The rear-facing camera isn’t working.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 5’s defective rear camera on your own. You need this repair if the rear camera isn’t working, your pictures are blurry, or the camera doesn’t focus.

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 

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.

26 steps
  1. Removing the enclosure screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the enclosure screws 01
    1. You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone 5.
    2. 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
  2. Lifting the display

    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 01
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 02
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 03
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 04
    iPhone 5 - Lifting the display 05
    1. Put your iPhone 5 on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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).
    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).
  3. Disconnecting the connectors

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the connectors 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the connectors 02
    1. 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)
    2. Now you can disconnect the following three connectors (see figure 2). Be very careful.
    3. 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
  4. Disconnecting the battery connector

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the battery connector 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the battery connector 02
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the battery connector 03
    1. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the Phillips screws on the battery connector (see figure 1). Then lift the cover using the spudger (see figure 2). Put all the parts in the same compartment of the organizer tray.
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw (funnel head)
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the pointed tip of the ESD spudger slightly below the connector (see figure 3). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
  5. Removing the battery

    iPhone 5 - Removing the battery 01
    1. Now remove the battery. It’s sometimes glued firmly in place. Insert the flat end of the spudger into the space between the battery and the logic board, and carefully lift the battery.
      The logic board is very sensitive. You can also lift the battery from the other side.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 slightly warm the glue from the outside and soften it.
  6. Plastic tab

    iPhone 5 - Plastic tab 01
    1. Fold the plastic tab with the warning over and press it firmly onto the adhesive strip. This way, it won’t get in the way during your repair.
  7. Removing the SIM card tray

    iPhone 5 - Removing the SIM card tray 01
    1. 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.
  8. Disconnecting the ribbon cable

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the ribbon cable 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the ribbon cable 02
    1. Remove the Phillips screw and the silver cover below it (see figure 1). Put the parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
    2. Disconnect the connector of the Lightning connector’s ribbon cable (see figure 2) by placing the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lifting it up. Then carefully fold the cable over.
  9. Disconnecting the contact

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the contact 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the contact 02
    1. Carefully lift off the antenna connector using the laboratory spatula (see figure 1).
    2. Then lift the standby/volume cable set connector to remove it (see figure 2). Carefully place the pointed tip of the spudger or spatula below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off any of the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
  10. Removing the Phillips screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the Phillips screws 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the Phillips screws 02
    1. Remove the two Phillips screws and the bracket below them. There’s another connection underneath. Put the parts in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
  11. Removing the antenna screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the antenna screws 01
    1. Remove the two Phillips screws that connect the antenna to the frame.
      2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
  12. Removing the connection cables

    iPhone 5 - Removing the connection cables 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the connection cables 02
    1. Remove the two connection cables (see figures 1 and 2). Carefully place the pointed tip of the spudger or spatula below the contact and lift it up. Make sure you don’t break off any of the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
  13. Removing the logic board screws

    iPhone 5 - Removing the logic board screws 01
    iPhone 5 - Removing the logic board screws 02
    1. Now unscrew all five screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 1).
    2. Three of the screws have an internal thread. The one next to the rear camera isn’t magnetic. You can remove this screw with a flathead screwdriver or the spatula. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
      3 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screws
      2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screws
    3. Lift the camera flash using the laboratory spatula (see figure 2).
  14. The right tools for your repair

    With the right tools, you will succeed in any repair. In our store you will find a large selection of professional quality tools.
    VIEW NOW
  15. Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 02
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 03
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the Wi-Fi antenna 04
    1. Slightly raise the logic board using the spudger (see figure 1) and turn it around the longitudinal axis by the plastic tab (see figures 2 and 3).
    2. On the other side, disconnect the antenna connector by carefully pulling it off the plug head using the spudger (see figure 3).
    3. Carefully remove the logic board.
  16. Disconnecting the rear camera

    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the rear camera 01
    iPhone 5 - Disconnecting the rear camera 02
    1. The camera connection is on the back of the logic board.
    2. Remove the two Phillips screws and the cover (see figure 1).
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
    3. Now disconnect the connector. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figure 2).
  17. Installing the rear camera

    iPhone 5 - Installing the rear camera 01
    1. Connect the camera, put the silver cover on again and screw it in place.
      2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
  18. Installing the logic board

    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 01
    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 02
    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 03
    iPhone 5 - Installing the logic board 04
    1. Reconnect the WLAN antenna connector to the logic board (see figure 1) and put the logic board back in its original position (see figure 2). Use figure 4 to check whether your logic board is in the right place.
    2. Put in the camera flash (see figure 3).
    3. Now screw in all five screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 4).
      3 x 2.7 mm Phillips/flathead screws
      2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screws
  19. Connecting the connection cables

    iPhone 5 - Connecting the connection cables 01
    1. Connect the two connection cables again. Make sure the connectors are fitted properly.
  20. Fastening the antenna screws

    iPhone 5 - Fastening the antenna screws 01
    1. Fasten the two Phillips screws that connect the antenna to the frame.
      2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
  21. Fastening the Phillips screws

    iPhone 5 - Fastening the Phillips screws 01
    1. Install the bracket and fasten it with the two Phillips screws.
      1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
      1 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
  22. Connecting the contacts

    iPhone 5 - Connecting the contacts 01
    iPhone 5 - Connecting the contacts 02
    1. Connect the antenna connector and the standby/volume cable set connector again (see figure 1).
    2. Now connect the ribbon cable, put the cover over it and screw it in (see figure 2).
      1 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
  23. Aligning the plastic tab

    iPhone 5 - Aligning the plastic tab 01
    1. Detach the plastic tab with the warning or stick it back in if you took it out.
  24. Installing the battery

    iPhone 5 - Installing the battery 01
    1. Now put the battery back in the iPhone and position it as close to the logic board as possible.
    2. Click the battery connector back into place.
    3. Then put the cover on and screw it in.
      1 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw (funnel head)
      1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
  25. Attaching the display

    iPhone 5 - Attaching the display 01
    iPhone 5 - Attaching the display 02
    iPhone 5 - Attaching the display 03
    1. 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
    2. Reattach the battery connector and fix the coverplate again.
    3. Start your iPhone as soon as the connectors are securely attached. Check the function of the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera and earpiece.
    4. 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)
    5. 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).
  26. Fastening the enclosure screws

    iPhone 5 - Fastening the enclosure screws 01
    1. Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
      2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe screws
  27. Setting the time

    iPhone 5 - Setting the time 01

    When the battery is removed from the device, the iPhone loses the time and sets itself to 1:00 a.m. on 1/1/1970. You could have trouble connecting to the cellular network if the time isn’t set.

    After a repair, complete the following steps:

    1. Synchronize your iPhone with iTunes or connect to a WLAN network and wait until the time is set.
    2. Remove the SIM tray with the SIM card and reinsert it.
    3. Activate airplane mode on the device and then deactivate airplane mode.
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