Introduction

If you have to use speakerphone to get audio during a phone call, you may need to replace your earpiece speaker. Follow the steps in this guide to replace the earpiece speaker in an iPhone 6s.

What you need

Step 1 Pentalobe Screws

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Pentalobe Screws: step 1, image 1 of 1

Before disassembling your iPhone, discharge the 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 3.4 mm P2 Pentalobe screws on the bottom edge of the iPhone, on either side of the Lightning connector.

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Step 2 Anti-Clamp instructions

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 2, image 1 of 3

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 2, image 2 of 3

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Anti-Clamp instructions: step 2, image 3 of 3

Tool used on this step:

Clampy - 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 three 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.

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Step 3

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement: step 3, 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, rotate the handle a quarter turn.
Don't crank more than a quarter turn at a time, and wait a few seconds between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next three steps.

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Step 4 Opening Procedure

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Opening Procedure: step 4, image 1 of 1

Tool used on this step:

Clampy - Anti-Clamp

$24.95

Buy

If you don't have an Anti-Clamp, follow the next three steps to use a suction handle.
Apply mild heat to the lower edge of the iPhone using an iOpener or hair dryer for about a minute.
Heat softens the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

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Step 5

Opening the display on the 6s separates a thin strip of adhesive around the perimeter of the display. If you prefer to replace the adhesive, have a set of new adhesive strips ready before you continue. It's possible to complete the repair without replacing the adhesive, and you probably won't notice any difference in functionality.
Apply a suction cup to the lower left corner of the display assembly.
Take care not to place the suction cup over the home button.
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.

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Step 6

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
Take your time and apply firm, constant force. The display assembly is a much tighter fit than most devices and is held down with adhesive.
Pulling too hard may damage the display assembly. Apply just enough pressure to create a small gap between the display assembly and the rear case.
If you have any trouble, heat the front of the iPhone using an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun until it's slightly too hot to touch. This will help soften the adhesive securing the edges of the display.

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Step 7

There is a notch on the underside of the display, just above the headphone jack. This is the safest place to begin prying the phone open.
Place the flat edge of a spudger into the gap between the screen and rear case, directly above the headphone jack.

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Step 8

Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the front panel assembly and the rest of the phone.

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Step 9

Insert the flat end of the spudger on the left side of the phone, between the display assembly and rear case.
Slide the spudger up the side of the phone to separate the adhesive and pop the clips free.

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Step 10

Remove the spudger and reinsert it on the bottom edge, where you pried the phone open.
Slide the spudger to the right, along the bottom edge of the phone.

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Step 11

Slide the spudger up the right side to continue separating the adhesive and popping the display clips free from the iPhone.

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Step 12

Use the suction cup to open the display, breaking the last of the adhesive.
Don't open the display more than 90º, as it is still connected at the top by three cables that may break if stretched.

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Step 13

Pull up on the nub on the top side of the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

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Step 14

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

Gently grasp the display assembly and lift it up to open the phone, using the clips at the top of the front panel as a hinge.
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.
In a pinch, you can use an unopened canned beverage to hold the display.
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the adhesive around the edges of the display.
During reassembly, the camera end of the screen body needs to hook under the edge of the body. The hooks of the screen frame need to be under the rim of the main body and snugged toward the camera end to easily close the cover and have it properly clip.
These hooks are not really a proper hinge but clasps that need to be under the rim of the main phone frame/edge!! This way the screen easily will return to its closed state nicely gently snapping into place.
During reassembly, reverse order for getting the screen clipped back in means pressing along the right side top to bottom corner. Then the left.

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Step 15 Battery Connector

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Battery Connector: step 15, image 1 of 1

Tool used on this step:

Magnetic Project Mat

$19.95

Buy

Remove two Phillips screws securing the battery connector bracket, of the following lengths:
One 2.9 mm screw
One 2.2 mm screw
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

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Step 16

Remove the battery connector bracket from the iPhone.

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Step 17

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.

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Step 18

Push the battery connector away from the logic board until it stays separated from its socket, so as to avoid any accidental connection to the battery while you work.

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Step 19 Unfasten the display cable bracket

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Unfasten the display cable bracket: step 19, image 1 of 1

Remove the following four Phillips screws securing the display cable bracket:
Three 1.2 mm screws
One 2.8 mm screw

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Step 21

Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to disconnect the front camera flex cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

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Step 22

Disconnect the digitizer cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.
When reconnecting the digitizer cable, do not press the center of the connector. Press one end of the connector, then press the opposite end. Pressing in the center of the connector can bend the component and cause digitizer damage.

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Step 23

Make sure the battery is disconnected before you disconnect or reconnect the cable in this step.
Disconnect the display cable by prying it straight up from its socket on the logic board.

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Step 24

Remove the display assembly.
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the adhesive around the edges of the display.

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Step 25 Earpiece Speaker

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement, Earpiece Speaker: step 25, image 1 of 1

Remove the following three Phillips screws securing the earpiece speaker bracket:
Two 2.3 mm screws
One 1.9 mm screw

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Step 26

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement: step 26, image 3 of 3

Lift up and remove the earpiece speaker bracket, peeling up the bracket gasket as you go.
Peel up the gasket carefully, as it is thin and can tear easily.

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Step 27

Use the flat end of a spudger to nudge the front-facing camera from its housing.

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Step 28

Pull back the front-facing camera to access the earpiece speaker.
Remove the earpiece speaker.
Be careful not to touch the golden contacts as you remove and replace the speaker. Oil from your skin can interfere with the contacts and interrupt the connection. If you accidentally touch them with your skin, wipe them off with a little isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) before reinstalling them.

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Conclusion

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

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Evan Noronha

Member since: 02/05/15

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9 Guide Comments

Very rarely do you have to replace these guys. If your earphone piece ever seems to go quiet on you then most likely it is just dirt that is clogging the grill between the ear piece and your ear. To fix this you need to remove the ear piece and clean out the grill from the ear piece side with a toothbrush and alcohol. Dont attempt this while the screen is on because you can either destroy the ear piece or also just clog it.

Gadget Tech - PDX - Feb 26, 2017 Reply

i broke the bracket gasket when trying to wrap it back around when putting it back together, is it necessary for the overall function of the phone?

Michelle Kuhn - Apr 20, 2017 Reply

I did the same thing last night and I am also wondering if it is vital to keep intact?

iPhone 6s Earpiece Speaker Replacement

Introduction

What you need

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