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iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement

What you need

  1. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement, Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Before opening your iPod, ensure that the hold switch is in the locked position. The slider should be all the way to the right if your iPod is facing you.

  2. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Opening the iPod can be challenging. Do not get discouraged if it takes you a few tries before the iPod is opened.

    • Free the first retainer clip on the bottom of the iPod using the iPod opening tool. The tool's edge should point towards the metal back case to prevent scratching the plastic front.

  3. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Use this photo of the OPENED iPod for the reference, in order to locate the areas where the retaining clips are - 4 per side, one on top and two at the bottom. It should save you a lot of frustration and help avoid scratching the plastic cover.

  4. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • There are four retaining clips on each side of the iPod. An iPod opening tool will be used to separate the plastic front from the metal back of the iPod.

    • Insert the iPod opening tool into the left side of the iPod, with the edge of the tool pointing towards the metal back.

    • A small guitar pick can be extremely helpful in opening the iPod. Simply insert it and slide the pick around the case to free the clips to streamline the process.

    • Gently enlarge the existing crevice by wiggling the iPod opening tool and moving it to the left.

    • Continue doing so until the entire side of the iPod is loose.

    • You can then insert an iPod opening tool to the right of the Hold button. Be very careful while inserting the tool, as the display is very fragile.

  5. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Gently glide the iPod opening tool on the top of the display, making sure to free the retaining clips.

    • The other sides of the iPod should now easily come loose. If they do not, use iPod opening tools on the right side of the iPod in the same way as on the left side of the iPod.

    • Separate the front of the iPod from the back about an inch (or a couple of centimeters).

    • The iPod casing is now open, but don't completely separate the two halves just yet. Two ribbon cables are still connecting the back panel to the rest of the iPod.

  6. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Use angled tweezers or an iPod opening tool to slide up the brown connector latch, holding the orange battery ribbon cable in place. Make sure you pull from both sides of the latch. You only need to lift the brown connector latch up about 1-2mm to free the cable. Do not lift more or remove the latch, or you might pull the white connector with it!

    • Don't lift up too far or you could pull the battery connector out of the logic board.

    • Make sure to slide the brown connector directly upwards. The connector is frail and will break if it is accidentally shifted to the side. The connector has hooks at the bottom to hold the cable in place. As soon as you break one of the arms you will have problems putting the battery cable back on. If it breaks put the cable in the slot and then push the brown holder in place to keep the cable from slipping out.

    • Remove the cable from the connector.

  7. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • You should now have one orange ribbon cable still attaching the front case to the back.

    • At this point you are able to remove and replace the blue rubber bumpers, or continue with separating the case.

    • Separating the case is not necessary to complete battery replacement but may facilitate ease of replacement. It does require removing an extra cable at some risk of damage during removal.

  8. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Lift up the hard drive to expose the headphone jack ribbon connector (indicated by the yellow box).

    • If the hard drive bumpers come loose, make sure to put them back with the notch as shown in the picture.

  9. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • With the iPod opening tool, gently lift the brown tab of the headphone ribbon cable connector. The tab will rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable.

    • Using your fingers, pull out the headphone jack ribbon cable.

  10. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • The front and back of the iPod should now be completely separated.

  11. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement, Battery: step 11, image 1 of 3 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement, Battery: step 11, image 2 of 3 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement, Battery: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Be careful not to damage any of the headphone or battery ribbon cables while performing this step.

    • Insert an iPod opening tool in between the metal case and battery at the location illustrated by the picture.

    • Gently wiggle the tool while pushing it further in between the battery and back case. The adhesive holding the battery should give, allowing the battery to be removed from the rear panel.

  12. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement, Headphone Jack & Hold Switch: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Be very careful when performing this step, since the orange ribbon cables can easily be broken.

    • Peel off the tape holding the ribbon cables in place.

  13. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the two black Phillips screws that are securing the headphone jack to the lower casing.

  14. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following two screws:

    • One black Phillips screw securing the hold switch near the corner of the iPod.

    • One silver Phillips screw securing the other side of the hold switch.

    • Side Note: When reassembling the iPod, a touch of white Elmer's glue on the end of your screwdriver helps hold these little screws on your screwdriver to make it easier to screw them in.

  15. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the Hold switch free of its housing on the rear panel.

    • Slide the headphone jack out of its housing on the rear panel.

    • Lift the headphone jack and hold switch assembly out of the iPod.

    • If you are removing the Hold switch and headphone jack to replace the back panel, you may stop here.

  16. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2
    • If your replacement headphone jack includes the white plastic hold switch, simply reinstall the headphone jack. If your replacement part does not include the plastic hold switch, follow the next steps to transfer the plastic hold switch to your new headphone jack.

    • If you're just trying to remove the rear panel, you can skip Steps 15 and 16.

    • Remove the single Phillips screw nearest to the hold switch. Note: You may find adhesive holding the back of the screw in place.

    • Lift the plastic portion of the Hold switch away from the orange ribbon cable.

    • Ensure that the black notch lines up with the gray slider during reassembly of the switch (see picture 2).

  17. iPod 5th Generation (Video) Headphone Jack & Hold Switch Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Use the small iPod opening tool to carefully peel the orange ribbon cable and attached black Hold switch up from the metal backing.

    • When re-attaching the replacement Hold switch, make sure the two small posts on the back of the switch are aligned with the two holes in the metal backing.

Conclusion

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

319 other people completed this guide.

12 Comments

thanks for guiding me through the process & making the tutorial available .

anton tolliver - Reply

Very effective guide just be carefull and it should be smooth sailing thank you.

Dobsonfwtstar - Reply

Fantastic instructions. Was able to fix the head phne jack with tools and parts purchased here at iFixit. I have been using this site for years and will continue forever!! I recommend buying the toolkit was invaluable on this job could have not been successful without it. Thanks iFixit you are amazing as well as your contributors.

bethmigalla - Reply

Putting the iPod back together is much harder than taking it apart! Could definitely have used a magnifying glass, but dad's reading glasses helped.

Reattaching the screws and the ribbons was particularly difficult. I ended up replacing one screw with a piece of insulation tape, because it refused to tighten again. But after finally getting everything back where it should be, it was magical to turn it on and watch it light up. It's also fantastic having sound come out both ears, and a working Hold button :) Thanks!

shughes - Reply

great fix, just two comments: the screwdriver is not easy to use at first and the ipod opener tool (blue plastic) is quite fragile. Otherwise, my ipod is just like new now!!!

nicolaswroth - Reply

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