Motherboard Cover Removal

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paperclip into the SIM card tray hole on the left edge of the phone.

Push the SIM eject tool into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.

Remove the SIM card tray.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover's right edge for two minutes.

Flip your phone over so the display is facing up.

Apply a suction handle to the middle of the display's left edge, as close to the edge as possible.

Place the tip of an opening pick in the small gap between the back cover and the display.

Pull up on the suction cup with a strong, steady force and push the opening pick down at a 45 degree angle until it slides into the gap between the back cover and the display.

Slide the pick along the left edge down to the bottom left corner, and then up to the top left corner, to release the clips and slice the adhesive.

Leave the pick inserted in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the back cover's top edge for two minutes.

Flip your phone over and rotate the pick around the top left corner.

Slide the pick along the top edge to release the clips and slice the adhesive.

Leave the pick inserted in the top right corner.

Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the back cover's left edge for two minutes.

Flip your phone over and rotate the pick around the top right corner.

Slide the pick along the right edge to release the clips and slice the adhesive.

Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the back cover's bottom edge for two minutes.

Flip your phone over and rotate the pick around the bottom right corner.

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to release the clips and slice the adhesive.

Flip your phone over and apply a heated iOpener to the fingerprint sensor on the back cover for two minutes.

Press down on the fingerprint sensor with the flat end of a spudger or your finger.

While pressing down on the fingerprint sensor, gently pull up the bottom edge of the back cover until the sensor detaches.

Lift the back cover up and remove it.

This is a good point to test your phone's functionality before sealing it up. Use this guide to run a hardware test. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.

Apply new adhesive to the perimeter of the underside of the back cover after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and a micro-fiber cloth.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the fingerprint sensor.

Gently pry up and detach the fingerprint sensor from the motherboard cover.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven 3.9 mm screws securing the motherboard cover.

Insert the flat end of a spudger in the gap between the frame and the bottom left corner of the motherboard cover.

Lift straight up with the spudger to release the clips securing the motherboard.

Pull the motherboard cover towards the top of the phone to remove it.