iPhone 4S Cellular Antenna Replacement

Prior to disassembling your iPhone, make sure to turn it off.

Two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector need to be removed

While assembling the phone again, we suggest you to replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws.

The 5-Point Screwdriver is meant to be used only once, as it may strip the screws.

Press the back panel and push it towards the top edge of the iPhone.

Back panel will move about 2 mm.

Separate the back panel from the back of the iPhone, and make sure not to damage the plastic clips fixed to the back panel.

Remove the back panel from the iPhone.

These screws securing the battery connector to the logic board need to be carefully removed:

One 1.7 mm Phillips screw

One 1.5 mm Phillips screw

With a help of plastic opening tool, you need to pull the pressure contact which is positioned below the battery connector.

When the pressure contact is being reinstalled, it needs to be cleaned with a degreaser such as windex or isopropyl alcohol. The natural oils on your fingers may accidentally create wireless interference.

Carefully separate the battery connector from its socket on the logic board by using the edge of a plastic opening tool.

Make sure only to raise the battery connector and not the connector on the logic board. If you push the logic board connector, it may happen to completely break the connector.

Place the edge of a plastic opening tool between the battery and the outer case close to the lower left corner of the iPhone.

Move the plastic opening tool along the right edge of the battery and gently push at several points to entirely separate it from the adhesive securing it to the outer case.

Exposed clear plastic pull tab will allow you to peel the battery off the adhesive securing it to the iPhone.

Remove the battery.

These screws fixing the dock connector cable cover to the logic board need to be removed:

One 1.5 mm Phillips screw

One 1.2 mm Phillips screw

Remove the metal dock connector cable cover.

The dock cable needs to be lifted up from its socket on the logic board using the edge of a plastic opening tool.

Dock connector cable needs to be peeled off the adhesive securing it to the logic board and the side of the speaker enclosure.

Gently separate the cellular antenna cable from its socket on the logic board using the edge of a plastic opening tool.

Pull the cellular antenna cable out from beneath the metal fingers fixed to the logic board.

Take out the two 2.4 mm Phillips screws fastening the speaker enclosure assembly to the outer case.

Small black spacer hidden beneath the Phillips screw near the vibrator needs to be removed.

Carefully lift the speaker enclosure assembly out of the case using the plastic opening tool, paying attention not to damage the EMI fingers on the attached Wi-Fi antenna.

Remove the speaker enclosure assembly.

Prior to reinstallation of the speaker enclosure assembly's screws, check if the Wi-Fi grounding fingers are installed below the lip in the iPhone's metal case as shown in the third picture.

Prior to reassembly it is necessary to clean all metal-to-metal contact points between the grounding fingers of the Wi-Fi antenna and the case of the iPhone using a de-greaser such as windex or isopropyl alcohol. The natural oils on your fingers may accidentally create wireless interference issues.

Two 1.6 mm Phillips screws fixing the cellular antenna to the speaker enclosure need to be removed.

Using the edge of a plastic opening tool, peel the antenna off the speaker enclosure, but make sure to start near the cellular antenna cable.

Keep on with peeling the cellular antenna off the speaker enclosure, but make sure not to rip the gold bracket joined to one of its edges.

Remove the cellular antenna.

During the installation of a new cellular antenna, make sure to slide the gold bracket over the ear molded into the speaker enclosure before sticking the antenna down.