iPhone XS Earpiece Speaker and Front Sensor Assembly Replacement

Written By: Jeff Suovanen

Comments: 30

iPhone XS Earpiece Speaker and Front Sensor Assembly Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Follow the steps in this guide to remove, transfer, and/or replace the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly in your iPhone XS. This assembly includes the earpiece speaker, microphone, ambient light sensor, flood illuminator, and proximity sensor.

This assembly is paired to your individual iPhone from the factory, so you must transfer it from your old display to your new one during any display replacement.

The flood illuminator forms part of the biometric Face ID security feature, and Face ID functions will fail if the original component is damaged or incorrectly installed. Replacing it with a new part will also cause Face ID to fail, so take extra care not to damage any of these components during this procedure. If damaged, only Apple can restore Face ID function.

Tools

Parts

iPhone XS Earpiece Speaker and Sensor Assembly

Step 1

Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.
Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
Remove the two 6.9 mm-long pentalobe screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Opening the iPhone's display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

Step 2

Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.
Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 3

The next two steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down two steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
Pull the blue handle towards the hinge to disengage opening mode.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Push down on the cups to apply suction to the desired area.
If you find that the surface of your device is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use packing tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 4

Push the blue handle away from the hinge to engage opening mode.
Turn the handle clockwise until you see the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned to each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.
Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next two steps.

pay attention to not insert tools between glass and plastic display frame, as I do.

(insert separation tool under plastic frame)

cristiano -

Step 5

If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the curved portion of the glass.
If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

Step 6

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you're having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Step 7

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Don't insert the opening pick too far into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Step 8

Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.
Don't insert the pick very far, or you may damage the display cables along this side of the iPhone. Insert it only a few millimeters, or about the width of the display bezel.

Step 9

The top edge of the display is secured with both glue and clips.
Slide the opening pick around the top corner of the display, while gently pulling or wiggling the display down in the direction of the Lightning port.
The clips will break if you use too much force. Work carefully and be patient.
Again, don't insert the pick more than a few millimeters—about the width of the display bezel—or you may damage the front panel sensor array.
Slide the pick to the opposite corner and cut any remaining adhesive securing the display.

Step 10

Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.
If you used an iSclack and it's still affixed to the iPhone, remove it now.

Step 11

Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the left side, like the back cover of a book.
Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone's logic board.
Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn't click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren't bent.

Open from the LEFT. Photo confused me and I came very close to damaging my phone by opening from the wrong side.

charlotte -

Step 12

Remove five screws securing the logic board connector bracket, of the following lengths:
Three 1.0 mm Y000 screws
One 1.3 mm Y000 screw
One 3.7 mm Phillips screw
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

The ribbon makes the 1.3 mm screw a little tricky. Use one hand to hold the display at a 90 degree or smaller angle to create the slack necessary to get the screw driver in place.

charlotte -

I tracked my screws by using my kids fridge magnets to hold each screw size and placing a piece of masking tape below with the screw size.

charlotte -

I stripped a screw ugh

Tresia -

Step 13

Remove the bracket.
The bracket may be lightly adhered in place. Lift gently but firmly to separate it.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

During reassembly, pause here to check function. Gently reattach the top of the display to the base to test face ID.

charlotte -

Step 14

Use a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.
Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Step 15

Use a spudger or a fingernail to pry up and disconnect the front panel sensor assembly connector.

In my phone the connector made poor contact with the socket resulting in no sound audible through the phone receiver/headset. There was an overhang of insulation close to the socket which I believe may have prevented a good connection. So if you have these kinds of audio problems you might see if this is the problem.

goblazers -

Step 16

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the OLED panel cable connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Shine a bright light here to help you align the connector. Eventually, the right side snapped in first.

charlotte -

On reassembly, use the pad of your fingertip to reconnect.

charlotte -

Step 17

Use a spudger or fingernail to pry the digitizer cable connector up from its socket.
This connector's recessed location makes it tricky to reconnect. Take your time and align it carefully, then gently press it into place with your fingertip—first one side, then the other. You should feel it click into place.
If any part of your screen doesn't respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there's no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

Reassembly: reconnecting the press connectors upon reassembly was so hard, even for the ones not seated in a recessed location !! It took me two days to get them reconnected. What helped me was to shine bright lights on all sides of the iPhone and then hold the iPhone vertically like a book and press it in that way. They are now all in, but the touchscreen functionality has disappeared :( so I will need to reconnect that one.

natialollie -

Step 18

The front panel sensor assembly flex cable is lightly adhered in place.
Carefully lift the cable until the adhesive separates.

Will replacing camera and sensors fix damaged face I'd

Siddhartha Chowdhury - 04/03/20

No, FaceID will be disabled because the original sensors are paired with the logic board.

Arthur Shi - 04/03/20

Step 19

Remove the display assembly.
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

I wish the reassembly directions were separate. I forgot to pause here to do the waterproof seal.

charlotte -

Step 20

On the back of the display assembly, peel back and remove any tape covering the hidden screw at the lower right corner of the speaker housing.

Step 21

Remove the three Y000 screws securing the speaker/sensor assembly:
One 1.3 mm screw
One 1.4 mm screw
One 1.9 mm screw

While disassembling, I missed that these are all Y000. Prior list specifies in the bullets, but this list specifies in the text preceding the bullets.

charlotte -

Step 22

The earpiece speaker is lightly adhered in place.
Using a spudger, gently pry under the top edge of the speaker assembly, and flip it over—down and away from the top edge of the display.
The speaker remains attached via a very thin flex cable. Be careful not to strain or damage the cable.

Step 23

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the top front of the display for about a minute, in order to soften the adhesive securing the sensors.

Step 24

Carefully slide the edge of an opening pick underneath the flex cable below the microphone.
Twist gently to separate the microphone, while being careful not to strain or damage the flex cable.
If needed, use the point of the spudger to finish separating the microphone from its notch in the front panel. If the microphone remains difficult to separate, apply more heat.

Step 25

Working left to right, slide an opening pick beneath the flex cable and underneath the proximity sensor + flood illuminator module.
Gently wiggle and lift to separate the module from its notch in the front panel.
It's helpful to lift and hold the speaker out of the way for access. Just be careful not to pull on the thin flex cable while you work.

Step 26

Use tweezers to wiggle the ambient light sensor and lift it from its notch in the display.
If the sensor does not wiggle free after a few seconds, apply more heat and try again.
The sensor remains attached to the rest of the sensor assembly via a very thin flex cable. Be careful not to strain or damage the cable.

Step 27

If you successfully removed the entire ambient light sensor, as shown in the first photo, continue to the next step below.
If the white diffuser strip detached and remains embedded in the display, as shown in the second photo, you will need to carefully lever it out along the top edge using a thin blade or pry tool. Re-applying heat first may make this task a bit easier.
During reassembly, install the diffuser into the display first, making sure it faces the right direction (the front-facing side is shown in the first image, and the rear-facing side is shown in the third).
Then, set the ambient light sensor on top of the diffuser. You will need to hold the sensor in position while installing the screws securing the earpiece/sensor assembly. Once the screws are tightened, the sensor will stay in place and work normally.

Step 28

Remove the earpiece speaker and front sensor assembly.
During reassembly, check the position of the black plastic module containing these components:
Proximity sensor
Flood illuminator
The module must be positioned so that these components are not obstructed by any adhesive.

This picture is upside down compared to the prior step, look carefully to ensure proper alignment.

charlotte -

What is that hole that is on the opposite side of the proximity sensor? Is it necessary any adhesives or special filter to put it back on the bracket?

Rafael Gomez Prados -

Hi Rafael! The hole is for the front-facing microphone. You should be able to reuse the existing adhesive on the screen. If you're transferring it, you can cut a square of double-sided tape such as Tesa tape, poke a generous hole in the center of the square, and apply it to the cable with the hole.

Arthur Shi -

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Author

Jeff Suovanen

Member since: 06/08/13

406754 Reputation

13 comments

My iPhone xs face I'd isnt working . Can changing front cameras and sensors will fix it ,

Siddhartha Chowdhury - 04/03/20

no, cameras are not part of the prox module located on the display itself. you have to switch the prox module from the old display to the new one, the bundle of prox sensor, ambient light sensor, receiver, top mic and face id module. or run repaircal on new display assembly with NEW prox module etc OR ELSE face ID won’t work

nand26 - 04/03/20

My iPhone XS’s Face ID stopped working yesterday suddenly. I tried all the standard stuff like resetting Face ID and restore, so it’s definitely a hardware problem.

When trying to set up Face ID, the phone detects a face but always says to move the phone up or down. Likewise, in selfie portrait mode in the camera, it keeps saying move farther away.

So if I were to change the front sensor assembly, it wouldn’t work anyway?

Daniel Kim - 29/03/20

Hi Daniel,

You are correct. FaceID hardware is paired to the logic board—replacing the hardware will disable FaceID.

Arthur Shi - 30/03/20

Can you tell how to make face id still work after changed this part ?

wahyu_beattles - 20/04/20

Hello,

Please can you explain so we all understand the connection of replacing the earphiece speaker on this way and Face ID function? Will it work or not! What is confusing is that face id projector is on another flex, below battery…but I don’t understand what part that face id is using is on this new part you replaced. Face ID is on both flex or how is working. Why simply replacing this earphiece with new flex will cause faliure in face ID. Please explain!!!! Thank’s

Kobra Kicva - 26/10/20

Hi Kobra,

The flood illuminator on the earpiece speaker module is paired with the logic board and will cause Face ID to not work if it is replaced.

Arthur Shi - 26/10/20

Hello!

What will happen if the 3 screws that secure the ear/sensor assembly down are not placed back in order?

Eve - 12/02/21

Hi, If I replace iPhone XS Earpiece Speaker with this new one, my FaceID will stop working? please clarify.

Morris - 05/06/21

The flood illuminator on the earpiece speaker module is paired with the logic board and will cause Face ID to not work if it is replaced.

Fredy Melara -

hi, i need to replace the display and ear speaker on my iphone xs. replacing ear speaker and display will make face id still working? sorry but i am little confused. just wanna make sure if i buy display and ear speaker replacement am i all set?

Matteo Sella -

No, Face ID will be disabled after the replacement of the earpiece speaker due to apple pairing the flood illuminator sensor to the logic board so if you want Face ID to work you will have to get apple to do it because they pair components to the logic board because they like money and don't care about their customers. That is all.

Diesel Woods -

Face ID stopped working after iphone XS was under water, and now letter "y" not working any ideas please on what do do....

Sboniso Nyati -