iFixit iPhone 4 and 4S Screen Protector

My Problem

This was my daughter's phone and she had dropped it repeatedly, but continued to use it. Finally, it got so bad that she couldn't use it anymore, so we traded it in for another phone. Having used iFixit previously to repair my iPod Classic's display, I thought it would might be worth it to see if I could do the same for the phone.

My Fix

The process took much longer than the guide suggests--probably a total of about 4 hours or more. Although getting into the iPhone 4 is a LOT easier than the iPod Classic, every step was very tedious. There are many very tiny screws and keeping track is of utmost importance. I taped the small parts down to a piece of paper with the step number written next to it and colored coded where necessary.

There are a couple of minor steps that are missing from the guide, but addressed in the comments. When everything was back together, the metal clip covering the antenna connector from step 5 was left out. Somehow, I had it taped to my step 11. I had to do some internet searching to figure out where it went. I found it here (http://youtu.be/j6CcxjUKqUY?t=1m17s) at 1:17.

Also, there is a very small contact point on the tip of the wi-fi antenna. Pay VERY CLOSE attention to this when removing it. Mine got lost and I never knew it. Fortunately, there is an iphone repair service here in town that looked at it for me and spotted the problem. He had an extra wi-fi antenna and replaced it for me.

So, the process was long, tedious, sometimes confusing, but it saved me quite a bit of money had I sent it or taken it somewhere else for repair.

My Advice

Document the teardown process in as detailed a manner as you possibly can. Be patient, work slow, and keep track of everything as you go. If at all possible, read through the entire process before you begin, and then follow the steps meticulously.

Have fun!

My Problem

Dropped my iPhone and shattered front glass.

No warranty and upgrade on the phone was too expensive.

Repair estimate for glass alone was $70.

My Fix

I ordered the repair kit which included tools to make the repair. I also ordered replacement battery.

Received both within 3 days.

No instructions came with the kits.

Used the instructions found on u-tube but still had to guess at a couple of steps because a couple of the components were not the same on my phone as depicted in the video.

Followed the instructions and completed the repair in a little under 4 hours.

My Advice

Read instructions then read again and read again.

Follow the instructions to the letter.

Take your time.

Recommend using a lighted magnifying glass because some of the screws are very small, particularly if you are over 70 years old and have vision issues.

If you like a challenge then go for it.

My Problem

My son in law's phone fell and the screen completely cracked.

So decided to help him and ordered the part from IFIXIT

My Fix

Installed following guide as always, have done it many times, but always follow the guides ,like pilots follow their checklist before taking off no matter how many flight hours they have.

After powering up, success ,the display looks brilliant but when trying to scroll the phone will not respond.

Went over again the install and verified each connection meticulously.

NADA.. So decided to check the connectors more closely.

Used my BAUSCH & LOMB 7X Measuring Inspection Magnifier No. 81-34-35 and found that the Digitizer connector had what looked like a solder blob .Seems a fluke from the factory.

Called IFIXIT in and spoke to Chris. Explained situation and after that he will send a new Display and I will send back the one with the defect.

Excellent service from Chris .I sent him also a photo of the "offender"

As soon the new one arrives will inspect and install.

The saga continues LOL.

Thank you IFIXIT for your service and respect.

My Advice

Well, I can say that will inspect using my BAUSCH & LOMB 7X Measuring Inspection Magnifier No. 81-34-35 before installing any part just in case to trap any possible part flaw..

Would be a very good preventive action.

My Problem

New battery needed.

My Fix

No problems at all.

My Advice

Be sure to read or watch a tutorial video before beginning as it will clarify steps to be taken. The small tool kit offered by iFixit works fine, take your time with plenty of direct light and the replacement will be done in a very short time. Because of close quarters inside the phone a jewelers magnifier or equivalent would come in handy but not absolutely necessary. Take CAREFUL note as to how the ribbon connected to the battery is folded in two places so as to fit well between the battery and receptacle using the old battery as a reference.

My Problem

Broken Screen

My Fix

I appreciate your giving me the opportunity to discuss the progress of my repair with you.

I gather that the time required for a fairly skilled technician to perform this task – replacing the screen on an iPhone 4S is about an hour or so. After about eight hours I have now managed to get the phone re-assembled and working – in a manner of speaking. I have been able to navigate around the interface somewhat and successfully make phone calls. There remain three or four issues which are unacceptable.

I should begin by saying that the duration of my job was due to no small degree by mishaps arising from my physical limitations. Firstly, I am 72 years old and have rather large hands with a bit of a tremor, and found it hard to manipulate some of the screws even with tweezers. Often they would pop from my hands, and even though I was working on a doubly-confined tray with doubly-adhesive layout map, the Brownian movement seemed enough to make them arc onto the carpet, where it would take half an hour to find them again. This is practically a clean-room job.

My old eyes are not the best, either. I did most of the work with reading glasses and a Bausch-Lomb 3x loupe. But, without a 10x compound jeweler’s loupe I could scarcely distinguish the smallest Phillip’s head from the Pentalobe head. I am still not convinced that my authentic Pentalobe drive had a symmetrical foliate form. Often it seemed that only one orientation in 360 degrees would function, and that only with a lot of force. This was to have later consequences, as it turned out.

I would say there was one source of confusion in the several instruction videos I consulted. This has to do with the pair of doubly-tapped screws or “two screws in one place”. It took a bit to for me to catch onto the fact that one screw hade a female tapping in its own head to receive the male that was screwed in from above. This lead to another problem, I think, as I will get to near the end of my narrative.

Reading over the experiences of other DIY adventurers, I noticed that a couple of them complained about a new “Home” button not being provided with the screen. I was forewarned when it came time to recover the original Home button from the wreckage of d old screen. As delicately as possible, I pulled the black tape holding it to the back of the old panel, and the two pieces immediately fell apart from each other. It seems that the original adhesive was crumbly and unsuitable for attaching it to the new screen. There were bosses on both the molded tape and the plastic button, so the orientation seemed clear enough.

But how to re-affix the old tape and button (no new ones having been supplied)? It looked like plastic electrical tape and a plastic button. I was almost done, I thought. Surely a little Borden’ rubber cement would do the job. Wrong. As soon as the cement hit the tape, it shriveled up. Working furiously, I managed to get it oriented. It seemed firm enough. [Fast forward to power up test…] Wrong. It was loose, danced around, and seemed not to produce the proper response, except by chance. But at least the phone lighted up and I could dial out.

I had put in a new battery, and every thing else seemed tickety-boo. So I decided to close up the phone. ALAS. I had one Pentalobe screw left and one Phillips, almost the right size. Also I noticed that the vibrator did not work.

So, I think here is where things stand. I’ll have to open it up again. Perhaps I put the missing Pentalobe into the flange that holds down the vibrator. Swap this with the incorrect Philips in the frame. Maybe – just maybe – that’ll kill two birds with one stone. Then I have to figure out the correct way to secure the Home button.

There are other problems seeming to have to do with the fact that I swapped SIMs with another iPhone 4, but that’s probably just software stuff. It is also tricky to make sure the backups don’t get confused.

So, I guess I’m about 75-8% done and still mildly optimistic.

~Nemo Oudeheis

oudeheis(AT)gmail.com

My Advice

Even the map was not enough. Triple check the provenance and identity of every component.

My Problem

The bottom microphone would only work intermittently so I could hear people who called me but after a few seconds, they could not hear me. Eventually, it stopped working altogether.

My Fix

Ordered a new dock connector (which has the microphone attached) and smartphone repair kit and watched the video a couple of times and read the instructions a couple of times too. The battery needed some prying to get it out of the glue, and the home button ribbon cable is so tiny, it took a few tries to get it together properly. Also the main ribbon connector took some patience to get it seated properly. The whole process took about 30 minutes because I was being extremely slow and careful. SUCCESS!! It fired back up and now works perfectly. Although a bit daunting to start with, I now look back and it seems like the easiest thing to do. Great instructions - anyone can do this!

My Advice

Watch for plastic sheet tabs that have to be peeled off the new part.

Order the repair kit - it has all the tools you need and the little boxes for all the screws really help.

The home button ribbon cable is small and hard to see. It looks like it lays on top of the connector, but it actually slides into a minuscule slot on the side opposite the little pop-up clamp. Tweezers were a must.

Don't force the main ribbon cable connector back on. When it's carefully aligned it will snap into place and you'll know you got it right by the little click you'll hear.

My Problem

I dropped my iPhone and cracked the front and rear glass panels.

My Fix

The repair went fine but took longer than expected. It took me a little over two hours to replace both panels. The instructions were very well written and easy to follow. If I have to do it again I'll be back!

My Advice

The screws are really small, make sure that there is a method used to place all the screws/parts removed so that they can be put back in the same location. I used a white paper towel and positioned everything removed so that it was easy to assemble.

My Problem

I was the first to break my screen when my iPhone 4 fell out of my lap and onto the ground. My son dropped his on a band trip. When I mentioned the broken screens to an Assistant Scoutmaster, he told me to order the parts and he would replace them. I did so and then he encouraged us to replace them ourselves by using the ifixit video tutorials.

My Fix

I had two screens. It took me a moment to realize that my Verizon phone was different but thank goodness ifixit had an easy way to look up my model and step-by-step guides. My first attempt, I pulled too hard on the LCD wire and it broke. I used the second screen and viola, it was fixed. Ooo it was so empowering. I felt like I was ready to work on my son's phone. Ordered the parts from ifixit this time and they came quickly. Took less than an hour for his repair. Both phones fixed for far less than it would cost to repair 1 at a retail location. I feel like I should be on a Holiday Inn Express commercial.

My Advice

I would read all the instructions first and then start. I was much better the second go around. Also, make sure you get the magnetized screwdrivers. Those screws are so tiny. If you lay a towel down on your work surface, the screws are less likely to bounce off the table to the ground,avoiding the whole Where's Waldo scenario with the missing screw.

My Problem

Vertical lines on the screen on my 4s.

My Fix

Replaced the screen assembly, I needed to turn all but two screws in my phone. Mostly smooth, I pulled a little too hard on the upper mic cable (part of the headphone jack assembly) without enough prying and tore the cable. After he parts come in for that I need to open it again. Minus my mistake, everything else went perfectly.

My Advice

iScrews tray, Anti Static tray, and a professional pentalobe screwdriver are essential.