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iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement

What you need

  1. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement, iPhone 5s/5c/SE Battery Adhesive Strips: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Before installing new adhesive strips, temporarily connect your new battery and check its alignment in the iPhone.

    • If everything looks good, disconnect the battery and remove it.

  2. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Peel off the large blue film liner and remove it from the adhesive strips completely.

    • Take care not to accidentally touch the adhesive strips after this step. The adhesive is good for one use. If it sticks to your finger or another surface accidentally, it must be discarded and replaced.

    • The blue film sometimes has a defect that prevents it from peeling off, and the strips have to be discarded and replaced.

    • If this happens to you and you got your strips from iFixit, contact us here and we'll send you a replacement on the double.

    • In the meantime, you can temporarily reassemble your iPhone with a bit of double-sided tape to hold the battery.

  3. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • With the exposed adhesive facing down, fold the black tab up at a 90° angle.

  4. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • With the exposed adhesive facing down, carefully align the strips into your iPhone's rear case.

    • Position the black tab very close to, but not quite touching, the the black plastic speaker housing on the bottom right.

    • Set the adhesive strips into the rear case and allow them to stick.

  5. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Press down on each strip to fully adhere it to the rear case, starting from the middle and working outward towards each end.

  6. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Peel away the large pink film liner and remove it completely.

  7. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Without sticking the battery down, lower its connector into the iPhone and align it to its socket on the logic board.

    • Connect the battery.

  8. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Once the battery sticks, you can't reposition or remove it without destroying the adhesive strips and starting over.

    • Carefully position the battery and set it into the iPhone.

    • Leave a small gap (about 2 mm) between the lower edge of the battery and the speaker. This will make it easier to fold down the black tab in a later step.

  9. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Press the battery firmly into place.

  10. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of your spudger or blunt tweezers to fold the black tab downward, tucking it between the lower edge of the battery and the components lining the bottom edge of the iPhone.

    • Be extremely careful not to poke the battery with any sharp tools during this step. Accidentally puncturing a lithium-ion battery can cause a dangerous fire.

  11. iPhone 5s, 5c, and SE Battery Adhesive Strips Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Be sure to disconnect the battery again before reassembling your iPhone.

    • Working on your phone with the battery connected can destroy sensitive components.

Jeff Suovanen

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