My Problem

So, I had this old iPhone 3G back from 2007 that I gave to my mother, but a couple of years ago I happened to fall while skiing on the Alps and the display got damaged (it had an expanding stripe of broken pixels) by the shock and/or snow getting inside. Apart from that, the battery didn't last as long as new, so I finally decided to take it apart and give it a good fix!

My Fix

Removing the display assembly was really easy, apart from the last cable (I missed the bit of the guide about having to open the plastic clip before removing the cable!). I also found that the right screwdriver to remove the screws was the Philips #000, at least for me (whereas in all guides they recommended a Philips #00). Replacing the battery was much more fiddly, but in the end I made it. If I should do that again, it would be much easier than the first time.

My Advice

Be careful not to break the golden ground pin on the side when removing the motherboard.

My Problem

After several years, the battery just would not hold electrons correctly anymore.

My Fix

Followed the step by step directions on this site and they are spot on. The notes on lifting connector 1 and the gold grounding are very important.

After a little struggle with the screw for the camera, the phone is fully operational with a full charge.

It was be very helpful if the screw drivers sold were magnetized to hold the screws while trying to get them back in the holes.

My Advice

I used a refrigerator magnet that is the shape of the iPhone and placed the screws I removed to ensure I put them back in the correct order.

My Problem

My two boys use an old iPhone 3g for games. It got dropped and the screen broke.

My Fix

Everything went smoothly except the removal of the glass screen from the metal frame. The video for the Front Panel installation stops before showing how to remove the glass. I had to look up another video (not from iFixit site) which showed you how to use a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive between the frame and glass.

But overall it was good experience and I fixed the screen and added a new battery while I was in there. All for about $60.

My Advice

I would pay the little extra and get the whole front panel, not just the glass screen. The last step of separating the glass from the frame was far and away the most difficult and uncertain. If I simply had to install a new frame (with home button, etc), it would have been much more simple.

My Problem

A friend of mine had a broken down iPhone 3G. The phone itself was in kind of rough condition. The power button was torn off, the LCD has lines across it and the battery wasn't holding a charge anymore. I figured that before sinking money into a replacement screen, fixing the battery and switch should be done first.

My Fix

The repair went smoothly following the guides. Just lift up on the contact cables and don't push on them like a nut like I did. It was a great confidence builder and the tutorials were great. Of course, now I know that I have to buy a replacement for the internal power switches as well as a new LCD.

My Advice

I went out to the local hobby shop and bought a little paint mixing disk. The kind with indentations. I numbered each of the 10 reservoirs and add the screws and bits to them in order. It made it a lot easier to find things. I just need to weigh it down so a hard breeze doesn't send it flying.

My Problem

My 8 yr old is using the old iPhone 3G for games and music and broke the 30-pin connector which smashed a few of the pins. It would charge (sometimes), but the final straw was when the phone became disabled when he forgot his passcode, which I could not get around with a broken connector.

My Fix

Went well. I replaced the connector assembly and battery (while I was in there anyway). The guides were easy to follow and helped prevent me from making any big mistakes. Battery adhesive was tricky and the rubber microphone cover on the connector module was not straight, which made it a trick to get in, but I was pleased at how easy the process was. I'm emboldened to repair the next iPhone that breaks around here.

My Advice

Just closely follow the guides and you won't have any problems, unless you have fat fingers which make it hard to get those tiny connectors reattached. My one piece of real advice is to go slow and easy when re-inserting the logic board. Make sure everything is out of the way that needs to be and don't force it. Slow and steady wins the race for this project.

My Problem

Battery on my iPhone 3G doesn't hold charge.

My Fix

It is so easy to follow step-by-step guide from ifixit. Make sure you read through the steps and see the pictures to help you figure out what part need to be taken apart GENTLY!

My Advice

Be gentle when you pull any connector inside the iPhone and make sure you are paying attention on what you do.

Thank you ifixit for making an easy to follow guide and competitive price on DIY project on iPhone.

My Problem

My battery was dead dead dead.

My Fix

The repair was slow going, but not because of the instructions/guide provided here, but because the glass on my iPhone had been replaced before, and the adhesive tape holding it to the LCD Screen did not pull the LCD screen assembly. And in truth, this was not too big of a problem, I just searched the 1.5k solutions for someone who had the same issue and figured it out.

My Advice

If you "glass" pulls away, use a sharp object "plastic knife" (I used an exacto, oops.) placed in the slot under the button and pry up while placing the spudger under the screen assembly and carefully lift it up.

My Problem

I had this old iPhone 3G from a friend and have been using it for 2 years until it couldn't hold a single charge for a day while in sleep mode. I was in the mood of looking up a replacement but stumbled upon this site. So I clinched my teeth and made the purchase.

My Fix

Thanks to the guide, not only I was able to replace the battery but also disassemble parts and clean them thoroughly. On final note, I am anticipating on longer battery life for my good 'ol iPhone. Yehawww from Texas. :D

My Advice

Just make sure to read the instruction for iPhone 3G battery placement guide thoroughly and comprehend the context within the repair instruction. Most faulty fixes are due to our stubbornness and not following instruction correctly.

My Problem

Battery dead in 3G and dying in 4G

My Fix

The 4G repair went "as smooth as butta". The 3G was a bit more demanding.

My Advice

On the 3G, when I lifted the display slightly, the wires labeled "3" were already disconnected. After replacing the battery and putting everything back, the display no longer worked. The battery works because flipping the Mute switch on the side causes a short vibration. I'm guessing that I broke a connector when lifting the display. Be VERY careful.

My Problem

Battery was not holding charge beyond a day.

My Fix

The repair went smooth and easy, especially when used in conjunction with the video and step by step tutorials. What appeared daunting at first was easy and i did both my phone and wife's phone in under 30 minutes.

My Advice

Use the videos and step by step pictures, it will make everything easy.