Some consider the Apple iPhone 7 Plus to be one of the best, if not actually the best, smartphone of 2016 for its performance.
Others simply enjoy its sleek and stylish design, so much so that they decline to house the unit in a protective casing.
This is not a big problem for tech savvy and handy users who can fix their damaged iPhones in a jiffy but, for those who need a guide on how to go about a DIY fix, YouTube tech guru JerryRigEverything has you covered.
JerryRigEverything has uploaded a 6 minute video showing how he fixed his iPhone 7 Plus's cracked screen.
The fix seems simple enough but, be warned, many of the necessary internal parts are very delicate. One wrong move, one extra ounce of force may do more damage.
We know that Apple's limited warranty doesn't cover accidental damage, especially when it comes to the screen, but it does offer a $29 repair if you purchased an AppleCare+ plan, or charge $149 if you are out of warranty.
Word Of Caution From Apple
A very important thing to know before you try a DIY fix: Apple already does not like what you are planning.
Important: Do not open the Apple Product. Opening the Apple Product may cause damage that is not covered by this Warranty. Only Apple or an AASP should perform service on this Apple Product.
Apple goes on to specify that the coverage will not include "damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider." So, just to be clear, Apple will not fix any damage incurred from DIY fixes for free.
The DIY Fix
JerryRigEverything notes that the whole process usually takes an experienced technician about 30 to 40 minutes to properly perform the fix (first-timers might take longer). He also reminds viewers of two very important pieces of advice:
• "Make sure to keep your screws organized, so you [don't] lose any, or put the iPhone screws back in the wrong spot."
• "Only attempt your own repairs if you can accept personal responsibility for the results, whether they are good or bad."
The YouTube technician's iPhone 7 Plus screen cracked after the phone bounced off his friend's bag when he went to hug her. This caused the phone to tumble to the ground. Since he knows how to fix things and owns the proper tools (and since viewers have been waiting for it), he decided to upload a video of the process of repair for everyone's sake.
The first step, of course, is to buy a new LCD screen. For his fix, the LCD screen from Fixez was purchased.
Here are the other tools you need:
• Smartphone repair tool kit
• Y000 screwdriver set
• Plastic pry tool
• Metal phone opening tool
What to do:
Step 1: Remove the screws at the bottom of the unit.
Step 2: Use a metal tool to pry the metal frame and plastic edge of the screen and open up the unit.
Important!
Opening up the unit would peel off the waterproofing adhesive so do NOT expect your iPhone 7 Plus to still be waterproof after. Do NOT push the opening tool in deep because it can damage cables necessary for the phone to work.
Step 3: Open the iPhone 7 Plus from the bottom up BUT do not, by any means, pull it apart. It is supposed to open like a book because there are still cables connecting the front and back portion, which you will have to remove and set aside neatly.
Step 4: Use the plastic pry tool to unsnap the cables connecting the front and back portions together. Those are the battery, display, and fingerprint cables.
Step 5: Prepare your replacement screen and make sure that the ribbon cables do not get bent or damaged in any way.
Step 6: Remove the earpiece, home button, and metal back plate from your damaged screen and transfer them all to the replacement screen. Make sure that all the screws are in their proper places and are not screwed too tight because it may damage the fragile components, which may end in tears and regret.
Step 7: You can now put the back and front portion of your phone together by snapping the contact ribbons together. For safety reasons, it is advisable to snap on the battery cable last. (JerryRigEverything says you should be able to feel the ribbons snap into place like little Lego pieces.)
Step 8: Now that everything is in place, it is best to first test out if the screen works correctly before putting the front and back portions together. If the screen displays random lines or is gray, it could be a sign of a loose cable so you may want to see if everything is really connected properly.
Step 9: Screw the small metal plates in their proper places then put the two portions together and screw the unit shut. Be careful with the right side of the screen since most of the fragile ribbons are in that area, and any damage could render your efforts futile.
Step 10: Use your device again and consider using protective casing and screen protectors this time around. (Hah!)
The steps above summarize the steps. Watch the full video below.
If you are not up to the challenge, perhaps it is better to shell out extra cash for an official Apple repair instead since the replacement screen is also a bit pricey at $227.99.
