iPhone 4 (GSM/AT&T) Front Camera

My Problem

The home button and rear facing camera were not working. The rear facing camera would take one picture and everything would freeze up, requiring the phone to be rebooted. The home button required frequent presses before being detected. I want to use the camera in some "little robot" projects I'm working on, so the camera was essential.

My Fix

The rear-facing camera was a cinch. The home button was a bit more involved. I didn't have to peel the metal frame off the case, but pretty much everything else comes apart. It did take nearly an hour to get it all apart, replaced and reassembled. It took a long time to boot, I assume because the battery had been disconnected, and I was sure I had bricked it. Surprise - it's back in service and ready to be attached to the next project!

My Advice

I used a magnetic parts mat and indelible marker to label each screw as it came out. Rule one - you must do this or you will never get the right screws back in the right places! The mat saved me a couple times when I dropped parts. It catches them, rather than letting them bounce away. Rule two - don't do this over carpet - if you drop one of these screws, it's gone. :)

My Problem

Broken screen, and eventually front camera also stopped working.

My Fix

Had a broken screen for about 10 months. I decided to fix it as the front camera also became defective.

Followed the guides and replaced the screen and front camera. Took about an hour.

The parts are good stuff. I tried once with an ebay part and was a waste of time, had to return it. This one is good (or maybe great!:) I wonder if it has the same Gorila glass as the original screen.. ?

Used a sheet of paper taped to the desk, placed the screws on it, and each time I draw a box around the screw along with the step number. That gives controls on the process so not to mess up the screws.

Interesting, I found a loose screw, its place is close to the vibrator so I guess it has to do with it.

Only miss, the speaker mesh. It didn't come with the replacement and the old one disappeared long time ago.

Overall a almost tiring task but well worth it if you like it, and good for the environment, I hope!

I can't post photos, I was repairing my photo taking device ;)

My Advice

Use a sheet of paper taped to the desk, place the screws on it, and each time draw a box around the screw along with the step number. That gives controls on the process so not to mess up the screws.

If you want photos, guess, you can't use the phone! :)

My Problem

Had to keep the phone going until the iPhone 6 hits next month, and my kids are going to want the hand down. So the parts are cheap enough and I'm sure with the video I could handle it.

My Fix

There repair went fine, need a strong pair of reading glasses.

My Advice

The repairs aren't to difficult, you do need to have patience and attention to detail. A screw bin is very useful, I used the box the parts came in, the narrow slots where the tools where helped organize the fasteners. I believe with some minor modification, that the box design could be improved to really complete the kit. Now if you could include a better set of eyes ;-) The kit itself and the videos are well done and quality replacement parts.