iPhone SE Motherboard Replacement – Upgrade Your Storage Today!

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OVERVIEW:

In this tutorial, we walk through a complete logic board transfer for the 2016 iPhone SE. The goal is to move a 16GB logic board into a new housing with a 128GB board, giving the client more storage space. Key components like the home button are carefully swapped to ensure full compatibility with the new board. Throughout this guide, you’ll see how to safely disassemble, transfer, and reassemble each internal component. Always back up your data before beginning any board swap.

See the official Apple specs for this model

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REPAIR TIME & SKILL LEVEL:

This repair is estimated to take about 1 HOUR to complete and is of INTERMEDIATE difficulty, requiring careful handling of small connectors and logic board alignment.

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STEPS:

Tools You Need

For this repair, you will need a pentalobe screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, a prying tool, a Jimmy tool, a pair of tweezers to detach flex cables, and a plastic spudger for safe component disconnection and reconnection.

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Remove Pentalobe Screws

• Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two screws near the Lightning port.
• Begin gently prying from the bottom of the device using the prying tool.
• Note that this model doesn’t use adhesive under the screen, so it lifts easily—but don’t lift too far to avoid damaging the home button flex cable.

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Disconnect Home Button

• Carefully remove the bracket holding the home button using tweezers.
• Use a plastic spudger to gently disconnect the home button cable.
• In this case, the connector popped off on its own during disassembly.

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Remove LCD Bracket and Disconnect Screen

• Remove the four Phillips screws securing the metal bracket over the display connectors.
• Disconnect the flex cables connecting the LCD, digitizer, and front camera.
• Since the front camera is part of the LCD assembly, it comes off with the screen.

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Remove Battery Bracket and Disconnect Battery

• Unscrew the bracket that holds the battery connector in place.
• Keep a pair of tweezers nearby in case the screws aren’t magnetized.
• After removing the bracket, disconnect the battery connector from the board.

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Disconnect and Remove Rear Camera

• Disconnect the rear camera connector.
• Carefully lift the camera from its housing and set it aside.

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Remove Torx and Hidden Phillips Screws

• Remove the four Torx screws securing the logic board.
• Locate and remove the hidden Phillips screw beneath the rear camera region.
• Be aware of a tiny coaxial cable near the bottom that also needs to be disconnected.

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Eject SIM Card and Final Board Screws

• Make sure the SIM tray is removed from the phone.
• Remove the last Phillips screw securing the board.
• Gently lift the logic board from the bottom end, being cautious of a coaxial cable beneath.

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Disconnect Lower Coaxial Cable

• After lifting the board slightly, disconnect the coaxial cable underneath.
• The logic board should now be completely free for removal.

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Reconnect Coaxial Cable on New Board

• In the new housing, reconnect the tiny coaxial cable beneath the board.
• Use a plastic spudger for precision and safety.
• Be patient during this step—it may take several tries to align the cable correctly.

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Reconnect Charging Port and Torque Screws

• Align and reconnect the charging port flex cable.
• Install all the Torx screws, ensuring each goes in its original position to avoid board damage.
• Replace the two Phillips screws to fully secure the logic board.

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Swap and Install Home Button

• Remove the Phillips screw holding the home button on the original screen.
• Gently push from the front of the screen to remove the button.
• Transfer the home button into the new screen and secure it with the screw.

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Reconnect the LCD and Digitizer

• Begin screen reassembly by connecting the digitizer, camera, and LCD flex cables.
• Secure all connectors with their respective metal bracket and screws.
• Ensure each connection is firm before proceeding.

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Reconnect Battery and Secure Brackets

• Reconnect the battery to the logic board.
• Secure the battery connector with the original bracket and screws.
• This ensures safe power connection during boot-up.

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Reconnect Home Button and Final Assembly

• Use tweezers to align and connect the home button flex cable.
• Once all components are in place, lower the screen and snap it into the frame.
• Reinstall the two bottom pentalobe screws to finish the job.

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CONCLUSION:

This 2016 iPhone SE logic board swap provides a major upgrade in storage, going from 16GB to 128GB. Careful disassembly and attention to detail during reassembly ensure the device functions flawlessly with its new internals. Swapping the home button was necessary to maintain full compatibility. With the right tools and patience, this procedure is straightforward and very rewarding. Always back up data before performing any board-level swaps.

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VIDEO TUTORIAL:

Looking for a more in-depth tutorial? Check out our complete teardown video for a detailed step-by-step walkthrough.

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MAIL-IN REPAIR SERVICE:

We offer professional screen replacement services. If you’re unsure about doing this repair yourself, send your device to our expert technicians for fast and reliable repair.

https://tekdep.com/device-repair

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SHOP PARTS:

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SHOP TOOLS:

Using precision tools ensures a safe and efficient repair. Always use the right tools to prevent damage to delicate components. Investing in high-quality tools also improves repair accuracy and reduces the risk of part failure.

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HAVE QUESTIONS?

Need help with your repair? Contact us at:

• Phone: 818-456-4479
• Email: support@tekdep.com

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YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS: