If you have broken your iPhone 5 screen, you probably need to get it fixed quickly. If you don't have time to send your phone to Apple's maintenance service or you don't want to pay the cost of the repair, you can easily fix the problem at home, without breaking the bank. You just need a special kit and a new screen.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Raise the Screen
Step 1. Remove the screws at the base of the phone
Use a very small Phillips (pentalobe) screwdriver to unscrew the two screws on the underside of the phone. You'll find them directly under the Home button. Be careful not to drop them after removing them.
A very small Phillips screwdriver is not suitable for this operation. The pentalobe model engages the screw in five places and is a security measure often used by Apple in its products
Step 2. Apply a suction cup to the screen
Take a small suction cup and stick it directly on the bottom half of the screen. Press firmly, so that it adheres to the display. It should have a metal ring that acts as a handle and allows for easy handling.
If the suction cup does not adhere to the screen, moisten it slightly before pressing it against the display
Step 3. Cover the screen with masking tape if the suction cup does not adhere
If the display is cracked in several places, the instrument may not be able to lift it. In this case, cut a strip of clear duct tape and use it to cover it. Try to repeat the operation with this trick.
Try not to cover the Home button with the tape
Step 4. Pull the suction cup
Do this gently, while holding your cell phone steady. You may have to pull several times before you can separate the screen from the rest of the phone. When you're done, move it to a corner of the display so you have better leverage to raise it.
Remember to avoid covering the Home button with the suction cup. If you did, you wouldn't be able to lift the screen
Step 5. Use a pin to pry the screen off
Once part of the display is raised into a corner, insert the thin plastic tool you find in the kit underneath it. Slide it to the bottom of the phone, so that the screen is raised.
In the repair kit you should find a thin plastic tool, similar to a guitar pick, that you can insert into the phone after lifting the screen. Be careful not to push it too far, otherwise it could get stuck
Step 6. Slide the plastic piece all the way around the edge of the phone
This way the screen should loosen evenly. Avoid pulling up on one side only, otherwise you could damage the display. Your goal is to loosen the screen before removing it all at once.
If you can't use the tool found in the repair kit, try a guitar pick
Step 7. Lift the screen
Hold the bottom of the phone steady by placing your fingers to one side. Place your other hand on top of the phone, so that your thumb is on one side of the screen, index and middle fingers on the other. Gently lift the display about 90 °.
Remember, the screen is still connected to the phone, so don't remove it entirely
Part 2 of 3: Remove the Components
Step 1. Remove the protection at the top right
If you look at the top right corner of the inside of the phone, you will see a small metal plate held in place by three screws. You have to remove them so that you can remove the protection by sliding it from right to left.
Keep the shroud and screws together, but away from any other parts you removed. This will help you not to make a mistake when you have to reassemble the phone
Step 2. Separate the connectors
Under the metal shield, you'll see three ribbon cables connecting the screen and the bottom of the phone. Disconnect all cables, starting with the top one. Now you can lift the display.
You have to use your fingertips to gently detach the cables
Step 3. Remove the speaker metal plate
Once the screen is lifted, you should see a small metal plate at the top of the phone. Take the pentalobe screwdriver and remove the two tiny screws, in order to be able to lift the small plate.
Set the screws and plate aside, keeping them separate from the rest of the components
Step 4. Remove the home button screws
At the bottom of the phone, you will see a metal plate covering the button. Take the pentalobe screwdriver and remove the two small screws.
If you can't remove the screws, they may be held in place by adhesive. Keep turning the screwdriver until you can unscrew them. While some people recommend using a hair dryer to dissolve the adhesive, it can overheat and damage the liquid crystal on the phone
Step 5. Unscrew and lift the back plate
You should see two small screws on the back plate (near the Home button at the bottom and the speaker at the top) and two along the sides of the phone. Take the pentalobe screwdriver and unscrew it. Remove the back plate and set it aside.
Store each screw close to its location inside the phone. This will make it easier to reassemble the device
Step 6. Lift the Home button and the soleplate
Turn the phone over and push the button through it so that it falls out. Now you can gently lift the plate to remove it. Avoid pulling it too fast or twisting it, or you could break it. You should also disconnect the connectors at the top of the screen.
You should have already removed the plate screws
Part 3 of 3: Install the New Screen
Step 1. Install the Home button
Take the new screen and insert the Home button inside it. Use the screws you removed earlier to secure it to the display.
Make sure the home button sticker is facing down
Step 2. Reconnect the connectors at the top of the phone
Find the small piece of metal to attach to the top section of the device. Insert it carefully into its seat before pushing in the rest of the connector.
The camera should fit into the hole provided you followed this step correctly
Step 3. Secure the back plate
Put the metal plate back into the phone and screw it on. Remember that two screws are on the plate itself (one at the top and one at the bottom) and two on the sides of the mobile.
Since the screws are of different sizes it is important to choose the right ones
Step 4. Reconnect the speaker
Put it back in the top right corner of the phone. Find the screws you removed and put them back in place so that the speaker is secured to the phone.
You should have two speaker screws
Step 5. Connect the new screen to the phone
You should see three ribbon cables coming out of the display. Insert them into the phone, at the top. Make sure you start with the lowest one, so it's easier to connect the top one last. Lay the back plate over the connectors and secure it with the screws.
If your phone doesn't turn on after you've fitted the new screen, you probably haven't inserted one of these connectors completely or correctly. Remove the screen and check the connections
Step 6. Push the new screen and fix it on the phone
Once the display and phone are connected, push firmly on the screen, starting with the highest section. Screw the last two screws into the bottom of the phone (the ones next to the Lightning port). Now you can turn on the phone and use it.
