iPhone 4s vibration motor repair guide

The vibration motor isn’t working.

In this guide, we show you how to replace a defective vibration motor. You need this repair if your phone doesn’t vibrate or only barely vibrates.

Required tools

For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
from €10.99 on Amazon
Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
from €26.38 on Amazon
Tweezers

Tweezers

We recommend using tweezers to remove screws and various small parts from your device.
on Amazon
Steel Laboratory Spatula

Steel Laboratory Spatula

You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.
on Amazon
Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

Pentalobe PL1 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing pentalobe PL1 screws.
on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
from €10.84 on Amazon

Required replacement part

iPhone 4s Vibration Motor

iPhone 4s Vibration Motor

on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 4s

Steps

24 Steps

Removing the enclosure screws

Step 1

Removing the back cover

Step 2

Disconnecting the battery connector

Step 3

Removing the battery

Step 4

Plastic tab

Step 5

Disconnecting the dock connector cable

Step 6

Removing the Wi-Fi cover

Step 7

Removing the rear camera

Step 8

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 9

Removing the antenna connector

Step 10

SIM card tray

Step 11

Removing the logic board

Step 12

Removing the vibration motor

Step 13

Installing the vibration motor

Step 14

Installing the logic board

Step 15

Connecting the antenna connector

Step 16

Connecting the connections

Step 17

Installing the rear camera

Step 18

Installing the Wi-Fi cover

Step 19

Attaching the dock connector cable

Step 20

Aligning the plastic tab

Step 21

Installing the battery

Step 22

Attaching the back cover

Step 23

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 24

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 4s

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

24 steps

Removing the enclosure screws
You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open your phone.

Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the dock connector. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
Removing the back cover
Use your thumbs or the palm of your hand to push the back cover of your iPhone about 4 mm away from the bottom of the phone where the dock connector is (see figure 1).

Then you can lift the back cover at the end that’s sticking out past the phone (see figure 2).
Disconnecting the battery connector
If your iPhone’s still on, turn it off now by holding down the standby button for about five seconds and following the prompt on the display.

Remove the two Phillips screws on the battery connector using a Phillips screwdriver (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
The contact point on the logic board could come off. If the contact point breaks off but the soldering points are still intact, you can solder the contact point back on.

Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the pointed ESD spudger slightly below the silver cover plate (see figure 2). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.

For the rest of the repair, you can also use the metal laboratory spatula instead of the spudger. This may make some steps easier for you. However, we explicitly recommend using the ESD spudger produced specifically for precision electronics.
Removing the battery
The antenna cover is under the battery connector. Remove the cover and put it in the same compartment of your organizer tray as the Phillips screws you removed before (see figure 1).

Now remove the battery. It’s sometimes glued firmly in place. Insert the flat end of the spudger into the space (about 1 cm to the left of the volume down button) between the battery and the outer frame, and slowly lift the battery (see figure 2). If the battery’s really stuck on, use other leverage points to the right and left of the original spot to pry it off. If you still can’t detach the battery, you can use a heat gun to warm it slightly from the outside and soften the glue.

Now you can also disconnect the antenna connector by carefully pulling it off the plug head using the spudger (see figure 3).
Plastic tab
Fold the plastic tab with the warning over and press it firmly onto the lower adhesive strip. This way, it won’t get in the way during your repair.

Of course, you can also remove the plastic tab.
Disconnecting the dock connector cable
Remove the two Phillips screws from the dock connection cable and remove the silver cover (see figure 1).
1 x 1.1 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw

Put the screws and cover in the same compartment of your organizer tray. It’s easy to tell them apart.

Now you can carefully detach the connector by using the pointed tip of the spudger to lift the connector. Alternatively, you can also use your fingernail again (see figure 2).

Pull the flat cable that’s lightly glued in place off of the logic board and bend it carefully over the frame (see figure 3).
Removing the Wi-Fi cover
Remove the four Phillips screws from the cover (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray. It’s easy to tell them apart.
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw (thin thread)

The cover is slightly clamped in place on the midframe (see figure 2). In order to remove the cover, use the spudger to push it slightly to the left, toward the dock connector (see figure 3).
Removing the rear camera
Use the spudger to lift off the camera connector and remove the camera (see figure 1).

Use a pair of tweezers or the laboratory spatula to remove the black sticker below the flash (see figure 2).

There’s a Phillips screw below that. Remove it (see figure 3).
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

Now remove the copper contact (see figure 4).

Put all the parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
Disconnecting the connectors
Now you can disconnect the following five connectors. Be very careful.
LCD
Touchscreen
Front camera
Headphone output/volume controller
Standby/proximity sensor Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up.

Start with the connector. There’s a second connector below it.
Removing the antenna connector
Remove the Phillips screw on the antenna cover (see figure 1). Put the screw in a separate compartment of your organizer tray.
1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw

Now you can remove the cover of the antenna cable (see figure 2). Put it with the screw you removed before.

Disconnect the antenna connector below it using the spudger (see figure 3).
SIM card tray
You can use the SIM Tool or a paperclip to remove the SIM card tray. Press the SIM Tool into the small hole in the SIM card tray to remove it.
Removing the logic board
Now unscrew all four screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 1) and sort them as follows.
/ and / in two different compartments of your organizer tray.

You’ll need both the Phillips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver or the laboratory spatula.
1 x 4.9 mm Phillips/flathead screw
1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.7 mm Phillips/flathead screw

Now you can carefully lift the logic board below the battery connection using the spudger (see figure 2) and remove it by hand (see figure 3).

There’s a little black rubber protector on the upper end of the logic board (see figure 4). It comes off easily. Put it with the screws from this step so it doesn’t get lost.

Removing the vibration motor
Now remove the vibration motor.

It’s glued firmly in place. It may help if you warm it up with a heat gun to soften the glue.

Insert the spatula or spudger below the vibration motor and carefully lift it out.
Installing the vibration motor
Now put the vibration motor in the appropriate position.

The old glue is usually enough to hold it, but if the vibration motor is too loose, use new glue. If it’s not securely attached, your phone’s vibration will be weaker.
Installing the logic board
Put the rubber protector back on the sharp edge of the logic board. The thicker part should be facing down (see figure 1).

Put the logic board back in carefully as shown in the picture (see figure 2). The logic board will click gently into place when it’s in the right position. This may take several attempts. Use figure 3 to check whether your logic board is in the right place.
Make sure the antenna cable attached to the speaker isn’t under the logic board.

Now screw in all four Phillips screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 3).
1 x 4.9 mm Phillips/flathead screw
1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.7 mm Phillips/flathead screw
Connecting the antenna connector
Connect the antenna connector (see figure 1).

Put on the cover for the antenna cable (see figure 2).

Fasten the Phillips screw on the antenna cover (see figure 3).
1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
Connecting the connections
Reconnect all five contacts. Use your finger to carefully press them in. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.

If the LCD cable is too short, you forgot to pull it tightly through the slot in the midframe.
Installing the rear camera
Put the copper contact back in as shown in the picture (see figure 1).

Then tighten the Phillips screw in the thread again (see figure 2).
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

Use tweezers or the laboratory spatula to put on the black sticker (see figure 3).

Connect the camera connector.
Installing the Wi-Fi cover
Carefully put on the cover. It will be slightly clamped in place (see figure 1).

Fasten all the Phillips screws on the connector cover (see figure 2):
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.7 mm Phillips Wi-Fi screw (thin thread)
Attaching the dock connector cable
Connect the dock connection cable again and put the silver cover on it.

Fasten the two Phillips screws for the dock connection cable.
1 x 1.1 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
Aligning the plastic tab
Detach the plastic tab with the warning or stick it back in if you took it out.
Installing the battery
Now put the battery back in the iPhone.

First you have to attach the antenna connector again (see figure 1).

Then install the antenna cover (see figure 2).

Now click the battery connector back into place and screw it in (see figure 3).
1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
Attaching the back cover
Put the back cover back on and carefully push it the last few millimeters toward the dock connector.
Fastening the enclosure screws
Now screw in the two screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws

Then all you have to do is push in the SIM card tray.