Teardown difficulty:
Moderate
Duration:
19 min

Recommended tools

Disassembly/Repair of the mobile device Apple iPhone 7 (iPhone 7 A1660, A1778, A1779) with each step description and the required set of tools.


Author, currently - Quality Assurance Specialist


How to disassemble Apple iPhone 7, Step 1/1

Step 1. Before disassembling!

⚠ī¸ Before disassembling, do not forget to turn your phone off.


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Step 2. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (precision star-shaped 0.8 mm aka Pentalobe), unscrew/drive two screws out at the end of the phone.


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Step 3. Remove the tray

Use the Key tool (aka Needle) or Paperclip. Push the tip all the way into the hole until the tray ejects, and then pull the SIM card tray out.

⚠ī¸ Pay attention! The tool must be inserted into a hole on the edge of the phone's housing. Do not press too hard. It may break the tray eject mechanism.


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Step 4. Open the display module

We recommend using a special heating device such as a separator machine, heat gun, or heating mat. It will simplify the process. You can use a home hairdryer, but you will have to make a nozzle by hand or have a suitable one in the kit to gently heat and concentrate the heat flow in the right place.

ℹī¸ī¸ The surface of the display module must be heated to soften the adhesive underneath. The approximate heating temperature is 50° C / 125° F.

Do not use a lever or any force for separation that could damage the elements inside.

The process can be seen in our video entirely so as well as in detail, at the end of the instructions.


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Step 5. Remove the bracket

Using a screwdriver (Tri-point Y00), unscrew the 4 screws and remove the bracket holding the connectors.


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Step 6. Disconnect the battery connector

Disconnect the battery connector as soon as possible.

ℹī¸ī¸ The Apple iPhone 7 model has a battery 616-00259 with 1960 mAh capacity (aka rechargeable battery).

⚠ī¸ It is highly recommended to disconnect the connector to avoid possible short circuits during disassembly.

Also, try not to use a metal tool to disconnect the rechargeable battery connector or do it carefully.


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Step 7. Remove the bracket

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the two screws and remove the bracket holding the connectors.


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Step 8. Disconnect the connectors

Pry up the connectors and remove the display module.


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Step 9. Open the cover

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the two screws and remove the cover.


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Step 10. Disconnect the connector

Pry up the vibration motor connector.


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Step 11. Remove the vibration motor

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the three screws and remove the taptic engine, aka vibration motor.


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Step 12. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the four screws.


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Step 13. Disconnect the connectors

Pry up the two coaxial cable connectors.


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Step 14. Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker assembly with one coaxial cable.


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Step 15. Remove the bracket

Using a screwdriver (Tri-point Y00), unscrew the two screws and remove the bracket holding the connector.


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Step 16. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew the four screws and remove the antenna.


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Step 17. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew two screws and remove the antenna.


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Step 18. Remove the bracket

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew two screws and remove the camera bracket.


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Step 19. Remove the rear camera

Pry up the connector and remove the rear camera.


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Step 20. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips 1.5 mm PH000), unscrew two screws.


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Step 21. Unscrew the screws

Using a screwdriver (Phillips iPhone 2.5 mm), unscrew four screws.


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Step 22. Remove the antenna

Carefully remove the antenna.


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Step 23. Disconnect the connectors

Disconnect the connectors for the volume and power buttons, the lightning port and the microphone, and the GPS antenna unit.

⚠ī¸ Do not pull on the cable or pry it with a sharp tool, the connectors are pretty weak and break easily, or the cable falls out of the end (lug).


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Step 24. Remove the motherboard

Carefully remove the printed circuit board. There is no need to use a lever or try to reach the board by force. Make sure that nothing is getting in the way or holding the board.

⚠ī¸ Do not bend the circuit board when removing it or push tools under it. Unbeknownst to yourself, you can damage components or cables from the inside.


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Step 25. In the housing remained

ℹī¸ī¸ In the housing remained: cables, battery, microphones, lightning port.

Detailed disassembly instructions of Apple iPhone 7 in the video, made by our mobile repair & service center:

If you have a question, ask us, and we will try to answer in as much detail as possible. If this article was helpful for you, please rate it.


Disassembling\Repair has hard complexity and takes about 19 minutes in time. Our manual is suitable for all models Apple iPhone 7 — Apple iPhone 7 A1660, A1778, A1779 released for markets in different countries.



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