iPhone 6s Plus front camera sensor cable repair guide

The front-facing camera isn’t working or your pictures are blurry.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone 6s Plus' 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

Heat gun

Heat gun

You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.
from €15.99 on Amazon
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
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 6s Plus FaceTime Camera / Sensor Cable

iPhone 6s Plus FaceTime Camera / Sensor Cable

from €13.30 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 6s Plus

Steps

12 Steps

Turning off your Device

Step 1

Removing the enclosure screws

Step 2

Lifting the display

Step 3

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 4

Removing the earpiece

Step 5

Removing the front camera/sensor cable set

Step 6

Installing the camera/sensor cable set

Step 7

Installing the earpiece

Step 8

Connecting the display

Step 9

Connecting the cables

Step 10

Attaching the display

Step 11

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 12

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 6s Plus

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

12 steps

Turning off your Device
Turn your iPhone off completely to avoid damaging it during the repair. Press the standby button for about three seconds until the slider appears.
Wipe it from left to right. Now your iPhone will shut down completely, which can take about ten seconds.
Removing the enclosure screws
You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone 6s Plus.

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 container.
2 x 3.3 mm pentalobe screw
Lifting the display
Put your iPhone 6s Plus on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.

To lift the display, you need a suction cup, a hard plastic pick and a heat gun. If the screen is severely cracked, cover all of it with packing tape before you continue.Risk of injury due to broken glass.

The screen is lightly glued to the frame. Use a heat gun to heat the edges of the display to about 60°C (140°F).

Place the suction cup over the Home button if possible (otherwise, put it next to the button). While lifting the display with the suction cup, use the hard plastic pick to press down the aluminum frame. At the same time, insert the hard plastic pick between the aluminum frame and the display. This usually takes several attempts.

Once a little gap has opened up between these two parts, you can open it further by slightly turning the pick.

As soon as you can lift the display a few millimeters, you have to carefully work your way around the outside until it’s loosened on both sides.
If necessary, heat the outer edges of the display a few times.
Disconnecting the connectors
First remove the five Phillips screws from the silver cover. Put the screws in the same container. Then lift the cover to remove it.
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
3 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw

Disconnect the following three overlapping connectors in the order shown below. Be very careful. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below each contact and lift it up.
Touch ID cable
Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone
Display

Test the new display.

Temporarily connect the new display assembly. The LCD connector is a little tricky to connect.

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 three Phillips screws from the cover on the earpiece and put them in the same container.
2 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw

Take the cover off and put it with the screws you removed before.

The earpiece is under the front camera’s ribbon cable. Fold the cable slightly to the side so you can remove the earpiece.
Removing the front camera/sensor cable set
You have to remove the cable set in two steps. First, carefully lift the sensors.

Then insert the spudger below the ribbon cable at the point where the ambient microphone is. The ribbon cable is lightly glued in place at this point.

Now you can lift out the cable set.

Installing the camera/sensor cable set
First stick the ambient microphone to its original position.

Then secure each of the sensors in the corresponding bracket.
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 between the FaceTime camera and the sensors. Then put the cover back on.

Now fasten the Phillips screws. Make sure the front camera is centered on the front of the display. Move it slightly if necessary.
2 x 2.7 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.4 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
In the picture, the battery is already connected by mistake. Do not connect the battery until the display is connected.
Reconnect the connectors. Connecting the display connector sometimes takes a few tries. Be very careful to avoid bending the connector.
Touch ID cable
Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone
Display

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 display connectors aren’t connected properly, stripes will appear on the display or parts of the touchscreen won’t work.

Install the cover and screw it in place.
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
3 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw
Connecting the cables
Reconnect the antenna, Lightning connector, battery and logic board.

Then install the silver cover again.

Screw the cover onto the logic board.
1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.9 mm Phillips screw
Attaching the display
Then carefully fold down the display. The display has to click into place properly at the upper edge where the connection cables are.

Carefully press on the display toward the Home button until it’s entirely in the frame. The display has to be flush with the frame.
Fastening the enclosure screws
Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
2 x 3.3 mm pentalobe screw