Installing iPhone 3G Front Panel Assembly Replace a cracked front panel assembly on your iPhone 3G. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Zvjn6kWEgdlphXMr Ben Eisenman Moderate iPhone 3G

The front panel assembly, including the digitizer, ear speaker, and home button, can be replaced on the iPhone 3G.

The front panel assembly, including the digitizer, ear speaker, and home button, can be replaced on the iPhone 3G.

Relevant parts
Tools
 Metal Spudger Phillips #00 Screwdriver Small suction cup Spudger iPhone 3G Front Panel Assembly Installing iPhone 3G Display Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the dock-connector end of the iPhone. Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the dock-connector end of the iPhone. Make sure to keep all the screws organized as you are taking the phone apart. They are different sizes. Make sure to keep all the screws organized as you are taking the phone apart. They are different sizes. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/BDwOahEyMAgQEjkR 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. 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. 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. 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 lower portion of the iPhone's display assembly. Use a small suction cup near the Home button to gently pull up the lower 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. 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. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/yckGWw3ZOQVJ2jAk The display assembly is still connected to the iPhone by several cables, so don't try to remove it entirely just yet. 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. Rotate the display assembly up until it is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/5X1VNYajXCufNfrr 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." 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." Ribbon cable "1" is connected with a plug style connector. The block at the end of the cable is the plug which is simply pushed into a socket on the circuit board. No other locking mechanism is used. Ribbon cable "1" is connected with a plug style connector. The block at the end of the cable is the plug which is simply pushed into a socket on the circuit board. No other locking mechanism is used. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PvOx1mRqotISkaTK Rotate the display assembly up until it is roughly vertical. This will allow easier access for disconnecting the remaining cables. 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." Use a spudger to disconnect the black ribbon cable labeled "2." http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/NDqCl14U4WxBFFaF Ribbon cable "3" is held in place by a FPC style connector. You must unlock this connector before sliding the ribbon cable out. The locking mechanism is on the opposite side of where the cable is inserted - it swivels upwards 90 degrees. Use a plastic spudger to lift the locking mechanism. Ribbon cable "3" is held in place by a FPC style connector. You must unlock this connector before sliding the ribbon cable out. The locking mechanism is on the opposite side of where the cable is inserted - it swivels upwards 90 degrees. Use a plastic spudger to lift the locking mechanism. The FPC locking latch is very delicate and is typically a different color than the body of the connector. (see the detail image of FPC connector open and closed) The FPC locking latch is very delicate and is typically a different color than the body of the connector. (see the detail image of FPC connector open and closed) Slide the ribbon cable out of the connector, and remove the display assembly from the iPhone. Slide the ribbon cable out of the connector, and remove the display assembly from the iPhone. It's impossible to properly reinsert a ribbon into an FPC connector unless the lock is disengaged. Make sure the locking latch is open when attaching/detaching the cable. It's impossible to properly reinsert a ribbon into an FPC connector unless the lock is disengaged. Make sure the locking latch is open when attaching/detaching the cable. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/plNIcDIcyB1jXd11 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/XpX23FYetofp3IA5 Remove the single Phillips #00 screw from the corner of the display assembly. Remove the single Phillips #00 screw from the corner of the display assembly. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/lGRsG3OyOZ1lwHTK Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the right side of the display assembly. Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the right side of the display assembly. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/XvLSPUVHiUNsjAbf Turn the display over, and if there is a thin strip of black tape on the edge of the display assembly, carefully peel it up. Turn the display over, and if there is a thin strip of black tape on the edge of the display assembly, carefully peel it up. Keeping the tape from sticking to itself can be tricky. We recommend placing the tape on a wax-coated piece of paper (any sticker backing will do). Keeping the tape from sticking to itself can be tricky. We recommend placing the tape on a wax-coated piece of paper (any sticker backing will do). http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/RXmuZOVXXeZpWYRP Remove the three Phillips #00 screws from the left side of the display assembly. Remove the three Phillips #00 screws from the left side of the display assembly. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/msNOKTDGGhLwtuid Turn the display assembly over and again carefully insert a metal spudger between the two metal rails along the edge of the display assembly. Gently rotate the spudger to lift the LCD up from the glass. Turn the display assembly over and again carefully insert a metal spudger between the two metal rails along the edge of the display assembly. Gently rotate the spudger to lift the LCD up from the glass. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/5QYaRM6OKDCMZQVZ Separate the LCD and glass by sliding the LCD panel away from the ribbon cables on the glass. Separate the LCD and glass by sliding the LCD panel away from the ribbon cables on the glass. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/WXHSlRiTKUKbM2El Front Panel Assembly remains. Front Panel Assembly remains. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/m3Mmj51bQm1GuX36