Fix Your Stuff Community Store

iPad 3G LCD Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a burned-out LCD and/or backlight.

What you need

  1. iPad 3G LCD Replacement, Display Assembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 iPad 3G LCD Replacement, Display Assembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 iPad 3G LCD Replacement, Display Assembly: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

    • Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPad's display until the whole face is covered.

    • This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

    • Do your best to follow the rest of the guide as described. However, once the glass is broken, it will likely continue to crack as you work, and you may need to use a metal prying tool to scoop the glass out.

    • Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes, and be careful not to damage the LCD screen.

    Edit

  2. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • The iPad shown in the photos may look slightly different from your iPad, but the procedure is the same.

    • Insert a metal spudger between the right edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly.

    • Rotate the spudger away from you to release the tabs along the top edge of the display.

    Edit

  3. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a second metal spudger between the top edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly to keep the tabs from snapping back into place.

    • Pry the display assembly away from the rear panel.

    Edit

  4. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Continue prying the display assembly away from the rear panel along the bottom and left edges of the iPad.

    • Use extreme caution as you approach the top edge of the iPad. The digitizer ribbon cable is located near the edge of the rear panel and can easily be damaged.

    Edit

  5. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the display assembly away from the rear panel assembly by its bottom edge.

    • Do not excessively lift the display assembly off the rest of the iPad, as a fragile antenna cable with very little slack still connects the two components.

    Edit

  6. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the antenna connector closest to the bottom of the iPad up off its socket on the communications board.

    Edit

  7. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • In the following steps, you will disconnect the three cables attaching the display assembly to the logic board. The cables are for the following components:

    • Digitizer

    • Ambient Light Sensor

    • Display Data Cable

    Edit

  8. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to flip up the retaining flaps holding the digitizer ribbon cables in their sockets on the logic board.

    • Be sure you are flipping up the retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    • Pull the digitizer ribbon cables straight out of their sockets.

    Edit

  10. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Use an iPod opening tool to remove the ambient light sensor connector from its socket by gently prying upward.

    Edit

  11. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the display data cable from the main board by flipping up the metal retainer by its black plastic pull tab.

    • Pull the cable connector away from its socket.

    • Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board.

    Edit

  12. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the display assembly from the rear panel assembly.

    Edit

  13. iPad 3G LCD Replacement, Ambient Light Sensor: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • If necessary, peel the strip of foam tape off the ambient light sensor.

    • It is not necessary to completely remove the foam tape attached to the antenna.

    Edit

  14. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to carefully pry the ambient light sensor board off the adhesive securing it to the display frame.

    • Once you've gained enough clearance, peel the ambient light sensor off the LCD.

    • If necessary, attach the plastic view window to your new ambient light sensor before installation.

    Edit

  15. iPad 3G LCD Replacement, LCD: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • If present, remove the strip of foam tape along the long edge of the display assembly near the digitizer cable.

    Edit

  16. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • While holding the digitizer cable down, carefully peel back the piece of tape connecting the digitizer cable to the display frame.

    Edit

  17. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to peel the antenna off the adhesive securing it to the top edge of the display.

    Edit

  18. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the three T5 Torx screws securing the clips and LCD brackets covered in EMI tape near the home button switch.

    • Carefully peel the display clip and its attached tape off the black plastic display frame.

    • If you are replacing the LCD, be sure to transfer these pieces of EMI tape and their attached clips to the new LCD.

    Edit

  19. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the remaining T5 Torx screws securing the LCD to the black plastic display frame.

    Edit

  20. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the small strip of tape securing the antenna lead to the LCD.

    Edit

  21. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the edge of an iPod opening tool under one of the ears attached to the steel LCD frame.

    • Twist the iPod opening tool to gently pry the LCD up off the adhesive securing it to the front glass panel.

    • Be sure not to excessively bend the LCD, as it is made of glass.

    Edit

  22. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Repeat the process detailed on the previous step to pry up the display around the three sides opposite the digitizer cable side of the display.

    Edit

  23. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the LCD from its free end, and remove it from the display frame.

    • Carefully peel the adhesive securing the long side of the LCD to the display frame, then remove the LCD.

    Edit

  24. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • If it is still stuck to the front panel, remove the strip of EMI tape near the ambient light sensor socket.

    • If necessary, transfer this to your new LCD.

    • If it is attached to the LCD and you are reusing the LCD, skip this step. If you are replacing the LCD as well, transfer the strip of EMI tape to your new LCD.

    Edit

  25. iPad 3G LCD Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • If they are still in good shape, transfer the clips and EMI tape near the bottom of the LCD to your new LCD.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

42 other people completed this guide.

4 Comments

Did this and everything worked great, but I forgot to re-attach the 3G antenna so I went back in to do that, closed it back up again and now my wifi isn't working. Any thoughts on what I likely messed up?

The first repair didn't require a software/firmware restore, but the second one did. I've restored twice now and reset network settings... all the suggestions Apple makes for troubleshooting a software issue, so I do think I messed something up inside.

Loren - Reply

Be very careful on step 14 as the piece of tape holding down the digitizer cable will TEAR your cable if not properly peeled. Ask me how I know.

to ifixit.com:

I'm very disappointed in the lack of caution advised during this step. Almost as if you wanted us to mess this up for the purpose of purchasing a digitizer from you. Shame.

Tony - Reply

A short remark about how much force will then be needed to separate the old battery from the heated adhesive would be helpful. I found that even after I was able to begin the insertion of a plastic card between the battery and the case, it required a great deal of force to push the card further under the battery to complete the separation. Refer: soundcloud converter

Jennifer Brownz - Reply

Thanks for this helpful steps, its clear and easy, Refer: children toys one and half olds

eriansso - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 3

Past 30 Days: 23

All Time: 66,692