How to Replace Your iPhone’s Rear Panel
Step 1
• Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Phillips screws next to the dock connector. (Apple has recently substituted the two Phillips screws with 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws. If your iPhone 4 has 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws instead of Phillips, please refer to the second picture.)
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector.
• During reassembly, we recommend you replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws. Our Liberation Kit provides the tools and screws needed to replace the Pentalobe screws with Phillips screws.
• The 5-Point Screwdriver should only be used once, as it has the potential to strip the screws.
Step 2
• Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone. (The panel will move about 2mm.)
Step 3
• Lift the rear panel away from the iPhone.
How to Replace Your iPhone’s Battery
Step 1
• Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Phillips screws next to the dock connector.
• Apple has recently substituted the two Phillips screws with 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws. If your iPhone 4 has 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws instead of Phillips, please refer to the second picture.
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector.
• During reassembly, we recommend you replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws. Our Liberation Kit provides the tools and screws needed to replace the Pentalobe screws with Phillips screws.
• The 5-Point Screwdriver should only be used once, as it has the potential to strip the screws.
Step 2
*Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone. (The panel will move about 2mm.)
Step 3
• Lift the rear panel away from the iPhone.
Step 4
• Remove the single 2.5 mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.
Step 5
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the battery connector up from the ends closest to the top and bottom edges of the iPhone.
• Do not pry against the contact clip.
• Remove the contact clip from the iPhone.
Step 6
• Use the clear plastic pull tab to gently lift the battery out of the iPhone.
• Be careful when removing the battery with the plastic pull tab. On some units, Apple uses an excessive amount of glue, making it virtually impossible to remove the battery in this fashion (with the tab possibly tearing due to excessive force).
• For batteries that “stick”, you could use the iPod opening tool to assist (take extra care whilst doing so).
• Remove the battery.
• Before reconnecting the battery connector, be sure the pressure contact (shown in red) is properly positioned next to the battery connector.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the pressure contact as well as its contact point on the rear panel with a de-greaser such as windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
How to Replace Your iPhone’s Home Button
Step 1
• Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Phillips screws next to the dock connector.
• Apple has recently substituted the two Phillips screws with 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws. If your iPhone 4 has 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws instead of Phillips, please refer to the second picture.
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector.
• During reassembly, we recommend you replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws. Our Liberation Kit provides the tools and screws needed to replace the Pentalobe screws with Phillips screws.
• The 5-Point Screwdriver should only be used once, as it has the potential to strip the screws.
Step 2
• Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone. (The panel will move about 2mm.)
Step 3
• Lift the rear panel away from the iPhone
Step 4
*Remove the single 2.5 mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector to the logic board
Step 5
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the battery connector up from the ends closest to the top and bottom edges of the iPhone.
• Do not pry against the contact clip.
• Remove the contact clip from the iPhone.
Step 6
• Use the clear plastic pull tab to gently lift the battery out of the iPhone.
• Be careful when removing the battery with the plastic pull tab. On some units, Apple uses an excessive amount of glue, making it virtually impossible to remove the battery in this fashion (with the tab possibly tearing due to excessive force).
• For batteries that “stick”, you could use the iPod opening tool to assist (take extra care whilst doing so).
• Remove the battery.
• Before reconnecting the battery connector, be sure the pressure contact (shown in red) is properly positioned next to the battery connector.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the pressure contact as well as its contact point on the rear panel with a de-greaser such as windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 7
• Use a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip to eject the SIM card and its holder.
• This may require a significant amount of force.
• Remove the SIM card and its holder.
Step 8
• Remove the following two screws: one 1.2 mm Phillips, one 1.6 mm Phillips
• Remove the thin steel dock connector cable cover from the iPhone.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the dock connector cable cover with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 9
• Use an iPod opening tool to gently pry the dock cable connector up off the logic board from both short ends of the connector.
Step 10
• Carefully peel the dock ribbon cable off the logic board and the lower speaker enclosure.
Step 11
*Use an iPod opening tool to pry the lower antenna connector up off its socket on the logic board
Step 12
• Remove the 1.9 mm Phillips screw securing the bottom of the logic board to the inner case.
Step 13
• Remove the following five screws securing the connector cover to to the logic board: one 2.3 mm Phillips, two 1.6 mm Phillips, one 1.4 mm Phillips, one 4.8 mm Phillips.
• When re-assembling, start off with replacing the 4.8 mm Philips screw first, then the 2.3 mm. This is to ensure there is no mix-up, and avoid rendering the LCD and digitiser useless.
Step 14
• Use an iPod opening tool to slightly lift the top edge of the connector cover away from the logic board.
• Use the tip of a spudger to pull the connector cover retaining clips away from the inner frame.
• Remove the connector cover from the iPhone.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the connector cover with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues. Do not clean the connectors themselves with Windex.
Step 15
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully lift the rear camera connector up off its socket on the logic board.
• Remove the rear camera.
Step 16
• Remove the small circular white sticker (warranty sticker and water indicator) covering the screw near the battery pull tab.
• Remove the 2.4 mm Phillips screw that was hidden underneath the sticker.
Step 17
• Disconnect the following connectors from the top of the logic board: digitiser cable, LCD cable, headphone jack/volume button cable, top microphone/sleep button cable, front camera cable.
• It is helpful to use the edge of an iPod opening tool to gently lift the connectors up and out of their sockets on the logic board.
Step 18
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to remove the 4.8 mm standoff near the headphone jack.
Step 19
• Carefully remove the logic board from the iPhone, minding any cables that may get caught.
• Note that there is a rubber guard on the edge of the logic board where the digitiser and LCD ribbon cables bend over the logic board. Make certain it is there before replacing the logic board during reassembly.
Step 20
• Remove the single 2.4mm Phillips screw securing the speaker enclosure to the side of the inner frame.
Step 21
• Remove the speaker enclosure from the iPhone.
• Before re-fastening the speaker enclosure to the inner frame, be sure the four small EMI fingers rest below the lip of the LCD frame.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points between the EMI fingers and the internal frame as well as the brass screw mounting point with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 22
• Remove the following two screws securing the vibrator to the inner frame: one 6mm Phillips, one 1.4 mm Phillips.
• Remove the vibrator from the iPhone.
Step 23
• Remove the 1.5mm Phillips screw securing the front panel near the headphone jack
Step 24
• Remove the three large-headed 1.5 mm Phillips screws along the volume button side of the iPhone.
• Keep track of the washers under each of the screws.
• Tip: It can be tricky, but it is also possible to just loosen the large-headed 1.5mm Phillips screws slightly, without having to remove and replace the screw-and-washer set.
Step 25
• Remove the 1.5 mm Phillips screw near the lower microphone.
Step 26
• Remove the 1.5 mm Phillips screw near the dock connector ribbon cable.
Step 27
• Remove the three large-headed 1.5mm Phillips screws along the SIM card side of the iPhone.
• Keep track of the washers under each of the screws.
• Tip: It can be tricky, but it is also possible to just loosen the large-headed 1.5mm Phillips screws slightly, without having to remove and replace the screw-and-washer set.
• Remove the small-headed 1.5mm Phillips screw near the sleep button.
Step 27
• Carefully insert the edge of an iPod opening tool between the rubber bezel around the front glass panel and the steel inner frame.
• Do not attempt to insert the tool between the glass and the rubber bezel.
• Carefully pry the upper edge of the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame.
Step 29
• Slowly and gently lift the top edge of the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame.
• Continue to rotate the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame until it slowly begins to peel off the adhesive applied below the home button area.
• Carefully pull the lower edge of the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame.
Step 30
• De-route the digitiser and LCD cables through the steel inner frame.
• Before re-fastening the front panel to the steel inner frame, be sure both the LCD and digitiser cables are not folded or pinched between the inner frame and the front panel assembly. This will result in possibly damaging the cables and not having enough slack when reconnecting the them to the logic board.
• When the front panel has been correctly installed, both the LCD and digitiser cables should be immediately next to one another, and the connectors should be just hanging over the steel frame.
• When replacing the front panel assembly you must remember that you might have to reuse the earpiece grille and the clear plastic ring around the front facing camera from the old/damaged assembly. This will depend on where you buy the replacement part.
Step 31
• Use the edge of an iPod opening tool or your fingernail to lift the home button ribbon cable retainer.
• Be sure you are prying up on the cable retainer, not the socket itself.
Step 32
• Use a pair of tweezers to pull the home button ribbon cable out of its socket.
• Do not excessively strain the home button ribbon cable, as it is very thin and delicate.
Step 33
• De-route the home button ribbon cable through the inner case and remove the home button from the iPhone.
How to Replace Your iPhone’s Dock Connector
Step 1
• Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.
• Remove the two 3.6mm Phillips screws next to the dock connector.
• Apple has recently substituted the two Phillips screws with 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws. If your iPhone 4 has 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws instead of Phillips, please refer to the second picture.
• Remove the two 3.6 mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector.
• During reassembly, we recommend you replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws. Our Liberation Kit provides the tools and screws needed to replace the Pentalobe screws with Phillips screws.
• The 5-Point Screwdriver should only be used once, as it has the potential to strip the screws.
Step 2
• Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone. (The panel will move about 2mm.)
Step 3
• Lift the rear panel away from the iPhone
Step 4
• Remove the single 2.5mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.
Step 5
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the battery connector up from the ends closest to the top and bottom edges of the iPhone.
• Do not pry against the contact clip.
• Remove the contact clip from the iPhone.
Step 6
• Use the clear plastic pull tab to gently lift the battery out of the iPhone.
• Be careful when removing the battery with the plastic pull tab. On some units, Apple uses an excessive amount of glue, making it virtually impossible to remove the battery in this fashion (with the tab possibly tearing due to excessive force).
• For batteries that “stick”, you could use the iPod opening tool to assist (take extra care whilst doing so).
• Remove the battery.
• Before reconnecting the battery connector, be sure the pressure contact (shown in red) is properly positioned next to the battery connector.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the pressure contact as well as its contact point on the rear panel with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 7
• Use a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip to eject the SIM card and its holder.
• This may require a significant amount of force.
• Remove the SIM card and its holder.
Step 8
• Remove the following two screws: one 1.2mm Phillips, one 1.6 mm Phillips.
• Remove the thin steel dock connector cable cover from the iPhone.
• Before re-assembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the dock connector cable cover with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 9
• Use an iPod opening tool to gently pry the dock cable connector up off the logic board from both short ends of the connector.
Step 10
• Carefully peel the dock ribbon cable off the logic board and the lower speaker enclosure.
Step 11
• Use an iPod opening tool to pry the lower antenna connector up off its socket on the logic board.
Step 12
• Remove the 1.9mm Phillips screw securing the bottom of the logic board to the inner case.
Step 13
• Remove the following five screws securing the connector cover to to the logic board: one 2.3mm Phillips, two 1.6 mm Phillips, one 1.4 mm Phillips, one 4.8 mm Phillips.
• When re-assembling, start off with replacing the 4.8mm Philips screw first, then the 2.3mm. This is to ensure there is no mix-up and avoid rendering the LCD and digitiser useless.
Step 14
• Use an iPod opening tool to slightly lift the top edge of the connector cover away from the logic board.
• Use the tip of a spudger to pull the connector cover retaining clips away from the inner frame.
• Remove the connector cover from the iPhone.
• Before re-assembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the connector cover with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues. Do not clean the connectors themselves with Windex.
Step 15
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully lift the rear camera connector up off its socket on the logic board.
• Remove the rear camera.
Step 16
• Remove the small circular white sticker (warranty sticker and water indicator) covering the screw near the battery pull tab.
• Remove the 2.4mm Phillips screw that was hidden underneath the sticker.
Step 17
• Disconnect the following connectors from the top of the logic board: digitiser cable, LCD cable, headphone jack/volume button cable, top microphone/sleep button cable, front camera cable.
• It is helpful to use the edge of an iPod opening tool to gently lift the connectors up and out of their sockets on the logic board.
Step 18
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to remove the 4.8mm standoff near the headphone jack.
Step 19
• Carefully remove the logic board from the iPhone, minding any cables that may get caught.
• Note that there is a rubber guard on the edge of the logic board where the digitiser and LCD ribbon cables bend over the logic board. Make certain it is there before replacing the logic board during reassembly.
Step 20
• Remove the single 2.4mm Phillips screw securing the speaker enclosure to the side of the inner frame.
Step 21
• Remove the speaker enclosure from the iPhone.
• Before re-fastening the speaker enclosure to the inner frame, be sure the four small EMI fingers rest below the lip of the LCD frame.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points between the EMI fingers and the internal frame as well as the brass screw mounting point with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 22
• Use the edge of an iPod opening tool or your fingernail to flip up the home button ribbon cable retaining flap.
• Be sure you are prying up on the retaining flap, not the socket itself.
• Use a pair of tweezers to gently pull the home button ribbon cable out of its socket.
• Do not excessively strain the home button ribbon cable as you remove it, as it is very thin and fragile.
Step 23
• Remove the two 1.3 mm Phillips screws securing the dock connector to the inner frame.
Step 24
• Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to carefully peel the dock connector assembly and its ribbon cable off the adhesive securing it to the inner frame
Step 25
• Use a pair of tweezers to pull the lower microphone away from the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Step 26
• Remove the dock connector assembly from the iPhone, minding any cables that may get caught
Step 27
• Slide the rubber cover off the microphone attached to the old dock connector and transfer it to your new dock connector.
How to Replace Your iPhone’s Display
Step 1
• Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.
• Remove the two 3.6mm Phillips screws next to the dock connector.
• Apple has recently substituted the two Phillips screws with 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws. If your iPhone 4 has 5-Point “Pentalobe” screws instead of Phillips, please refer to the second picture.
• Remove the two 3.6mm Pentalobe screws next to the dock connector.
• During reassembly, we recommend you replace the 5-point screws with equivalent Phillips screws. Our Liberation Kit provides the tools and screws needed to replace the Pentalobe screws with Phillips screws.
• The 5-Point Screwdriver should only be used once, as it has the potential to strip the screws.
Step 2
• Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone. (The panel will move about 2mm.)
Step 3
• Remove the single 2.5mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.
Step 5
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the battery connector up from the ends closest to the top and bottom edges of the iPhone.
• Do not pry against the contact clip.
• Remove the contact clip from the iPhone.
Step 6
• Use the clear plastic pull tab to gently lift the battery out of the iPhone.
• Be careful when removing the battery with the plastic pull tab. On some units, Apple uses an excessive amount of glue, making it virtually impossible to remove the battery in this fashion (with the tab possibly tearing due to excessive force).
• For batteries that “stick”, you could use the iPod opening tool to assist (take extra care whilst doing so).
• Remove the battery.
• Before reconnecting the battery connector, be sure the pressure contact (shown in red) is properly positioned next to the battery connector.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the pressure contact as well as its contact point on the rear panel with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 7
• Use a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip to eject the SIM card and its holder.
• This may require a significant amount of force.
• Remove the SIM card and its holder.
Step 8
• Remove the following two screws: one 1.2 mm Phillips, one 1.6 mm Phillips.
• Remove the thin steel dock connector cable cover from the iPhone.
• Before reassembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the dock connector cable cover with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 9
• Use an iPod opening tool to gently pry the dock cable connector up off the logic board from both short ends of the connector.
Step 10
• Carefully peel the dock ribbon cable off the logic board and the lower speaker enclosure.
Step 11
• Use an iPod opening tool to pry the lower antenna connector up off its socket on the logic board.
Step 12
• Remove the 1.9mm Phillips screw securing the bottom of the logic board to the inner case.
Step 13
• Remove the following five screws securing the connector cover to to the logic board: one 2.3mm Phillips, two 1.6mm Phillips, one 1.4mm Phillips, one 4.8mm Phillips.
• When re-assembling, start off with replacing the 4.8mm Philips screw first, then the 2.3mm. This is to ensure there is no mix-up, and avoid rendering the LCD and digitiser useless.
Step 14
• Use an iPod opening tool to slightly lift the top edge of the connector cover away from the logic board.
• Use the tip of a spudger to pull the connector cover retaining clips away from the inner frame.
• Remove the connector cover from the iPhone.
• Before re-assembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points on the connector cover with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues. Do not clean the connectors themselves with Windex.
Step 15
• Use an iPod opening tool to carefully lift the rear camera connector up off its socket on the logic board.
• Remove the rear camera.
Step 16
• Remove the small circular white sticker (warranty sticker and water indicator) covering the screw near the battery pull tab.
• Remove the 2.4mm Phillips screw that was hidden underneath the sticker.
Step 17
• Disconnect the following connectors from the top of the logic board: digitiser cable, LCD cable, headphone jack/volume button cable, top Microphone/sleep button cable, front camera cable.
• It is helpful to use the edge of an iPod opening tool to gently lift the connectors up and out of their sockets on the logic board.
Step 18
• Use a small flathead screwdriver to remove the 4.8 mm standoff near the headphone jack
Step 19
• Carefully remove the logic board from the iPhone, minding any cables that may get caught.
• Note that there is a rubber guard on the edge of the logic board where the digitiser and LCD ribbon cables bend over the logic board. Make certain it is there before replacing the logic board during re-assembly.
Step 20
• Remove the single 2.4mm Phillips screw securing the speaker enclosure to the side of the inner frame.
Step 21
• Remove the speaker enclosure from the iPhone.
• Before re-fastening the speaker enclosure to the inner frame, be sure the four small EMI fingers rest below the lip of the LCD frame.
• Before re-assembly, be sure to clean all metal-to-metal contact points between the EMI fingers and the internal frame as well as the brass screw mounting point with a de-greaser such as Windex. The oils on your fingers have the potential to cause wireless interference issues.
Step 22
• Remove the following two screws securing the vibrator to the inner frame: one 6mm Phillips, one 1.4mm Phillips.
• Remove the vibrator from the iPhone.
Step 23
• Remove the 1.5mm Phillips screw securing the front panel near the headphone jack.
Step 24
• Remove the three large-headed 1.5mm Phillips screws along the volume button side of the iPhone.
Keep track of the washers under each of the screws.
• Tip: It can be tricky, but it is also possible to just loosen the large-headed 1.5mm Phillips screws slightly, without having to remove and replace the screw-and-washer set.
Step 25
• Remove the 1.5mm Phillips screw near the lower microphone.
Step 26
• Remove the 1.5mm Phillips screw near the dock connector ribbon cable.
Step 27
• Remove the three large-headed 1.5 mm Phillips screws along the SIM card side of the iPhone.
• Keep track of the washers under each of the screws.
• Tip: It can be tricky, but it is also possible to just loosen the large-headed 1.5mm Phillips screws slightly, without having to remove and replace the screw-and-washer set.
Remove the small-headed 1.5mm Phillips screw near the sleep button.
Step 28
• Carefully insert the edge of an iPod opening tool between the rubber bezel around the front glass panel and the steel inner frame.
• Do not attempt to insert the tool between the glass and the rubber bezel.
• Carefully pry the upper edge of the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame.
Step 29
• Slowly and gently lift the top edge of the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame.
• Continue to rotate the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame until it slowly begins to peel off the adhesive applied below the home button area.
• Carefully pull the lower edge of the front panel assembly away from the steel inner frame.
Step 30
• De-route the digitiser and LCD cables through the steel inner frame.
• Before re-fastening the front panel to the steel inner frame, be sure both the LCD and digitizer cables are not folded or pinched between the inner frame and the front panel assembly. This will result in possibly damaging the cables and not having enough slack when reconnecting the them to the logic board.
When the front panel has been correctly installed, both the LCD and digitiser cables should be immediately next to one another, and the connectors should be just hanging over the steel frame.
• When replacing the front panel assembly you must remember that you might have to reuse the earpiece grille and the clear plastic ring around the front-facing camera from the old/damaged assembly. This will depend on where you buy the replacement part.
Thanks to the staff at ifixit.com for the tutorials
wow dis will be useful someday thks
