Installing iPhone 4 Rear Camera

Removing your iPhone 4's 5 MP rear camera.

  • Add Note x
  • x 37

Use this guide to remove the iPhone's primary rear camera.

Tools (continued)
Relevant parts
first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 1 — Rear Panel  ¶ 

  • Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.

  • Apple has recently substituted the two Phillips screws with 5-Point "Pentalobe" screws. If your iPhone 4 has 5-Point "Pentalobe" screws instead of Phillips, please refer to the second picture.

  • Remove the two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector.

  • During reassembly, we recommend you replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws. Our Liberation Kit provides the tools and screws needed to replace the Pentalobe screws with Phillips screws.

  • The 5-Point Screwdriver should only be used once, as it has the potential to strip the screws.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone.

  • The panel will move about 2 mm.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Lift the rear panel away from the iPhone.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 4 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Remove the single 2.5 mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.

    • Some devices may have two screws, one of which holds down the contact pad which is located above the screw indicated in red in the photo.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2

Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Use an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the battery connector up from the ends closest to the top and bottom edges of the iPhone.

  • Do not pry against the contact clip.

  • Remove the contact clip from the iPhone.

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2
thumb image 3

Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Use the clear plastic pull tab to gently lift the battery out of the iPhone.

  • Be careful when removing the battery with the plastic pull tab. On some units, Apple uses an excessive amount of glue, making it virtually impossible to remove the battery in this fashion (with the tab possibly tearing due to excessive force).

  • For batteries that "stick", you could use the iPod opening tool to assist (take extra care whilst doing so).

  • Remove the battery.

  • Before reconnecting the battery connector, be sure the pressure contact (shown in red) is properly positioned next to the battery connector.

  • Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the pressure contact as well as its contact point on the rear panel with a de-greaser such as windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 7 — Rear Camera  ¶ 

  • Remove the following five screws securing the connector cover to the iPhone:

    • One 2.3 mm Phillips

    • Two 1.6 mm Phillips

    • One 1.4 mm Phillips

    • One 4.8 mm Phillips

first image
thumb image 1
thumb image 2
thumb image 3

Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Use an iPod opening tool to slightly lift the top edge of the connector cover away from the logic board.

  • Use the tip of a spudger to pull the connector cover retaining clips away from the inner frame.

  • Remove the connector cover from the iPhone.

  • Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the connector cover with a de-greaser such as windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Use an iPod opening tool to carefully lift the rear camera connector up off its socket on the logic board.

first image

Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Remove the rear camera from the iPhone.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the iPhone 4 device page.

Did you successfully follow this guide?

This guide has been completed 37 times.

Comments Add Note Comments are offturn on