iPhone 5: Replace Lightning connector

If your iPhone 5 no longer charges properly or is not recognized by the PC, you need to change the Lightning connector. Our instructions will help you with this.

Replacing the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 - preparation

• You can improvise with most tools, but you can't avoid the screwdriver.
• The following tool set from iDoc costs 34 euros and has everything you need for an exchange. Screwdriver, suction cup and plastic pick are the most important utensils.
• All screws and components that you remove should be put aside sorted. So in the end you don't have to look for the right screw for long.

Step 1: detach the display from the iPhone 5

Note: Lay your iPhone in front of you as if you were using it. Then you know what is meant by top and bottom as well as left and right in this manual.

1. Turn off the iPhone and loosen the two screws on the left and right of the Lightning connector.
2. If possible, place the suction cup over the home button, otherwise next to the home button.
3. Pull on the suction cup so that the display comes off easily. Slide the plastic pick into the now visible gap between the housing and the display.
4. First loosen the lower part and then run the pick around the housing once so that the complete display is released.
5. If the display is detached from the housing, fold it up. It is still connected with a cable here.
6. At the top right you will find a slightly larger metal plate next to the battery. This is attached with three screws below. Loosen all screws.
7. You will find a total of three connections under the metal plate. Loosen them very carefully with the plastic pen. The display can now be removed.

Step 2: remove the battery

1. In the lower third you will find two elongated metal plates on the right side. Remove the bottom two of the three screws.
2. Lift the lower metal plate with the plastic pin and remove it. Below you will find the connection from the board to the battery. Also remove this connection with the plastic pin.
3. You can now remove the battery with the flat side of the metal pen. Since this is glued, you need a little patience when prying it out. If the battery is very glued, you can use a hair dryer to soften the adhesive a little from the bottom.

Step 3: disconnect the Lightning connector

• At the point of the last screw you removed, you will find a thin cable. Remove it carefully.
• The Lightning connector is secured with two screws. Diagonally above the left screw, loosen the slightly glued connection to the home button.
• In the lower part (below the battery) you will find a total of seven screws. Remove all of these screws.
• There is a silver cover on the left above the Lightning connector. Loosen them with the plastic pen.
• At the bottom right you can see the speaker. Lift the component only slightly and try to turn it slightly. This makes it very easy to remove.
• When removing the battery, we only removed two of three screws. Now remove the third screw and the second metal plate. Below you will find a flat cable that can be detached with the plastic pen.

Step 4: replace the Lightning connector

• The flat ribbon cable just loosened runs where the loudspeaker was located. Right here it is glued to a point. Solve this point with the metal pin.
• The cable can now be easily removed. The Lightning connector, including the microphone and headphone jack, is also released.
• There are several washers under the component. Make sure that they do not leave your place.
• You have to transfer the following things from the old component to the new component: The microphone rubber seal to the left of the Lightning connector, the thin cable, and the adhesive films on the thin and flat cable.
• Now you can insert the new component and follow the instructions backwards again.

In the next practical tip, we will show you how to set your own music on your iPhone as a ringtone.