What They Don't Tell You About iPhone Screen Replacement

So you've watched the videos and looked at the photos of iPhone 3G disassembly and now you're ready for action. The glass screen is cracked and/or the LCD is broken and you have no intention of spending days without your device and paying Apple $200 or more. Although the do-it-yourself attitude is noble, it could cost you even more money if you're not careful. The tutorials above are a good start, but more details can only help.

Take these tips to heart if you're going to fix the screen yourself. First and foremost don't ever buy the glass alone (typically $20). It's useless. The digitizer can't be detached from the front glass. The next best option is the front glass and digitizer together (around $60). The LCD is mounted with screws behind the digitizer and runs $80-90. Remember, you perform this repair at your own risk, and will render any remaining warranty invalid.

1) Removal of all screws requires a 1.4 mm phillips screwdriver. Be sure the work area is free of dust and debris. One speck of dirt between the glass and LCD will annoy you forever.

2) Use a plastic case opener or prying tool. You must push down on and stretch the black rubber seal that goes between the silver bezel and the glass. Best to damage it in only one spot directly above one of the screw holes near the home button. Razor blades or screwdrivers will not easily fit between the bezel and glass or exert pressure in the right place. It takes some depth to get under the glass and black plastic home button frame to lift it up. The glass can easily be cracked (or cracked worse) with the wrong tools or pressure. This could also result in glass particles flying directly into your eye.

3) When removing the ribbon cables be sure that cable number 4 does not accidentally come off.

4) Removal of the LCD from the front glass assembly requires care. Do not use the case opener tool to pry the LCD out of the metal frame after all 6 screws are removed. If necessary pull up with the tool on the metal backing of the LCD to lift it free. The easiest way to crack your LCD screen is to pry between the LCD and the front glass!

5) When prying the black plastic home button frame from the front glass exert pressure from the inside of the frame to prevent further damage to the black rubber seal surrounding the glass. The plastic frame is attached to the glass and digitizer with adhesive. Be patient. The plastic frame is extremely fragile and can easily be broken along the corners or sides where it's thin.

6) After the parts are disassembled remove all of the packaging materials and stickers from the new parts. Again be sure that all parts are dust, dirt and fingerprint free.

7) Before you begin to reassemble the phone make sure the ribbon cable coming out of the new digitizer is oriented properly. It must be folded down into the body of the phone. There is another small black ribbon on the digitizer that can easily slip up into the SIM card tray slot. Make sure this ribbon is also folded downward into the unit as you reassemble.

8) Some suggest double-stick tape to attach the new glass front piece to the black plastic home button frame. A few dabs of rubber cement will work well if you are patient enough to hold the assembly together while the glue dries.

9) Take care when reattaching the ribbon cables. They are extremely delicate. Don't destroy your motherboard.

10) Another fraction of a drop of glue on the screws will help to keep them from working lose. Mobile devices are subject to a lot of vibration and stress. The blue material on the screw threads served this purpose until the screw was removed.

Comments

Just had this happen to me for the second time. They’re great phones, but this time it cracked when I dropped it in the grass. The first time this happened, I paid $200 at the Apple Store for a new phone. However, this time, I found a somewhat more affordable solution. If you are in the Dallas area, I would recommend CrackedPhoneScreen.com. They will replace the cracked face for $89.99 while you wait. It took the technician a few minutes and the phone is as good as new. You can even mail them your phone and they will fix it and mail it back. Their number is (214) 550-0707 and their web site is http://www.crackedphonescreen.com

GO TO DR CELLPHONE

they are the best they fix it really fast & Professional

11526 Harry Hines Blvd # 108, Dallas, TX‎ - (972) 241-9725‎

I went to the Apple store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and they told me my warranty was void and it was cost $199.99 to fix my phone I paid over $500 for!!!! I found an iPhone repair expert in Southeast Wisconsin. I talked to Patrick on the phone and assured me he could have it done in 15 minutes and shipped back to me same day. Low and behold he received it November 3 and shipped it out same day. Had it back in my hands the next morning. Check out http://www.midwestiphonerepair.com . Very nice guy, he covered my shipping and it only cost me $79!! What a bargain for the whole experience! http://www.midwestiphonerepair.com

easy and simple way to fix this problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRLeDqatV8

I took my broken white iPhone to www.iDeviceDiva.com in Lewisville right off highway 35. Was not your usual nerd place - nice friendly folks. Changed the color to pink. Took my daughter's phone there next because it would not turn on. Diagnosis was free and she even showed me how to work some things on my phone I was clueless about. Would have liked to have brought the daughter back to see all the pretty blingy cases for sale but went back without her and had the diva put a GPS on the phone so I could track the teenager's whereabouts when she started driving...SCORE! Now if only they had that when I was married so I could track the errant husband!! ;-) Their number is 469-207-1777.

I was very upset to hear that apple was charging $199 to do this. I paid $199 for my phone originally! I then found http://www.iphone3gscreenrepair.com. They repaired my phone and had it back to me in a flash. The best part is thier price is only $69.99! I was very happy with the repair.

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For excellent repair and service use http://www.repairmyiphonescreen.com

If you are in Australia and Need your iPhone Repaired be sure to go see uCrack iFix. They are located in Brisbane but also accept iPhones from around Australia. Unlike other companies they also will sell you the parts if you want to do it your self.
http://uCrackiFix.com.au

To the previous comment poster - Great point about the Australian iPhone repair business, sometimes it is great to be able to buy the parts by themselves, if that's what you are seeking to fix your broken iPhone or cracked screen.

There is another great iPhone repair business in Perth called Buddha iPhone Repair. They offer very fast repair of your cracked iPhone screen and even plant a tree for every iPhone they repair, pretty neat huh? www.BuddhaiPhoneRepair.com definitely have a look

To the previous comment poster - Great point about the Australian iPhone repair business, sometimes it is great to be able to buy the parts by themselves, if that's what you are seeking to fix your broken iPhone or cracked screen.

There is another great iPhone repair business in Perth called Buddha iPhone Repair. They offer very fast repair of your cracked iPhone screen and even plant a tree for every iPhone they repair, pretty neat huh? www.BuddhaiPhoneRepair.com definitely have a look

I had my cracked iphone 5 screen repaired by the http://CellPhoneRepairGuys.com. I would recommend them to anyone in need of damaged iphone screen replacement, cracked ipad glass repairs, or busted Asus and Samsung Galaxy tablet glass touchscreens (digitizer). The cost of my iPhone 5 screen replacement was almost $150.00 less than what the Apple store quoted me. I found the CPRGuys on the web, researched their reviews and rating and found ALL 5 star reviews and NO BBB complaints. So the next time you are in need of a great iPhone screen repair service or iPad glass replacement call the Cell Phone Repair Guys for the best service and prices.

Hi all!
I bought an awesome Griffin survivor case from NutShell Covers. It is a very durable, protective case and if was dropped the screen would never smash! Ever!
I think they are still available http://www.nutshellcovers.com
Thanks!