Can you put Touch ID on iPhone 5c?

No you can't.

TouchID works directly with the A7 processor in the iPhone 5S, the architecture just isn't there with previous chips.

Yes you can. Will it work? Probably not but you can put it in there. (Thats what she said.)

Sure, just stick the touch ID home button there, connect it with some duct tape and you're good to go.

Appl3FTW said:

so touchID is 64-bit specific hardware?

LULZ @ that's what she said

Click to expand...

A7 specific.

Appl3FTW said:

5c rear shell + 5s mobo + touchID home button + screen= 5c with touchID?

Click to expand...

Essentially, all you are doing here is taking a 5S and changing the rear shell? I dont see why it wont work

It would be easier to just put a colored plastic case on the 5S.

----------

sonicrobby said:

Essentially, all you are doing here is taking a 5S and changing the rear shell? I dont see why it wont work

Click to expand...

It won't work because the inner construction isn't the same. The 5S frame and insides aren't designed to mate to a 5C case.

It would work.

Just shove the guts of the 5s into the 5c shell. Wrap it up with a little duct tape. Good as gold!!!

Appl3FTW said:

In theory, it should work right? as long as the mounting points line up.. that's the only issue here in think.

Click to expand...

IF you pulled all the internals out of the 5S as well....

Essentially, if you were taking just the back shell of the 5C and trying to attach it to a 5S, it would work (though it wouldn't fit correctly).

However, if you are simply trying to pull out the Touch ID assembly to stick in a 5C, you'll be missing the key component - the A7 chip with secure enclave.

In other words, no.

Appl3FTW said:

In theory, it should work right? as long as the mounting points line up.. that's the only issue here in think.

Click to expand...

You could put a Chevy V-8 in there if the mounting points line up, so I guess you're right--in theory.

Appl3FTW said:

Granted they have similar general form factor.. and if need to I think you can swap mobo. but the problem I'm seeing really is the mounting holes that's about it.

5c rear shell + 5s mobo + touchID home button + screen= 5c with touchID?

Click to expand...

Yes, OP, I believe, in theory, it is entirely possible with what you are suggesting, but I recommend also switching out the battery and camera, and flash. There are just a few things though...

The casing to both the 5S and 5C have similar screw posts to mount the mobos on.


Image from iFixit.com.

The hole for the TouchID on the 5S is a little bigger than the hole on the 5C for the Home button, or else you would have been able to use the same screen (not the case). Just make sure the 5S display frame also comes with the display assembly.

The battery for the 5s is rated at 3.8V - 5.92Wh - 1560mAh, whereas the one in the 5c is rated at 3.8 V—5.73 Wh—1510 mAh; while the connectors are visually similar, I would advise swapping batteries to avoid problems.

The flex ribbon for the Power/Sleep/Volume/Vibrate assembly appears to have the same flex connector to the mobo, and at the same location, so you could potentially preserve the original flex intact. The flash is integrated to this flex, however, so if it does not work properly, you'll have to try "rigging" the 5s flex to the assembly.


iPhone 5C Power flex
Image from ProTechBuy.com


iPhone 5S Power flex
Image from PhonePartsUSA.com

The rear camera appears to have the same connector, as well. I would still recommend swapping it out.

Good luck if you attempt to do this! It's going to be one heck of an interesting franken-project.

Appl3FTW said:

In theory, it should work right? as long as the mounting points line up.. that's the only issue here in think.

Click to expand...

No. Touch ID not only needs the A7 chip to work, but also the iPhone 5s specific version of iOS 7, as Touch ID is set up and used in conjunction with iOS 7, not just hardware components. There are specific builds of iOS for each device, and the builds released for the 5c do not contain the necessary code for Touch ID.

In short, if you just want to attach the 5s home button to the 5c to have Touch ID, it will not work.

The only way would be to somehow remove the casing of the 5c, and use it as the casing for the 5s, as you would need the internals of the 5s to access Touch ID and to use the 5s specific iOS firmware.

I got a simpler solution.
Sell the 5C and get a 5S with TouchID instead.

Applejuiced said:

I got a simpler solution.
Sell the 5C and get a 5S with TouchID instead.

Click to expand...

Winner, winner chicken dinner. I doubt it would work any other way.

Appl3FTW said:

so touchID is 64-bit specific hardware?

LULZ @ that's what she said

Click to expand...

Yes and it stores the finger print info on the A7. And all devices run a slightly differnt version of iOS so if you put it on you will still go to setting and won't have Touch ID in their. Also the software on the 5c wouldn't be able to read Touch ID

chabig said:

It would be easier to just put a colored plastic case on the 5S.

----------



It won't work because the inner construction isn't the same. The 5S frame and insides aren't designed to mate to a 5C case.

Click to expand...

Why can't he/she modify the shell? It will work if they can do it. So yes

Applejuiced said:

I got a simpler solution.
Sell the 5C and get a 5S with TouchID instead.

Click to expand...

Far less cool, and not unique.

If he can pull it off, in a clean way that all goes securely back together. Major major kudos.

I wonder if someone's tried this. I'd love to see it

Or you could wait until they bring out the 5SC