iPhone 5c screen repair guide

The screen is broken or remains black.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 5c’s defective display unit. You need this repair if the glass is cracked, the touchscreen no longer responds to touch, or the LCD remains black or flickers.

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
Steel Laboratory Spatula

Steel Laboratory Spatula

You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.
on Amazon
iDoc Tool Kit, 21 pieces

iDoc Tool Kit, 21 pieces

Do you need to repair your smartphone? This kit includes all the tools you need for professional-quality repairs, from the ESD spudger and suction cup, to screwdrivers and tweezers, as well as the iDoc magnetic pad that holds your screws and small parts in place while you work. Not sure what goes where? Don’t worry – our detailed repair guides tell you what tool to use for each step.
from €29.99 on Amazon
iPhone Tool Kit, 14 pieces

iPhone Tool Kit, 14 pieces

We've put together a complete set of tools so you can solve all the big and small problems with your iPhone yourself. From a spudger and vacuum cup to four different screwdrivers for the various screws designed specifically for iPhones, the toolkit includes all the tools you need for any repair which will come up. The set is complemented by our iDoc magnetic mat, which you can use during the repair to maintain an overview of all the screws and small pieces. All tools come in the high-quality iDoc tool case. No repair equipment gets lost. When putting together our tool sets, it's especially important to us that you enjoy your time as much as possible. That's why we've only selected professional-quality tools for the iPhone repair kit, so you don't have to struggle with bad equipment. Good luck with your next repair!
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 Display

iPhone 5c Display

from €10.99 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

Removing the earpiece

Step 4

Removing the front camera/sensor

Step 5

Removing the rear panel

Step 6

Removing the Home button

Step 7

Preparing the new display

Step 8

Installing the Home button

Step 9

Attaching the rear panel

Step 10

Installing the camera/sensor cable set

Step 11

Installing the earpiece

Step 12

Connecting the display

Step 13

Attaching the display

Step 14

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 15

Optional: Correct the color temperature of the display

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.
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 4.0 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.2 mm Phillips screw

Now remove the cover. It’s hooked on in two places. Carefully detach the hooks on one side and lift out the cover. Put it in the container with the screws you removed beforehand (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 lift the cable set with your fingers. Fold it so the camera is over the rear panel (see figure 2). You don’t need to remove the heat shield.
Removing the rear panel
Now remove the six Phillips screws that hold the metal cover in place (see figure 1).
1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
4 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw (smooth head)
Removing the Home button
Remove the two equally sized Phillips screws (see figure 1). Now remove the silver cover. Put everything in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
2 x 1.4 mm Phillips screws

Carefully insert the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula below the cable set, which is generally glued in place, to detach it (see figure 2).

The Home button is glued to the screen from the inside. Carefully remove the rubber coating using the spudger to avoid scratching the screen from the inside (see figure 3). You can also press in the Home button from the front side.

Once the cable set is detached, you can lift it out.
Preparing the new display
Not all available displays have the same features. If necessary, you’ll have to take some of the following parts from your old display before installing the new screen (see figure 1):

Front camera bracket (lightly glued in place)

Sensor bracket (lightly glued in place)

You can also take the sticker from your old display.

Installing the Home button
Now reinstall the Home button (see figure 1). Make sure it’s positioned evenly on the other side.

Now put the cable set back on and screw it in place (see figure 2).
2 x 1.4 mm Phillips screws
Attaching the rear panel
Now place the silver rear panel on the back of the new display and screw it in place (see figure 1).
1 x 1.7 mm Phillips screw
4 x 1.2 mm Phillips screws
1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw (smooth head)
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).
It’s important to position the sensors correctly because, otherwise, the proximity sensor won’t be fully functional.
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 4.0 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.
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
Optional: Correct the color temperature of the display
Since iOS 10, the color temperature of the display can be adjusted.
open "Settings"> "General"> "Accessibility"> "Display Accommondations"
select "Colour Filters"
activate "Colour Filters"
select the filter "Colour Tint"
the color intensity can be adjusted with a slider