How to fix a broken headphone jack in an iPhone 5

March 16, 2015

Issues with your iPhone 5 headphone jack? No problem! We'll walk you through how to replace it in less than one hour!

Have an iPhone 5 with a broken or jammed headphone jack? If you're within your warranty period, just head to your local Apple Store to swap your device for a new one. However, if your warranty has expired and you aren't ready for a new iPhone yet, we can help you DIY repair the headphone jack for a fraction of the cost. If you're experiencing crackling audio, no audio at all when headphones are plugged in, or if something's stuck in the headphone jack, this guide is for you. Follow along and we'll not only walk you through the repair step by step, but link you to all the parts and tools you need as well!

The headphone jack assembly on the iPhone 5 is actually part of the dock assembly. So in order to replace the headphone jack, you'll be replacing the actual Lightning dock as a whole. This means if you're experiencing any other issues such as finicky charging, those issues will be resolved as well.

Parts and tools needed

You'll need some tools and parts in order to repair your iPhone 5. If you're in the United States or Canada, we highly recommend checking out eTech Parts as we've had lots of good experiences with them and know their customer service is out of this world. All the links below will route you to the direct item on eTech's site.

Replacement dock connector - Buy white dock, Buy black dock
Suction cup - Buy now
5-point security screwdriver - Buy now
Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver - Buy now
Spudger tool - Buy now
Razor blade - Buy Now
iSesamo Opening tool - Buy Now

Power off your iPhone 5

Before beginning any repair, always power your iPhone down completely using the Slide to power off option. Easy enough right?

Remove the front screen assembly

To begin, use your security screwdriver to remove the two screws in the bottom of your iPhone 5 that sit on either side of the dock.
Now place your suction cup above the Home button and gently pry up from the bottom. Take care not to pull the entire screen off as the top of the screen is still attached by several cables. You only want to release the bottom portion.
Once the screen is free, swing up the display assembly so you can get to the shield that is holding the cables in place.
Using your ##000 screwdriver to remove the three screws holding the display shield down. Set the shield aside and remember not to mix up the screws.
Now use your spudger tool to pry up the three cables that attach the display to the board. After you do so, the display should be free from the device. As a side note, you can only see two of the cables (as marked in the photo below) as the third is underneath. Most of the time the third one simply pops up on its own when you remove the first two. You may need to free it but most likely, it'll come up on its own. The second photo below shows its location on the board for reference.
Set the device aside once the display is free.

Alternate method: If you're having issues pulling the screen up with a suction cup, you may insert a razor blade on the outer edge of either screw hold and pry upwards slightly. This method gives you enough clearance to stick your spudger tool underneath and release the screen. I recommend this method if your hands aren't as steady or you're afraid you may pull too hard and damage a cable.

Remove the battery

I'll preface this section by saying the plastic battery tabs to pull to release them are useless. They break off and/or bend the battery. You can try that method but I suggest following my instructions below instead.

Start by removing the two screws shown in the photo below. This shield covers the battery connector itself. Use your #000 screwdriver for this.
Now use your spudger tool in order to gently pry the connector off the board as shown.
We are now ready to remove the battery, which is the hardest part and must be done with extreme caution as to prevent puncturing it or causing damage to the logic board. I use the iSesamo opening tool for battery removal because it's pliable and that means it's more delicate. You may use the flat end of a spudger tool if you'd like but I've found them to break off rather easily.
In order to remove the battery, start at the top left corner and put your opening tool between the casing and the battery. Gently start lifting upwards. You should hear adhesive start to crack. Now slowly move your tool around the left side of the battery and gently pry upwards a little at a time. Each time you should hear more adhesive cracking. Just apply pressure evenly and move your pry tool each time.
By the time you get to the bottom the adhesive should be nearly free, or free enough for you to grab hold of the battery and carefully break the rest and remove it.

It is important while performing the steps above that you're careful to not puncture or bend the battery. Just take your time and you'll get there. Don't rush and don't force it.

Remove the Lightning dock connector assembly

Remove the dock connector shield by removing the 1 screw holding it in place. Use your #000 Phillips screwdriver for this.
Next pry up the cable using your spudger tool. You can also pry up the round connector cable which is found a little further down on the logic board and is pictured below.
Start removing the dock itself by using your #000 Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven screws shown below that hold the dock assembly in place. Be very careful to make sure you know where these screws came from. Do not get them mixed up as they are all different shapes and sizes.
Turn your iPhone 5 around on the table so you can gently wedge the flat end of your spudger tool between the headphone jack and rear casing. Very carefully pry up until it starts to loosen.
Now do the same thing under the Lightning dock but take note of cables running underneath it so you don't tear them.
Keep working your way around the bottom until you get to the part under the loud speaker assembly. Here pry in between the cable and loud speaker instead. Take care not to flex the logic board in any way.
You should now be able to slide the loud speaker assembly out from underneath the logic board. Carefully set it to the left as it is still attached. Do not attempt to tear it off.
Now focus on removing the rest of the Lightning dock cable from the back of the rear casing, again being mindful of the logic board's position.
The dock assembly should now be free from the back casing. Just take care not to rip any cables or wires that may still be hanging on by bits of glue and adhesive. Be sure to break them first.

Separate the loud speaker assembly from the dock assembly

The loud speaker assembly is attached to the dock assembly by a single cable. The only thing connecting it is a bit of adhesive. Use your spudger tool to separate the speaker from the dock at the point shown in the photo below.
Now place the loud speaker assembly on the new dock connector assembly. Take care to pay attention to the orientation of the contact point so you know you're putting it on correctly.

Replace the dock & headphone jack assembly

Before beginning to replace the dock assembly, take note of the four silver rings that sit around the screw threads in the back casing. They may have moved or gotten relocated during disassembly. If they have gotten shuffled about, carefully place them back around the four screw threads before continuing.
Next be sure to transfer any rubber gaskets that may not come on your new dock assembly. For instance, the mic has a gasket over it that you'll need to pull off of the old dock connector and place on the new one.
The best place to start replacing the dock connector assembly is with the Lightning dock itself. Since it's in the center, it makes for a nice way to assure everything is lined up perfectly. Go ahead and use your #000 Phillips screwdriver to replace three of the screws that hold the Lightning dock in place . Don't replace the bottom right screw just yet as you'll need to secure the bracket on the dock underneath it once you've laid down the rest of the dock.
Now go ahead and secure the left side of the dock assembly and the right. Again, be very mindful of the logic board and be sure not to nick it or break it while sliding the cable and loud speaker corner underneath it.
Once you've gotten everything lined up, go ahead and replace all the rest of the screws you initially removed. If one of them doesn't want to go in, don't force it. Instead be sure that everything is lined up correctly and re-evaluate your positioning before moving on. Go ahead and plug a Lightning cable in to be sure your dock placement is correct. If a cable doesn't want to go in, you need to re-position and try again.
Now reconnect the round connector at the bottom of the logic board.
Lastly, reconnect the dock connector cable and replace the shield with your #000 Phillips screwdriver.

This is a good time to plug in a pair of headphones to ensure that the dock and headphone jack are lined up correctly. Realizing this now is much easier than realizing it once you've got your iPhone 5 already assembled. Don't force the headphones in. If they don't go in, re-align the dock and headphone jack again.

Replace the battery

Carefully lay the battery back down into place. Press firmly in order to cause the adhesive to grab hold of the back casing again.
Reconnect the battery connector by carefully lining it up and pressing firmly with your finger.
Reposition the battery shield and use your #000 screwdriver to replace the two screws.

Reconnect the display assembly

Re-attach the three cables for the display back to the board of your iPhone 5.
Carefully re-position the display shield over the cables once you're sure they are secure.
Replace the three screws you removed previously using your ##000 screwdriver. Sometimes the top right screw is not magnetized and may be a little tricky to get back in. I normally guide it in with my finger and then use the screwdriver. Makes for an easier job.
Now snap the display back down and into place. Be sure to line up the grooves in the top of the screen inside the frame. If you are facing resistance, do not force the display down. Make sure everything is lined up properly and that the clips in the top are aligned properly. Then try gently pressing down again.
Replace the two screws that sit on either side of the Lightning dock using your security screwdriver.

Test the new dock & headphone jack assembly

Once you've completely reassembled your iPhone 5, it's safe to turn it back on. You'll want to test the following functions in order to make sure the replacement parts are working as they should:

Plug headphones in and play audio, make sure it sounds good and plays as it should
Play audio over the loud speaker to make sure your iPhone passes the signal from headphones to speaker as it should
Charge your iPhone and make sure it doesn't get too warm, if it does, remove the replacement part immediately and swap it out
Make sure iTunes recognizes your iPhone 5 when plugged in
Make a call and make sure everyone can hear you through headphones, loud speaker, and as you'd normally talk through your iPhone

If everything checks out okay, you're good to go again!

More DIY help and guides

If you run into problems, be sure to check out our iMore forums for answers to commonly asked questions. If you still can't find what you're looking for or just have suggestions on other guides, feel free to email me directly!

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How to fix a broken headphone jack in an iPhone 5

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