iPhone 6s Lightning connector repair guide

Having trouble charging your iPhone 6s? The microphone or the audio jack is defective?

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

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 Lightning Connector

iPhone 6s Lightning Connector

from €10.99 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone 6s

Steps

20 Steps

Turning off your device

Step 1

Removing the enclosure screws

Step 2

Lifting the display

Step 3

Disconnecting the battery contact

Step 4

Disconnecting the display connectors

Step 5

Disconnecting the connector

Step 6

Removing the taptic engine

Step 7

Removing the speaker

Step 8

Unscrewing the lightning connector

Step 9

Removing the lightning connector

Step 10

Attach the lightning connector

Step 11

Installing the speaker

Step 12

Connecting the lightning connector

Step 13

Installing the taptic engine

Step 14

Installing the connector cover

Step 15

Connecting the display

Step 16

Connecting the battery

Step 17

Attaching the display

Step 18

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 19

Setting the time

Step 20

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone 6s

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

20 steps

Turning off your device
Turn off your iPhone before reparation to prevent it from damage. Therefore, press the standby button for about three seconds until the slider appears on the display.

Swipe it from the left to right-hand side. Your iPhone will shut down in approximately 10 seconds.
Removing the enclosure screws
Used tools

Wiha PicoFinish Pentalobe Screwdriver PL1

Magnetic Pad
To open the iPhone 6s you need a pentalobe screwdriver.

Remove the two pentalobe screws right and left of the lightning connector. We recommend you to arrange the removed screws on a magnetic pad, just like they were located in your phone before .
2 x 3.8 mm pentalobe screw
Used tools

Wiha PicoFinish Pentalobe Screwdriver PL1

Magnetic Pad
Lifting the display
Used tools

Heat gun

Pick Set

VAKUPLASTIC Suction Cup
Put your iPhone 6s on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.

Use a suction cup to lift the front panel, a hard plastic plectrum and a hot-air gun. If the screen is severely damaged, cover it entirely with adhesive tape before you continue.

The screen is slightly adhered to the frame. Use the hot-air gun to heat the outer edges of the display to about 60°C (140°F).

Place the suction cup over the home button or next to it. While lifting the screen with the suction cup, insert the hard plastic plectrum between the aluminum frame and the display frame. Try to press down the aluminum frame as well as to push up the display with the hard plastic plectrum. Usually this takes several attempts.

As soon as you can lift up the screen a few millimeters, slide carefully alongside the outer edges until the display is loosened on both sides.
If necessary, heat the outer edges of the display several times.
Used tools

Heat gun

Pick Set

VAKUPLASTIC Suction Cup
Disconnecting the battery contact
Used tools

Pry Tool

Wiha PicoFinish Phillips Screwdriver PH00

Piergiacomi Tweezers 2a SA ESD
To avoid a short circuit, disconnect the battery contact at the beginning of the repair. This will also ensure that you do not accidentally switch on the device during the repair.
Remove the Phillips screws and the plug cover that secure the battery plug. Place the loosened parts in a common field on the magnetic pad to make them easier to find later.
1 x 2.2 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.9 mm Phillips screw

Now carefully remove the battery plug by carefully driving an ESD spudger under the plug. If you do not have a spudger at hand, you can also try it with your fingernail.
Used tools

Pry Tool

Wiha PicoFinish Phillips Screwdriver PH00

Piergiacomi Tweezers 2a SA ESD
Disconnecting the display connectors
First loosen the four Phillips screws of the silver contact cover. Place the loosened screws together with the cover in a field on the magnetic pad to make them easier to find again afterwards.
3 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.9 mm Phillips screw

Release the following three overlapping display connectors in the order shown below. To do this, slide the spudger under the respective connector and lift it carefully.
Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone
Touch ID cable
Display
Disconnecting the connector
Use the pointed tip of the spudger to detach the antenna cable as well as the flex cabel from the main board.
Removing the taptic engine
Unscrew the two Phillips screws fixing the taptic engine.
2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw

Now you can remove the taptic engine.
Removing the speaker
Detach the black adhesive strip next to the lightning connector. You can find another Phillips screw under it.

Now loosen the following five Phillips screws that hold the speaker in place. Drop the screws in different sections on the magnetic pad to easily identify them later.
2 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw

Carefully pull the antenna cable to the side.

Now you can remove the speaker.
Unscrewing the lightning connector
Remove the following eight Phillips screws. Place the loosened screws in a common field on the magnetic mat and arrange them as you find them in the device to make them easier to recognize later.
2 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.6 mm Phillips screw
2 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
2 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
Removing the lightning connector
First remove the little black plastic piece next to the headphone port.

Insert a laboratory spatula below the ribbon cable and carefully detach it. The cable is only adhered where the speaker was before. With a little hot air you can pull off the ribbon cable easier.

Use the spatula or spudger to loosen the headphone port, the lightning connector and the two gold microphones.

Subsequently, carefully pull off the ribbon cable using your fingers or the tweezers.

Attach the lightning connector
Insert the small black piece of plastic over the microphone.

Then screw tight all eight screws that fix the lightning connector.
2 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.6 mm Phillips screw
2 x 1.4 mm Phillips screw
2 x 1.8 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
Installing the speaker
Put the new speaker in the original position.

Make sure that the antenna cable with its little metal ring is installed properly on the speaker, and the silver contact point is placed back in its original position.

Now you can fasten up the Phillips screws.
2 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
2 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
Now put the antenna cable’s black adhesive tape back on the speaker.
Connecting the lightning connector
Reconnect the connectors for the antenna and the lightning connector.
Installing the taptic engine
Put the taptic engine back to its original place.

Fix it with screws again.
2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screw
Installing the connector cover
Put on the silver connector cover and screw it tight.

1 x 2.9 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.2 mm Phillips screw
Connecting the display
Plug the display connectors. This usually takes several attempts. Be careful not to bend the connectors.
Front camera/sensor/earpiece/ambient microphone
Touch ID cable
Display

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

Now put back the connector cover and screw it tight.
3 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
1 x 2.9 mm Phillips screw
Connecting the battery
Connect the battery connector.
Put on the silver cover plate and screw it in place.
1 x 2,9 mm Phillips-Schraube
1 x 2,2 mm Phillips-Schraube
Attaching the display
Carefully fold down the display. Make sure that the edge on the upper screen side with the connected cables snaps in properly. Now carefully push down the display towards the home button alongside the display edge until it is properly placed in the frame.
Fastening the enclosure screws
Now screw tight the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
2 x 3.8 mm pentalobe screw
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 and deactivate flight mode on your device.