iPhone 13 - Replacing the Lightning connector

Before repairing, we recommend that you use our checklist to test the basic functions of your iPhone 13. This way you can check afterwards if your repair was successful.

1. Press and hold the side and volume down key simultaneously for a few seconds.
2. Wipe the displayed slider from left to right.

1. In the next step, remove the SIM tray from the case frame by pressing with a SIM tool, or another pointed object into the small round opening next to it.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

Once you open your iPhone its specified IP68 certification will expire.

We recommend using a screw storage to keep all disassembled parts and screws safe and organized. Our magnetic pad has the additional advantage that nothing can move on it.

1. Unscrew the two Pentalobe screws left and right of the Lightning connector.
2. Then put them into a screw storage.

The screen of the iPhone 13 is heavily glued. In order to remove it, you first have to heat the adhesive sufficiently with hot air. For this, use a hot air device, such as a hot air dryer or an ordinary hair dryer.

1. Run a hot air device evenly over the edge of the screen.

We recommend a flat pick to insert between the screen and the case unit. Alternatively, the iPlastix and iFlex can be helpful as well.

1. Attach a suction cup to the lower edge of the screen and pull it firmly upwards to create a narrow gap between the screen and the case unit.
2. Insert a flat, stable tool into the gap to enlarge it.

Do not insert your tool too far on the side of the volume buttons to avoid damaging any cables inside the device.
Be careful not to open the screen too far while the sensitive screen cables are still attached.

1. Move the plastic tool once around the edge of the screen. Press it upwards at the same time to release its hooked lugs from the case unit.
2. When the screen is completely detached, you can carefully unfold it towards the volume buttons. Lean it against a stable object.

• 4 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.6 mm Phillips

To remove the screen completely, you have to detach the battery connector as well as the two screen connectors. These are located under two cover plates.

The upper cover plate is hooked on one side.

1. Unscrew the six screws from the two cover plates and put them in your screw storage.
2. Then carefully remove the plates from your device with a pair of tweezers.

• Connector

1. Use a plastic lever tool to move under the connector and carefully separate it from the board. We use a plastic spudger for this.

• Connector

1. Pry the two screen connectors carefully off the logic board with a spudger.
2. Then put the fully detached screen aside.

• 4 × 1.6 mm Phillips

1. Loosen the four Phillips screws of the speaker.
2. Then take the speaker out of your device.

• 2 × 2.1 mm Phillips

1. Loosen the two Phillips screws from the cover plate installed above the connector of the Taptic Engine.
2. Remove the loosened cover plate from the device.

• Connector

The connector of the Taptic Engine lies slightly recessed in the case unit. Therefore, it is a bit more difficult to detach than the other connectors of the iPhone 13.

1. Carefully separate the connector from the logic board with a spudger or ESD tweezers.

• 1 × 2.1 mm Phillips

1. Unscrew the single Phillips screw that holds the Taptic Engine in place.
2. Then take the loosened Taptic Engine out of the device and put it aside.

• Connector

1. Use a spudger to carefully separate the connector of the SIM module from the logic board.

• 1 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 2 × 3.1 mm Standoff

1. Unscrew the three screws that secure the SIM module in the case.
2. Take carefully lever the loosened module out of the device with tweezers.

• Connector

Before you can remove the logic board, you first have to detach all eleven connectors on it. Note that in some cases two connectors are located underneath each other.

1. Carefully separate the connectors from the board with a spudger.

• 1 × 1.6 mm Phillips
• 1 × 3,9 mm Standoff
• 1 × 3,3 mm Standoff

Be careful not to damage any connectors when removing the logic board. It is best to hold them aside with tweezers for this purpose.

1. Loosen the three screws that hold the board in the case.
2. Then carefully take the logic board out of the device.

• 1 × 1.2 mm Phillips

Before you can detach the Lightning connector, you first have to remove the barometric valve. It lies underneath a cover plate.

1. Loosen the single Phillips screw that fixes the cover plate above the barometric vent.
2. Then put the removed plate aside.

• 2 × 3.2 mm Standoff

The barometric vent is slightly glued to the edge of the case. To loosen it more easily, you can heat it briefly with hot air.

1. Lever the vent cap of the barometric vent and the small golden microphone out of their guide with a pair of tweezers.
2. Then loosen the two Standoff screws that secure the vent and take it out of the device.

• 2 × 2.8 mm Standoff
• 2 × 3.2 mm Phillips
• 2 × 1.1 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.2 mm Phillips

Make sure that the screwdriver is seated correctly, especially for the screws on the sides of the case frame. Otherwise, they can easily be rounded.

1. Loosen all remaining screws. Start with the two Standoff screws.
2. Continue with the four Phillips screws on the sides.
3. Finally, unscrew the single Phillips screw at the lower left edge of the case.

When detaching the Lightning jack and the sensors from the bottom edge of the case, be especially careful not to damage anything.

1. Heat the glued cable of the Lightning connector and loosen it piece by piece from the case bottom with a steel spatula.
2. Then also carefully detach the Lightning jack and the remaining sensors from the case frame and put the completely loosened Lightning connector aside.

Look at the small metal loops on the Lightning connector to see if they can be hooked to the edge of the case.

1. Insert the new Lightning connector into your iPhone 13 and press it firmly. The glue left on the bottom of the case unit should be enough to securely attach it again.
2. Then press the Lightning jack as well as the sensors back into their guides on the case frame. They all have to sit level, so that the following components can be inserted properly.

• 2 × 1.1 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 2 × 3.2 mm Phillips
• 2 × 2.8 mm Standoff

Be careful not to mix up the screw lengths. A too long screw in the wrong place may damage the device.

1. Fix the Lightning connector with the screws again. Start with the Phillips screws.
2. Now also tighten the two Standoff screws.

• 2 × 3.2 mm Standoff

Make sure that the barometric vent is properly inserted into the edge of the case.

1. Reinsert the barometric vent and secure it with the two Standoff screws.
2. Then press the vent cap and the small golden microphone back into their guides.

• 1 × 1.2 mm Phillips

In order to prevent the cover plate from moving back and forth when screwing, you should fix it with a pair of tweezers.

1. Put the cover plate back on the barometric vent and fix it with the remaining Phillips screw.

• 1 × 1.6 mm Phillips
• 1 × 3.9 mm Standoff
• 1 × 3.3 mm Standoff

Make sure not to pinch any connectors when inserting the logic board. It is best to hold them aside with a pair of tweezers.

1. Put the logic board back into the case. Make sure that it sits level.
2. Then fix it again with the three screws.

• Connector

Never press down connectors with force. Damage can lead to the failure of an entire component.

Do not connect the battery yet.

1. Reattach all connectors to the logic board by carefully pressing them down. You should hear and feel them click into place.

• 1 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 2 × 3.1 mm Standoff

1. Place the SIM module back in place and screw it tight.

• Connector

1. Reconnect the SIM module by carefully pressing its connector onto the logic board.

• 1 × 2.1 mm Phillips

1. Insert the Taptic Engine into your iPhone 13.
2. Fix it with the single Phillips screw.

• Connector

1. Reattach the connector of the Taptic Engine to the logic board by pressing it gently. You should hear and feel it click into place.

• 2 × 2.1 mm Phillips

In order to prevent the cover plate from moving back and forth when screwing, you should fix it with a pair of tweezers.

1. Place the cover plate over the connector of the Taptic Engine again.
2. Screw it in place with the two Phillips screws.

• 4 × 1.6 mm Phillips

1. Place the speaker back in the rear case.
2. Screw it in place with the four Phillips screws.

If the adhesive frame is still in good condition, you do not need to install a new one. However, if it is defective or no longer sticks properly, we recommend replacing it with a new one.

1. Heat up the adhesive frame and pull it off bit by bit with a pair of tweezers.
2. Remove the carrier film of the adhesive frame and press it onto the edge of the case.
3. Then remove the protective film from the upper side of the adhesive frame. The remaining protective film on the edge of the case should only be removed shortly before the end of the repair.

• Connector

Never press down connectors with force. Damage can lead to the failure of an entire component.

1. Lean the screen back against a stable object to connect it.
2. Carefully press the two screen connectors onto the logic board one after the other. You should hear and feel them click into place.

• Connector

Always connect the battery last to avoid a potential short circuit.

1. Carefully press the connector onto the logicboard, so that you can hear and feel it click into place.

Before you close your iPhone 13 for good, we recommend testing the new Lightning connector as well as other basic functions of your phone. This way, you can make sure that your repair was successful. Again, use our checklist for this.

1. Carefully fold the screen around, but do not press it into the case yet.
2. Turn on your iPhone and check if it loads and if it is recognized by your Mac/PC.
3. If something does not work properly, check again if everything is installed and attached correctly.

• 4 × 1.2 mm Phillips
• 1 × 1.7 mm Y-Type
• 1 × 1.6 mm Phillips

Be careful not to mix up the screw lengths. A too long screw in the wrong place may damage the device.

The upper cover plate is additionally hooked on one side.

1. Position the two cover plates over the connectors. The screw holes help you with the alignment.
2. Screw the cover plates in place. Fix them with tweezers, so that they do not move.

When folding down the screen make sure not to pinch any flex cables.

1. If you have applied a new adhesive frame, peel off the remaining protective film at this point.
2. Flip the screen around and press it firmly into the case frame, so that it sits level all over. You should hear and feel it click into place.
3. Finally, heat the edge of the screen with hot air in order for the adhesive to bond properly again.

• 2 × 6.8 mm Pentalobe

1. Fix the screen by fastening the two rear case screws again.

Make sure to insert the SIM tray the right way around.

1. Re-insert the SIM tray once the screen is properly and firmly in place. It has to click in place audibly and perceptibly.