iPhone SE iSight camera repair guide

The rear-facing camera isn’t working.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPhone SE’s defective rear camera on your own. You need this repair if the main 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
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 SE (1. Gen) iSight Camera

iPhone SE (1. Gen) iSight Camera

from €11.99 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the iPhone SE

Steps

11 Steps

Turning off your iPhone SE

Step 1

Removing the enclosure screws

Step 2

Lifting the display

Step 3

Disconnecting the battery contact

Step 4

Disconnecting the display contacts

Step 5

Removing the rear camera

Step 6

Installing the rear camera

Step 7

Connecting the display

Step 8

Connecting the battery contact

Step 9

Attaching the display

Step 10

Fastening the enclosure screws

Step 11

Getting started with the repair of your iPhone SE

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

11 steps

Turning off your iPhone SE
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
2 × Pentalobe

You need a pentalobe screwdriver to open the iPhone SE.

Remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure. They are located to the right and left of the Lightning connector. Store these screws in the same box.
Lifting the display
Put your iPhone SE on a soft, clean surface to avoid scratching the back.

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

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.Don’t take off the display all the way. You have to disconnect the Home button first.

There’s a metal cover blocking the Home button. Carefully detach the cover using a pair of tweezers.

As soon as the cover is off, you can disconnect the Home button from the flexible flat Lightning cable.
Disconnecting the battery contact
2 × 1.5 mm Phillips

Connector

The battery contact and the contact for the flexible flat Lightning cable are under a cover. This cover is fastened with two Phillips screws. Remove the Phillips screws using a Phillips screwdriver and then lift the cover with a pair of tweezers. Put all the parts in the same compartment of the organizer tray.
Carefully detach the battery contact using the spudger. Insert the pointed tip of the spudger slightly below the connector. If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
Disconnecting the display contacts
1 × 1.4 mm Phillips

1 × 1.5 mm Phillips

2 × 1.1 mm Phillips

Connector

First remove the four Phillips screws from the silver cover. Put the screws in the same container. Then lift the cover to remove it.
Disconnect the following three overlapping connectors in the order shown in the image. Be very careful. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below each contact and lift it up.

Removing the rear camera
Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the iSight camera’s connector from the logic board.

The camera is held in place by a rubber cover. The cover is hooked onto two metal tabs. Detach the cover from the two tabs and fold it over toward the edge of the back cover.

Remove the camera.
Installing the rear camera
Put the rear camera in the original position in the back cover.

Attach the camera with the rubber cover you removed before by hooking the cover onto the two metal tabs.

Connect the camera to the logic board.
Connecting the display
Front camera flex

LCD

Digitizer

1 × 1.4 mm Phillips

1 × 1.5 mm Phillips

2 × 1.1 mm Phillips

Reconnect the connectors. Connecting the display connector sometimes takes a few tries. Be very careful to avoid bending the connectors.

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.
Connecting the battery contact
Connector

2 × 1.5 mm Phillips

Connect the battery contact to the logic board.

Put the cover back on and screw it in place with the two Phillips screws.
Attaching the display
Insert the display into the enclosure at the upper edge where the connection cables are. The display has to click into place correctly.

Before you can connect your device to the display, you have to connect the Home button to the Lightning connector and secure them with the cover.

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
2 × 3.8 mm Pentalobe

Now screw in the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the enclosure.