Fix Your Stuff Community Store

iPhone 11 Pro Max Rear-Facing Cameras Replacement

Written By: Jeff Suovanen (and 2 other contributors)
  • Comments: 3
  • Favorites: 0
  • Completions: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

28

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Sections

4

Flags

0

Introduction

Use this guide to remove and replace the rear cameras in the iPhone 11 Pro Max. All three camera modules are replaced as a single unit.

  1. Before you begin, 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.

    • Before you begin, 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 6.7 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

    • Opening the iPhone's display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

    Edit

  2. Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

    • Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

    • Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

    Edit

  3. The next two steps demonstrate the iSclack, a handy tool that we recommend for anyone doing frequent repairs. If you aren't using the iSclack, skip down two steps for an alternate method. If the plastic depth gauge is attached at the center of the iSclack, remove it now—it's not needed for larger iPhones like the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

    • The next two steps demonstrate the iSclack, a handy tool that we recommend for anyone doing frequent repairs. If you aren't using the iSclack, skip down two steps for an alternate method.

    • If the plastic depth gauge is attached at the center of the iSclack, remove it now—it's not needed for larger iPhones like the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

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

    • Press both suction cups firmly into place.

    • If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere. The iSclack also includes two pieces of tape for this purpose.

    Edit

  4. Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone. Don't try to completely separate the screen; a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need. Insert an opening pick into the gap under the display on the lower edge of the iPhone.

    • Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.

    • Don't try to completely separate the screen; a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap under the display on the lower edge of the iPhone.

    • Skip the next two steps.

    Edit

  5. If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the curved portion of the glass. If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

    • If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the curved portion of the glass.

    • If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

    Edit

  6. Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case. Insert an opening pick into the gap. The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

    • Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap.

    • The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

    Edit

  7. Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place. Don't insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components. Don't insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

    • Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.

    • Don't insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

    Edit

  8. Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive. Don't insert the pick very far, or you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone. Insert it only a few millimeters, or about the width of the display bezel. Don't insert the pick very far, or you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone. Insert it only a few millimeters, or about the width of the display bezel.

    • Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.

    • Don't insert the pick very far, or you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone. Insert it only a few millimeters, or about the width of the display bezel.

    Edit

  9. The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips. Gently pull the right edge of the display down slightly (in the direction of the Lightning port). Insert your pick into the top-right corner of the phone.

    • The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips.

    • Gently pull the right edge of the display down slightly (in the direction of the Lightning port).

    • Insert your pick into the top-right corner of the phone.

    Edit

  10. Continue pulling the display down (toward the Lightning port) as needed in order to make a gap large enough for the pick. Slide the pick to the top left corner and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.

    • Continue pulling the display down (toward the Lightning port) as needed in order to make a gap large enough for the pick.

    • Slide the pick to the top left corner and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.

    • Again, don't insert the pick more than a few millimeters—about the width of the display bezel—or you may damage the front panel sensor array.

    Edit

  12. Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

    • Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

    • If you used an iSclack and it's still affixed to the iPhone, remove it now.

    Edit

  13. Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book. Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board. Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.

    • Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.

    • Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.

    • Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.

    • During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren't bent.

    Edit

  14. Remove two 1.3 mm long Y000 screws securing the battery cover bracket. Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
    Tool used on this step:
    Magnetic Project Mat
    $19.99

    • Remove two 1.3 mm long Y000 screws securing the battery cover bracket.

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

    • During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

    Edit

  15. Remove the bracket.

    • Remove the bracket.

    Edit

  16. Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board. Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.

    • Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.

    • Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.

    • Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

    Edit

  17. Use a Y000 driver to remove six 1.3 mm screws securing the logic board cover bracket. Use a Y000 driver to remove six 1.3 mm screws securing the logic board cover bracket.

    • Use a Y000 driver to remove six 1.3 mm screws securing the logic board cover bracket.

    Edit

  18. Remove the bracket.

    • Remove the bracket.

    Edit

  19. Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the OLED panel cable connector. To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

    • Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the OLED panel cable connector.

    • To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

    Edit

  20. Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector. Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the digitizer cable connector. If any part of your screen doesn't respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there's no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

    • Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

    • Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the digitizer cable connector.

    • If any part of your screen doesn't respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there's no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

    Edit

  21. Remove the display assembly.
    Edit

  22. Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws on the left side of the rear camera cover. Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws on the left side of the rear camera cover.

    • Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws on the left side of the rear camera cover.

    Edit

  23. Remove the Face ID flex cable bracket. During re-assembly, reinstall the bracket so that it keeps the flex cables separate from the battery. Don't try to slide it between the flex cables and the logic board/camera area.

    • Remove the Face ID flex cable bracket.

    • During re-assembly, reinstall the bracket so that it keeps the flex cables separate from the battery. Don't try to slide it between the flex cables and the logic board/camera area.

    Edit

  24. Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.2 mm screws securing the rear camera cover. Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.2 mm screws securing the rear camera cover.

    • Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.2 mm screws securing the rear camera cover.

    Edit

  25. Lift the camera cover from the edge closest to the battery, and remove it. To reinstall the camera cover, follow the images exactly in reverse: first, lower the outside edge until the two protruding tabs on the cover slot securely into the bracket on the outer edge of the camera module. Then, hinge the cover closed. If the two tabs are not seated correctly, the cover will not lay flat.

    • Lift the camera cover from the edge closest to the battery, and remove it.

    • To reinstall the camera cover, follow the images exactly in reverse: first, lower the outside edge until the two protruding tabs on the cover slot securely into the bracket on the outer edge of the camera module. Then, hinge the cover closed.

    • If the two tabs are not seated correctly, the cover will not lay flat.

    Edit

  26. Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the first two camera cable connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets. Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the first two camera cable connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets. Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the first two camera cable connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets.

    • Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the first two camera cable connectors by prying them straight up from their sockets.

    Edit

  27. Use a spudger to disconnect the third camera—its connector lies underneath the cable you disconnected in the previous step. Use a spudger to disconnect the third camera—its connector lies underneath the cable you disconnected in the previous step.

    • Use a spudger to disconnect the third camera—its connector lies underneath the cable you disconnected in the previous step.

    Edit

  28. Slide the point of your spudger under the left edge of the camera assembly. Gently lift up to lever the cameras out of the iPhone.

    • Slide the point of your spudger under the left edge of the camera assembly.

    • Gently lift up to lever the cameras out of the iPhone.

    • The camera assembly is not glued down, but it is firmly press-fit into place.

    Edit

  29. Remove the rear-facing camera assembly.

    • Remove the rear-facing camera assembly.

    Edit
Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 11 Pro Max Answers community for help.

8 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Jeff Suovanen

Member since: 08/06/2013

377,677 Reputation

260 Guides authored

Badges: 48

+45 more badges

Team

iFixit Member of iFixit

Community

146 Members

17,249 Guides authored

One Comment

Great guide, everything worked well. Was able to replace the rear camera on the iPhone 11 pro max w/o any problems.

Cal - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 25

Past 7 Days: 174

Past 30 Days: 801

All Time: 13,217