Installing iPhone 3GS Display Assembly

Featured Guide

Featured Guide

This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff.

Replace the display assembly in your iPhone 3GS.

  • Author: Ben Eisenman
  • Time required: 15 Minutes
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Add Note x
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Cracked both the LCD and Front Panel? This guide shows replacing the display assembly can be done with ease.

Relevant Parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Display Assembly  ¶ 

  • Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the dock-connector end of the iPhone.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Remove the metal handle from the suction cup. It's easier and safer to grip the suction cup's base instead of the metal handle.

  • Be very careful when opening the iPhone so that the cables under the display are not severed.

  • There is a rubber gasket between the silver front bezel and black display assembly. A bit of force is required in this step to separate the iPhone's display assembly.

  • Use a small suction cup near the Home button to gently pull up the bottom portion of the iPhone's display assembly.

  • If the display assembly is too damaged to allow the suction cup to adhere, tape with a strong adhesive such as duct tape may be used.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • The display assembly is still connected to the iPhone by several cables, so don't try to remove it entirely just yet.

  • Rotate the display assembly up until it is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Continue to hold the display assembly with one hand, and use your other hand and a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "1."

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Rotate the display assembly up until it is roughly vertical. This will allow easier access for disconnecting the remaining cables.

  • Use a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "2."

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to flip up the black plastic tab holding the remaining ribbon cable in place. The black will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

  • The tab is very fragile, so be careful when flipping it up to unlock the cable and down to lock the cable.

  • The plastic tab may be white (instead of black) on some iPhone models.

  • Slide the ribbon cable out of its connector, and remove the display assembly from the iPhone.

Required Tools

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ In stock

Phillips #00 Screwdriver

$4.95 · 50+ In stock

Small Suction Cup

$2.95 · 50+ In stock

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