iPhone 16 Pro Rear Cameras Removal

Written By: Nick Schultz

Comments: 3

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the rear cameras in your iPhone 16 Pro.

You may need to replace the rear cameras if they have trouble focusing or pictures and videos come out fuzzy. If you experience these issues with your selfie camera, follow this guide.

This assembly includes the wide, ultrawide, and telephoto rear cameras. These parts come as one unit, which is uniquely paired to your logic board.

After you complete this guide, calibrate authentic Apple replacement cameras using Repair Assistant.

You'll need replacement back glass adhesive to complete this repair.

Tools

Step 1

Allow the phone's battery to drain below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery is a potential safety hazard.
Unplug any cables from the phone.
Hold the power and either volume buttons and slide to power off the phone.

Wilson Demosthène

Demosthène Wilson -

Step 2

If the screen or back glass is badly cracked, lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the glass to protect yourself and make disassembly easier.
Make sure there's a smooth area near the bottom edge that's big enough for a suction cup to stick to.

Step 3

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 4

Use a P2 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two 7.4 mm‑long screws on either side of the USB-C port.

Step 5

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the back glass for two minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
Be careful not to heat the phone hotter than this—the battery is susceptible to heat damage.

Step 6

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass, above the USB-C port.
Pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 7

As you slice the adhesive securing the back glass in the next steps, be careful of the following areas:
There's a delicate cable connecting the back glass to the phone, right next to the volume up button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.
There are multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone. Be extra careful not to insert your pick deeper than suggested in each step to avoid bending these contacts.
If you damage the spring contacts, gently bend them back with a spudger or opening pick so they align with their gold contact pads on the back glass.

Step 8

Don't insert your pick deeper than 5 mm on the bottom edge to avoid damaging the spring contact.
Slide your pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
Leave your pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 9

Heat the right edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 10

Slide your pick around the bottom right corner and halfway up the right edge, or until you feel a hard stop at a clip securing the back glass.
Don't slice near the volume buttons to avoid damaging the wireless charging/flash cable.
Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 11

Heat the right edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.

Step 12

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.
Slide the second pick around the bottom left corner and along the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.
Leave this pick inserted at the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 13

Heat the top edge of the back glass, including the area around the volume buttons, until it's hot to the touch.

Step 14

Don't insert your pick deeper than 3 mm along the top edge to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Slide your opening pick across the top edge and around the top right corner to the volume up button to separate the adhesive.
You'll hear and feel clicks as the top two clips release.

Step 15

Don't try to fully remove the back glass just yet—it's still attached with a delicate ribbon cable. Follow the next few steps to remove it safely.
If the back glass doesn't swing open easily, don't force it—go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
You may need to lift the back glass up slightly before swinging it open to fully disengage the clips.
Gently swing open the back glass towards the volume buttons.
Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object like a small box to avoid straining the cable.
Remove the opening picks.
Consider using polyimide tape to protect the rear camera lenses while you're working inside the phone. Don't push against the lenses to avoid damaging the delicate stabilizers.

Step 16

Use a tri-point Y000 screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the lower connector cover:
Two 1.2 mm‑long screws
One 1.0 mm‑long screw

Step 17

Use tweezers or your fingers to pick up and remove the lower connector cover.

Step 18

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.
During reassembly, align the connector carefully over its socket and press down with your fingertip or the flat end of a spudger—first on one side, then the other—until it clicks into place. Don't try to force the connector into place. If you're having trouble, reposition it and try again.

Step 19

Use a tri-point Y000 screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the upper connector cover:
Two 1.0 mm‑long screws
One 1.2 mm‑long screw
One 1.6 mm‑long screw

Step 20

Use tweezers or your fingers to pick up and remove the upper connector cover.

Step 21

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the back glass press connector.

Step 22

Lift the back glass off the frame and remove it.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to test your repair before sealing up the phone. Temporarily reconnect the battery and back glass (before replacing the adhesive), power on the phone, and make sure it works as expected. Power it back down, disconnect the battery, and continue reassembly.
Use this guide to reapply adhesive and install the back glass.

Step 23

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the LiDAR sensor press connector.

First picture is incorrect, it's the connector underneath.

Oliver -

Good catch, thank you!

Nick Schultz -

Step 24

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the LiDAR sensor:
One 1.7 mm‑long screw
One 3.0 mm‑long screw

Step 25

Use your fingers or tweezers to lift and remove the LiDAR sensor.

Step 26

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the first rear camera connector.
Disconnect the second camera connector underneath the first connector.

Step 27

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the rear cameras:
One 2.9 mm‑long screw
One 3.8 mm‑long screw

Step 28

Lift the cameras straight up to remove them.
During reassembly, make sure the camera cables route in the channel next to the battery.

Conclusion

To reassemble your iPhone, follow this guide in reverse order.

After your repair, calibrate genuine replacement rear cameras using Apple's Repair Assistant. Navigate to Settings → General → About → Parts & Service History, tap Restart & Finish Repair, and follow the onscreen prompts.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 16 Pro Answers Community for help.

Author

Nick Schultz

Member since: 24/03/24

20083 Reputation

iPhone 16 Pro Rear Cameras Removal

Introduction

Tools

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