Iphone 15 Earpiece Speaker Replacement

iPhone 15 Earpiece Speaker Replacement

Source: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+15+Earpiece+Speaker+Replacement/165762
Category: Repairs
Type: External SOP

Summary

Replace the earpiece speaker on an iPhone 15. Indicated when audio during phone calls is crackling, distorted, or absent. Requires back glass removal. Have replacement back glass adhesive on hand before starting.

Procedure

Preparation

  1. Drain battery below 25%. Power off the device. Unplug all cables.
  2. If the screen or back glass is cracked, cover it with overlapping strips of packing tape. Ensure a smooth area near the bottom edge for suction cup placement.
  3. Mark opening picks at 3 mm from the tip with a permanent marker to prevent over-insertion.

Remove Back Glass

  1. Remove the two P2 pentalobe screws (7.7 mm) beside the charging port.
  2. Heat the bottom edge of the back glass until hot to the touch. Apply suction handle, create a gap, and insert an opening pick.
  3. Slide the pick along the bottom edge — do not insert deeper than 5 mm. Leave pick in corner to prevent re-sealing.
  4. Heat the right edge. Slide pick around the bottom-right corner toward the volume down button — max 7 mm depth. Do not pass the volume buttons. Leave pick inserted.
  5. Heat the left edge. Insert a second pick at the bottom-left corner and slide up to the top-left — max 5 mm depth. Leave pick inserted.
  6. Heat the top edge. Slide the second pick along the top edge — max 3 mm depth. You may hear clips release.
  7. Heat the top-right corner. Slide pick around to the volume up button — max 4 mm depth.
  8. Gently swing the back glass open to the right. Rest it against a raised surface — do not strain the cable.

Disconnect Internal Components

  1. Remove the two Y000 tri-point screws (1.3 mm) from the lower connector cover. Slide the cover toward the top of the phone and remove it.
  2. Disconnect the battery press connector using an opening pick (located just below the volume buttons on the back glass cable).
  3. Remove the Y000 screw (0.9 mm) from the middle connector cover. Push it toward the bottom of the phone to unclip and remove.
  4. Disconnect the wireless charging coil and NFC connector. Remove the back glass fully.
  5. Remove the two Y000 screws (1.3 mm) from the upper connector cover and remove the cover.
  6. Disconnect the antenna, front sensors, and front camera press connectors (3 total) using an opening pick.
  7. Remove the front camera and sensors assembly from its recess.

Replace Earpiece Speaker

  1. Disconnect the earpiece speaker press connector using an opening pick.
  2. Remove five Phillips #000 screws securing the earpiece speaker: two 1.1 mm and three 1.6 mm screws.
  3. Lift and pull the earpiece speaker away from the top of the phone to free the gasket. Remove the speaker.
  4. Transfer the antenna: insert an opening pick under the antenna adhered to the old speaker, pry up to release adhesive, and remove the antenna.

Install New Earpiece Speaker

  1. Align the new earpiece speaker gasket with the sound channel in the frame. Press flat.
  2. Install the five Phillips #000 screws: two 1.1 mm and three 1.6 mm.
  3. (US/Puerto Rico model A2846 only) Apply thin double-sided tape to the underside of the 5G mmWave antenna. Connect its press connector and press it onto the earpiece speaker.
  4. Slide the front camera assembly into its recess. Press flat.
  5. Reconnect the front camera, sensors, and antenna press connectors (3 total).
  6. Install the upper connector cover. Install the two Y000 screws (1.3 mm).

Reassemble

  1. Test before sealing: Temporarily connect the battery and back glass, power on, and verify earpiece speaker function. Power off, disconnect battery and back glass before continuing.
  2. Remove all old back glass adhesive from the frame. Apply heat if needed to loosen. Clean residue with >90% isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth. Allow to fully dry.
  3. Apply new back glass adhesive: peel back liner from the bottom, align carefully to the frame starting at the bottom edge, press down progressively around the perimeter. Ensure spring contacts are aligned with cutouts. Remove all liners.
  4. Reconnect wireless charging coil, then battery press connector.
  5. Install middle connector cover — slide upward so both metal clips seat into the logic board. Install the Y000 screw (0.9 mm).
  6. Hook the lower connector cover into its logic board slot. Install the two Y000 screws (1.3 mm).
  7. Lay the back glass down onto the frame and press until all clips engage