iPhone 4 - Replacing the screen

1. Depending on when your iPhone was manufactured, you’ll need either a Phillips screwdriver or a pentalobe screwdriver to open your phone.
2. Depending on when your iPhone was manufactured, you’ll need either a Phillips screwdriver or a pentalobe screwdriver to open your phone. They are located to the right and left of the dock connector. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
   2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe/Phillips screws

1. Use your thumbs or the palm of your hand to push the back cover of your iPhone about 4 mm away from the bottom of the phone where the dock connector is (see figure 1).
2. Then you can lift the back cover at the end that’s sticking out past the phone (see figure 2).

1. If your iPhone’s still on, turn it off now by holding down the standby button for about five seconds and following the prompt on the display.
2. Remove the screw on the battery connector using a Phillips screwdriver (see figure 1). Put the screw in a separate compartment of your organizer tray.
   1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw
   The battery contact point on the logic board could come off. If the contact point breaks off but the soldering points are still intact, you can solder the contact point back on.
3. Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the pointed ESD spudger slightly below the silver cover plate (see figure 2). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
4. For the rest of the repair, you can also use the metal laboratory spatula instead of the spudger. This may make some steps easier for you. However, we explicitly recommend using the ESD spudger produced specifically for precision electronics.

1. The antenna cover is under the battery connector. NRemove the cover and put it in the same compartment of your organizer tray as the Phillips screw you removed before. (See figure 1).
2. Now remove the battery. It’s sometimes glued firmly in place. Insert the flat end of the spudger into the space (about 1 cm to the left of the volume down button) between the battery and the outer frame, and slowly lift the battery (see figure 2). If the battery’s really stuck on, use other leverage points to the right and left of the original spot to pry it off. If you still can’t detach the battery, you can use a heat gun to warm it slightly from the outside and soften the glue.
3. Now you can also disconnect the antenna connector by carefully pulling it off the plug head using the spudger (see figure 3).

1. Fold the plastic tab with the warning over and press it firmly onto the lower adhesive strip. This way, it won’t get in the way during your repair.
2. Of course, you can also remove the plastic tab.

1. Remove the two Phillips screws from the dock connection cable and remove the black (silver for newer models) cover (see figure 1).
   1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw
   1 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
2. Put the screws and cover in the same compartment of your organizer tray. It’s easy to tell them apart.
3. Now you can carefully detach the connector by using the flat end of the spudger to lift the connector again. Alternatively, you can also use your fingernail again (see figure 2).
4. Pull the flat cable that’s lightly glued in place off of the logic board and bend it carefully over the frame (see figure 3).

1. Remove the five Phillips screws. (See figure 1).
   1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
   2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 4.8 mm Phillips Wi-Fi screw
   1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
2. Use the flat end of the spudger to detach the cover. (See figure 2).
3. Lift the cover out of the phone. Note that the cover is hooked on in two places. (See figure 3).

1. First disconnect the two display connectors. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figure 2). Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
   Touchscreen
   LCD
2. Test the new display.
   • Temporarily connect the new display assembly.
   • Connect the dock connector, the connectors you disconnected previously and then the battery.
   • Start the iPhone and check whether the LCD and touchscreen work properly. Make sure the connectors are securely plugged in to the connections.
3. Now you can disconnect the dock connector, the battery and the following six connectors. Be very careful (see figure 1).
   Touchscreen
   LCD
   Front camera
   Headphone output/volume controller
   Standby/proximity sensor
   Camera (removed in the following step)
   Be particularly careful with the headphone output connection. There’s a little resistor there that you need in order for the front camera to work.Don’t break it off (see figure 3).

1. Lift the camera connector to remove it like you removed the other connectors and take out the camera.

1. Remove the white water indicator sticker. It helps to use the tweezers or laboratory spatula. If you’re having trouble removing the sticker, some hot air can help.
2. There’s a Phillips screw below that.
3. It’s best if you stick the sticker on the plastic tab so you don’t lose it.
   

1. You can use the SIM Tool or a paperclip to remove the SIM card tray. Press the SIM Tool into the small hole in the SIM card tray to remove it.

1. Now unscrew all three screws that hold the logic board in place.
2. You’ll need both the Phillips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver or the laboratory spatula (see figure 1). Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray. You can easily tell them apart by looking at them.
   1 x 4.8 mm Phillips/flathead screw
   1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
   1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
   
3. Now you can carefully lift the logic board below the battery connection using the spudger (see figure 2) and remove it by hand (see figure 3).
4. There’s a little black rubber protector on the right side of the logic board (see figure 4). It comes off easily. Put it with the screws from this step so it doesn’t get lost.

1. Unscrew the remaining Phillips screw on the speaker (see figure 1) and use the spudger to remove it (see figure 2). Put the screw in a separate compartment of your organizer tray.
1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw

1. Now remove the vibration motor. Unscrew the two Phillips screws and remove the vibration motor. Put the screws in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
   1 x 6.0 mm Phillips screw
   1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw

1. Now carefully loosen the six identical Phillips screws (three on each side) by two or three turns.
   6 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
   
2. You don’t need to remove the screws completely. This way, it’ll be easier to put your phone back together later.

1. The identical Phillips screws in the four corners of your iPhone are still holding the display in place. Remove the screws completely and store them in the same compartment of your organizer tray.
   4 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws

1. It may help to warm up the front of the display at the top and bottom using a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the glue (see figure 1).
2. Insert the flat end of the spudger about 2 to 3 mm between the display assembly and the silver frame, and slowly lift the screen. If you use a different pointed or flat tool, make sure you don’t scratch the front panel from the inside. This is especially important when you’re replacing the Home button’s flexible flat cable because you’ll be using the same screen.
3. Start between the headphone output and the standby button (see figure 2). As soon as there’s a little gap, try to pull off the display with your fingers. The strength of the glue can vary greatly.
4. Using the spudger, work your way around the entire frame once (see figure 3). If the display is still really stuck on, use some more hot air.
5. Keep warming it up until you can easily lift the display assembly (see figure 4) and it’s no longer stuck on (please note: The display’s connection cables are on the side with the standby button).

1. Pay special attention to the touch and LCD cable when you remove the display.
2. Carefully guide this cable through the midframe.

1. Not all available displays have the same features. If necessary, you’ll have to take some of the following parts from your old display before installing the new screen:
   • Earpiece mesh from the old screen; may have to be glued on (see figure 1)
   • Front camera bracket (see figure 2)
2. Check whether the PVC cover on the proximity sensor (see figure 3) is in its place (only for the black iPhone 4; if you’re installing a white display, you also have to put on this cover). If your screen no longer goes dark when you’re talking on the phone after this repair, you can get help here.
3. You can use a paintbrush or the laboratory spatula to remove the dust from the Home button. (See figure 4).
4. Pull the protective film off the back of the new LCD.
5. If the adhesive film next to the Home button and front camera is clean, you can continue to use it. Otherwise, pull it off.

When you put on the new display, make sure you pull the LCD and touchscreen cables all the way through the slot in the midframe. You have to pull both cables through the slot up to the same length (see figures 1 and 2).

1. See if you can press the Home button as usual once the assembly is evenly on the frame. Make sure that the display is properly fitted to the frame (see figure 3).
2. Make sure the washers for the six identical Phillips screws are fitted properly (see figure 4). (The display’s clips should be between the washer and the frame.)

1. Screw in all four equally sized Phillips screws again.
   4 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
   

1. Now you have to tighten the six identical Phillips screws (three on each side).
   6 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws

1. Now put the vibration motor in its place and screw it in (see figure 1).
   1 x 6.0 mm Phillips screw
   1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
   
2. Make sure the adhesive film on the headphone output doesn’t touch the vibration motor’s head because, otherwise, it won’t be able to rotate freely (see figure 2).

1. At first, only tighten the Phillips screw on the speaker a little bit (see figure 1).
   1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
   
2. The speaker’s clips have to be against the speaker behind the higher level of the middle cover (see figure 2). This is easiest if you only slightly screw in the speaker at first so it can still move around a little.
3. Once the clips are fitted properly, you can tighten the screw.

1. Put the rubber protector back on the sharp edge of the logic board. The thicker part should be facing down (see figure 1).
2. Put the logic board back in carefully as shown in the picture. The logic board will click gently into place when it’s in the right position (see figure 2). This may take several attempts. Use figure 3 to check whether your logic board is in the right place.
   Make sure the antenna cable attached to the speaker isn’t under the logic board.
3. Now screw in all three Phillips screws that hold the logic board in place (see figure 4).
   1 x 4.8 mm Phillips/flathead screw
   1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
   1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw

1. Stick the white water indicator sticker back on the Phillips screw.

1. First connect the camera and then connect the other connectors to the corresponding connections. Use your finger to carefully press them in. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.
2. If the LCD/touchscreen cable is too short, you forgot to pull it tightly through the slot in the midframe.

1. Put the cover on the logic board and make sure it’s hooked on properly.
2. Then fasten it with the five Phillips screws (see figure 1).
   1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw
   2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws
   1 x 4.8 mm Phillips Wi-Fi screw
   1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw
3. If you have problems with the Wi-Fi signal later, the Wi-Fi screw may be screwed in wrong. Also check whether the Wi-Fi contact point is fitted properly on the cover (see figure 2).

1. Connect the dock connection cable again and put the black/silver cover on it.
2. Fasten the two Phillips screws again.
1 x 1.2 mm Phillips screw
1 x 1.6 mm Phillips screw

1. Detach the plastic tab with the warning or stick it back in if you took it out.

1. First you have to attach the antenna connector again (see figure 1).
2. Now put the battery back in the iPhone.
3. Then install the antenna cover (see figure 2).
4. Now click the battery connector back into place and screw it in (see figure 3).
   1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

1. Put the back cover back on and carefully push it the last few millimeters toward the dock connector.

1. Now screw in the two screws at the bottom of the enclosure.
   2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe/Phillips screws
2. Then all you have to do is push in the SIM card tray.

When the battery is removed from the device, the iPhone loses the time and sets itself to 1:00 a.m. on 1/1/1970. You could have trouble connecting to the cellular network if the time isn’t set.

After a repair, complete the following steps:

1. Synchronize your iPhone with iTunes or connect to a WLAN network and wait until the time is set.
2. Remove the SIM tray with the SIM card and reinsert it.
3. Activate airplane mode on the device and then deactivate airplane mode.