Installing iPhone 4 Vibrator

Replace a broken vibrator motor in your iPhone 4.

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Use this guide to replace the vibrator motor that provides vibration notifications of incoming calls.

Sections
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Tools
Tools (continued)
Relevant parts
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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Rear Panel  ¶ 

  • Before disassembling your iPhone, be sure it is powered off.

  • 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Push the rear panel toward the top edge of the iPhone.

  • The panel will move about 2 mm.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Lift the rear panel away from the iPhone.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Battery  ¶ 

  • Remove the single 2.5 mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.

    • Some devices may have two screws, one of which holds down the contact pad which is located above the screw indicated in red in the photo.

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Add Note Edit 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.

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Add Note Edit 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.

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Add Note Edit Step 7 — Vibrator  ¶ 

  • Remove the following two screws securing the vibrator to the inner frame:

    • One 6 mm Phillips

    • One 1.4 mm Phillips

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Remove the vibrator from the inner case.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the iPhone 4 device page.

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