Recommended iPhone Repair Tools by Master Lim
In a previous topic, I discussed soldering tools. Now, this page is dedicated to tools that are used exclusively for iPhones and iPads.
The seller links I shared are from AliExpress, if your country is not supported then you can simply look up the model’s name and search for it on Google or elsewhere.
Stencil and Reball Kits
AMAOE - This is the brand I strongly recommend
This company specializes in making BGA stencils, including those for laptops and MacBooks. I’ve tried brands like Mijing, JABE, and Qianli, but I have preferred this brand up to today. Most technicians also use this brand for their stencils
For iPhone
AMAOE Stencils iP5 – iP17 series – AliExpress
NOTE: You don’t need to buy a separate NAND stencil. This will be sufficient.
Don’t forget to buy this Universal Stencil. It’s very useful.
If you have a hard time to reball the IC properly, you better get this as well. You can watch my Youtube video to see how this tool performs.
AMAOE Universal Magnetic BGA Reballing Platform – AliExpress China DIYPHONE Store
Sandwich Board Reball Kits
For layer reballing (sandwich motherboard / interposer), I always use the magnetic stencil from AMAOE.
AMAOE Middle Frame Reball Kits Package – AliExpress SUNSHINMECHAN Store
If you’re buying with this link, choose “0.12mm set”.
Select option iPhone X – 17 Series.
Preheater for Sandwich Board
A preheater is a must-have machine for safely dismantling the iPhone sandwich layer. No matter which brand you choose, I strongly suggest selecting one that has adjustable temperature settings.”
XZZ L2023 Preheater
XZZ is the company that sells the schematic program, also known as XZM. This preheater quickly raises the temperature compared to other brands and features adjustable settings, making it suitable for cold countries. The best part is it allows us to save money by avoiding the need to buy new parts for supporting any new iPhone model, because the General Module can fit all types of sandwich boards.
Just google the name “XZZ Preheater L2023” and you can get from anywhere.
XZZ L2023 Preheater – AliExpress DIYPHONE Shop
When purchasing the XZZ L2023 through my link, choose the “X-15PM Full Set.” It also comes with a universal flat base, which is the general module I mentioned.
Mechanic
I don’t recommend this type of preheater which has a fixed temperature output.
Sunshine
Sunshine preheater.
This machine has adjustable temperature. Suitable for cold countries.
But OUTDATED since 2023 . NOT Recommended!
iPhone Power Test Cable
By connecting the test cable to our DC Power Supply, we can read the response from the logic board. However, you need a power cable that provides DIRECT voltage
What is DIRECT voltage? It means that if I raise the voltage to 1.0v from the power supply, the end of the cable should also deliver the same output of 1.0v.
If your cable cannot achieve this, then it is NOT qualified for the ‘Power Supply Response’ lesson. To understand it further, I do have a Youtube video is related to the testing cable.
I really like the YCS Power Cable. They made it easy to recognize each model by color, so I can pick the right one just by looking at it without having to read the small text.
Mechanic one-click power cable – AliExpress
Slightly expensive but it comes with button.
Get another type of Power Cable that is with battery data
There is another type of power test cable that includes a battery data chip, which is necessary in situations where you don’t want the phone to keep restarting itself because it doesn’t detect a battery.
SUNSHINE IBOOT CABLE for iPhone 6-14 – AliExpress Sunshine Official Store
iPhone Sandwich Board Layer Tester
There is no perfect tester for sandwich board. Each product have their own pro and con. Watch below video is the explanation.
But if you ask me again in 2024, the overall best sandwich motherboard fixture tester is from XZZ / ZXM. Regardless of the model, I prefer to buy the XZZ brand of motherboard test fixtures because they are lightweight and offer more room to access certain areas of the motherboard. Sometimes we need to measure a few points, and these fixtures are well-designed to expose these areas without blocking access.
