Fixing my Home Button

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Hi guys,

I am quite certain that my home button problem (unresponsive 90% of the time) is due to a hardware problem as opposed to a software problem.

I went to a private phone repair shop and was quoted $60 to fix the home button. However, in doing so, he said that touch ID would be no longer working if I repair it. At the Apple store apparently, they replace the entire phone. Is this correct? If so, how much would this cost? If it costs a substantial amount, I wouldn't bother because I am waiting for the iPhone 10 to come out.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

I have an iPhone 6
 
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Well, replacing the 'home button' will disable 'touch ID' - believe that if done by Apple, the ID can be reset, so an option - whether Apple would do a repair on your iPhone vs. a replacement, I'm not sure - you would need to visit the Genius Bar at an Apple store for an opinion and estimate or call them on the phone - some discussion HERE.

Another repair option is a DIY project - checkout this iFixit Guide, if interested (first pic below) - you would need to buy a kit from them to get the device apart; plus, the 'touch ID' would not be functional.

Finally, there is a 'software' home button option - see the last two pics (from my iPad Air 2 on iOS 11.03) - Assistive Touch can be set as the 3-Click option (assuming your 'home button' works for a moment) - following the appropriate number of clicks, a 'Home Button' icon appears on the home screen and can be moved - pressing the screen button brings up the menu shown in the last image - more information HERE - Dave :)

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Raz0rEdge

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Do you have AppleCare protection? Having or not having it greatly determines the price of getting this fixed through Apple.
 
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The private repairer told me that for every iPhone, there is only one home button. This is for security purposes. Perhaps there is a serial code? Therefore, when you change the home button, touch ID would not work forever.

Unfortunately, I don't have Apple care but it's not a huge drama. Ideally, I want to fix my phone for convenience until my iPhone X arrives in 6 weeks. A cheap fix that restores touch ID is ideal since when I sell my phone, it would have more value since its important to buyers. If not, I wouldnt mind fixing it for $60 (without touch ID), although it will be more challenging selling the phone.



Well, replacing the 'home button' will disable 'touch ID' - believe that if done by Apple, the ID can be reset, so an option - whether Apple would do a repair on your iPhone vs. a replacement, I'm not sure - you would need to visit the Genius Bar at an Apple store for an opinion and estimate or call them on the phone - some discussion HERE.

Another repair option is a DIY project - checkout this iFixit Guide, if interested (first pic below) - you would need to buy a kit from them to get the device apart; plus, the 'touch ID' would not be functional.

Finally, there is a 'software' home button option - see the last two pics (from my iPad Air 2 on iOS 11.03) - Assistive Touch can be set as the 3-Click option (assuming your 'home button' works for a moment) - following the appropriate number of clicks, a 'Home Button' icon appears on the home screen and can be moved - pressing the screen button brings up the menu shown in the last image - more information HERE - Dave :)

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The private repairer told me that for every iPhone, there is only one home button. This is for security purposes. Perhaps there is a serial code? Therefore, when you change the home button, touch ID would not work forever.

Unfortunately, I don't have Apple care but it's not a huge drama. Ideally, I want to fix my phone for convenience until my iPhone X arrives in 6 weeks. A cheap fix that restores touch ID is ideal since when I sell my phone, it would have more value since its important to buyers. If not, I wouldnt mind fixing it for $60 (without touch ID), although it will be more challenging selling the phone.

Well, I'm not sure if you checked the links in my post, but a pic below from the first one discussing a potential reason why an 'Apple Repair' is needed to restore the ID Touch w/ a Home button repair - seems that Apple has uniquely linked the ID sensor (chip?) w/ the specific device and are the only ones that can revive that relationship; SO, if you want to restore the touch ID, then you likely will have to get an estimate from Apple.

As to selling your old iPhone, you certainly would need a functional Home button, thus likely a 'must' repair - if offered at a fair price, then the potential purchaser may not care about the touch ID? Just a guess - good luck. Dave :)

Screen Shot 2017-10-30 at 5.46.32 PM.png
 

chscag

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@simonvee:

Good advice from Dave. Your iPhone 6 is not worth very much to begin with and without a home button functioning I doubt you would be able to sell it. Good luck with the iPhone X ($$$). ;D
 

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