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How to Replace a Phone Home Button
The home button navigates to the home screen, activates multitasking, and on many devices houses a fingerprint sensor. A broken home button effectively locks the user out of normal navigation unless software workarounds are in place.
What You Will Need
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Replacement home button assembly (model-specific)
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Precision screwdrivers
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Plastic pry tools and spudger
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Tweezers
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Heat gun
Step 1 — Understand Fingerprint Pairing
On devices where the home button is paired to the motherboard for fingerprint security (notably iPhone 5s through iPhone 8 and Touch ID iPads), replacing the button will permanently disable Touch ID. The button's basic navigation function will work, but biometric authentication will not. Weigh this carefully before proceeding. Android home buttons with fingerprint sensors generally do not have this pairing restriction.
Step 2 — Open the Screen Side
The home button is located at the base of the display assembly. Heat and open the screen using suction cup and plastic pry tools. Disconnect the battery immediately after opening.
Step 3 — Remove the Home Button Assembly
The home button is held to the display frame by a metal bracket and a flex cable that routes to the motherboard. Unscrew the bracket screws, peel away any adhesive, and disconnect the flex cable. Lift the button assembly out.
Step 4 — Install the New Assembly
Seat the new home button into the display frame cutout, route the flex cable to the motherboard, reconnect, and replace the metal bracket and screws.
Step 5 — Test Navigation
Power on and confirm the home button registers single press, double press, and long press correctly. On Android, confirm fingerprint enrollment works if applicable. Seal the screen once all tests pass.
