How to Fix iPhone XS Max Face ID Not Working - Dot Projector Repair

The common error message "Move iPhone a Little Lower/Higher" that appears when Face ID is not working is often caused by damage to the dot projector. In the past, this issue was considered almost unrepairable. However, At Phonefix, we're here to guide you through the steps to repair the Face ID issues on the iPhone XS Max.

By replacing the faulty dot projector, you can restore your iPhone's Face ID functionality and avoid the inconvenience of having to constantly adjust the positioning of your device.

 

Tools Needed

To complete this repair, you'll need the following tools:

  • A108 box Repair Programmer
  • Hot air soldering station
  • Other assistant tools

Problem

When setting up Face ID on the iPhone, the instruction to "move iPhone a little lower/higher" appears. However, when selecting Portrait mode and switching to the front camera, the name of the lighting effect remains the same and the notification prompts to "Move farther away".

Typically, the name of the lighting effect should turn yellow when Portrait mode is ready. This suggests a possible malfunction in the dot projector or related circuits.

Diagnosis

After disassembling the phone and removing the display assembly, it was discovered that the dot projector was water damaged and the crystal was broken. The battery adhesive strips and front camera assembly were removed.

Upon connecting the dot projector flex cable to the repair programmer and clicking "Check", it resulted in fusing. This indicates damage to the dot projector flex cable.

To fix the issue, the data from the original cable needs to be burned onto a new one and the broken crystal needs to be replaced with a functioning one.

Step 1: Disassembly

To begin the repair process, you'll need to remove the display assembly, battery, and several other components to access the dot projector. This can be done using standard iPhone repair tools.

Step 2: Remove the Faulty Dot Projector

Using an hot air soldering station, carefully remove the faulty dot projector from your phone. The dot projector is a small component that projects infrared dots to create a 3D map of your face for Face ID.

Step 3: Replace the iPhone XS Max Dot Projector

Once the faulty dot projector is removed, you'll need to replace it with a new one. You can purchase a replacement dot projector online or from a smartphone repair shop.

Step 4: Reassemble Your Phone

With the new dot projector in place, it's time to reassemble your iPhone XS Max. This involves putting all of the components back together in the reverse order of disassembly.

By following these steps and using the right tools, you can fix your iPhone XS Max's Face ID not working issue caused by a faulty dot projector. If you're not comfortable with performing this repair on your own, consider taking your phone to a professional smartphone repair shop for assistance.

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