Dropped iPhone 7 Plus and it no longer works - need help!

[ozone]

I just dropped my iPhone 7 Plus. It is in a UAG case, and it dropped flat on its back (not on a corner) onto a hard, tiled floor. Not a high drop, less than a metre, but it's smack on the floor was pretty audible. The phone looks undamaged (no cracks, etc.) but now it does not start up. It does look like, however, there is some faint screen illumination - I'm wondering if it is turning on, but the screen is no longer responding.

I tried a force restart (volume down + sleep/wake button), but it does not seem to do anything.

I prefer not to lose anything, but if I had to do a full reset, that would be alright. However, I'm not sure that would fix it either.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[TiggrToo]

I just dropped my iPhone 7 Plus. It is in a UAG case, and it dropped flat on its back (not on a corner) onto a hard, tiled floor. Not a high drop, less than a metre, but it's smack on the floor was pretty audible. The phone looks undamaged (no cracks, etc.) but now it does not start up. It does look like, however, there is some faint screen illumination - I'm wondering if it is turning on, but the screen is no longer responding.

I tried a force restart (volume down + sleep/wake button), but it does not seem to do anything.

I prefer not to lose anything, but if I had to do a full reset, that would be alright. However, I'm not sure that would fix it either.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

If you call it, does it ring? If you connect it to a computer via the Lightening cable, is it seen?

 

[ScreenSavers]

Has it ever been repaired before? If someone replaced the screen and didn’t properly replace all the EMI shields and plates, it’s common for an LCD to disconnect under impact. Just a thought.

 

[ozone]

If you call it, does it ring? If you connect it to a computer via the Lightening cable, is it seen?

I called, and yes, it does ring. I tried connecting to my MacBook - iTunes does not seem to pick it up, nor does Photos start up. Now, it could be asking for me for my password or touch ID, but I cannot see anything on the screen. Also, if I recall, there was haptic feedback on the home button: there does not seem to be any now.
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Has it ever been repaired before? If someone replaced the screen and didn’t properly replace all the EMI shields and plates, it’s common for an LCD to disconnect under impact. Just a thought.

No... it's never been repaired. I've kept it in very good shape since I bought it. It's been dropped only a few times before, but it seem to hit harder this time than before. I didn't realize that LCD disconnection was that common.

 

[ScreenSavers]

It’s not, unless it’s been repaired. I’m guessing you likely have LCD damage at this point, as they are fragile and don’t like being dropped on their backs. A restore might be worth a try, but usually a drop wont cause a software problem, if that makes any sense.

 

[TiggrToo]

Hardware wise, it sounds like something didn't make past the impact. Sadly that something sounds screen related - kinda important for entering the Pin on startup.

Have you tried entering the Pin on the screen (even though you can't see the digits) to see if the Mac picks it up?

Sadly I'm not sure this is a simple fix, and that's mainly due to Covid more than anything else. With most repair shops closed you may not be able to get life out of this.

As a very very long shot, you could try powering it off and leaving it overnight. Way way back in the day I owned an HTC M8 Android phone my screen went dark on me soon after I did a Titanium backup. Gave up after a few hours of restarts etc, and brought a Nexus 6 and restored the backup and put the M8 into storage. A few weeks later I powered it on again and it worked fine. Still no idea what was up, but who knows?

 

[ozone]

Hardware wise, it sounds like something didn't make past the impact. Sadly that something sounds screen related - kinda important for entering the Pin on startup.

Have you tried entering the Pin on the screen (even though you can't see the digits) to see if the Mac picks it up?

Sadly I'm not sure this is a simple fix, and that's mainly due to Covid more than anything else. With most repair shops closed you may not be able to get life out of this.

As a very very long shot, you could try powering it off and leaving it overnight. Way way back in the day I owned an HTC M8 Android phone my screen went dark on me soon after I did a Titanium backup. Gave up after a few hours of restarts etc, and brought a Nexus 6 and restored the backup and put the M8 into storage. A few weeks later I powered it on again and it worked fine. Still no idea what was up, but who knows?

It’s not, unless it’s been repaired. I’m guessing you likely have LCD damage at this point, as they are fragile and don’t like being dropped on their backs. A restore might be worth a try, but usually a drop wont cause a software problem, if that makes any sense.

Thanks. I suspect it's toast. Sigh... give me a break... this is the last thing I need during the COVID-19 crisis.

I got almost all I wanted out of it - it's almost 4 years old. But I was hoping to wait until iPhone 12 was released. Now I guess I have to get something... I wonder if it's worth just replacing it with a refurbished iPhone 7, 8, or 10, which costs about 1/3 of the cost of the current iPhone 11. My contract is up so I'm just going monthly with my current provider.

 

[ScreenSavers]

That is a bummer. Could be an easy fix too though. Replacing the screen is not impossible, if you are comfortable trying, and right now it can't get any worse. The only challenging parts are transferring the Touch ID button without damaging it and the strange tri-wing screws in the iPhone 7 and later.

Of course, not everyone wants to attempt a repair themselves, which is very understandable.

 

[ozone]

That is a bummer. Could be an easy fix too though. Replacing the screen is not impossible, if you are comfortable trying, and right now it can't get any worse. The only challenging parts are transferring the Touch ID button without damaging it and the strange tri-wing screws in the iPhone 7 and later.

Of course, not everyone wants to attempt a repair themselves, which is very understandable.

I'm no electronics engineer, but I'm pretty handy. Any recommended places to get a replacement screen plus instructions online? EDIT: Maybe not worth it. Could be more than the screen. Although the phone picked up when I called it, my Watch is no longer picking up the latest emails. So, possibly more damage than just the screen.

I do have my wife's old iPhone 6. Maybe I could transfer my backup from my iPhone 7 to the iPhone 6? Not sure about iOS compatiblity though.

 

[ScreenSavers]

I'm no electronics engineer, but I'm pretty handy. Any recommended places to get a replacement screen plus instructions online?

IFixit has excellent repair guides. They also sell all the parts. ifixit.com

You might pay a little bit more for the screen then you would on say eBay, for example, but you will get something better quality and support a great company.

 

[ScreenSavers]

I'm no electronics engineer, but I'm pretty handy. Any recommended places to get a replacement screen plus instructions online?

I do have my wife's old iPhone 6. Maybe I could transfer my backup from my iPhone 7 to the iPhone 6? Not sure about iOS compatiblity though.

If your iPhone 7 Plus was running iOS 13, you will not be able to restore the backup.

 

[ozone]

If your iPhone 7 Plus was running iOS 13, you will not be able to restore the backup.

Sigh. That's what I suspected. I kept my iPhone 7 Plus constantly updated. It's not that I'm travelling much but these days, everything is tied to my phone.

 

[ozone]

Well, as a last attempt, I connected the iPhone 7 to the MacBook and am trying a hard reset that will wipe and restore the phone clean (perhaps not a bad idea anyways). At the phone was picked up in iTunes this time. Not convinced it will work, but I guess I'll know in a few hours. UPDATE: Successfuly reset but still no screen image. Home button also gives no feedback. Ah well...

 

[ScreenSavers]

Well, as a last attempt, I connected the iPhone 7 to the MacBook and am trying a hard reset that will wipe and restore the phone clean (perhaps not a bad idea anyways). At the phone was picked up in iTunes this time. Not convinced it will work, but I guess I'll know in a few hours. UPDATE: Successfuly reset but still no screen image. Home button also gives no feedback. Ah well...

That is unfortunate. Maybe take a look at this guide? https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+7+Plus+Screen+Replacement/67563

And they sell a screen kit with the ear speakers and LCD shield plate already installed, which saves a bunch of hassle. Also comes with a (really nice) screwdriver and other tools. https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPhone/iPhone-7-Plus-Screen/IF333-038?o=1

 

[ozone]

That is unfortunate. Maybe take a look at this guide? https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+7+Plus+Screen+Replacement/67563

And they sell a screen kit with the ear speakers and LCD shield plate already installed, which saves a bunch of hassle. Also comes with a (really nice) screwdriver and other tools. https://www.ifixit.com/Store/iPhone/iPhone-7-Plus-Screen/IF333-038?o=1

Thanks so much: you've been very helpful!

My concern is that even if I replace the screen (and I might as well replace the battery while I'm at it since battery life is dropping rapidly), it won't really fix the issue. For example, after I did the hard reset, I attempted to restore the iPhone 7 from the computer backup copy, but it didn't work. And as I said, I seem to be missing the haptic feedback from the home button. So, I'm thinking - perhaps incorrectly - that there is more damaged than just a screen connector?

 

[jbachandouris]

Well, at this point you could always get the SE2 which released today at $399. This way you can have something until the 12 comes out and it won't be that much of a loss.

Worst case scenario, you could call Apple and see if they will help. Maybe they will cut you a sympathy dealdue to COVID. Nothing to lose but time.....

 

[ScreenSavers]

Well, at this point you could always get the SE2 which released today at $399. This way you can have something until the 12 comes out and it won't be that much of a loss.

Worst case scenario, you could call Apple and see if they will help. Maybe they will cut you a sympathy dealdue to COVID. Nothing to lose but time.....

I was just gonna suggest that. The new SE will outperform a 7 Plus by a lot as well.

 

[ozone]

Thanks again. I just saw the SE announcement too. I admit... I'm a photo geek, so the capability of the 11 Pro has appeal... but I really wanted to wait until the 12.

A bit of luck... not sure why it didn't occur to me earlier. I called the place I got my phone from... I am on a preferred corporate plan as an employee. And while we were talking, I mentioned my wife's old phone, and he suggested why don't we try swapping the SIM cards, and it works! So, at least I have connectivity for now. Slow, but workable.

He actually agreed... no point in ponying up lots of money now if the phone you want is within 6 months or so of being released.

Then again, maybe I should scale back my aspirations and just save some money...

UPDATE: Sigh. Disappointed again. Watch OS 6.2 will not work with the old iPhone 6 - latest it can go up to is iOS 12.4.6, not iOS 13. Give me a break...

 

[ozone]

Success! I gave up trying to work with the old iPhone... I found a local repair shop. Did an excellent job! The LCD under the glass was broken in the fall. He replaced it, I asked for a new battery (original) at the same time, and now I'm good to go!

 

[ScreenSavers]

Success! I gave up trying to work with the old iPhone... I found a local repair shop. Did an excellent job! The LCD under the glass was broken in the fall. He replaced it, I asked for a new battery (original) at the same time, and now I'm good to go!

Not surprised that that was the problem. Glad you got it working! Hopefully it will hold you out until the iPhone 12.

 

[ozone]

Not surprised that that was the problem. Glad you got it working! Hopefully it will hold you out until the iPhone 12.

That's the problem... new screen and while we were at it, I asked to change the battery too since it's been almost 4 years of continuous use. So the two most used parts (screen and battery) are brand new. That means I can't indulge in my GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). Damn.

 

[ozone]

UPDATE: Well, after a week of use after repair, the phone seems fine... except for today. I tried to make a phone call - I rarely do - and I thought for a minute there was no connection. After several attempts, I realized that the iPhone itself was not outputing audio to the earpiece on the phone (not sure if it was picking up on my voice in the mouthpiece).

As a test, I could hear the other party if I switched over to the iPhone's main speaker, and bluetooth ear phones also work. So, it almost seems that after the repair, the onboard audio for just the earpiece portion was not connected, or else or there was more damage than expected.

I tried several online solutions to this problem, but none are working. So given the timing, my guess is something came loose, or else was damaged when the iPhone fell.

Any suggestions? I plan to take the phone back to the repair shop (they have a 30 days warrenty) if all else fails.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

UPDATE: Well, after a week of use after repair, the phone seems fine... except for today. I tried to make a phone call - I rarely do - and I thought for a minute there was no connection. After several attempts, I realized that the iPhone itself was not outputing audio to the earpiece on the phone (not sure if it was picking up on my voice in the mouthpiece).

As a test, I could hear the other party if I switched over from the iPhone's main speaker, and bluetooth ear phones also work. So, it almost seems that after the repair, the onboard audio was not connected, or else or there was more damage than epected.

I tried several online solutions to this problem, but none are working. So given the timing, my guess is something came loose, or else was damaged when the iPhone fell.

Any suggestions? I plan to take the phone back to the repair shop (they have a 30 days warrenty) if all else fails.

Sounds like failure of the audio chip which is a known issue with the iPhone 7 series. It's also known as "loop disease"

 

[ozone]

Sounds like failure of the audio chip which is a known issue with the iPhone 7 series. It's also known as "loop disease"

Hmmmm... sounds serious. So it only affects the iPhone and the ear speaker when used as a phone? Otherwise, it seems to work when playing music via the main iPhone speaker, headset or bluetooth speaker. Any known fixes?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Hmmmm... sounds serious. So it only affects the iPhone when used as a phone? Otherwise, it seems to work when playing, music via the speaker, headset or bluetooth speaker. Any known fixes?

If the 3rd party repair place your working with can do board level repairs then it just needs a new audio chip..

Audio IC iPhone 7 Loop Disease Repair w/Lifetime Warranty - Micro Soldering

Recently, several articles have been released on the problem plaguing the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7+ called Loop Disease, also known as Audio IC iPhone 7 disease. This problem usually results in audio problems. Slashgear.com Forbes.com Vice.com Essentially, the mic and speaker functions will stop...

www.microsoldering.com