iPad mini 2 - Replacing the Wi-Fi antennas

The iPad mini 2’s touchscreen is glued firmly in place. To detach it, you have to constantly heat it with a heat gun so the glue will soften (see figures 1 and 2). Make sure you only heat the edge of the display. Then you have to insert a plastic pick into the gap between the frame and the display to detach the adhesive.

1. Turn off the iPad.
2. Start with the left and right sides, where there’s only a small adhesive strip. Insert a laboratory spatula about 4 millimeters between the aluminum frame and the display frame (see figure 3). Be very careful to avoid damaging the LCD under them or the touchscreen with the spatula. Alternatively, you can lift the glass with a suction cup. At the same time, insert a pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame.

Once you’ve inserted the first pick, you can lift the screen slightly. Continue heating the edge of the display during this process.

Now use more picks to work your way around the display one time (see figures 4 and 5).

Don’t work on the side where the Home button is until the next step. The important flexible flat cables under it could get damaged.

1. As soon as you’ve finished with the upper part of the glass, you can slowly lift the screen at the part where the FaceTime camera is. At the same time, heat the bottom of the iPad mini 2 where the Home button is (see figure 1). You should be able to feel the glue slowly coming undone while you continue to carefully lift and heat the screen.
2. Once the glue is fully dissolved, you can lift the screen all the way, fold it over and set it down (see figure 2). Make sure you don’t stretch the LCD and touchscreen cables too much.Avoid getting fingerprints on the LCD. If necessary, you can wear latex gloves.

1. First remove the adhesive strips at the four corners of your iPad. There are screws below them (see figure 1).
   There are also magnets to hold the Smart Cover in place.
2. Now remove the three stickers from the LCD (see figures 2 to 4).
3. Then unscrew the four Phillips screws.
   3 x 3.3 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 4.5 mm Phillips screw

1. The LCD is lightly glued to the rear panel all along the sides. Carefully insert the laboratory spatula at the edges between the silver rear panel and the LCD to slowly detach the glue (see figures 1 and 2).

Make sure you don’t bend the LCD too much.

1. There are seven identical Phillips screws holding the silver rear panel in place. Remove them.
   7 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws
2. Now lift the rear panel and remove it.

1. Now remove the three Phillips screws from the silver cable cover (see figure 1).
   2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw
2. Then lift the cover to remove it (see figure 2).
3. Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the flat end of the ESD spudger slightly below the connector (see figure 3). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
   You can also go ahead and remove the battery at this point by skipping ahead to step 13, but we don’t recommend it because you could damage other parts during removal.

1. Disconnect the LCD connector (see figure 1). Be very careful. Insert the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Now you can remove the LCD.
2. Disconnect the touchscreen connector (see figure 2). Once again, be very careful.
   The cable is still lightly glued in place. Use the spudger to detach the glue (see figure 3).

1. Carefully peel off all the marked stickers (see figure 1).
2. Now remove the four Phillips screws (see figure 2).
   3 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
   
3. The antenna is stuck to the speaker under it. Carefully remove it using the laboratory spatula (see figure 3).
4. Now slowly pull out the antenna cable and carefully lift off the antenna connector using the spatula (see figure 4).

1. Remove the angled sticker (see figures 1 and 2).
   The antenna cable is under it.
2. Now remove the three Phillips screws (see figure 3).
   2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
   
3. The antenna is stuck to the speaker under it. Carefully remove it using the laboratory spatula (see figure 4).
4. Now slowly pull out the antenna cable (see figure 5) and carefully lift off the antenna connector using the spatula (see figure 6).

1. Connect the Wi-Fi antenna with the long cable again and install it just like before. Make sure you compare it with figure 1.
2. Attach the antenna to the speaker again and screw it in place (see figure 2).
   2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
   
3. Now put the sticker back on (see figure 3).

1. Connect the Wi-Fi antenna with the long cable again and install it just like before. Make sure you compare it with figure 1.
2. Attach the antenna to the speaker again and screw it in place (see figure 2).
   2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
   
3. Now put the sticker back on (see figure 3).

1. Connect the new touchscreen’s cable and gently press it on at the point where it was glued on.
2. Now you can install the LCD cable again (see figure 2).

1. Now connect the battery connector again.
2. Put the silver cover back on and screw it in place (see figure 2).

2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw

1. Put the rear panel back in and screw it in place.
7 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws

1. Now put the LCD back in the frame.Make sure you don’t leave any fingerprints on the display. If necessary, we recommend using latex gloves.
2. Now fasten the four Phillips screws and make sure the magnets are positioned correctly.
   3 x 3 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 4.5 mm Phillips screw
3. Attach the adhesive strips to the LCD again (see figure 2).

1. Now you can attach the screen again. First peel the protective film off the inside of the screen and see if there are any fingerprints.
   
   Make sure there are no fingerprints or dust on the LCD. Remove any fingerprints with a microfiber cleaning cloth. You can use an air compressor or compressed air spray to blow away the dust.
2. Now remove the protective strips from the adhesive strip.
3. Then put on the touchscreen quickly but precisely so no new dust can settle on the LCD.
4. Press on the screen at the edges and then weight it down for a long time, for example with a few books, so it’s pressed firmly onto the enclosure.