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iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken or faulty LCD display in your 7th Generation iPod Nano.

What you need

  1. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, iOpener Heating: step 1, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, iOpener Heating: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • We recommend that you clean your microwave before proceeding, as any nasty gunk on the bottom may end up stuck to the iOpener.

    • Place the iOpener in the center of the microwave.

    • For carousel microwaves: Make sure the plate spins freely. If your iOpener gets stuck, it may overheat and burn.

    Edit

  2. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Heat the iOpener for thirty seconds.

    • Throughout the repair procedure, as the iOpener cools, reheat it in the microwave for an additional thirty seconds at a time.

    • Be careful not to overheat the iOpener during the repair. Overheating may cause the iOpener to burst.

    • Never touch the iOpener if it appears swollen.

    • If the iOpener is still too hot in the middle to touch, continue using it while waiting for it to cool down some more before reheating. A properly heated iOpener should stay warm for up to 10 minutes.

    Edit

  3. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the iOpener from the microwave, holding it by one of the two flat ends to avoid the hot center.

    • The iOpener will be very hot, so be careful when handling it. Use an oven mitt if necessary.

    Edit

  4. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Alternate iOpener heating method: step 4, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Alternate iOpener heating method: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • If you don't have a microwave, follow this step to heat your iOpener in boiling water.

    • Fill a pot or pan with enough water to fully submerge an iOpener.

    • Heat the water to a boil. Turn off the heat.

    • Place an iOpener into the hot water for 2-3 minutes. Make sure the iOpener is fully submerged in the water.

    • Use tongs to extract the heated iOpener from the hot water.

    • Thoroughly dry the iOpener with a towel.

    • The iOpener will be very hot, so be careful to hold it only by the end tabs.

    • Your iOpener is ready for use! If you need to reheat the iOpener, heat the water to a boil, turn off the heat, and place the iOpener in the water for 2-3 minutes.

    Edit

  5. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Front Panel Assembly: step 5, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Front Panel Assembly: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Lay the iOpener over the plastic tab to loosen the adhesive. Let the bag sit on the device for approximately 90 seconds before attempting to open the panel.

    Edit

  6. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Use a plastic opening tool to pull the rear plastic cover away from the device until there is enough room to insert a spudger.

    • Insert a spudger under the cover, then pry it up and away from the device.

    • Remove the rear plastic cover from the iPod.

    • Be very careful in removing the plastic cover as the bluetooth antenna is adhered to it.

    Edit

  7. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Gently bend the Bluetooth antenna to the right, out of the way of the screws in the bottom of the device.

    • Remove the single 1.4 mm Phillips #000 screw from the black plastic spacer.

    Edit

  8. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Use a plastic opening tool to remove the black plastic spacer from the Nano.

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  10. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 2 mm Phillips #000 screws from the bottom of the case.

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  11. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a plastic opening tool into the seam between the white plastic front panel and the rear case.

    • Slide the opening tool along the edge of the front panel to free it from clips and adhesive.

    Edit

  12. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Use a spudger to press the midframe screw tab up and out of the rear case.

    Edit

  13. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Use a metal spudger to carefully pry near the Lightning connector and under all parts of the front panel assembly: the front glass/digitizer, the LCD display and the metal midframe.

    • The adhesive under the metal midframe/display assembly is quite strong and the components are fragile, so go slowly and gently. Make sure you do not bend the LCD screen.

    Edit

  14. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Continue prying along the edges under the front panel assembly, releasing the clips and adhesive along the sides of the device.

    Edit

  15. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the front panel assembly slightly down and partially out of the device.

    • You only need to open the device enough to gain access to the display cable connectors near the sleep/power button.

    • Do not separate the two halves entirely, they are still connected by several cables.

    Edit

  16. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger to release the digitizer cable and display data cable connectors.

    Edit

  17. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Gently unfold the two halves of the device to access the internal components.

    • Do not try to completely separate the two sections, yet, as they are still attached via a soldered cable.

    Edit

  18. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Pull up on the battery pull tab to free the battery from its adhesive.

    • Flip the battery over into the rear case for safekeeping.

    Edit

  19. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Completely separate the front panel assembly from the rest of the device.

    Edit

  20. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Display Assembly: step 19, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Display Assembly: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a spudger under the metal midframe and display on the left side of the home button.

    • Make sure that the spudger is under the entire display assembly to prevent bending the metal midframe.

    • Rotate the spudger around the home button and across the front panel, releasing the adhesive holding the display in place.

    Edit

  21. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Once all of the adhesive has been released, gently separate the display assembly from the front glass/digitizer.

    Edit

  22. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Display: step 21, image 1 of 2 iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement, Display: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the six (three on each side) 1.5 mm Phillips #000 screws securing the metal midframe to the display.

    Edit

  23. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • If there is tape holding the midframe to the display, remove it with a plastic opening tool.

    Edit

  24. iPod Nano 7th Generation Display Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the display from the midframe.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

40 other people completed this guide.

Author

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Sam Goldheart

Member since: 10/18/12

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2 Comments

My display didn’t come out intact, so I ordered a new one but it has no metal backing. Where could I get it?

Liam Powell - Reply

Love the guide. In performing this myself very useful, but there are may small details that would have helped me and for the first time novice such as:

- Describing in more detail how to separate the Digitizer and Display cables that intertwine and is connected to the home button.

- Recommend repair novice taking their own pictures as reference points to go back to

- Tools a good magnifying lens or a means to see small part details

- Provide more insight on how the display metal back is to be removed after folding back display cables and removing corner tape.

- Not all repair parts are the same; recommend basic instruction on common steps for parts that require re-applying the metal back, and folding over the cables

All-in-all a good guide…Thanks.

James - Reply

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