iPhone 5 front camera sensor cable repair guide

The front-facing camera or proximity sensor isn’t working.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 5’s defective front camera/sensor cable. You need this repair if the front camera isn’t working, the aperture doesn’t open, or your pictures are blurry. Even if your screen no longer goes dark when you’re talking on the phone, replacing this cable will fix the problem. Also replace the cable if your microphone no longer works for videos or FaceTime.

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
Pick Set

Pick Set

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €14.99 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

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 5

Steps

9 Steps

Removing the enclosure screws

Step 1

Lifting the display

Step 2

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 3

Removing the earpiece

Step 4

Removing the front camera/sensor

Step 5

Installing the camera/sensor cable set

Step 6

Installing the earpiece

Step 7

Attaching the display

Step 8

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 9

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 5

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

9 steps

Removing the enclosure screws
You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone 5.

Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the Lightning connector. LPut the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
Lifting the display
Put your iPhone 5 on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.

To lift the front panel, you need a suction cup and the hard plastic pick. If the screen is severely cracked, cover all of it with packing tape.

Place the suction cup over the Home button (if possible) or next to it (see figure 1). While lifting the screen with the suction cup, insert the hard plastic pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame and press down the aluminum frame. Also use the hard plastic pick to raise the screen (see figures 2 and 3). This usually takes several attempts.

As soon as you can lift the screen a little bit (see figure 4), you have to carefully work your way around the outside until it’s loosened on both sides (see figure 5).

Once the display is fully detached, you can flip it up at the Home button. Note that the display cables are still connected to the logic board (see next step).
Disconnecting the connectors
First remove the three Phillips screws from the silver cover (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)

Now you can disconnect the following three connectors (see figure 2). Be very careful.

Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board. In later batches of phones, the resistors are protected by a black plastic film.
LCD
Touchscreen
Front camera/sensor/earpiece
Removing the earpiece
The earpiece is on the back of the display unit. Remove the two Phillips screws from the cover on the earpiece (see figure 1) and put them in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
1 x 4.1 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.2 mm Phillips screw

Now take off the cover and put it with the screws you removed before (see figure 2).

Then uncover the earpiece (see figure 3) so you can remove it with your fingers.

Removing the front camera/sensor
Remove the cable set. It’s lightly glued to the sensors. Carefully pull it off of them using the laboratory spatula (see figure 1).

Now you can remove the cable set with your fingers (see figure 2). Only the ambient microphone is still loosely attached.
Installing the camera/sensor cable set
First put the ambient microphone in the little black groove (see figure 1).

Then attach the front camera and the sensor to the corresponding brackets (see figure 2).
Installing the earpiece
Put the earpiece back in its original position (see figure 1). Then put the cover back on (see figure 2).

Now fasten the Phillips screws (see figure 3). Make sure the front camera is centered on the front of the display. Move it slightly if necessary.
1 x 4.1 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.2 mm Phillips screw

Note that the screws aren’t the same length. If you mix them up, a screw will press against the display glass from the inside and damage it.
Attaching the display
Now reconnect the connectors (see figure 1). The LCD connector sometimes comes undone when you connect the touchscreen connector.
LCD
Touchscreen
Front camera/sensor/earpiece
Reattach the battery connector and fix the coverplate again.

Start your iPhone as soon as the connectors are securely attached. Check the function of the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera and earpiece.

Now attach the cover and screw it in place (see figure 2).
2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)

Then carefully fold down the screen. Make sure that the edge of the screen where the cables are clicks into place properly. Now carefully press the screen on toward the Home button until it’s properly installed in the frame. (See figure 3).
Fastening the enclosure screws
Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws