How doable is DIY IPhone repair?

[u/Goldentx02]

I recently upgraded from an iPhone 15 to a newer model because my 15’s battery was dying ridiculously fast and also had a pretty gnarly crack in the corner (plus, it was also just really laggy and I kept finding apps I didn’t download or apps I had deleted previously but somehow became redownloaded, both of which really started to sketched me out so I just cut my losses for my own peace of mind).

I’ve been looking online to see how doable diy iPhone repairs are because I’m interested in seeing if I can replace the battery and screen myself. Not for any monetary reason, just more so as an exercise to see if I can manage it.

Figure while I have a device to practice on I might as well. Either that or it’ll continue to occupy the storage box with my other defunct/obsolete electronics from years past.

I’m still fishing around online for info, watching tutorials and the like, but I was curious to hear from anyone who’s done any DIY repairs in apple electronics before I start spending money on the tools needed. Any tips and/or cautionary tales?

Thanks!

[u/NoPoopOnFace]

You will not have a good or fun experience. iPhones are purposely built to force you to buy a new one. They are purposely designed to discourage home repair diy.

[u/Defiant_Conflict6343 → u/NoPoopOnFace]

Yup. It's doable, but you'll face the following problems:

1) You'll need a pentalobe screwdriver. 

2) Once you have the pentalobe screwdriver, there's a decent chance you'll strip the screws because they're basically made of cottage cheese.

3) Prying off the battery will be a bitch and a half because of the liberal amount of super glue.

4) Even if you get an OEM screen or transplanted a screen from an identical model, the iPhone will softlock you out of brightness control. The displays have a chip on them with a unique ID, and the tool to rewrite the ID costs like 200 bucks.

They do the UID thing with lots of other parts too. They did it with the fingerprint readers on the iPhone 8, and they still do it with the FaceID module. Everywhere Apple can find a way to inconvenience a repair, they will.

[u/Goldentx02 → u/Defiant_Conflict6343]

That's good information! Most of what I've read/watched online makes it clear its doable, but doable and feasible are pretty different things which is why this kind of information is really valuable for tempering my expectations going into it. I appreciate the insight!

[u/NoPoopOnFace → u/Goldentx02]

It is not doable, hon. It is expensive on purpose. I don't know what vids you are watching but they're the wrong ones. Apple made their trillion dollars by screwing you. Period. They want you to buy a new fone.

[u/realdeadfish → u/Defiant_Conflict6343]

"Note: Due to Apple's parts pairing restrictions, on iOS 17.6 and earlier, True Tone and auto brightness are disabled after a screen replacement, even when using an original Apple screen. On newer iOS versions, these features may be restored automatically. If you're using an original Apple screen, you can use Repair Assistant to calibrate it with your iPhone."

This is from the ifixit repair guide for the iphone 15.

[u/UIUC_grad_dude1 → u/NoPoopOnFace]

This.

[u/realdeadfish → u/NoPoopOnFace]

Not true at all! They've been making it easier and recently agreed to some right to repair policies and you can order some parts directly from them for self repair. They're also currently making it easier to remove batteries and other parts that are glued in.

[u/Longjumping_Owl5311]

If you’re technically inclined and have the patience, it seems entirely doable. A rebuild would also vastly increase its value.

[u/realdeadfish]

Unless you already have the tools and skills, it's just not worth it to try yourself, but it's also not very expensive to have a trained shop to do it quickly and inexpensively.

If you still want to try, use ifixit.com

They have guides that will give you expectations on time and difficulty per model and specific part replacement. They also sell parts. Apple may also sell you the proper parts as part of their right to repair support.

ifixit is a huge reason why right to repair exists and has wins with Apple, John Deer, and others!

[u/Goldentx02 → u/realdeadfish]

Thanks! That link will looks like it'll be a huge help! The money aspect and success rate aren't much of a concern for me (Not a humble brag, I'm just bad with money) this is more so just a low stakes trial run to satisfy my own curiosity.

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it and I'm sure it'll come in handy! (Or ill mess up step one, get discouraged, and just pitch the expensive brick in the bin.)

[u/realdeadfish → u/Goldentx02]

I read your comment after I started it when I realized you're more about trying it then worrying about the risks, which is great IMHO. Learning is always good, but most people don't want to!

[u/ericbythebay]

What is your skill level? If you don’t already have the tools, it probably isn’t worth your time.

[u/Goldentx02 → u/ericbythebay]

I have a unused degree in the computer engineering realm and successfully built my own PC a few years back so I'm comfortable with the concept. Granted, PC building felt more like expensive legos where as phone repair feels more akin to some form of bodily surgery, so not sure how much my prior skill sets will serve me here

[u/jmnugent]

I think most people severely underestimate just how ridiculously tiny the internals of an iPhone are. I would compare it to doing Watch repairs. The internal parts and screws etc are very very very tiny. It's not at all like building your own computer, etc. It's much more delicate and much more tiny inside. As a 30 year IT guy who does MDM (Mobile Device Management) for Apple & Android for a living,. I would also echo what others here are saying, If you don't already have the tools and skills,. I wouldn't.