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iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement

What you need

  1. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Front Panel: step 1, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Front Panel: step 1, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Front Panel: 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 iPod'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. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Use a hair dryer or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPod for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

    • The bottom of the screen (near the home button) is held in place with strong adhesive.

    • As you start prying the screen off in the next stages, you may need to apply more heat to keep the glue warm and flexible.

  3. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Center the suction cup on the lower section of the glass, with its edge centered over the home button.

    • Press in firmly and make sure the cup has a strong seal.

  4. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Hold the iPod firmly against a table or bench.

    • Place your thumb and index finger over the lower corners of the display to stop the display from opening too far when the adhesive breaks.

    • Lift the suction cup up and back toward the top of the iPod. Be patient, and pull with firm, constant force until the adhesive breaks and the display comes up from the rear case.

    • It may be necessary to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive (especially in cooler climates). If you can pry the screen apart, and the adhesive is still sticking and pulling apart like cheese topping on a pizza, you can slide a thin razor blade in and gently cut the adhesive.

    • After the display begins to lift from the rear case, be careful not to lift more than about an inch—a fragile plastic frame still connects the display assembly to the rear case.

  5. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • In the following steps, you will be loosening and freeing the plastic frame that surrounds the screen. It is connected to the rear case with several clips.

    • Starting at the top right of the device, insert a plastic opening tool into the gap between the plastic frame and the aluminum rear case.

    • Slide the tool down this crack, loosening the frame from the case.

  6. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Insert the plastic opening tool between the frame and the rear case behind the first clip.

    • Rock the tool sideways, to spread the gap behind the clip and separate it from the rear case.

    • This may not free the clip initially, but repeating the procedure for each clip will begin to loosen the piece.

  7. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Repeat the procedure with the next two clips on this side.

    • You may have to go back and forth between the clips to free all of them. Take your time and be careful and patient, as the plastic frame is quite fragile.

  8. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Moving on to the left side of the device, insert a plastic opening tool into the gap between the plastic frame and the aluminum rear case near the top.

    • Slide the tool down this crack, loosening the frame from the case.

  9. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Insert the plastic opening tool between the frame and the rear case behind the first clip on the left side.

    • Rock the tool sideways, to spread the gap behind the clip and separate it from the rear case.

  10. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Repeat the procedure with the next two clips on this side.

    • Insert the plastic opening tool between the plastic frame and aluminum rear case behind the second clip.

    • Rock the tool sideways, loosening the clip from the case.

  11. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • Using the same procedure, loosen the last clip securing the plastic frame to the rear case.

  12. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Insert the plastic opening tool between the display assembly and the rear case near the top of the iPod.

    • Slightly twist the opening tool to pry the front panel up from the rear case.

    • Separate the display assembly from the iPod.

    • Do not try to completely remove the front panel, as it is still connected by several cables.

  13. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, LCD Shield Plate: step 13, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, LCD Shield Plate: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Gently fold the display over away from the rest of the iPod, taking care not to disconnect or break any of the ribbon cables. Set the two halves flat on a table or bench.

    • If your iPod has a black home button assembly rather than the orange one shown here, you can skip this step. The button is not attached to the LCD plate and does not need to be removed to complete the repair.

    • Use a plastic opening tool to pry the home button switch up from the LCD plate.

    • It may be necessary to use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive on the back of the home button. Always use a low heat setting.

    • Do not attempt to remove the home button switch, as it is connected to components below the LCD plate.

  14. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following screws securing the LCD plate to the rear case:

    • Two 1.2 mm #000 Phillips screws

    • Nine 1.6 mm #000 Phillips screws

    • One 2.3 mm #000 Phillips screw

  15. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Lift up and remove the LCD plate from the iPod.

  16. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Remove three 1.6 mm #000 Phillips screws securing the logic board to the rear case.

  17. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Warm back of iPod with heat gun or hair dryer: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • There are two strips of adhesive keeping the battery in place.

    • Turn the iPod over and heat the BACK of the aluminium iPod case. Do not heat the battery.

    • The aluminium case does not have to be hot; you should always be able to touch heated parts with your fingers at all times without it being uncomfortable.

  18. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2
    • There are three notches on either side of the battery. In the next few steps, you will be using these notches to gradually pry the battery up from the rear case.

    • The battery is secured with large amounts of adhesive, so you'll need to go slowly and carefully to avoid puncturing or creasing the battery.

    • Insert a plastic opening tool into the top right notch and gently pry up on the battery.

    • Do not attempt to pry up the entire battery at this point; you just want to start to loosen the adhesive at each of the prying points, in turn.

  19. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Continue with the lower right notch. Insert the plastic opening tool into the notch, and gently pry up on the side of the battery.

  20. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2
    • Continue prying the battery up from the bottom.

    • When prying along the bottom, be careful not to press down too hard against the speaker or headphone jack.

  21. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2
    • Pry along the left side as well.

    • You may need to move back and forth between the sides and bottom of the battery, prying a small amount at a time until the battery is entirely free from the adhesive.

  22. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 22, image 3 of 3
    • Once all of the adhesive is loosened, lift the battery up from the bottom and swing it out over the left side of the rear case.

    • Be sure not to yank it out, as it is soldered to the logic board.

    • Flip the battery over to straighten its cable and set it down.

  23. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Front Camera: step 23, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Front Camera: step 23, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to flip the front-facing camera out of its socket in the display assembly.

    • There is a small amount of adhesive securing the camera module to its socket, but this should not take very much force. Use the spudger to get in between the black plastic of the camera module and the black plastic of the camera socket and separate them.

  24. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Lightning Connector Assembly: step 24, image 1 of 1
    • Use the tip of a spudger to peel back a small piece of tape covering a screw on the left side of the headphone jack.

  25. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following screws securing the headphone jack, Lightning connector, and speaker.

    • Three 2.6 mm #000 Phillips screws

    • Two 2.0 mm #000 Phillips screws

  26. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the speaker up from the rear case.

    • Do not try to remove the speaker, as it is soldered to the Lightning connector assembly.

  27. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 27, image 2 of 2
    • Grasping the large ribbon cable, gently pull the Lightning connector assembly out of the bottom of the case.

  28. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Display Assembly: step 28, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement, Display Assembly: step 28, image 2 of 2
    • Flip the entire assembly over, exposing the back of the logic board.

    • Use a plastic opening tool to disconnect the digitizer cable from the logic board.

  29. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 29, image 2 of 2
    • Use a plastic opening tool to disconnect the display cable from its socket in the logic board.

  30. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 30, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 30, image 3 of 3
    • Flip the Lightning connector/logic board assembly back over to expose the top of the logic board.

    • The display cable is lightly adhered to the top of the logic board.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to peel the display cable up from the logic board.

  31. iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 31, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 5th Generation Display Assembly Replacement: step 31, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the display assembly from the iPod.

Conclusion

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

200 other people completed this guide.

Andrew Optimus Goldheart

Member since: 10/17/09

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Staff

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32 Comments

There is a major problem with the information provided here.

I followed the advice of the staff and purchased on eBay a replacement glass with tools for our cracked glass problem. I then began to follow the guide shown here.

The first major problem is that the suction cup will not pull off the glass. I tried the suction on various surfaces, and it's very strong. So no doubt, the problem is the fact that the glass is cracked. But that's the whole reason we're trying to take it apart. Secondly, if this guide doesn't apply to cracked glass, that should be clearly stated and possible another guide should be provided.

As it is now, removing the "glass" from the foamy "gasket" underneath was nearly impossible, and the local tech now tells me that in this condition, it's essentially worthless.

Dave Kitabjian - Reply

I don't know about Ipods, but I have worked on Samsung phones in their repair facility and to lift our digitizers from the lcd assembly you have to heat them up a little bit with a heat gun first. The heat loosens the adhesive tape that holds the digitizer down. Once that glue on the tape becomes pliable you should be able to lift it up. Hope this helps.

pau -

One more thing - ignore your local tech. Anything can be fixed unless its been sitting in water. They just want their service fee.

If you've got the confidence to try this repair (which it sounds like you do) and google and youtube too - you can do this.

pau -

I tried multiple times to remove the screen after heating it thoroughly with a hair drier. True, not a heat gun, but the display was well heated. The screen wouldn't budge with a suction cup a bit smaller than the one pictured above. My eureka moment was when I remembered the suction-cup on a car cellphone holder. The edges of the cup just exceed the size of the display, but I was able to turn the ring that "tightened" the suction. I pulled firmly on the base of the cellphone holder, and after a minute or so the display started pulling away. The key was being able to apply an even, slow pull.

Lance -

would Covering entire display with the packaging tape change anything?

Or you did & still thumbs down?

Prosit

PURCHASE -

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