My Problem

My battery capacity was probably somewhere between 60-70% of the original, so I couldn't make it through the work day without a charge any more. I figured it was time to try to install a new battery to get another 12-18 months out of my trusty iPhone 4.

My Fix

Ultimately, it went well. The new battery is as advertised and works great.

My Advice

A couple of pieces of advice.

The magnetic project mat sold here is worth the money. It made it very easy to keep track of parts, especially when I had to disassemble more than I expected.

My clumsy big hands knocked the battery screw down below the speaker housing. So a 10 minute battery replacement took 45 minutes as I took the phone apart to get the speaker housing out to retrieve the screw.

Definitely use a hair dryer for a few seconds on low to help loosen the glue to get the battery out. That was a very helpful tip already provided here.

My Problem

Worn out home button; only getting maybe 1 in 5 presses

My Fix

Straight forward repair. Took 2 hours end-to-end, with the longest time (30 minutes) getting the display separated from the frame.

My Advice

Watch the video, and read thru the guide at least once before starting. Have a container for all of the hardware. I noticed that all of the screws are 000 size, so have the proper driver before digging in.

My Problem

My iPhone 4 was not charging like it should. While plugged into the wall charger the battery level wouldn't go past 30%. After trying several different chargers, it eventually began charging normally and it charged back up to 100%. About a week later the problem returned and it eventually died. I decided to replace the battery because it's an easy fix since I'd already replaced the original battery.

My Fix

This time wasn't as easy as the first time. The battery I was replacing had gotten hot enough that it actually melted the connection to the phone. I had to pry off that portion of the power strip. Then I realized my iPhone model requires a #000 Phillips bit to remove the screw that holds the antenna in place. Apparently I had used the #00 Phillips to remove it the last time I replaced the battery, but this time when I tried I just stripped out the Phillips slot on the screw head. So I decided to use a Dremel tool to cut a slot in the #000 screw and use a small flat head to remove it. My thinking was worst case scenario, I would destroy the phone and replace it with an iPhone 5. But the Dremel tool worked and I was able to replace the battery once more.

My Advice

Make sure you have all the correct size screwdriver bits before you start your repair.

My Problem

Daughter's eBay Refurb iPhone 4 got wet (?), then went dead. The Apple Store wouldn't swap it as it was not their Refurb. I took it apart, cleaned it with electronic cleaner per various YouTubes, and surprisingly it worked! Missing some screws along the way, however, and wanted to get some better tools for the next time.

My Fix

I ordered these parts and received them in less than a week at an APO in Germany (Priority USPS). This is record-breaking speed for us to receive something from Stateside! Most suppliers won't deal with APO's at all or only ship "standard" (??) shipping, which comes to an APO in 6-8 weeks.

My Advice

I Googled instructions for taking apart the iPhone and ended up following one of your overview instructions showing how to pry the display off. Unfortunately, it did not indicate, at least in that overview, that the screws holding it in place needed to be loosed and removed, so ended up breaking several corner tabs. Managed to superglue these later and it went back together OK. Might want to edit into your overview that there are screws, or in bold to look at the detailed instructions.

My Problem

My Wife dropped her iPhone for the 100th time, and this was the time it shattered the screen.

My Fix

The first time I tried, everything went smooth; till I was plugging some of the cables in; One cable seemed to come up short; I soon discovered that something I had done had sheered the thin cable and it was ruined. I ordered a second screen and this time everything went perfect!

My Advice

Take your time when putting it back together; make sure you have a good way to keep track of your screws.

My Problem

The first sign of failure was the volume buttons on the phone were not adjusting the volume, and the phone did not play some sounds. Next the phone stopped turning off.

My Fix

No problems in replacing the dock connector, except the first one iFixit sent me had a broken ribbon cable for the microphone. After emailing iFixit, they sent me a new replacement that worked correctly.

My Advice

n/a

My Problem

My son's 20 GB click wheel iPod was no longer working but to be fair it had been in a box for a couple of years. It took 2 days to charge it enough to restore it and reload it with music. As long as it was kept docked an charging it would work. After finding your website I decided it was worth it to change the battery and see if that would make it fully functional again.

My Fix

The repair was boring and simple, just the way I like it! I followed the directions found on your website using the tools I purchased with the battery; charged the battery for a few hours, connected it to speakers and started jamming to the music of my youth...circa 1970. The only problem is now my 20 year old son wants it back! I hope he has eclectic taste in music because I loaded the iPod with everything from the Rolling Stones to Boz Scaggs. However my son now looks at me me with renewed awe and respect, which is no small thing!

My Advice

Follow the directions and be patient with removing the back cover. No magic, voodoo or inappropriate language required!

My Problem

Why fix it? My iPod Classic (thin) was in constant use in our 2010 Honda CR-V with a USB connection and fingertip controls on the steering wheel. Then it stopped working, and I concluded the battery had died. SiriusXM wanted big bucks/month and all I wanted was music. I was confident the factory price for battery replacement would be outrageous, so I looked at ifixit's solution. No way was I going to pay the XM price. Made my decision and never looked back.

My Fix

It wasn't simple. I could NOT open it with the plastic tools. So I used the thick end of the metal spudger to start the opening, then twisted for room to insert the plastic tool. Then repeat. The putty knife procedure helped. I had difficulty understanding which way the 90% clamp worked on the tiny cables. As a 77-year old, my eyes were not the greatest! but I finally figured it out without any damage. Whew! Ended up with no scratches on the outside, but was unable to get the top & bottom to close perfectly. There are definitely very tiny gaps on both sides, but I can live with them...easily.

My Advice

Use the metal spudger (carefully) to create the gap necessary to accept the plastic tool. Then follow the pictures and instructions. And remember if an old man, not particularly handy with his hands, can get this job done...SO CAN YOU!!!!

My Problem

Initially, my iPod video's front panel is broken by sitting on it without mentioned. I would like to purchase a iPod classic, but it's bit expensive, and the battery life and the hard drive in my iPod video are still working perfect. So just want to find a way to replace just the front panel.

My Fix

As soon as I received my parts and tools, I totally follow the step in iFixit, and it just take me about 15 minutes to replace the front panel. Much easier than I expected. And the most important thing is, replacing is much cheaper than buy a new one, even it's pre-owned one. Thanks to iFixit!!!

My Advice

Just be careful while open the old panel. It will take about 1-2 minutes to free the first and the second retainer clips. Later, it will be just fine.

Also, to put the parts back together, especially dealing with the protection rubber around the hard drive, just be patience.

All in all, much easier than you expected!!!

My Problem

The power button stopped working: it wouldn't turn on or off, and there was no click sensation when you pressed it. It felt like the button was pressed in all the time, but somehow disabled. There was still a bit of play, and nothing was corroded or dirty. It just didn't do anything when you pressed it.

My Fix

The iFixit guide was invaluable for showing how to disassemble the phone and remove the power button, but it did not explain how the button and power switch actually worked. Once the actual micro switch was exposed, I realized the switch itself still worked if I pressed on it directly, it just didn't work with the button, so I ordered another button hoping that was the problem, and reassembled the phone while I waited for the new one to arrive. I verified the exposed power switch was working, then covered the opening with tape to keep the schmutz out until the replacement arrived. Unfortunately, the new button didn't fix it! There was nothing wrong with the button itself, it turned out there was a small dot on the surface of the switch that was shown in the iFixit guide that was missing. I used a minute dab of nail polish applied with a toothpick to the center of the switch, and shaped it into a tiny 1 mm dot in the center of the dome as it was drying. This worked like a charm!

My Advice

The trick was realizing there was a difference between my phone's switch and the switch shown in the photo in the iFixit guide. The photo showed a tiny black dot on the surface of the yellow tape covering the tiny dome switch, and this was missing on my phone. This dot makes contact with the center of the small cylinder in the back of the button, and sets the distance the button travels when it's pressed. Without it, the button just bottoms-out and doesn't actually push on the dome switch. I wish the ifixit guide explained this.