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iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement

What you need

  1. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Taping the display glass: step 1, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Taping the display glass: step 1, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Taping the display glass: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

    • Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.

    • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

  2. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Remove the Pentalobe screws: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Before you proceed, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

    • Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

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

  3. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, How to prevent display separation: step 3, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, How to prevent display separation: step 3, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, How to prevent display separation: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • In the following steps you will be pulling the display up out of the phone body. The display is composed of a glass screen and a plastic bezel with metal clips.

    • Regardless of the tool you use, you need to be sure you pull up the entire display.

    • If the glass begins to separate from the plastic, as shown in the first image, slide a plastic opening tool between the plastic frame and the metal phone body to pry the metal clips out of the case.

    • If you are reassembling a phone with a separated display bezel, you may want to place a thin strip of adhesive between the plastic bezel and the glass to keep the phone closed.

  4. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 4, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 4, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 4, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Anti-Clamp
    $24.95
    Buy
    • The next two steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down two steps for an alternate method.

    • For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.

    • Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.

    • Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.

    • Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone just above the home button—one on the front, and one on the back.

    • Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.

    • If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use tape to create a grippier surface.

  5. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Pull the blue handle forwards to lock the arms.

    • Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.

    • Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

    • Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.

    • If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle a quarter turn.

    • Don't crank more than a quarter turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.

    • Skip the next two steps.

  6. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Manual Opening Procedure: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Press a suction cup onto the screen, just above the home button.

    • Be sure the cup is completely on the screen to get a tight seal.

    • If you're opening an iPhone with cracked glass, neatly lay a couple strips of packing tape across the front and squeeze out as many bubbles as you can. This will give the suction cup a surface to grab, and minimize the spread of broken glass.

  7. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Start lifting the front panel assembly: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Make sure the suction cup is firmly attached to the front panel assembly.

    • While holding the iPhone down with one hand, pull up on the suction cup to slightly separate the front panel assembly from the rear case.

    • Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The screen is a much tighter fit than most devices.

    • With a plastic opening tool, begin to gently pry the rear case down, away from the screen, while you pull up with the suction cup.

    • There are several clips attaching the front panel assembly to the rear case, so you may need to use a combination of the suction cup and plastic opening tool to free the front panel assembly.

  8. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Detaching the front panel side clips: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Continue to pry up around the sides of the front panel assembly, detaching the clips along the left and right side.

  9. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Opening up the phone: step 9, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Opening up the phone: step 9, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Opening up the phone: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Do not try to completely remove the front panel assembly from the rear case, as there are several ribbon cables still attached at the top of the iPhone.

    • Once the clips have been released on the bottom and sides of the front panel assembly, pull the bottom of the assembly away from the rear case.

    • Open the display to about a 90º angle, and lean it against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.

    • Add a rubber band to keep the display securely in place while you work. This prevents undue strain on the display cables.

  10. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Removing the battery connector bracket screws: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following two screws securing the metal battery connector bracket to the logic board:

    • One 1.8 mm Phillips screw

    • One 1.6 mm Phillips screw

  11. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Removing the battery connector bracket: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the metal battery connector bracket from the iPhone.

  12. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Disconnecting the battery connector: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Use a plastic opening tool to gently pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.

    • Be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.

    • Be very careful to only pry up on the battery connector itself and not the socket on the logic board. If you pry up on the logic board socket or the board itself, you may destroy the socket or damage nearby components on the board.

  13. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Removing the front panel assembly cable bracket screws: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following screws securing the front panel assembly cable bracket to the logic board:

    • Two 1.2 mm Phillips screws

    • One 1.6 mm Phillips screw

    • This screw tends to not be attracted to a magnetized screwdriver. Take care not to lose it when removing, and make sure it gets back into the right place—a magnetized screw may interfere with the compass.

  14. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Removing the front panel assembly cable bracket: step 14, image 1 of 2 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Removing the front panel assembly cable bracket: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Lift the display cable bracket toward the battery to unhook it, and remove it from the iPhone.

    • During reassembly, clip the left-hand hooks under the logic board and lower the bracket towards the outside of the phone.

  15. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Disconnecting the front panel assembly cables: step 15, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Disconnecting the front panel assembly cables: step 15, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Disconnecting the front panel assembly cables: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cables in this step.

    • Use a plastic opening tool or a fingernail to disconnect the three front panel assembly cables:

    • Front-facing camera and sensor cable

    • LCD cable

    • Digitizer cable

    • When reassembling your phone, the LCD cable may pop off the connector. This can cause white lines, or nothing at all to appear when powering your phone back on. If that happens, simply reconnect the cable and power cycle your phone. The best way to power cycle your phone is to disconnect and reconnect the battery.

  16. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Separating front panel assembly and rear case: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the front panel assembly from the rear case.

  17. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Lifting the battery: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Use the exposed clear plastic pull tab to peel the battery off the adhesive securing it to the iPhone.

    • If you are having trouble peeling the battery up or if the tab breaks, apply a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery.

    • Wait about one minute for the alcohol solution to weaken the adhesive. Use an opening tool to gently lift the battery by its edge.

    • Don't try to forcefully lever the battery out. If needed, apply a few more drops of alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never deform or puncture the battery with your pry tool.

    • If there's any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.

    • If you still have trouble peeling the battery up, use an iOpener or hair dryer to heat the rear case of the iPhone and soften the adhesive.

    • Overheating the iPhone may ignite the battery.

  18. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Prying up the battery: step 18, image 1 of 2 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Prying up the battery: step 18, image 2 of 2
    • Use the plastic opening tool to gently pry the battery up, only at the outside edge of the phone. Prying anywhere else, especially near the logic board, may result in damage to the logic board.

    • If the battery doesn't pry easily out of the case, apply a few more drops of isopropyl alcohol.

    • Pry gently and evenly to avoid deforming the battery. A bent battery can be a fire hazard.

    • Do not pry at the top portion of the battery, you risk severing the volume control cables.

  19. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Removing the battery: step 19, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the battery.

    • If your replacement battery came in a plastic sleeve, remove it before installation by pulling it away from the the ribbon cable.

    • Before you adhere the replacement battery, temporarily reconnect the battery connector to the motherboard socket. This ensures that the battery is properly aligned in its recess.

    • Adhere the battery, disconnect it, and continue reassembling your device.

    • During reassembly, make sure the battery is seated firmly against the rear case. This will prevent any damage to other components when reinstalling the front panel assembly.

    • Perform a hard reset after reassembly. This can prevent several issues and simplify troubleshooting.

  20. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement, Vibrator: step 20, image 1 of 1
    • Remove two screws securing the vibrator bracket to the rear case:

    • Single 2.3 mm Phillips screw

    • Single 1.7 mm Phillips screw

  21. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the vibrator bracket from the rear case.

  22. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the 1.6 mm Phillips screw securing the vibrator to the top inside of the rear case.

  23. iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 iPhone 5 Vibrator Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the vibrator from the rear case.

Conclusion

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

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Andrew Optimus Goldheart

Member since: 10/17/09

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3 Comments

Hi, I've repaired my Iphone 5 from an other repair. After the repair the vibrator didn't work anymore, all the settings were correct. So I thought the motor was broken and had a spare one from another repaired phone. I replaced it and still nothing happened.

For my last resort I tried to reset all settings and suddenly it started working again!

So before you try to take your phone apart please try this method first and save a lot of time with this method.

stefanschoemaker - Reply

-edit

found the setting that was causing the trouble.

1. go to settings

2. scroll to General

3. click the accesibility tab

4. scroll down to the 4th bar

5. there is an option called vibrate

6. turn this option off

Coulnd't find any answers of this on forums, so I posted it here.

Also I hadn't removed the battery to replace the vibrator, just buy a good screwdriver and it will work.

stefanschoemaker -

After replacing my battery with the I fix it my phone has been acting very strange. The vibrator and the volumes buttons aren't working anymore. Neither is my home button why is this?

Monica Nash - Reply

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