using a plastic spudger. Plastic spudgers, rather than metal spudgers, should always be used for removing items on the inside of the phone.

Remove the iPhone 6s Home Button

    1. Unscrew the three screws which hold down the home button bracket.
    1. Use a spudger to disconnect the home button connector.
    1. Push up slowly on home button from the front. Use your spudger to assist in loosening the rubber gasket that holds the button on the screen.
  1. That’s it! You have removed the home button on the iPhone 6s.

For further help visit the following links:

iPhone 6s repair by iFixYouri Smart Device Repair

iPhone 6s replacement parts for a DIY repair

iPhone 7 Home Button Repair – The Full Story

In this post, the iPhone 7 is mentioned, but the information applies to the iPhone 7 Plus as well.

In previous versions of the iPhone, home button replacement was a simpler repair. The screen gets removed, a flex cable is disconnected, depending on the model, a shield is removed, and then the home button can be unscrewed and popped out. A replacement home button can then be installed and your phone is back to work. There were some earlier versions of iOS that locked phones with home button repairs done by a third party repair companies, displaying Error 53, but backlash forced Apple to eliminate this behavior in later updates. So let’s learn more about the iPhone 7 home button.

How is the iPhone 7 Home Button Different?

iPhone 7 Home Button Repair - the iPhone 3gs home button
iPhone 3gs Home Button

The home button has long been a part of the iPhone, since the first generation. It offered a quick escape option to get back to the home screen from wherever you may have navigated. Traditionally it was an actual physical button that had a click reaction when depressed. This physical motion was translated into an electronic signal which then traveled to the motherboard, letting it know it was time to leave the current app. In the hands of a professional, replacing these buttons was as simple as if they were buttons on your shirt. In the hands of a professional, replacing these buttons was as simple as sewing buttons on your shirt.

iPhone 7 Home Button Repair - the iPhone 7 home button
iPhone 7 Home Button

The iPhone 7 home button works in tandem with the logic board (Apple’s name for motherboards) and a software lock. So there’s not only hardware design involved with this component; it can be paired only with one specific logic board, as defined by unique coding. Additionally, the iPhone 7 home button is not truly a mechanical button at all. It is an indented fingerprint sensor which provides physical feedback via the Taptic Engine, Apple’s component for providing tactile sensations in the form of vibrations.

Starting with the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the LG G6, and now the iPhone X, phone manufacturers will most likely continue to omit a physical home button to fit more screen within the dimensions of the phone.

What Happens When You Replace an iPhone 7 Home Button?

If you replace the iPhone 7 home button with an after-market replacement part or even a different OEM replacement, you will see a message after booting up, “The home button may need service.” After displaying this message, a temporary fix on-screen home button appears.  You can navigate using this on-screen button, but after you’ve grown accustomed to using the actual button, it feels like a compromise. This Accessibility setting can be activated on any iPhone at any time by turning on AssistiveTouch.

iPhone 7 Home Button Repair - on-screen assistance

Why Does Apple Make Home Button Repair Difficult?

There are two possible schools of thought about why Apple would make the home button unique to each phone. Since the button is software controlled, the software lock closes a security hole. Think of the software lock as another unique physical passcode. If your phone is stolen or lost, nobody would be able to pop a new home button in and bypass your Touch ID.

The other possibility is that Apple is tightening the scope of its proprietary components and tools to grab a larger share of the repair market. Apple makes all the money on iPhone 7 home button repairs, at the expense of third-party repair companies.

What Are Other Options for iPhone 7 Home Button Replacement?

If your iPhone 7 home button no longer works, it must be taken to an official Apple store. The repair technicians at this store will use the Calibration Machine, which is shrouded in secrecy. Without AppleCare+ or a warranty, the repair will cost $319 for an iPhone 7 and $349 for an iPhone 7 Plus.

 

If you are in need of help with your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, visit iFixYouri for an iphone repair. If you need iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus Parts for DIY repair, click here.

iPhone 6 Lightning Port Replacement: How To

iPhone 6 lightning port repair is a moderately difficult DIY repair. In other words, some smartphone repair experience
helps. However, a patient hand can complete the repair successfully with these instructions. Above all, have fun. Let’s
get to it!

Tools Needed

Recommended: Magnetic mat [BUY NOW], screw capsules [BUY NOW]

Parts Needed:

General Repair Guidelines:

  • Always use good lighting – smart device components
    are small and you’ll need plenty of light to see what you are doing.
  • Maintain a clean, organized workspace so you don’t
    lose or confuse any components.

Introduction

Lightning port for the iPhone 6 is relatively easy, but it is buried under several components that must be removed in
sequence. This is an important repair because the lightning port component also holds the headphone jack and
microphone. The clasps holding the screen onto the body near the top are at an angle. The flex cable for the screen is
also towards the top. Keep track of your screws as there are quite a few different ones. Let’s do this.

iPhone 6 Lightning Port Removal Steps

Remove the Screen

  1. After that, unscrew the two pentalobe screws on either side of the lightning dock on the bottom edge of the iPhone 6.
  1. Use the metal spudger to slowly and carefully separate the glass screen of the iPhone from the body. Start on
    the bottom edge of the device and proceed slowly. The flex cable for the screen is at the top.
  2. Slowly pull the top of the screen away from the body and locate the EMI (electromagnetic interference) shield located by the bottom right of the battery.
  3. Unscrew the two screws securing the EMI shield to the logic board and remove it.
  4. Using a spudger, disconnect the battery cable from the logic board.

Remove Loudspeaker, Vibrator

  1. Right next to the lightning port connection there is a small black circle connected by a gold contact to a
    black wire. This is the antenna and it should be disconnected using the spudger.
  2. In the bottom right of the iPhone 6, the loudspeaker sits. It is a larger black component held in place by Four
    Phillips head screws hold it in place. It should be removed next. Unscrew the four screws and gently pry it
    out, using caution to not catch the antenna while you are pulling it out.
  3. After that, we will remove the vibrator, a black rectangle. It runs horizontally under the battery, on the bottom left of the phone. Two Phillips head screws hold it in place.

Remove Microphone Brace, Unscrew Lightning Port

  1. Remove the small black plastic brace that holds the microphone in place between the lightning port and the
    headphone jack.
  2. After that, remove the two screws on the top edge of the headphone jack component, the light grey square in the
    bottom left of your iPhone (above the headphone jack hole).
  3. Next, unscrew the six screws on the sides of the lightning port. They sit symmetrically, three on each side.
  4. You have now completed detaching the lightning port assembly. After that, it can be removed from the housing.
    However, if the microphone sticks, gently pry it with your spudger.
  5. Voila! You completed the mission. Work through
    the steps in reverse to install a new lightning port.

For Help, Repairs, or Parts

In conclusion, if you need parts or tools for this repair, or if this repair is too much to attempt on your own and you
need professional help with your iPhone 6 repair,
contact iFixYouri at 888-494-4349or www.ifixyouri.com.

iPhone 7 Screen Repair: How To Do It Yourself

iPhone 7 screen repair can be accomplished smoothly if you take your time and have the correct tools and equipment.

Tools Needed:

Recommended: Magnetic Mat [BUY NOW],
Screw Capsules [BUY NOW]

Parts Needed:

General Repair Guidelines:

  • Always use good lighting. Smart device components, for instance, are small. You’ll need plenty of light to see
    what you are doing.
  • Maintain a clean,
    organized workspace
    . This prevents losing or confusing any components.
  • Group your screws so you can keep track of where they came from. Most screws cannot be interchanged.
  • Apply enough heat to loosen adhesive. However, take care not to overdo it and damage the device.
  • At any point, if the adhesive becomes hard to separate, apply more heat.
  • After separating adhesive, keep the housing and screen in close proximity until flex cable is disconnected.

Introduction

iPhone 7 screen repair is moderate in difficulty. Several flex cables can be torn easily. Above all, use caution. For
instance, loosening the adhesive that keeps the screen sealed to the body requires properly heating them with a
dehydrator or heat gun. Let’s get to it!

iPhone 7 Screen Repair Step by Step

Before beginning, heat up the device’s interior adhesive strips with a dehydrator, heat gun, or heat mat. Heat guns are
the quickest. However, use caution. It can be easy to overdo it and damage the device.

Open the iPhone 7

  1. Unscrew the two pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the phone on either side of the lightning port.
  2. Use the metal spudger to slowly and carefully separate the screen of the iPhone from the body. Start on the bottom
    edge of the device and proceed slowly.
  3. Continue using the metal spudger or use playing cards or guitar picks to gently separate the adhesive up the sides
    and top. Don’t push too deeply towards the center of the device.
  4. The left side of the screen will open off the body; like a book opened from the back cover. The flex cable
    connecting the screen to the battery will still be attached so open it carefully.

Disconnect the Cables

  1. A silver EMI shield on the mid-right side of the phone needs to be removed. It is held in place by four tri-point
    screws.
  2. After removing the shield, use a spudger to disconnect the battery from the logic board.
  3. Use the spudger to disconnect the display connector flex cable.
  4. Remove the two Philips head screws on the shield over the front panel sensor assembly connector. It is the silver
    shield near the top of the phone with the flex cable coming out of the bottom.
  5. With your spudger, disconnect the black front panel sensor assembly connector cable from the logic board. It is
    the one that connects the screen to the body.
  6. You can now remove the LCD assembly of the iPhone 7 from the body.

Remove the Front Camera and Earpiece

  1. Next, we will remove the three Phillips head screws that hold the silver earpiece bracket on the top of the LCD
    assembly.
  2. Pull the front camera up and out of the way with your spudger or tweezers. Remove the two Phillips head screws
    attached to the earpiece speaker. You can now also remove the earpiece speaker.
  3. Use your spudger to remove the ambient light sensor and proximity sensor. This is a thin cable that is easy to
    tear so use caution.

Remove the Touch ID/Home Button

NOTE: The touch ID must be removed carefully. Failing to remove it safely or breaking it will require visiting
an Apple store.
The touch ID must be removed carefully. Failing to remove it safely or breaking it will
require visiting an
Apple store.

  1. Remove the four pentalobe screws holding the touch ID/home button bracket.
  2. Work your way around the side brackets on the both sides of the assembly, unscrewing all 6 tri-point screws.
  3. Peel the large LCD shield away, starting from the top.
  4. Use your spudger to disconnect the home button cable connector.
  5. Disconnect the underlying connection with caution.
  6. Pry the adhesive holding the touch ID/home button to the back of the digitizer.
  7. The home button is now unattached and can be removed but pushing it forward through the front of the screen.

For Help, Repairs, or Parts

For iPhone 7 Replacement Parts, or if iPhone 7 screen repair
is too much to attempt on your own and you need a repair professional skilled at iPhone
7 Repair
,
contact iFixYouri at 888-494-4349 or www.ifixyouri.com.

How To: iPad Air 2 LCD Removal

Introduction

iPad Air 2 LCD removal is relatively easy to perform if you have some repair experience. Replacing requires transferring the home button, which is moderately difficult. The iPad Air 2 was a solid performer in its hey-day and still holds good value.

Proper attention should be given to safely loosening the adhesive strips with heat. Keep an eye out for the flex cable. So let’s get to it! Text directions are located below the video.

Tools Needed:

  • Metal Spudger [BUY]
  • Phillips Head Screwdriver #000 [BUY]
  • Spudger [BUY]
  • Guitar Pick
  • Dehydrator, Heat gun, or Heat mat

Recommended: Magnetic mat [BUY], screw capsules [BUY]

General Repair Guidelines:

  • Always use good lighting – smart device components are small and you’ll need plenty of light to see what you are doing.
  • Maintain a clean, organized workspace so you don’t lose or confuse any components.
  • Apply enough heat to loosen adhesive but not enough to damage the device.
  • At any point during a repair, if the adhesive becomes hard to separate, apply more heat.
  • After separating adhesive, keep the housing and screen in close proximity until flex cable is disconnected.

iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Steps

Click an image to enlarge

Heat up the device’s interior adhesive strips with a dehydrator, heat gun, or heat mat. Heat guns are the quickest, but use caution as it can be easy to overdo it and damage the device. Use the metal spudger to slowly and carefully separate the screen of the iPad from the body. Start on the bottom edge of the device and proceed slowly.

iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 1 iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 1b

Continue using the metal spudger or use playing cards or guitar picks to gently separate the adhesive up the sides and top. Don’t push too deeply towards the center of the device.

iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 2 iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 3

The screen is connected via flex cable, so do not pull the LCD far from the body. Unscrew the screw connecting the battery to the logic board.

iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 4 iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 5

Slide a guitar pick between the connection to ensure no power travels from battery to logic board during repair.iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 6

Unscrew the screws holding the shield over the flex cable connections.iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 7

Disconnect the two flex cables connecting the LCD panel and the logic board.

iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 8 iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 9

Voila! You have removed the LCD assembly of the iPad Air 2. If you have a replacement LCD, just work through the steps in reverse. You will need to switch over the home button for touch ID functionality, which is considerably more challenging.iPad Air 2 LCD Removal Step 10

For Help, Repairs, or Parts

If you need parts or tools for this repair, or if this repair is too much to attempt on your own and you need a repair professional skilled at iPad Air 2 repair, contact iFixYouri at 888-494-4349 or www.ifixyouri.com.

iPhone 6 Battery Replacement: How To Guide

Introduction

iPhone 6 Battery replacement is relatively easy. The clasps holding the screen onto the body near the top are at an
angle. The flex cable for the screen is also towards the top but you will not need to disconnect it to replace the
battery.

There are two strips of white adhesive under the battery that are a nuisance to remove but it is much harder to try to
pry the battery out without doing so. Let’s do this.

Exercise caution when working with batteries, especially swollen
ones
.

Tools Needed

  • Metal Spudger [BUY]
  • Pentalobe Screwdriver #000 [BUY]
  • Spudger [BUY]
  • Tweezers [BUY]
  • Tape [BUY]

Recommended: Magnetic mat [BUY],
screw capsules [BUY]

Parts Needed

iPhone 6 Replacement Battery [BUY]

General Repair Guidelines:

  • Always use good lighting – smart device components are small and you’ll need plenty of light to see what you
    are doing.
  • Maintain a clean, organized workspace so you don’t lose or confuse any components.
  • After separation, keep the back housing and screen in close proximity until all flex cables or other wire
    cables are disconnected.

iPhone 6 Battery Removal Steps

  1. Unscrew the two pentalobe screws on either side of the lightning dock on the bottom edge of the iPhone 6.

2. Use the metal spudger to slowly and carefully separate the glass screen of the iPhone from the body. Start on
the bottom edge of the device and proceed slowly. The flex cable for the screen is at the top.

3. Slowly pull the top of the screen away from the body and locate the EMI (electro magnetic interference) shield
located by the bottom right of the battery.

  1. Unscrew the two screws securing the EMI shield to the logic board and remove it.

  1. Using a spudger, disconnect the battery cable from the logic board.

  1. The next steps involve removing the adhesive tape underneath the battery to make it easier to remove. Slide one
    tip of your tweezers under the black adhesive strip at the bottom of the battery. Each black strip runs halfway
    across the bottom of the battery.

  2. Now roll your tweezers away from the battery while simultaneously pulling the tape out from underneath the
    battery.

  3. Continue to pull the tape out from underneath the battery and roll it around the tweezers. It may help to pull
    diagonally out from the corner as the tape runs up the full height of the battery.

  4. If the white tape snaps apart you may need to use a spudger to carefully pry the battery up. Continue using a
    combination of tweezers and the spudger to separate the battery from the body of the iPhone. You will have to
    repeat the process to remove the second strip of tape.

  5. Now you can remove the battery. Use a small length of some adhesive tape to secure the new battery in place.
    Reconnect the battery cable to the motherboard and screw the EMI shield back on.

  1. Reattach the screen by angling the top in first and then clicking the side clasps into place. Replace the two
    screws by the lightning dock. That’s it! You’re done.

For iPhone 6 Battery Help, Repairs, or Parts

If you need parts or tools for this repair, or if this repair is too much to attempt on your own and you need
professional help with your iPhone 6 repair,
contact iFixYouri at 888-494-4349or www.ifixyouri.com.