How do I replace the glass cover, digitizer and display (LCD screen) on the iPhone 5?

If you are certain that the display on your iPhone 5 is broken or damaged, it will be necessary to essentially replace the entire front of the device.

The iPhone 5 has the glass cover, the digitizer (the touch sensitive portion of the screen) and the underlying LCD all integrated as a single part.

Perhaps the glass cover is cracked or shattered, the screen does not respond properly (or at all) to touch, or the display otherwise does not work.

In these scenarios, Apple offers to replace the screen in three to five business days for a cost of US$269 plus US$6.95 shipping (and applicable sales tax).

However, faster and more affordable third-party repair services also are available.

For those with significant technical expertise, the proper tools, and sufficient time and patience (at least an hour is a realistic estimate for the first time), self-replacement is possible, although professional installation is strongly recommended.

Identification Help

There are five unique iPhone 5 models and EveryiPhone.com dives into the differences in considerable detail.

However, for the purpose of replacing the display, you only need to confirm that you have an iPhone 5 rather than the specific iPhone 5. All iPhone 5 models use the same display parts.

Each iPhone can be externally identified by a unique Model Number listed on the back of the device toward the bottom. Specifically, the iPhone 5 is model number A1428, A1429, and A1442.

The iPhone 5 models also can be differentiated by the Serial Number and Order Number with EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iLookup.

The serial number is not externally listed, but it is available when plugged into a computer on the "Summary" tab in iTunes and in the Nano SIM card tray. If the display works enough to use the screen, the Serial Number and Order Number also can be viewed under General > About within the iOS "Settings" app.

Specific Display Parts

Although from a consumer-facing standpoint the display in the iPhone 5 essentially is the same as the subsequently introduced iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s -- each have a 4" multi-touch IPS LED-backlit display with 1136x640 resolution at 326 ppi -- the specific display parts in the iPhone 5 are unique.

Consequently, should you decide to replace the display yourself, be sure to purchase a display assembly that is for the iPhone 5. In addition, be sure to purchase the display from a quality company. There are aftermarket displays that are not as high-quality as the original one and these lower quality parts may not only perform poorly but also may break more easily.

Display Replacement Caveats

If you have replaced the display in an iPhone before, the iPhone 5 display replacement procedure has more in common with the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS than the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. It is easier to replace the iPhone 5 battery than the display, though.

Thankfully, unlike the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S displays, replacing the display in the iPhone 5 does not involve disassembling nearly the entire device, so the process is easier than it is for those devices.

Unfortunately, unlike the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS -- where replacement parts commonly are available with the glass, digitizer, frame, home button, and speaker all integrated as a single part for easier replacement -- iPhone 5 display parts tend to require one to glue the new display to the old frame and transfer the home button, front camera, earpiece and more from the old display assembly to the new one.

Transferring these small parts is complicated, time consuming, and requires sharp eyes and steady hands alike. If the old display is badly shattered, having to remove small parts from it also significantly increases the risk of cutting yourself or dropping glass shards in the carpet and the like.

iPhone 5 display assemblies are available with the home button, front camera, and other parts pre-installed as a single piece, but if they are of quality, they typically cost about as much as just having the display professionally replaced by a quality company of your choosing.

Display Replacement Video Instructions

As noted above, for reasons of complexity and cost alike, EveryiPhone.com strongly recommends hiring a professional to replace the display on your iPhone 5.

Nevertheless, for highly skilled individuals, the below video from LE55ONS, diligently covers the entire iPhone 5 front panel removal, transfer of the home button and other parts from the old iPhone 5 display assembly to the new one, and reassembly.

As noted in the video, LE55ONS wisely recommends not using super glue (as he did) because super glue dries white, but instead using a UV cured clear adhesive:

LE55ONS is collecting donations for Cancer Research in the United Kingdom. If you find the video helpful, please make a generous donation to show your appreciation.

From watching the video, you should be able to determine whether or not you feel comfortable to replace the display in the iPhone 5 on your own, or if you would rather hire a professional. Hiring a professional not only prevents potential problems, but it saves a great deal of time, as well.

Be sure to purchase your repair service or parts from a trusted company with extensive experience repairing iPhone devices.

Also see:

• How do I replace the glass cover, digitizer and display on the original iPhone (2G)?
• How do I replace the glass cover, digitizer and display on the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS?
• How do I replace the glass cover, digitizer and display (LCD screen) on the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S?
• How do I replace the glass cover, digitizer and display (LCD screen) on the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s?