Iphone 15 Back Glass Replacement

iPhone 15 Back Glass Replacement

Source: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+15+Back+Glass+Replacement/165686
Category: Repairs
Type: External SOP

Summary

Remove and replace a cracked or broken back glass on an iPhone 15. Requires replacement back glass adhesive. On iOS 18+, genuine parts can be paired via Apple’s Repair Assistant.

Procedure

Disassembly

  1. Drain battery below 25%. Power off the device and unplug all cables.
  2. Cover cracked glass with overlapping strips of packing tape. Ensure a smooth area near the bottom edge for a suction cup.
  3. Mark opening picks at 3 mm from the tip to prevent over-insertion.
  4. Remove the two 7.7 mm P2 pentalobe screws flanking the charging port.
  5. Heat the bottom edge of the back glass until hot to the touch.
  6. Apply suction handle to the bottom edge, pull to create a gap, and insert an opening pick.
  7. Bottom edge: Slide pick back and forth — max depth 5 mm. Leave pick in the bottom right corner.
  8. Heat the right edge. Rotate pick around the bottom right corner toward the volume down button — max depth 7 mm. Do not slice past the volume buttons. Leave pick inserted.
  9. Heat the left edge. Insert a second pick at the bottom left corner and slide it up to the top left corner — max depth 5 mm. Leave pick inserted.
  10. Heat the top edge. Slide second pick across the top edge to the top right corner — max depth 3 mm. Leave pick inserted.
  11. Heat the top right corner. Rotate second pick around the top right corner down to the volume up button — max depth 4 mm.
  12. Gently swing the back glass open to the right. Rest it against a raised surface to avoid straining the cable.
  13. Remove the two 1.3 mm Y000 tri-point screws from the lower connector cover, then remove the cover.
  14. Disconnect the battery press connector using an opening pick.
  15. Remove the 0.9 mm Y000 tri-point screw from the middle connector cover, then remove the cover.
  16. Disconnect the wireless charging coil and NFC press connector.
  17. Remove the back glass.

Adhesive Removal & Cleaning

  1. Use heat, a spudger, and tweezers to remove old adhesive from the frame. Avoid damaging spring contacts.
  2. Wipe the frame with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) on a lint-free cloth. Allow to fully evaporate before proceeding.

Reassembly

  1. Orient new adhesive against the phone using camera and spring contact cutouts as alignment references.
  2. Peel the back liner partially from the bottom, align the adhesive at the bottom edge, and press it down firmly. Continue peeling the liner while pressing the adhesive along all edges. Verify spring contacts and camera align with cutouts.
  3. Remove the top adhesive liner.
  4. Prop up back glass and reconnect the wireless charging coil press connector, then the battery press connector.
  5. Seat the middle connector cover: position with slight overhang, press down, and slide upward to engage both metal clips.
  6. Hook the lower connector cover into its logic board slot and lay it over the press connectors.
  7. Install the 0.9 mm screw (middle cover) and two 1.3 mm screws (lower cover) using a Y000 tri-point driver.
  8. Remove all remaining adhesive liners (bottom pull tabs, left/top edge liner, right edge liners).
  9. Lay the back glass straight down onto the frame and press the perimeter to engage all clips.
  10. Heat back glass edges until hot to the touch. Press firmly around the perimeter.
  11. Compress the back glass for adhesive bonding — at least 30 minutes (overnight preferred):
    • With original box: Place iPhone screen-side-up in the box lid with camera bump recessed. Stack a same-size object and heavy items on top.
    • Without box: Place iPhone screen-side-down on a soft surface. Apply tape to back glass, place evenly spaced coin stacks along edges (taller than camera bump), then stack heavy books on top.
  12. Install the two 7.7 mm P2 pentalobe screws at the charging port.

Post-Repair (iOS 18+)

  1. Navigate to Settings → General → About → Parts & Service History, tap Restart & Finish Repair, and follow the prompts to pair the new part via Apple’s Repair Assistant.

Notes

  • Critical cable hazard: A delicate cable runs near the volume down button. Do not insert picks in that area.
  • Spring contacts: Multiple contacts run around the perimeter — never exceed recommended insertion depths to avoid bending them.
  • Battery safety: Do not overheat the device. Excessive heat can damage the battery.
  • Adhesive alignment is one-shot: Once pressed into place, adhesive cannot be repositioned. Have a spare sheet available.