iPhone 5c Lightning connector repair guide

Your iPhone won’t charge, or the microphone and audio port aren’t working

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 5c’s defective Lightning connector on your own. You need this repair if your computer doesn’t recognize your iPhone, you can’t charge your iPhone, the headphone output has a loose connection, or remote control of the headset isn’t working. You also need to replace the Lightning connector if people can’t understand you on the phone because your microphone isn’t working.

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
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
Plastic prying tool

Plastic prying tool

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
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

Required replacement part

iPhone 5c Lightning Connector

iPhone 5c Lightning Connector

from €12.99 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 5c

Steps

16 Steps

Removing the enclosure screws

Step 1

Lifting the display

Step 2

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 3

Disconnecting the battery connector

Step 4

Removing the screws

Step 5

Disconnecting the antenna cable

Step 6

Removing the speaker

Step 7

Testing the new Lightning connector

Step 8

Removing the Lightning connector

Step 9

Inserting the Lightning connector

Step 10

Installing the speaker

Step 11

Installing the battery

Step 12

Connecting the display

Step 13

Attaching the display

Step 14

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 15

Setting the time

Step 16

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 5c

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

16 steps

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

Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the Lightning connector. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
2 x 3.8 mm pentalobe screws
Lifting the display
Put your iPhone 5c 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 plastic frame and the display frame and press down the plastic frame. Also use the hard plastic pick to raise the screen (see figure 2). This usually takes several attempts.

As soon as you can lift the screen a few millimeters (see figure 3), you have to carefully work your way around the outside until it’s loosened on both sides (see figure 4).
Disconnecting the connectors
First remove the four Phillips screws from the silver cover (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray. Then lift the cover to remove it.
1 x 3.2 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)
2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw

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.
Touchscreen
LCD
Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone

Test the new display.

Temporarily connect the new display assembly.

Start the iPhone and check whether the LCD and touchscreen work properly. Make sure the connectors are securely plugged in to the connections. If not, the display will remain black or stripes will appear on it.
If the display is slightly yellow, see the last step in this manual.
Disconnecting the battery connector
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.
2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws

Now carefully lift 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.
Removing the screws
First, use the laboratory spatula to detach the Home button contact cable, which is lightly glued in place (see figure 1).

Now remove the following three Phillips screws (see figure 2). Put the screws in a compartment of your organizer tray so you can easily identify them later.
2 x 2.7 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.1 mm Phillips screw
Disconnecting the antenna cable
Disconnect the connector of the Lightning connector’s ribbon cable by placing the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lifting it up. Then carefully fold the cable over (see figure 1).

Now carefully lift off the antenna connector using the laboratory spatula (see figure 2).
Removing the speaker
Now use the spudger to lift the speaker (see figure 1) and then remove it by hand (see figure 2). Be careful with the antenna cable.
Testing the new Lightning connector
Temporarily connect the new Lightning connector.

Then temporarily connect the battery and the display.

Start your iPhone and check whether the headphone jack (including remote control of the headphones) and the microphone work. Check whether your PC recognizes your iPhone.

Removing the Lightning connector
Insert the laboratory spatula below the ribbon cable and carefully detach it from the base. The cable is only glued in place at the point where the speaker was.

Use the spatula or spudger to loosen the headphone jack (see figure 2), the microphone (see figure 3) and the Lightning connector (see figure 4).

Now carefully remove the ribbon cable using your fingers (see figure 5).
Inserting the Lightning connector
Now put in the new Lightning connector (see figure 1).

Push the nipple of the microphone’s rubber seal into the little black groove and make sure that the Lightning connector and audio jack are fitted properly against the frame (see figure 2). Now connect the ribbon cable again.
Installing the speaker
Turn the speaker to one side to put it back where it was originally. Make sure it’s inserted properly (see figure 1).

Reconnect the antenna cable (see figure 2).

Now you can fasten the Phillips screws again (see figure 3).
3 x 2.7 mm Phillips screws
2 x 2.1 mm Phillips screws
2 x 3.2 mm Phillips screws
Installing the battery
Now put the battery back in the iPhone.

Now reattach the battery connector (see figure 1).

Then put on the cover and screw it in place (see figure 2).
2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
Connecting the display
Reattach the connectors (see figure 1). The touchscreen connector sometimes comes undone when you connect the LCD connector.
Touchscreen
LCD
Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone

Start your iPhone as soon as the connectors are securely attached. Check the function of the LCD, touchscreen, proximity sensor, front camera and earpiece.
If the connectors aren’t connected properly, stripes will appear on the display or parts of the touchscreen won’t work.

Now attach the cover and screw it in place (see figure 2).
1 x 3.2 mm Phillips screw (not magnetic)
2 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
Attaching the display
Then carefully fold down the screen. Make sure that the edge on the upper part of the screen where the cables are clicks into place properly. Now carefully push the screen on toward the Home button until it is properly installed in the frame.
Fastening the enclosure screws
Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
2 x 3.8 mm pentalobe screws
Setting the time
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:

Synchronize your iPhone with iTunes or connect to a WLAN network and wait until the time is set.

Remove the SIM tray with the SIM card and reinsert it.

Activate airplane mode on the device and then deactivate airplane mode.