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iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement

Prerequisite Only
This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

What you need

  1. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, Pentalobe Screws: step 1, image 1 of 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.

    • Remove the two 3.4 mm pentalobe screws on 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.

  2. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, iOpener Heating: step 2, image 1 of 2 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, iOpener Heating: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • We recommend that you clean your microwave before proceeding, as any nasty gunk on the bottom may end up stuck to the iOpener.

    • Place the iOpener in the center of the microwave.

    • For carousel microwaves: Make sure the plate spins freely. If your iOpener gets stuck, it may overheat and burn.

  3. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Heat the iOpener for thirty seconds.

    • Depending on the wattage of your microwave, more or less time may be required. The iOpener is sufficiently heated when it's barely too hot to touch.

    • Throughout the repair procedure, as the iOpener cools, reheat it in the microwave for an additional thirty seconds at a time.

    • Be careful not to overheat the iOpener during the repair. Overheating may cause the iOpener to burst. Do not attempt to heat over 100ËšC (212ËšF).

    • Never touch the iOpener if it appears swollen.

    • If the iOpener is still too hot in the middle to touch, continue using it while waiting for it to cool down some more before reheating. A properly heated iOpener should stay warm for up to 10 minutes.

  4. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the iOpener from the microwave, holding it by one of the two flat ends to avoid the hot center.

    • The iOpener will be very hot, so be careful when handling it. Use an oven mitt if necessary.

  5. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, Alternate iOpener heating method: step 5, image 1 of 2 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, Alternate iOpener heating method: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • If you don't have a microwave, follow this step to heat your iOpener in boiling water.

    • Fill a pot or pan with enough water to fully submerge an iOpener.

    • Heat the water to a boil. Turn off the heat.

    • Place an iOpener into the hot water for 2-3 minutes. Make sure the iOpener is fully submerged in the water.

    • Use tongs to extract the heated iOpener from the hot water.

    • Thoroughly dry the iOpener with a towel.

    • The iOpener will be very hot, so be careful to hold it only by the end tabs.

    • Your iOpener is ready for use! If you need to reheat the iOpener, heat the water to a boil, turn off the heat, and place the iOpener in the water for 2-3 minutes.

  6. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, iPhone 7 Opening Procedure: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Heating the lower edge of the iPhone will help soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

    • Use a hairdryer 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.

  7. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Attach a suction cup to the lower half of the display assembly, just above the home button.

    • Be sure the suction cup does not overlap with the home button, as this will prevent a seal from forming between the suction cup and front 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.

  8. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Pull up on the suction cup to create a small gap between the display assembly and the rear case.

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap.

    • The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong, and creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you can fit a spudger inside.

  9. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the spudger to the left along the lower edge of the iPhone.

    • Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the display and rear case.

  10. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the spudger up the left side of the iPhone, starting at the lower edge and moving towards the volume control buttons and silent switch.

    • Do not pry along the top edge of the phone, you risk damaging the plastic clips securing the display.

  11. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Insert the flat edge of a spudger into the bottom right corner of the device.

    • Twist the spudger to widen the gap between the display assembly and the rear case.

    • Slide the flat end of the spudger up the right side of the phone to break up the adhesive holding the display in place.

    • Do not insert the spudger further than the adhesive to avoid damaging delicate ribbon cables along the right edge.

  12. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2
    • Pull up on the suction cup to lift up the display and open the iPhone.

    • Do not raise the display more than 10º as there are ribbon cables along the right edge of the device connecting the display to the logic board.

  13. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Pull up on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.

  14. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Slide an opening pick along the top edge of the iPhone, between the rear case and front panel, to break up the remaining adhesive holding the screen in place.

    • Be careful not to damage the plastic clips on the top edge of the phone.

  15. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Pull the display assembly slightly away from the top edge of the phone to disengage the clips holding it to the rear case.

    • 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.

  16. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, Battery Disconnection: step 16, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Tri-point Y000 Screwdriver
    $5.99
    Buy
  17. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the lower connector bracket.

  18. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Use the point of a spudger to lift the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Bend the connector cable up slightly to prevent it from making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone.

  19. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement, Barometric Vent: step 19, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two 1.9 mm Phillips screws securing the barometric vent to the rear case.

  20. iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 iPhone 7 Barometric Vent Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the vent.

Evan Noronha

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