7
Score
kashar
69
Asked
My iPhone 4 has new kind of screws :S
My iphone 4 has new kind of screws :S how can i open them ? more pics on twitpic http://yfrog.com/0rx9qjx
6
Score
Miroslav Djuric
63.1k
Answered
Accepted Answer
Hey Kashar, I tried looking at your pictures, but it's still very difficult to see the screws. Could you light up the bottom of the phone with some good lights (bring the bottom of the phone close to a desk lamp, etc.) and take a photo with the "macro" mode of your camera? That will give us a much better idea of what kind of screw type we're dealing with.
Original iPhone 4 images on Apple's site had star-shaped screws on it -- are these the screws found on your phone? If so, they're a variant of the tamper resistant Torx Plus patented screws. They are basically star-shaped instead of six-sided, with no post in the middle of the screw head.
If so, you can (very carefully!) use a small flathead screwdriver to turn the screws. We haven't done it ourselves with such a small star-shaped screw, since all our iPhone 4s had normal Phillips screws, but it should be possible.
Update 1/20/11
We published a blog post today that explains in detail what these "Pentalobe" screws are, and why Apple is using them in their devices. You can use our iPhone 4 screw replacement guide and Liberation Kit to replace these diabolical screws with standard #00 Phillips units!
Edited by: iRobot ( ) , Miroslav Djuric ( )
All the parts and tools to replace 5-point pentalobular screws with #00 Phillips screws. — 50+ available at 9.95 each.
No these are NOT TORX screws. TORX screws have 6 points. These screws have 5 points. A 5 point star. We need to find the actual name and size for this type of bit so we can attempt to find some a quality driver. I have bought some very high quality drivers on Amazon made by Wera in Germany. They make really good small screwdrivers. But I have no idea if they even make one that will fit the new iPhone 4 screws because I don't know what these type of screws are actually called. Anyone know the actual technical name and size for the bit that will fit these ? I too have ordered the Chinese ones from eBay ( I hope it fits when I get it ? ) but I would like to get a quality driver like those made by Wera.
According to my e-search they are called TORX security plus. And appear to be measured using an IPA Scale. IPA8 is the smallest I can find reference to. But these screws are more like IPA4.
lol
the screws/screwdri
this guy is selling the 5 point screwdriver already sold 3 in 1 day. hope its legit check it out http://cgi.ebay.com/iphone-4-4G-5-point-...
2
Score
Rage
25
Answered
There's a trick I've learned that has come in quite handy when I've come across screw's with strange tip's like on old gaming system's. I take an old bic pen and pull the ink out. Then I use a lighter to carefully melt the end of the bic pen just enough to be mold-able (Not too much or you could risk melting the plastic housing of whatever you are taking screws out of) and then while it is hot I press the heated end of the plastic down onto the screw making sure it is as straight as possible and holding it there for 2-3 minutes, until it's cooled back to room temperature, with enough pressure that it allows the plastic to mold to the tip of the screw. If done properly you now have a home made screw driver lol.
I figure a bic pen would be too big for the screws on the iphone, but maybe you could find something else, like a cocktail spear or something.
I recommend trying this out on something inexpensive first before trying on the iphone though. I used this tons on like nintendo 64's and gamecube's and stuff and worked great. but sometimes the plastic casing on the system would melt slightly if I heated the pen too much. A little practice though and I haven't done that in a long time. So if you try this you have been forwarned lol. really works good for me though. good luck
Good tip, one that I've used before, however it really only applies to certain applications. I really don't think it would work on smaller screws, and it's best for male fasteners (i.e. screws with protruding rather than recessed heads).
@ Tarek Sebak I usually use the writing end after pulling out the ink and everything as it is easier to get the smaller side to form into the screw.
Rage,
1
Score
Answered
I received my screwdriver set that I bought on eBay and one of the two screwdrivers that was included in the set matches the new iPhone screws like it was made for the new screws (and it very likely was specially made for these screws). It doesn't strip the screws and there is no sign of screwdriver usage even after removing screws a couple of times.
I bought mine from here.
I had my iphone 4 exchanged today. They swapped out my week 39 phone for a week 46 and the new phone has the new star screws. These are neither phillips (4 spokes) nor torx (6 spokes). These have only 5 spokes and are very very small; identical to the ones shown on this pic.
I just placed an order for 2 sets from the site martiansoldier recommended. Hopefully they will work. Will post back results in a couple of weeks when I have the tool. In the meantime I'm going to try the superglue method. Thank to all for your ideas. == Update == I did order 2 sets from the site martiansoldier recommended and got them yesterday. They do in fact contain the * shaped bit screwdriver needed to open the new type screws. +1 martiansoldier. Thanks!
Where can i find the screwdriver for the new screws of the iphone 4? Do you have it on your shop? it's some kind of torx but with 5 lobes.
@ Jorge: There are a few vendors on eBay selling the new screwdrivers and claim to match the new 5 pointed star screw heads for the iPhone 4. I have one on of those on order and will have to wait 3 weeks before it gets to the US from Hong Kong. Hopefully wit will work.
0
Score
Sterling Hirsh
2.4k
Answered
Here are all the guides we have for the iPhone 4.
Edited by: Sterling Hirsh ( )
0
Score
Answered
yes i have seen the screws i live in japan and my iphone 4 has the crazy small 5 star screw. its smaller than a torx T1. i had to get a really small flat head and get a file and file it down a little bit at a time then use a magnifying glass and try it until i got it right. it was a pain but it did work i went on ebay and ordered some normal Phillips and put them in instead.
0
Score
grze
13
Answered
any news on those screwdrivers? do those macbook air ones fit the iphone 4 as well? isn't it bigger?
Yes, I ordered the same set and it seems that that's exactly what everybody need (including you Matic) :)
grze,
0
Score
Alex Jansen
3.8k
Answered
These new tamper-resistant screws are pretty annoying! Here at the iFixit office we had to open an iPhone 4 with those screws and after a couple attempts at different things, we settled on the "superglue method". Usually used for striped screws, the method basically involves supergluing a screwdriver to the screw, waiting for it to set, then unscrewing. The screw should easily break off from the drive once removed. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
what kind of screwdriver did you glue it too? I couldn't even find a flat screwdriver that small :/
grze,
0
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ecomm1
1
Answered
0
Score
remacberli
7.6k
Answered
We should think about setting up a pool for all these special tools Apple gadgets want. They do not want you in your machnes, period!
It goes as far that you bring your iPhone with Phillips screws to the geieus bar for repair and get it back with 3 or 5 wing "tamper proof"
screws. Let's tamper with it ;-)
0
Score
oldturkey0
91.2k
Answered
looks like tamper-resistant torx in the 5 lobed variety. These are and have been commonly used on many of the European cars in various applications such as motor, brakes, lights and interior trim. These should be about the right dimension and can give you an idea which size you might be looking for. The screws that Apple installed on the iPhone 4 is T1
Size Inch point to point [in] Metric point to point [mm]
T1 .031 .81
T2 .036 .93
T10 .107 2.74
T15 .128 3.27
T20 .151 3.86
Looks like very limited availability :) http://www.traderscity.com/board/product...
and http://www.8starshop.com/en/12-in-1-comp...
Good luck and do not forget to change the screws to something a little more manageable....
oldTurkey03 - thanks for the measurement breakout. That helps.
That AppleOEMParts.c
0
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rab777hp
13.6k
Answered
These screws are pentalobe screws, to open it and to put in standard phillips ones, get iFixit's iPhone 4 Liberation Kit.
All the parts and tools to replace 5-point pentalobular screws with #00 Phillips screws. — 50+ available at 9.95 each.
this kit includes both philips and pentalobe screwdrivers and here is a pro-version of the pentalobe screwdriver by itself
0
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Answered
Where did you buy your iPhone 4? We've only seen Phillips #00 screws from US iPhones, but we have seen screws like this on iPhone 4s in Japan.
Luke Soules,
i bought it from uk...
kashar,
any help ?
kashar,
Are these the screws you're talking about? http://images.apple.com/iphone/gallery/i...
mayer,