iPod Touch 4th Generation Home Button Ribbon Cable Replacement

Written By: Walter Galan (and 6 other contributors)

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iPod Touch 4th Generation Home Button Ribbon Cable Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

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Introduction

Use this guide to replace your home button ribbon cable. This guide is for replacing the functional home button switch, not the plastic home button cover seen from the outside of the Touch.

Tools

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Parts

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iPod touch (4th Gen) Home Button Ribbon Cable

$9.99

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Step 1 Front Panel

The iPod Touch 4th Generation front panel is attached to the rear case by adhesive. The use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive is highly recommended.

The iPod Touch 4th Generation front panel is attached to the rear case by adhesive. The use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive is highly recommended.
With the heat gun set on "low", begin heating the lower portion of the Touch near the home button.
It is suggested to heat the desired portion in a circular motion pattern to evenly dissipate the amount of heat throughout the device.

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Step 2

Beware, as the Touch will be very hot. It may be helpful to hold it with a towel while prying.

Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool between the front glass panel and the plastic bezel near the home button.

Beware, as the Touch will be very hot. It may be helpful to hold it with a towel while prying.
Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool between the front glass panel and the plastic bezel near the home button.
Do not try to pry between the plastic bezel and the steel rear case.
Pry the bottom edge of the front panel upward, being careful not to bend the glass excessively.
If it is too difficult to pry up the front panel assembly, reheat it and try again.

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Step 3

When there is enough room to grab the bottom edge of the front panel, lift it away from the body of the Touch to peel up the adhesive along its left and right edges.

When there is enough room to grab the bottom edge of the front panel, lift it away from the body of the Touch to peel up the adhesive along its left and right edges.
If the adhesive is too difficult to separate, use a heat gun to soften it before proceeding.

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Step 4

Due to the construction of the 4th generation Touch, the digitizer cable cannot be disconnected until the logic board is removed. Use extreme caution when handling the front panel assembly, as it is attached to the rest of the Touch by the very delicate digitizer cable.

Also, the display data cable is very short and is connected to the logic board near the top of the front panel assembly. If it does not become disconnected while freeing the top edge of the front panel assembly, be sure to disconnect it with an iPod opening tool before rotating the front panel assembly out of the Touch.

Due to the construction of the 4th generation Touch, the digitizer cable cannot be disconnected until the logic board is removed. Use extreme caution when handling the front panel assembly, as it is attached to the rest of the Touch by the very delicate digitizer cable.
Also, the display data cable is very short and is connected to the logic board near the top of the front panel assembly. If it does not become disconnected while freeing the top edge of the front panel assembly, be sure to disconnect it with an iPod opening tool before rotating the front panel assembly out of the Touch.
Carefully pull the top of the front panel assembly away from the adhesive holding it to the Touch, minding the short digitizer cable connecting the two components.

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Step 5

Remove the following eight Phillips #00 screws:

Remove the following eight Phillips #00 screws:
One 3.5 mm Phillips screw
Two 3.0 mm Phillips screws
One 2.3 mm Phillips screw
One 2.4 mm Phillips screw
Three 2.0 mm Phillips screws

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Step 6

Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to pry the thin steel cover up from the rear-facing camera.

Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to pry the thin steel cover up from the rear-facing camera.
Note the small spring located near the bezel next to the camera (highlighted in yellow).
Remove the steel cover from the iPod.

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Step 7

Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool under the steel mid plate near the bottom left corner of the Touch.

Pry upward to separate the plate from the adhesive securing it to the plastic inner case.

Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool under the steel mid plate near the bottom left corner of the Touch.
Pry upward to separate the plate from the adhesive securing it to the plastic inner case.
If the plate is still attached to the logic board re-warm the area to loosen the adhesive, then separate the plate from the logic board using the opening tool
Use extreme care, the speaker is under the area shown in photo. It is connected with very thin and short wires.
There is a very thin ribbon cable here that connects the volume and power buttons to the logic board. Try to work around this area like shown so not to rip the cable. Be sure to hold down this cable when lifting the plate. It could stick to the plate due to residual glue. It is extremely fragile.
This cable will tear very easily if you are not careful.
There is also adhesive under the area shown in red.

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Step 8

Slightly tilt the steel mid plane to dislodge it from the rear case.

Be careful not to tear the piece of copper tape connecting the rear-facing camera to the steel mid plane.

Slightly tilt the steel mid plane to dislodge it from the rear case.
Be careful not to tear the piece of copper tape connecting the rear-facing camera to the steel mid plane.
Lift the steel mid plane up off the rear case and peel off the piece of copper tape stuck to the rear-facing camera.

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Step 9 Home Button Ribbon Cable

Peel the home button ribbon cable off the front side of the steel mid plane using a plastic opening tool.

In the same manner, peel the home button ribbon cable from the back side of the steel mid plane.

Peel the home button ribbon cable off the front side of the steel mid plane using a plastic opening tool.
In the same manner, peel the home button ribbon cable from the back side of the steel mid plane.
Remove the home button ribbon cable from the steel mid plane assembly.