iPhone 7
Model | Type | Modem | Region |
---|---|---|---|
A1660 | 7 | Qualcomm | Global |
A1778 | 7 | Intel | Global |
A1779 | 7 | Intel | Japan |
A1780 | 7 | China | |
A1661 | 7+ | Qualcomm | Global |
A1784 | 7+ | Intel | Global |
A1785 | 7+ | Intel | Japan |
A1786 | 7+ | China |
Problem | Solution |
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No Power — Pulls ≈2 A or more before you prompt to boot on DC power supply | Do a full visual inspection of the board and check for water damage under the stickers on the back. Remove the foam around the connectors to get a better look at everything. You're looking for any signs of corrosion on or around components and ICs.
In these cases, you can just remove the shorted capacitor and not replace it. The device will function normally with no negative effects. Replacing it means you are adding more heat to the board to reinstall it, which increases the risk of something going wrong. If you have a case of water damage, then you'll have to pay attention to the spots on the board where there's signs of water damage. Often, you'll find corrosion on capacitors but also under ICs. Common ICs and areas to have corrosion and cause a VDD MAIN short:
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No Power — Hangs at 0.020–0.030 A after you prompt to boot on DC Power Supply |
Symptoms:[edit | edit source]
Solution:[edit | edit source]
Also, these are pressed up right against the CPU, so be careful with your hot air, because you can accidentally "float" the CPU and cause a more significant failure.
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No Power — After prompt to boot on DC power supply, current jumps back and forth from 0 A to 320 mA, then 0 A to 1.4 A, then 0 A to 500 mA, and so on |
Symptoms:[edit | edit source]
Solution:[edit | edit source]
Please note: PMIC (U1801) will often show lots of heat if you're testing with the DCPS connected through the battery connector but it's not the cause of the short. The short is at the capacitor next to NAND, but since you're connected to the battery connector, the current has to flow through PMIC to get to the short cap, hence the PMIC heats up. Another Possible Cause:[edit | edit source]Sometimes, you'll see this same behavior when PP1V8_SDRAM or PP1V1_SDRAM is shorted. If this is the case, you'll need to check for heat above the CPU. If you find PP1V8_SDRAM or PP1V1_SDRAM is shorted and find heat above the CPU, then it's a RAM short. You'll need to replace RAM to solve it. This a very advanced repair and should only be done by those who've mastered this repair. It's very easy for things to go wrong and damage the CPU. |
Not Charging — Turns on but doesn't charge. Takes ≈0.006 A via USB power meter. | There are multiple ways to test and diagnose a charging issue/Tristar failure
Diagnosing[edit | edit source]Step 1: Rule Out Parts Issues[edit | edit source]Test the logic board with known good parts, like a known good charging port flex and battery. These are parts that you have previously tested and confirmed they're good. Sometimes using just new stock is not enough, because sometimes new stock is defective. Ideally, take the board out of the housing and only plug in a screen, battery and charging port to the logic board, then plug it in to charge and check the USB meter. This helps remove all variables, as sometimes, a bad flex can cause charging issues; rare, but it happens. If the current is still around 0.006 A via your USB meter, the phone turns on, but does not show charging symbol, then it's a board issue. Generally, these scenarios are Tristar - U4001 - Part# 610A3B. But to confirm, we need to do additional tests. Additional Tests[edit | edit source]Step 2: Tristar Testers (optional)[edit | edit source]You can use a tool called "Tristar Tester", which generally works well with detecting a bad Tristar, although it's not foolproof. These two are the most popular on the market
Use this as one of your clues to a bad Tristar, but don't trust it to be 100% accurate.
Step 3: DC Power Supply Boot Up Consumption[edit | edit source]With a DC power supply or DT880, see what is the power consumption before and after prompt to boot. If you get current draw before prompt to boot, then it's not Tristar. See above Problem/Solution, as it will be a short on the board.
Step 4: Check Tristar for Heat (Optional)[edit | edit source]You can also use a thermal camera or freeze spray to check if Tristar heats up when you prompt to boot. Usually it will get hot when it's bad, but not always. Step 5: Check Voltage at the Battery Connector[edit | edit source]Plug in the charging port flex to the logic board, and nothing else. No screen, no battery, etc. Then plug in the charging cable to the charging port. Set your multimeter to DC volts mode, and measure the positive and negative battery pins of the battery connector J2201. These are the 2 large pins on each side. Polarity for this test doesn't matter, just ignore the negative symbol if you end up probing in reverse polarity
Solution:[edit | edit source]Replace Tristar[edit | edit source]After all these tests, you can replace Tristar and see if it's solved.
Cutting the shield to get full access to Tristar will risk damaging surrounding components. Also, cutting the shield creates sharp points on the shield, which tend to stick out. This will cause the shield to cut or pierce through the charging port when you put it back into the housing, which will cause No Charging again. After Replacing Tristar[edit | edit source]Once you replace Tristar, you can follow the same steps from above to confirm if it's solved.
Please note: Each charging brick is slightly different, so it is recommended to get familiar with your charging brick and cable. Each cable and brick will give slightly different USB charging current readings based on the specs of the current output. You can read the charging brick itself to see the specs. You can get a known good iPhone of the same model and see what the USB charging current is, then compare to the device you are repairing to see if it's about the same. Also, batteries that are close to a full charge will charge at a lower current than a low battery. Old/worn out batteries also charge at lower rates, as they're degraded and can't take as much current. Other Possible Charging Faults[edit | edit source]If it still doesn't charge after replacing Tristar, make sure you followed all the troubleshooting issues above. Then, you'll want to check for shorts around Tristar. You can probe both sides of each capacitor that's directly surrounding Tristar and check for continuity to ground. It's possible that TRISTAR_BYPASS capacitor C4005 is shorted to ground. It is recommended to replace. C4005 value: 1.0 μF, 6.3 V, 0201 package You can also remove Tristar and diode mode all the Tristar pads. Compare the readings on your boardview software, like ZXW to your board. You can also compare diode mode readings to a known good board.
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Audio IC Issue — Grayed out speaker button during a call
Some people also call this "Audio Disease" On older iOS versions, the device will get stuck on Apple logo for ≈7 minutes but then boot up fine and work, but experience audio issues. |
Diagnosing[edit | edit source]These are the two of the best steps to diagnose the Audio IC failure. 1. Make a call[edit | edit source]
Please Note: Bluetooth audio, including AirPods, will still work fine when an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus has Audio IC issue present. 2. Voice Memo App[edit | edit source]
Solution[edit | edit source]Warning: Attempting this repair without enough experience with microsoldering, may lead the a "Baseband" issue, where you have "No Service" or non-stop "Searching..." issue. Proceed with caution. Reball Audio IC U3101 and add C12 and D12 Jumpers[edit | edit source]The reason why the Audio IC issue occurs is due to the C12 and sometimes the D12 pads under the IC will break. Both of these pads are critical for the audio function of the phone to work. If either of these pads are broken or loose, you'll get the symptoms mentioned above. Making these 2 jumpers are critical to permanently solving the Audio IC issue, regardless if the pads break during IC removal or prepping the pads with your iron. Do not skip this step. Sometimes, you'll run into a case where H12 and/or J12 will also break when removing the IC or prepping the pads, but these two pads do not cause the symptoms described above. If either of these two break, it would cause no audio through the lightning port, like using headphones through a lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter. Adding jumpers for H12 and J12 is optional. Making The Jumpers Under Audio IC U3101[edit | edit source]See example jumpers:C12[edit | edit source]
D12[edit | edit source]
Other Jumpers[edit | edit source]
The Audio IC Chip - Reuse or Replace?[edit | edit source]Please note: The root cause of the Audio IC issue is not caused by a bad Audio IC chip, so replacing it is not required. You can reuse the same IC by reballing the IC and placing it back once the jumpers are installed. Sometimes, the IC gets damaged during removal and you will experience these issues:
In this case, replace the IC and that should solve the no ear speaker sound after Audio IC repair attempt. If you experience No Power or Overheating, then try removing the IC and test again. Be aware that the phone will boot without the Audio IC installed. So if the phone boots up without the Audio IC installed and doesn't overheat, then this confirms the Audio IC chip itself went bad somewhere in the process.
Underfilled Audio IC[edit | edit source]If you come across an Audio IC that is underfilled, it is recommended you just replace the IC, as it will be difficult to reball the original and most likely damaged during removal. An underfilled IC is one that has black "glue" holding down the IC. It is believe that Apple started doing this on certain batches to help cover up the widespread Audio IC Issue. You see the whole process of removing the Underfilled Audio IC here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr5lvCFTgoo Final Testing[edit | edit source]
If all tests look good, then the issue is solved. |
Stuck in "Searching" or "No Service" after Audio IC Repair attempt
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Symptoms:[edit | edit source]
Cause:[edit | edit source]When too much heat is used when attempting to removed Audio IC or placing it back, the Baseband CPU (BBCPU) on the opposite end, which is underfilled, will disconnect (or float) and cause these problems
Solution:[edit | edit source]This will require you to reball baseband CPU (BBCPU). This process is a bit risky due to CPU being right next to BBCPU and the potential of floating the main CPU is very high. It is recommended to not risk attempting this repair if you don't have enough experience working with underfilled chips and working next to CPU. Here's a video of the whole process: https://youtu.be/JP3ghPMjuR0 Please note: If you attempt the above repair, but it's still stuck in "Searching..." or "No Service", then flash an update (DO NOT RESTORE). This can sometimes solve the issue. Not sure why it is needed sometimes. If a phone with a baseband problem is restored, then the iOS software will "erase" the IMEI (baseband info) in the phone and will require the board issue to be fixed, then restored again, so the software will bring back the IMEI. If you restore, and still has no IMEI, then a baseband/board issue is still present on the board. That will need to be fixed, then restored again. |
Developed the issue with the phone stuck in "Searching" or "No Service" on its own (no previous repair attempts)
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Symptoms:[edit | edit source]
Cause:[edit | edit source]Intel Model[edit | edit source]
Qualcomm Model[edit | edit source]
Solutions:[edit | edit source]Intel Model[edit | edit source]
Qualcomm Model[edit | edit source]
If you restore, and still has no IMEI, then a baseband/board issue is still present on the board. That will need to be fixed, then restored again. |
Unable To Activate |
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Solution[edit | edit source]There are 2 potential causes
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No Backlight Or Half Backlight (Dark Spot in a corner) |
Diagnosing[edit | edit source]You'll want to check these first to confirm you have a board issue:[edit | edit source]
Solution[edit | edit source]In most cases, no backlight is caused by blown filters on the backlight circuit. Most commonly it's due to these Filters
iPhone 7 Plus
Since backlight comes from the LCD connector, this is the connector you want to check the diode mode readings. Essentially, you're comparing the diode mode values of a known good board vs your problematic board. Most boardview software, like ZXW, will provide the known good diode mode values and you can use that as reference. Expect to see a small ±5–10% variance of what you get. With a backlight issue, you should find a pin on the LCD connector to read OL, when it should be giving you a diode mode reading. This line with the OL is what you want to investigate further. These are the lines to expect to find an issue:
Also, sometimes, you can get lucky and visually spot the blown filter, but it's recommended to use your multimeter to confirm it's bad, as well as check the rest are good.
The replacement filter should be the same value of the original. You can see the values in the schematic or boardview software like ZXW. Please Note: Never use a jumper wire as a replacement for a filter. This can permanently damage the phone if a surge in current occurs and there's no filter to protect the circuit. Once you replace the filter, check that you be able to diode mode the connector again and find that the pin that was reading OL, is now giving you a proper reading. Now you can test again and confirm the backlight is working again. |
No Image — Turns on, but nothing displays on the screen. | You'll want to check these first to confirm you have a board issue:
Troubleshooting Steps and Solutions[edit | edit source]LCD Connector:[edit | edit source]Diode mode the LCD connector (J4502) and check for any shorts (0.000 V) or OL on a line where there should be a reading (≈200–700 mV). Generally, a line labeled with "LCM" is related to image. Think of "LCM" as "LCd iMage". Often times, you'll find one these lines shorted to ground:
If shorted, you'll need to inject voltage to find the shorted capacitor. Please note: Inject no more than 5.7 V but it is recommended to inject like 2 V or 3 V and see if that's enough to find the short. Injecting 5.7 V will inject too much power too quickly and cause the heat to spread really fast and hard to pinpoint the shorted capacitor. Sometimes, you'll find an OL reading at PP1V8_LCM_CONN. If so, find FL3906 and check for pry damage or blown filter. Replace if you get a diode mode reading on one side of the filter, but OL on the other. Both sides of the filter should give you the same diode mode reading. Chestnut (U3703) — Image IC[edit | edit source]If diode mode reading at the LCD connector is good, check Chesnut (U3703), which is responsible for image. Check C3703 for continuity across it. It should not have any. If there is continuity, replace it.
If still no image, diode mode the pads underneath Chestnut and check for any shorts or OL on a line where there should be a reading. If you find a shorted line, track down the shorted capacitor by injecting voltage If you find an OL where there should be a reading, follow the path of the line and diode mode every at every point. Find the point where the diode mode reading reappears. That should be where the line is disconnected and you'll need to replace the component that disconnected the line, usually a filter.
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No Touch — Phone turns on but touch doesn't work | Symptoms:
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Bootlooping — Error 9 | You'll want to check these first to confirm you have a board issue:
Solution:[edit | edit source]If 3uTools Easy Flash gives you a failure at 19% or 20% and 3u Tools iTunes Flash gives you Error 9, then the issue is NAND. You'll need to replace NAND. NAND is the memory/storage chip. Compatible NANDs[edit | edit source]For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, you can use the NAND of any of the following devices interchangeably:
NAND Programming Process[edit | edit source]Requirements In order to successfully replace the NAND, you'll need the following from the original device or NAND and write it to the replacement NAND, otherwise it won't activate.
It's also recommended you set these to the correct values, but technically will function fine if you put different values
Tools[edit | edit source]You can use any NAND programmer that supports iPhone 7/7P. JC P7 seems to be the most popular.
What if I don't have the original NAND data?[edit | edit source]You can get the required NAND info from above, by reading the original NAND from the device. In most cases, you should be able to read the NAND data. If it can't, you'll need to find it elsewhere
First, you'll need to install the replacement NAND, with any generic data filled in for SN, WiFi, BT, etc.. Then restore the phone Then you need to jailbreak the device with Checkra1n After, run the MagicCFG Recovery tool, which will capture the SN, WiFi/BT Mac addresses. Then go back, read the NAND, edit the SN, WiFi, BT addresses and write them again into the NAND Then restore one more time Now you should be able to activate the device.
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Random Restarting (Usually after 3 minutes) | You'll want to check these first to confirm you have a board issue:
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
TIGRIS_BATTERY_SWI_CONN is responsible for transmitting data from the battery to Tigris to the CPU. Solution[edit | edit source]
Final Testing[edit | edit source]
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Phone will restart when you make a phone call |
Symptoms:[edit | edit source]When you make a call, the phone will instantly restart or shut off. Testing and Solution:[edit | edit source]
Explanation:[edit | edit source]Usually this is caused by the ALS or proximity sensors getting some corrosion from liquid damage. It's easier to just replace the part, but sometimes, you can clean off the corrosion with a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol and get the flex working again. |
Stuck in DFU Mode — Error 4014 |
Symptoms:[edit | edit source]
Cause:[edit | edit source]
Solutions:[edit | edit source]
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Home Button will rapid click when you press it | Please Note: iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Home Buttons are paired to the phone, so you cannot replace the home button. If you do, the home button will completely stop functioning. No click and no Touch ID.
Only Apple, AASP, and IRP are able to replace home button and get home button function and Touch ID function working. Potential Causes:[edit | edit source]
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Caps on PP_GPU_VAR / PP_CPU_VAR / PP0V9_SOC_FIXED get really hot | Most likely a short under the CPU, might be caused by itself, or improper hot air operation. |
No IMEI, can't connect to cellular. | Baseband chip got lifted due to flex damage, or the baseband power IC failed and needs to be replaced. |
Short on PP_VDD_MAIN | Shorted capacitor |
Missing power lines | Reball/replace U1802, the Power Management IC |
No vibration | Confirm that your charging port and Taptic engine are functional, then try replacing U3502. |
Backlight functional, but no image | This is a common service error if you short something into the display connector, check the L3901, L3902, L3903 |
Rear camera black image / bootloop when connected | Check the flex cable for damage, FL2500 and nearby components might be corroded. |
FPC Connectors diode mode readings[edit | edit source]
Use these diode mode maps as a guide to troubleshoot a problem. You must use the RED PROBE on ground and the BLACK PROBE on the pin you are measuring.
For example: you are troubleshooting a no backlight situation, so you probe the pins on the display FPC that correspond to backlight. If a pin says you should read 0.65 and you are reading OL or a short to GND then that's where you need to go.
If instead of getting 0.65 you read 0.58, move on to the next one, remember every multimeter is different and even slight differences in temperature affect this readings. What you are looking for is extreme differences in values, if you are expecting some value and you get a short to ground that is where it is more likely to be your issue.
iPhone 7[edit | edit source]
Display and Touch connector (J4502) & TouchID Home Button connector (J3801)[edit | edit source]
Charge port / dockflex Connector (J4101)[edit | edit source]
Battery connector (J2201)[edit | edit source]
Rear camera Connector (J4501)[edit | edit source]
Front camera, proximity sensor, earspeaker, ambient light sensor connector (J4503)[edit | edit source]
Volume and Power buttons, flashlight, ringer switch (J4700)[edit | edit source]