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iPhone 3GS Display Replacement

What you need

  1. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement, Broken Glass: step 1, image 1 of 3 iPhone 3GS Display Replacement, Broken Glass: step 1, image 2 of 3 iPhone 3GS Display Replacement, Broken Glass: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

    • Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.

    • This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

    • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

  2. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement, Display: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  3. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • 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 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.

  4. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  5. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 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.

  6. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • 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."

  7. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • 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)

    • 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.

  8. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the single Phillips #00 screw from the corner of the display assembly.

  9. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two Phillips #00 screws from the right side of the display assembly.

  10. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Turn the display around, 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).

  11. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the three Phillips #00 screws from the left side of the display assembly.

  12. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • 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.

  13. iPhone 3GS Display Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Separate the LCD and glass by sliding the LCD panel away from the ribbon cables on the glass.

Conclusion

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

394 other people completed this guide.

4 Comments

Having to replace the LCD display I think this guide is missing one more step which is the disassembly of the LCD display from the metal support to which it is attached.

Also as a general rule for all guides in my opinion if a guide is meant to give instruction on how to replace a display for instance it should show instructions showing how the new display must be substituted in place of the existing one and all the way around to completion of reassembly.

Thank you iFixit!

Andrea Chelattini - Reply

i change my lcd and back panel with guides of i fix it correctly my old lcd is only show white screen now new lcd i put in phone is white screen still. What should i do for it.

stab42 - Reply

I fixed it :-) thx to all!

coutinho - Reply

I wouldn’t actually rate this difficult, its in fact one of the easiest apple devices I have ever worked on.

Techwen - Reply

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