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Repair information and guides for the Apple iPhone 5s that was announced on September 10, 2013. Model: A1533, A1453, A1457, A1528, A1530, A1518

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Touch ID connector shield

I recently bought a iPhone 5s on eBay with a bad screen, I replaced the screen and moved the home button over to the new screen to keep the Touch ID functionality. This was the first time I had done a screen replacement. After everything was put back together the screen powered on and Touch ID works but the button press didn't work. I found that by putting foil inside the phone so that that Touch ID made contact with the other internals of the phone made it work properly. I then did another 5s screen replacement and noticed a cover over the Touch ID connector that was not on the first phone. I'm assuming the button press issue is a grounding problem and that's what the foil fixed. Does the cover that would normally cover the connector that plugs the home button into the motherboard provide a ground connection for the button to work? As of now the home button doesn't work 100% of the time with the foil and I would like to have it fixed. Could someone please explain how the Touch ID connector shield would affect the home button pressing functionality. If that doesn't have to do with it what else would cause the Touch ID to work but not the press of the home button. Thank you!

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The underside of the Home button (look at this image) is an actuator or switch. When you "press" your home button, the actuator must rest against a solid surface so that it gets compressed and makes an electrical contact. The Home button bracket acts as the solid surface.

If that bracket was not installed, the foil served to fill the gap between the Home button and the bottom of the phone internals and achieved the same effect.

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Even when I "press" the switch with my fingers with the screen off and I can feel it click it doesn't work. But when my finger comes in contact with the circuit on the flex cable it works

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The Home button (not TouchID) will still work even if the screen is not secured to the housing so there is no grounding effect with the bracket.

If you can press the actuator and feel the click but still not have it "do"anything, then you probably have a problem on the flex itself. It could be slightly torn or the tiny components on it may be damaged. Inspect closely with a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass. If you could post a picture that would be great.

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