Plenty of “dead” iPhones are not dead. Before you buy a board repair or a new phone, go through these in order.
Without opening it
- Force restart. On iPhone 8 and newer: press and release volume up, press and release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears (it can take 10-20 seconds or more). Older models use different buttons.
- Charge it for at least 30 minutes with a cable and adapter you know work. A deeply discharged battery may show nothing at first.
- Check the charging port. Lint packs into the bottom of the port. Clean it gently with a wooden or plastic pick, never metal.
- Connect to a computer. If Finder or iTunes sees the phone, the board is alive and it may be a display or software problem, not a power one.
- Listen and feel. Does it vibrate, ring, or get warm when charging? A phone that rings but shows nothing usually has a screen problem.
With a USB ammeter
A cheap USB ammeter between the charger and the phone tells you a lot:
- 0 A: nothing is reaching the phone. Cable, port, charging flex or a protection fault.
- A small steady current that rises as it charges: it’s probably charging a flat battery. Wait.
- A high current with a hot spot on the board: likely a short. Stop, and take it to Board Repair & Microsoldering.
When you open it
- Look for liquid damage: corrosion, white or green residue, and the liquid contact indicators.
- Try a known-good battery and a known-good screen if you have them.
- Check the connectors for bent pins or debris.
Post what you find in Repair Help > iPhone with the form filled in. If the ammeter points to a short or the board is corroded, Board Repair & Microsoldering is the place.