iPhone 5 front glass panel separating/lifting away from body?

Some iPhone 5 and 5C have a problem of battery swelling. The problem initially manifests as phone getting hot during charging which is generally ignored considering it normal. Subsequently screen detachment is seen in upper left or right corner which is pushed down by the user to fix it which seems to correct the issue initially but it continues to get more and more pronounced. It is also seen as a vertical streak when home button is pressed. All these signs are given a go-bye by the user not suspecting anything amiss. The screen starts to get detached more and more till it becomes non correctable. Those who can go to Apple store get a free replacement with no questions asked but they do not give any cause for this problem. Those who do not go to the store attempt screen replacement with no success because the actual problem is with the swelling battery which is least suspected. Changing the faulty battery in the first place is the solution. That is about it!

I think I'm a little late to the party here, but I recently noticed that on my iPhone 5C, the screen was coming out of the case in one corner. I dropped it on carpet the other day - not hard enough to do any damage - but I guess the case is flexible enough under pressure that the corner came off a little. Anyway, after reading the same problem on another forum, I put the phone face-down on my desk with a cloth under it to prevent scratching (I used a tshirt, but anything will do) and then applied pressure with my hand until it popped back in with a nice, loud pop. Worked great for me! Hope this helps you.

Hi there was the screen every been changed?

Even if it hasent some times the plastic bezal with clips attached to the screen can break apart slightly this is because adesive has softend

For all of the people who still have questions about screen separation: I strongly suggest that you contact Apple. I had this issue, went to the Apple Store, and told them I suspected that it was due to a swollen battery. This girl seems to be a common enough issue, because they replaced it right away in store AT NO CHARGE. Of course I can't say that they would always handle the issue that way, but because of an issue with the battery in some iPhone 5s, there was a recall (Google iPhone battery recalls if you think this may be your issue, even if you already paid to fix it they might reimburse you), and in my case this qualified me for a free battery replacement anyway. The full phone replacement was a nice surprise.

Thanks to this thread, I took my 32 month old iPhone 5 with a separating screen to the Apple Store today for a Genius bar appointment. I assumed they would tell me it would require a screen or battery replacement and that it would not be covered under warranty.

The second the tech saw the screen, he said he knew it was a swollen battery that was causing the screen to separate. He explained that the enlarged battery places pressure on the back of the screen, causing it to shimmer with different colors when you press on the screen. He said that because it is a battery defect, it is covered for 36 months with the iPhone 5, and they don't attempt to repair them due to the potential for battery leakage and other damage it may have caused.

So I walked out with a brand new iPhone 5. Free replacement.

OK I have a little info on replacing batteries in a iphone 5. I have replaced my iphone 5 battery about 9 times cause for some reason when it runs out of juice it will not charge again. If it stays charged there is no problem. Replacing the battery is a very easy task, the only slightly dangerous part is popping up the screen from the home button end. You need to make sure you keep the ear piece end close to the phone as that's where the ribbons attach. Just you tube a video and get a replacement battery off ebay

I had the same problem with my 35 months old iPhone 5. I took it to the authorized service center.

I told them that I suspect it to be the swollen battery issue.

After a diagnosis of few minutes, they agreed and told me that it will take a couple of days for the phone to get replaced. The techie also told me that this was the last month for me to get the phone replaced as the coverage was for 36 months.

I got a brand new iPhone 5 yesterday. I had to survive with a makeshift phone for 2 days though.

I have been reading the answers to this question and it appears there is no real answer for the actual issue that is happening. The glass is spreading from the frame because of the type of glue that is used from Apple to attach these screens together. They use a type of hot melt adhesive. This adhesive is very strong at normal temps but will loosen if the device is subjected to heat above normal. Direct sunlight, battery over heating, sitting on dashboard, etc... There is a quick fix and a proper fix. The quick fix is to add super glue to the screen, hold down for a few seconds and your screen will stay down. The proper way to fix is to remove the screen and remove the frame completely from the LCD. You then apply some cold adhesive to the frame to reattch the frame to the LCD. Once this glue is applied, you frame will not lift again. Also, you would want to check the battery to see if it is swelling at all. If so, it'll need replacing before installing the screen back in. New replacement from Apple is great but this is a real solution for repair of you same device.

George has nothing til do with battery .

It's the screen adhesive has separated from frame and that's y your glass is lifting

Both my wife's iPhone 5 screen and my own have lifted from the main casing unit after using a Morphie case for exactly the same period.

Both phones warranty has expired and therefore no back up. We have been using the Morphie case for 18 months and recharge everyday. Both phones are kept in different ways and therefore the lowest common denominator is the Morphie case heating the iPhone when charging and over time this has agitated/lifted the screen based upon the continuous heat on the case unit. This was verified by the manager in the Apple Store in Bath who said write to Morphie directly to determine how we proceed. Doesn't fix the problem however.

This happened to my 2-years old iPhone 5 earlier while I was at work today, so I rushed to a nearby MAC Service Center and within 30 seconds, the guy diagnosed that it was caused by the battery. I didn't leave my phone because I still need to back-up the files in my iTunes library, but I'll be going back tomorrow to have it fixed. The thing is, I live in the Philippines, and I bought my iPhone in Dubai and my warranty's expired - so I don't know if they'll charge me for the repair, or if they'll give me a replacement phone :|

Hi

Friends, I have the same issue with my Iphone 5 which I purchased in Dec 2012. After three years of use , last week I found that scren is poping out from laft hand side and I can see the light coming out below the sreen, I thought battery got buldge as it becomes hot while chanrging. Scared me I thought it might charge mi Apprx. 6000 INR for repalcament of battery as my phone was not under warrenty. Then I read some reviews on internet and I found that apple recall some faulty batteries for the phone manufactured between Nov2012 to Jan 2013. Then I wend to apple offical site and saw the apple battery recall progrm where I need to enter my Mobile serial number to chek where it is eligible for battery replacement and it shows my phone is not eligible. Still I went to Apple store and I showed them my mobile for the problem and Guess what..Apple gave me Brand New Iphone... Only I got it after 5 days..

A happy Customer in Pune, India

Thanks to all those reviews and video who help me to review blogs on apple forum.

They check if you have abused the phone, if all is normal they replace the phone.....my iPhone has been replaced too the glass had come off at top end.... Thanks Guys for the useful updates and info. :)

This is absolutely and only possible if the Makers truly Believe in the product they have Made, Hats off to Apple!!!

jj15 (Mumbai)

Brought my iPhone 5 to Apple Genius. They explained it is a safety concern and that they would give me a new iPhone 5. I now have a new phone. Very Happy. My old one was 3 years old. AppleCare expired a year ago.

hello, is not a serious problem, it happened that the plastic frame has been detached from the glass. these two components are glued, then glue came off, often happens with heat. the problem has only fault the aesthetic and the likely entry of dirt or liquid inside the phone. you can fix by removing the panel f or this and putting the new glue between plastic and glass frame.

often you will find the battery that was inflated and pushes the display

I have a iphone 5 that I use with a mophie case . The glass on the rights side of the phone appears to have bowed up and you can see inside the phone. I attempted to push it back but it does not stay. Is it fixable?

I HAVE NO WARRANTY OR COVER FOR MY IPHONE 5S!! Does apple still do it for free???