iPhone 15 Taptic Engine Replacement

Source: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+15+Taptic+Engine+Replacement/165723
Category: Repairs
Type: External SOP

Summary

Replace the Taptic Engine in an iPhone 15. Indicated when vibrations are rattly or intermittent. Requires back glass adhesive for reassembly.

Drain battery below 25%. Power off by holding Power + Volume, then slide to power off.
Remove two 7.7 mm P2 pentalobe screws on either side of the charging port.
If back glass is cracked, cover with overlapping packing tape, leaving a smooth area near the bottom edge for a suction cup.
Mark an opening pick 3 mm from the tip to prevent over-insertion.

Heat the bottom edge of the back glass until hot to the touch. Apply suction handle, pull to create a gap, and insert an opening pick.
Slide pick along the bottom edge — do not insert deeper than 5 mm. Leave pick in bottom right corner.
Heat the right edge. Rotate pick around the bottom right corner toward the volume down button — max 7 mm depth. Do not go past the volume buttons. Leave pick inserted.
Heat the left edge. Insert a second pick at the bottom left corner and slide up to the top left corner — max 5 mm depth. Leave pick inserted.
Heat the top edge. Slide second pick from top left to top right corner — max 3 mm depth. Two clips will audibly release.
Heat the top right corner. Slide pick from top right down to the volume up button — max 4 mm depth.
Gently swing back glass open to the right and rest it against a raised surface — do not strain the cable.

Remove two 1.3 mm tri-point Y000 screws from the lower connector cover. Slide cover toward top of phone to unlatch; remove.
Rotate back glass to reveal the battery press connector below the volume buttons. Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect it.
Remove the 0.9 mm tri-point Y000 screw from the middle connector cover. Push cover toward bottom of phone to unclip; remove.
Pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil/NFC press connector with an opening pick.
Remove the back glass.

Remove two 1.9 mm Phillips #000 screws from the Taptic Engine press connector cover. Remove the cover.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Taptic Engine press connector.
Remove the single 1.9 mm Phillips #000 screw securing the Taptic Engine.
Remove the Taptic Engine using tweezers or fingers.

Reconnect the battery and back glass temporarily. Power on and verify vibration functions correctly. Power off and disconnect before continuing.

Remove old adhesive from the frame using a spudger. Apply heat if needed. Clean residue with >90% isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth; allow to fully evaporate.
Orient new adhesive correctly (align cutouts for spring contacts and rear camera). Peel back liner from the bottom and align bottom edge first. Press along all edges; do not reposition once placed.
Remove all adhesive liners from the frame perimeter.
Reconnect wireless charging coil press connector, then battery press connector.
Reinstall middle connector cover (overhang slot, press down, slide up to engage both clips) and lower connector cover (hook top into logic board slot). Install 0.9 mm and two 1.3 mm tri-point Y000 screws.
Lay back glass straight down onto frame and press around the perimeter to engage all clips.
Apply heat around back glass edges until hot to the touch. Compress using screen vise clamps, an iPhone box with weight on top, or evenly spaced coins with books stacked on top. Leave compressed for at least 30 minutes (overnight preferred).
Install two 7.7 mm P2 pentalobe screws on either side of the charging port.

Cable hazard: Never insert a pick near the volume down button — a delicate cable runs alongside it.
Spring contacts: Multiple spring contacts run around the phone’s perimeter. Respect the max insertion depths at every edge to avoid bending them.
Wireless charging cable: Do not slice past the volume buttons