iPhone 16 Plus Vibration Motor Repair
Complete guide to iPhone 16 Plus vibration motor repair. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.
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💰 Cost Breakdown
💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.
🔧 Repair Overview
Vibration Motor Repair is one of the most common repairs for iPhone 16 Plus. This repair involves replacing the damaged haptic component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 30 min - 1 hour and requires easy skill level.
What You'll Need
- Replacement haptic part (OEM or aftermarket)
- Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
- Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
- Adhesive strips or glue
- Clean workspace with good lighting
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Prepare your phone for disassembly
Allow your phone's battery to drain below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery is a potential safety hazard.
Unplug any cables from your phone.
Hold the power and either volume buttons and slide to power off your phone.
Step 2: Tape over any cracks
If your screen or back glass is badly cracked, lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the glass to protect yourself and make disassembly easier.
Make sure there's a smooth area near the bottom edge that's big enough for a suction cup to stick to.
Step 3: Mark your opening picks
If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
Alternatively, [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pQGATIGUbViSB4gB.full|tape a coin to a pick|new_window=true] 3 mm from the tip.
Step 4: Remove the pentalobe screws
Use a P2 pentalobe driver to remove the two 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the USB-C port.
Step 5: Heat the bottom edge
Apply a [guide|25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the bottom edge of the back glass for two minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true] to heat the bottom edge of the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
Be careful not to heat the phone hotter than this—the battery is susceptible to heat damage.
Step 6: Insert an opening pick
Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back glass, above the USB-C port.
Pull up on the handle with a strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.
Step 7: Back glass information
As you slice the adhesive securing the back glass in the next steps, be careful of the following areas:
There's a delicate cable connecting the back glass to the phone, right next to the volume up button. Don't insert your pick here to avoid slicing the cable.
There are multiple spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone. Be extra careful not to insert your pick deeper than suggested in each step to avoid bending these contacts.
Step 8: Separate the bottom edge adhesive
Don't insert your pick deeper than ***5 mm*** on the bottom edge to avoid damaging the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/xZIU2JMJvpJTnlRO.full|spring contacts|new_window=true].
Slide your pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
Leave your pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 9: Heat the right edge
Apply a [guide|25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the right edge of the back glass for two minutes.
When using a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true], heat the back glass until it's hot to the touch.
Step 10: Separate the bottom right corner adhesive
Don't insert your pick deeper than ***5 mm*** along the right edge to avoid damaging the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/xZIU2JMJvpJTnlRO.full|spring contacts and ribbon cable|new_window=true].
Slide your pick around the bottom right corner and slide it halfway up the right edge, or until you feel a hard stop at a clip securing the back glass.
Don't slice near the volume buttons to avoid damaging the wireless charging/flash cable.
Leave this pick inserted to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 11: Heat the left edge
Apply a [guide|25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the left edge of the back glass for two minutes.
When using a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true], heat until it's hot to the touch.
Step 12: Separate the left edge adhesive
Don't insert your pick deeper than ***5 mm*** along the left edge to avoid damaging the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/xZIU2JMJvpJTnlRO.full|spring contact|new_window=true].
Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.
Slide the second pick around the bottom left corner and along the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive and release the metal clips.
You'll hear and feel the metal clips release as you pass them.
Leave this pick inserted at the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 13: Heat the top edge
Apply a [guide|25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the top edge of the back glass, angled to include the volume buttons, for two minutes.
When using a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true], heat until it's hot to the touch.
Step 14: Separate the top edge adhesive
Don't insert your pick deeper than ***3 mm*** along the top edge to avoid damaging the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/xZIU2JMJvpJTnlRO.full|spring contacts|new_window=true].
Slide your opening pick across the top edge and around the top right corner to the volume up button to separate the adhesive.
You should hear and feel clicks as the top two clips release.
Step 15: Swing open the back glass
Don't try to fully remove the back glass just yet—it's still attached with a delicate ribbon cable. Follow the next few steps to remove it safely.
If the back glass doesn't swing open easily, don't force it—go back around the perimeter with your pick to check for missed sections of adhesive or stuck clips.
You may need to lift the back glass up slightly before swinging it open to fully disengage the clips.
Gently swing open the back glass towards the volume buttons.
Support the back glass with a clean, sturdy object like a small box to avoid straining the cable.
Remove the opening picks.
Step 16: Unfasten the middle connector cover
Use a tri-point Y000 driver to remove the two 1.3 mm-long screws securing the middle connector cover.
Step 17: Remove the middle connector cover
Be careful not to dent or puncture the battery during this step.
Use blunt-nose tweezers or your fingers to slide the cover towards the left edge of the phone and release its hook from its slot on the logic board.
Remove the cover.
Step 18: Disconnect the battery
Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery [guide|25629|press connector|stepid=70308|new_window=true].
Step 19: Disconnect the wireless charger
Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil press connector.
Step 20: Remove the back glass
Lift the back glass off the frame and remove it.
Step 21: Assemble the VoltClip
Plug the VoltClip's barrel connector into the USB-C elbow.
Don't connect the VoltClip to a power source just yet. The loose alligator clips may accidentally touch each other and cause an electrical short.
Step 22: Peel up the silver tab
Use a clean fingernail or an opening pick to peel up the silver tab at the bottom edge of the battery.
Step 23: Attach the alligator clips
Attach the red alligator clip to the silver tab on the battery.
Step 24:
Attach the black alligator clip to the grounding screw.
Step 25: Connect power to the VoltClip
Make sure the red alligator clip isn't touching any stray metallic surfaces.
Connect a powered USB-C cable to the USB-C elbow and wait 90 seconds for the adhesive to loosen.
Step 26: Disconnect the VoltClip
Disconnect the USB-C cable from the elbow, then disconnect the alligator clips.
Step 27: Remove the battery
Your adhesive should be fully loosened at this point. If your battery doesn't budge during the step, reconnect the VoltClip for an additional minute and try again.
Grip the silver tab and lift the battery out of the frame.
Alternatively, you can use a suction handle to pull the battery out. If the battery doesn't come out easily, don't force it—reconnect the VoltClip for one minute.
Step 28: Disassembly complete
Congratulations on completing disassembly! ***The remaining steps will show how to reassemble your iPhone.***
Some reassembly photos are of the iPhone 16 non‑Plus, which may look slightly different. The procedure is correct.
Step 29: Remove residual battery adhesive
Use a pair of tweezers to peel up any large pieces of residual battery adhesive from the iPhone frame.
Step 30: Remove adhesive residue
Use coffee filters or a lint‑free cloth and high‑concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol to wipe off any remaining battery adhesive residue from the iPhone frame.
Step 31: Remove the top battery‑side liner
If your battery came with the adhesive installed, skip this step and the next four steps.
Lay the old battery with the adhesive facing up next to the new battery. Lay the new adhesive on the new battery to see how it needs to be applied.
Your adhesive may look slightly different or have different liners.
If the battery‑side of your adhesive has two liners, remove the top liner.
If the battery‑side of your adhesive has one liner, remove it.
Step 32: Apply the top of the adhesive
With the old battery nearby so you can align the new adhesive correctly, use your finger to lightly press the new adhesive to the new battery.
Compare the placement of the new adhesive with the old adhesive.
If you need to adjust it, you can carefully peel the adhesive up and try again.
Once the new adhesive is aligned correctly and matches the old adhesive, press it firmly to the battery.
Step 33: Remove the bottom battery‑side liner
If the battery‑side of your adhesive still has a bottom liner on it, remove it now.
Step 34: Press the adhesive
Lay the adhesive onto the battery and press it into place.
Step 35: Fold the conductive tab
Use your finger to fold the conductive tab around to the front of the battery and press it into place.
Step 36: Remove the iPhone‑side liner
Peel the iPhone‑side liner off of the battery adhesive.
Step 37: Connect the battery
Hold the battery over its place in the iPhone, but ***don't*** lower it into place yet.
To ensure the battery is properly placed, use a spudger or your finger to connect the battery press connector.
Step 38: Place the battery
With the battery connected, lower it into its place in the iPhone.
Use your fingers to press the battery into place.
Step 39: Disconnect the battery
Use a spudger or your finger to disconnect the battery to protect your iPhone during the rest of the reassembly process.
Step 40: Remove the back glass adhesive
Be careful not to damage any of the spring contacts as you clean the frame.
This is a good point to test your repair before sealing up your phone. Connect the battery and back glass, power on your phone, and make sure it works as expected. Power it back down, disconnect the battery and back glass, and continue reassembly.
The adhesive remaining on your phone is difficult to remove and leaves residue. If you have trouble removing the adhesive, apply some heat using a [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true] or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true].
Use the pointed end of a spudger to press and roll the adhesive until you can grip it with a pair of tweezers.
Step 41:
Use the tweezers to pull the adhesive off of the phone.
Repeat the previous step and this step until all of the adhesive is removed.
Step 42: Clean the frame
Any leftover residue will compromise your iPhone's seal. Be sure to clean the frame thoroughly.
Wrap a [product|IF145-284|microfiber] or lint-free cloth over the point of a spudger and apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the cloth.
Wipe in one direction along the perimeter of the frame to clean the adhesive residue.
Wait a few minutes before proceeding to make sure any excess alcohol has evaporated.
Step 43: Clean the back glass
If you're not reusing your back glass, skip this step.
Apply a few drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to a microfiber or lint-free cloth and wipe around the perimeter of the back glass to prepare the surface for new adhesive.
If any clips on the back glass are bent, gently straighten them with your fingers.
Step 44: Orient the adhesive
Orient your replacement adhesive over the frame with the larger blue liner on the underside and its pull tab in the bottom-right corner.
The color of your liner and the pull tab locations may be different on your adhesive.
Use features such as the camera cutout and notches along the edges to ensure the adhesive is oriented correctly.
Step 45: Expose the bottom edge of the adhesive
Use the pull tab to begin peeling the back liner off of the adhesive starting from the bottom, but do not remove the liner all the way.
Step 46: Apply the adhesive
Once the adhesive is pressed into place, you can't reposition it—you'll have to remove it and start over with new adhesive.
Hold the blue liner out of the way and align the adhesive with the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Lay the bottom edge of the adhesive into its recess in the frame, making sure the iPhone's spring contacts are aligned with their cutouts in the liner.
Step 47:
Continue peeling the back liner off of the adhesive while pressing the adhesive into place along the edges of the iPhone's frame.
If you correctly aligned the lower edge of the adhesive, the side and top edges will fall perfectly into place. If the adhesive is misaligned, remove it and start over with new adhesive.
If your adhesive is misaligned and you don't have another set handy, it's okay to temporarily put your iPhone back together and use it normally without any adhesive, but keep in mind that ***your iPhone's water resistance will be compromised until you install new adhesive***.
Step 48: Press the adhesive into place
Use the flat end of a spudger to press the adhesive into place around the perimeter of the frame.
Be careful not to touch the spring contacts sticking through the pink liner.
Step 49: Remove the pink liner
Use the small pull tab in the top-right corner to remove the pink adhesive liner.
Step 50:
Once the top liner is removed, there should be three narrow liners on top of the adhesive with pull tabs near the bottom edge.
Your pull tabs may be in different positions.
If you don't see these pull tabs, you may have accidentally removed the thin liners in the previous step. If the adhesive is clean and properly aligned, you may proceed, just be careful not to touch anything to the exposed adhesive until you are ready to install the back glass.
Step 51: Connect the charging coil
Prop up the back glass along the right edge of your iPhone, using a box or similar sturdy object to support the screen.
Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the charging coil press connector.
Step 52: Connect the battery
Use the flat end of a spudger or your finger to connect the battery.
Step 53: Install the cover
The connector cover has [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/gOLSdKbAyIEWLZOZ.full|two hooks|new_window=true] that slide into slots on the logic board.
Lay the connector cover on the phone so the hooks are slightly to the left of their slots in the logic board.
Use your finger to press the connector cover down and to the right until [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/nQhrOyLGTVNtJIfe.full|both hooks slide into their slots|new_window=true].
Step 54: Install the cover screws
Use a tri-point Y000 driver to install the two 1 mm‑long screws securing the middle connector cover.
Step 55: Remove the final adhesive liners
As you remove the liners in this step, the adhesive will be fully exposed. Make sure nothing touches the exposed adhesive.
Use the blue tabs to remove the liners from the bottom, left, and top edges of your iPhone. ***Wait to remove the liner along the right edge.***
Step 56:
Without letting the back glass touch the adhesive, hold the back glass over the phone so you can access the final liner along the right edge of the phone.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the final liner along the right edge of the phone.
Step 57: Place the back glass
Hold the back glass above the phone and align it with the frame.
Lay the glass straight down onto the frame and press until the clips engage.
Press around the perimeter of the back glass to engage all clips.
Step 58: Heat the back glass
To help the adhesive bond, apply heat to the edges of the back glass using an [guide|11677|iOpener|new_window=true], [guide|157348|hair dryer|new_window=true], or [guide|151116|heat gun|new_window=true] until it's hot to the touch.
Firmly press around the perimeter of the back glass.
If you have [guide|142291|screen vise clamps|new_window=true], use them to strengthen the bond of your new adhesive. If not, keep reading for more ways to secure the back glass.
Step 59: Press the back glass
To evenly compress your iPhone and strengthen the bond of the back glass to the frame, you need to account for the camera bump.
If you have the box your iPhone came in, take the lid and place it on a flat surface.
If you don't have your original box, ***skip this step for an alternate method***.
Place your iPhone screen-side-up in the lid of your box with the camera bump in its recess.
Find something close to the size of your iPhone, but taller than the sides of the box. Stack it on top of the iPhone, followed by a few heavy objects.
Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.
Step 60:
If you don't have the original box for your iPhone, follow the next three steps for another method to evenly compress the back glass.
Place the iPhone screen-side-down on a soft, flat surface.
Apply tape to the back glass to protect its finish.
Step 61:
Place two layers of coins or similarly thick objects on the tape along the edges of the back glass.
Evenly distribute the coins and make sure they are at least as thick as the camera bump.
Step 62:
Stack multiple books or other heavy objects on your iPhone.
The coins may leave an impression on the bottom object, so don't use anything valuable.
Leave the objects in place for at least thirty minutes. The lighter the objects, the longer they should be left. Ideally, leave them stacked overnight.
Step 63: Install the pentalobe screws
Use a P2 pentalobe driver to install the two 7.7 mm-long screws on either side of the charging port.
📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
iFixit Difficulty: Moderate | Time: NaNh NaNm
DIY vs Professional Repair
✋ DIY Repair
- ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $24-$66)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($40-$110)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your iPhone 16 Plus instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 68 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new iPhone 16 Plus generates 70 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 2 kg of CO₂. That's a 97% reduction in carbon emissions!
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