iPod Nano 4th Generation Battery Replacement
Featured Guide
This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff.
Replace the battery in your iPod Nano 4th Generation.
- Author: Walter Galan
- Difficulty: Very difficult
Replacing the battery requires a fine tip soldering iron and is a difficult job that only experienced solderers should attempt.
Sections
- Glass Panel 7 steps
- Display 5 steps
- Logic Board Assembly 8 steps
- Battery 3 steps
Tools
Shop these parts and toolsTools (continued)
Relevant Parts
- iPod Nano Gen 4 Replacement Battery, Part Only
- iPod Nano Gen 4 Replacement Battery, Fix Kit This includes the battery, driver, spudger, and opening tools.
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Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool into the gap between the outer case and the top bezel.
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Pry the top bezel off the adhesive securing it to the display retainer.
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Insert an iPod opening tool between the outer case and the display retainer.
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Use the tool to slide the display assembly out of the case slightly.
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Slide the display out of the Nano. It will move about .5" until the display data cable limits its travel.
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With the display pulled out of the case as much as possible, gently press on the lower edge of the glass panel until it pops in slightly (~1 mm).
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Use your thumbs on the lower edge of the glass panel to slide the glass down and into the case until the top edge pops up out of the case.
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Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to separate the hold switch from the adhesive securing it to the top edge of the display.
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While holding the light colored socket down with one finger, use the tip of a spudger to flip the ZIF cable lock up toward the bottom of the Nano.
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Use an iPod opening tool to peel the display data cable off the thin metal plate attached to the display.
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Insert an iPod opening tool between the bottom bezel and the dock connector.
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Separate the bottom bezel from the adhesive securing it to the Nano and set it aside.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to separate the battery from the adhesive securing it to the outer case.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to push the logic board assembly and battery slightly out of the bottom of the Nano. Stop once it pops out a little bit.
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Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to peel the click wheel ribbon cable and its ZIF socket off the dock connector.
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Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to flip the ZIF cable lock up toward the headphone jack.
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Use a pair of tweezers to slide the click wheel ribbon cable out of its socket.
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Peel back the cable on both ends!
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Pull the logic board assembly out of the outer case, minding the hold switch and click wheel cables that may get caught.
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Peel the hold switch cable from along the edge of the battery and lay it aside. The hold switch cable is not attached to the battery.
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Pry the battery off the adhesive securing it to the metal tray on the logic board.
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Start working from one side of the battery ribbon cable. In our case, we started on the left. Heat the leftmost solder pad while gently prying up from under the ribbon cable to free it from the board.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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43 Comments
Guide
There is one small point which is worth a mention here.After disconnnecting the screen by flicking up a little black bit on the ZIF Connector, I went on to open the next ZiF (The Click Switch)
Yes- bits of ZIF connector everywhere.I actually had to examine a new Click Switch circuit carefully to find that this one is different.
Yes - you flick the White bit. Do apple do this just to keep us on our toes?
Pete Green - Reply
I have taken the nano apart and started to use a solder iron to remove the old battery. I must have pulled on the battery before fully melting the solder and have pulled off two of the three tabs from the board.
Can this be fixed?
Vicente - Reply
I tried what Bradley suggested because it really seems easier than to solder the new battery to the iPod circuit board, which is really tiny. Still I couldn't do it. The battery pads are very fragile and I had an hard time folding the leads and the battery circuit board so that it looked the way it originally was. This was the part where I failed because afterwards I wasn't able to insert the battery plus the iPod circuit board inside its case again and ended it breaking it.
ruigsantos - Reply
When I soldered my battery in I first touched the top and bottom of the pads on the new battery with flux and then added a little solder to the top and bottom of the pads. When I put the pads in place I only had to apply a quick touch and it soldered on perfectly.
Overall it was a real pain! :)
Rene Jeddore - Reply
After 3 hours of hard work I did it !
It's the first time I try such a job, and I found it "quite easy" to change the battery with the guide. Just follow the pictures and you'll be done.
The hard work for me was the solder part - and a friend of mine gave me a hand as he was more used to do this.
You can do it, it worth a try :)
maxdelamure - Reply
maxdelamure - Reply
He forgot step one where it says "Go on Amazon and purchase a new Ipod."
haaren - Reply
Step 1
Be sure to use the smaller iPod opening tool and press it in FIRMLY in order to get enough leverage to get under the bezel and pry it off. Adhesive is very strong, so don't be afraid to use a little bit of force.
captcarl13 - Reply
Step 3
Be sure to use a good phillips #00 screwdriver here, or you run the risk of stripping the very small screws.
iTronics Repair - Reply
The screws were covered with the adhesive. They were very difficult to remove.
I RUINED the hold switch! I accidentally broke the cord. 0_o The directions were kind of unclear.
bodieg - Reply
Step 12 is misleading as it does not show to remove the screen from the metal frame.
bodieg - Reply
Sorry guys, but the explanations are really bad. Go onto youtube and watch it. This site misses heaps of steps. I just broke my iPod :(
S Mile - Reply
Like others have noted, screws are covered in adhesive and difficult to remove. Take extreme care to not strip the heads. I'd suggest using a very small flathead to scrape some of the adhesive off before attempting to remove the screws.
captcarl13 - Reply
a 1mm slotted screwdriver will work in a pinch, but be carefull and make sure you get the angle just right
andrew - Reply
Step 4
I found I had to gently pry the retainer open with a craft knife (xacto knife?) as the plastic opener tool was too blunt or soft to get any purchase...
aaaidan - Reply
Step 5
I have several problems in taking it out. I don't know if it is dued to the glue that the iPod has inside. Could you help me. Thanks
Hector - Reply
instructions say 5" (inches) it really means 5mm
pedalsandpicks - Reply
If you're gonna repair the way you read it will get you nowhere: the text reads .(as point)5 inch. Which is about 12mm.
Frank veenis - Reply
The glass panel can be very difficult to get moving requiring a lot of downward force. I have found good old fashioned spit to be very useful here.Just lick both thumbs and rub on fingers until just sticky enough.
This willl move the glass.
Pete Green - Reply
Step 6
I found the adhesive (or fit) quite strong. Pushing on the bottom part of the glass created a small gap at the top, which I could fit a craft knife (xacto blade) into. This made it easier to carefully lever the glass out for me.
aaaidan - Reply
I slipped and broke the LCD. So !#^&@@ off. What an absolute bastard of a job!
lf - Reply
What is the "rear edge" of the nano? Can this be a bit clearer please? Maybe a video of this step would be a good idea. Then again, since Apple owns this site, I guess that's not gonna happen, is it?
lf - Reply
I don't see "rear edge" anywhere in the instructions. I do see "lower edge" a few times and it looks pretty clear to me. I did this repair a couple years ago without much trouble.
Rene Jeddore -
Step 11
Some of the ribbon is inside the white housing with the lock on, it needs to slide out of the housing. I didn't notice this because everything is so small - be sure not to slide your pry tool right through it.
Martin Mccaffrey - Reply
The display can actually be pulled out slightly further than it initially seems. When you gently pull it up, you'll experience some resistance, which I initially thought indicated it was as far as it could go. But an extra bit of (still very gentle) force can pull it up a few more millimetres, which means the opening tool can fit.
Also, it seemed to me to actually be helpful to lever the cable out of its port before removing the ribbon from the adhesive on the plate, since this allowed better access to the adhesive with the opening tool.
aaaidan - Reply
Step 12
WATCH THE HOLD SWITCH!! Be *sure* it is disconnected before pulling out the screen! (I've made that mistake too many times :P)
iTronics Repair - Reply
disconnected from what?
I never saw where it was connected to!
Fred Rodolf -
By "caught" do you mean glued to the case? Mine was, and I cant tell how I could possibly have removed the screen without it breaking. Luckily my Ipod was already broken, but now its even more broke because of this guide.
swd311000 - Reply
Step 13
Follow this picture exactly, inserting the tool in the dock port to pry off the bottom plastic piece-- if you pry on the edges you may bend or break this plastic piece.
iTronics Repair - Reply
Step 15
I found using the opening tool to wedge up (toward the case) from between the metal bit (which is a plate) and the dock socket was the easiest way to do this.
aaaidan - Reply
Step 18
you might want to put a note for the delicacy of this cable on Step 16... because the cable can break as you slide the logic board assembly out :o(
juliforsyth - Reply
Step 19
You forgot to mention that the click wheel ribbon cable needs to be detached from the adhesive holding it to the main board. Now my ipod is really broken. Please review your instructions to include all the steps!
Mike - Reply
Mine too, but the iPod was already toast :D, so now i have a stylish 8GB External SSD
Chris Green - Reply
There has got to be a trick to it, or something I am missing when putting it back together. I can't get the click wheel ribbon to go back in properly. It keeps getting bunched up and sticking out the end. It is long enough to stick out so you can detach it from the other ribbon, so is it supposed to fold up inside when you push it in?
reedc1 - Reply
Does anyone know of a source of mainboards for this Nano. Preferably in the European Community or China? Every other part seems to be available but this one.
I've even found dud mainboards for sale on the U.S. Ebay site. What on earth would anyone do with a faulty Maiboard?
Pete Green - Reply
TOOLS: I've ben reading a few commments regarding difficulty wth the screws. I was also told the Phillips screwdriver isn't a true Phillips but has an offset leg. Not having seen one I can't comment with any certainty.
However,being an improvisor,I've been doing very well with a couple of watchmakers screwdrivers.The flat blades are about 1mm across and made of hard blued steel. The sharp corners dig into the screw and push any glue out of the way. A phillips won't push though glue. I used to buy these in a small plastic box - usuallly on street markets.
Pete Green - Reply
Well... beware, this part is tricky ! the click-wheel ribbon stuck and get cut when pulling the battery+motherboard out. Too bad :(
Anyway it was "last chance" for my 7-years old blue nano, battery wasn't providing more than 15 minutes autonomy.
Too bad, it was my fist iPod and I liked it much than my new 7th gen'.
Playoff - Reply
Step 20
My click wheel cable got sliced reinserting the logic board, so make sure your click wheel cable is on the front (like the instructions say), and not on the side. It would help if there were explicit reassembly instructions and not just "do these in the reverse order", so that special reassembly notes stand out more.
Randall Theobald - Reply
Step 22
i would suggest instead of using a spudger to push up the battery solding points, instead hold onto the battery and use a slight amount of pressure to pull each point off as you heat them with the soldering gun.
iTronics Repair - Reply
I did it this way and lifted the center trace off the board. Now the logic board will need to be replaced.
Tom Buttner - Reply
THIS WAY COULD BE BETTER!
In the course of soldering on the new battery, I bridged a couple of the tiny pads. In my attempt to fix, I delaminated the tiny pads from the new battery's lead. So I reattached the old battery's circuit and leads, and then soldered the new battery (cut from its board) to the old battery circuit.
To do this, simply remove the tape from the end of the battery, unfold the leads, and unsolder the two pads that connect the battery to its board. Do the same with the new battery, and then solder the two leads from the new battery to the old board.
I believe this is an easier way of fixing (assuming the battery is dead, and the circuit attached to the battery is fine, as mine was. My wife dropped the ipod in water).
Bradley Borch - Reply
When desoldering, you should REALLY be using braid instead of just "pulling up". That makes it 100x easier.
Drew Jensen - Reply
Step 23
Me too lifted the center pad off the board :( :( :(
Can the center pad of the battery be wired to a point wich is connected to center pad?
I mean, does anybody know where to wire center battery pad when logic board's center pad is lifted?
perepe - Reply