Fairphone 1 Midframe Replacement

Written By: Sam Goldheart

Comments: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to remove the plastic midframe from your Fairphone to access internal components.

Tools

Step 1

There is a small indentation in the side of the phone near the bottom of the back cover.
With the indentation as leverage, use your fingernail to pry the bottom portion of the back cover from the phone.

Step 2

Slide the back cover down and remove it from the phone.

Step 3

There is a small indentation in the back of the phone just below the battery.
Use a fingernail in this indentation to push the battery toward the top of the phone
Pull the battery out away from the phone.

Step 5

Use your finger to slide the SIM card straight down out of its tray.
Remove the SIM card from your Fairphone.
Repeat this procedure if you have a second SIM card.
Be sure to remove all SIM cards before servicing your phone.

Step 6

If you have a microSD card, use your finger to slide it straight out of its slot.
Remove the microSD card from your phone.

Step 7

Remove the five 3.9 mm Phillips #000 screws securing the midframe to the display assembly.

The three upper -next to the SIM blocks- screws are a bit longer that the three others. It is important to keep them like this because if not, they will not tight to the whole.

Jaime Bosque Torrecilla - 16/06/15

There are only 5 screws. I see none longer than others.

Viktor Steiner - 31/01/16

You're right, I've just done it and it's true. Thanks!

Aiala - 20/03/16

Step 8

The midframe is secured to the display assembly by several small plastic clips.
Use an opening pick to carefully pry the midframe away from the display assembly.
Start just below the volume rocker and work your way down toward the bottom of the phone, freeing the plastic clips along the side.

No need to be TOO careful. Just remove the whole thing, no stress.

clem - 23/06/14

Some stupid person put a sticker on the fifth screw. If you can not find the fifth screw, check if there are any BLACK (yes, black) stickers on top of them. Also, which 'designer' made the first design choice for plastic clips? I WILL FIND YOU. AND KILL YOU. *!&*^#% stupidest way to affirm or secure something!

maggelo - 31/10/15

It must be done very carefully: I'd broken both white pieces. Hope has no consequences ...

Aiala - 20/03/16

You also can start from the interior (white pieces all around batterie place)

remy.carl.fr - 05/05/17

Step 9

Carefully round the corner, separating the midframe from the display assembly.

Step 10

After rounding the next corner, the midframe should be free along the bottom and the sides.

Step 11

Run the opening pick and pry along the top seam.
To avoid bending or damaging the opening picks, do not pry near to the power switch, USB port, or headphone jack.

Step 12

Separate any remaining clips and remove the midframe from the phone.

Step 13

The speakerphone speaker is held to the midframe with some mild adhesive.
Use the tip of a spudger to pry the speaker off of the midframe.

The whole "frame " around the speaker can and should be removed prior to removing the speaker! Especially if you change the midframe against a new one you have to transfer this frame from the old one (at least I didn't receive a new frame with my spare midframe).

Martin Jost - 12/03/17