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iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement

Introduction

Replace a broken display with this guide.

What you need

  1. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement, Front Panel: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • The glass front panel on the second generation Touch has a plastic frame glued both to its outer edge and also under the wide black strips at the top and bottom of the device. The frame also has a rubber strip that surrounds the edge of the glass panel.

    • The picture at left (front panel already removed) shows the locations of the metal clips (shown in red) that snap on to the plastic frame. In the next few steps, try to pry the front panel up from the gaps between these clips.

    • Also, be mindful of the very thin and delicate touch screen ribbon cable (connector location shown in orange) attaching the front panel to the upper left corner of the Touch.

    Edit

  2. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Gently insert a plastic opening tool, near the volume control buttons, between the plastic surround of the screen and the metal case.

    • Rotate the tool away from the Touch to pry up on the glass panel.

    • The key is to work slowly and gently to avoid breaking internal components.

    • If you are having difficulties using a plastic opening tool. You could try a razor blade, we found it easier to release the clips with one. Please be extremely careful if you take this route!

    Edit

  3. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the plastic opening tool between the front panel and its plastic surround and pry up at several points along the left edge of the Touch.

    • Do not insert the tool and run it down the edge of the front panel. This may damage the front panel and the rubber seal. It is best to work one point, pry up, then remove the tool and reinsert it at the next spot to be pried up.

    Edit

  4. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Continue prying up the left edge until the top and bottom edges start to lift out of the Touch.

    • Once the top and bottom edges have lifted slightly out of the Touch, use the opening tool to assure the plastic surround is detached from the clips along the inside of the Touch.

    Edit

  5. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Continue the prying procedure, now focusing on detaching the plastic surround from the internal metal clips.

    • Pry along the top edge of the Touch to further separate the front panel from the rest of the device.

    Edit

  6. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Pry up the front panel along the right edge using the method described in previous steps.

    • Eventually work around the entire perimeter of the front panel until it is lifted slightly from the rear panel.

    • Also, ensure that the plastic surround is separated from the clips in the rear panel.

    Edit

  8. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the front panel out of the rear case minding the cable still attaching it near the upper left corner of the Touch.

    • Make sure you DO NOT tear the display's touch screen connector cable. Tearing this will render your display useless.

    Edit

  9. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger (or an opening tool) to pry the touch screen cable connector up off the upper logic board.

    • Now that the front panel is out, check it for damage. If the plastic surround is not flush with the front face of the glass panel, gently peel it off and stick it down.

    • Be careful not to scratch the front panel on the underside of the black portions, as the scratches will be visible once the device is reassembled.

    • Be sure to clean both the face of the display and the inner surface of the front panel, as any dust or fingerprints will be trapped inside the Touch once it is fully reassembled.

    Edit

  10. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement, Display: step 9, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement, Display: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a small iPod opening tool with the edge angled up toward the underside of the display between the white plastic backlight and the metal shield beneath it.

    • Pry up along the lower edge of the display enough to grab it with your fingers.

    Edit

  11. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the display up from its lower edge and rotate it toward the top of the Touch.

    • The next few steps require removal of components under where the display normally sits. Be sure to hold the display to avoid putting tension on the delicate display ribbon cable.

    Edit

  12. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • While holding the display with one hand, run an iPod opening tool down the two long edges of the mylar reflector attached to the metal display tray.

    • When it is sufficiently free from the display tray, remove the mylar reflector from the Touch.

    Edit

  13. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the seven Phillips screws securing the metal display tray to the rear panel.

    • The two darker screws belong in the two holes in the tray nearest the bottom edge of the Touch.

    Edit

  14. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Lay the display back down into its tray.

    • Remove the final Phillips screw securing the metal tray to the rear panel.

    Edit

  15. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the display out of the metal tray and rotate it toward the top edge of the Touch.

    • Use an iPod opening tool to lift the metal display tray and rotate it up toward the top edge of the Touch.

    Edit

  16. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to peel the copper tape off the top edge of the display.

    • Leave the copper tape attached to the metal display tray.

    Edit

  17. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Use an iPod opening tool to pry the display cable connector up off its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  18. iPod Touch 2nd Generation Display Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the metal display tray slightly (the battery is attached to its underside) and remove the display from the Touch, minding its delicate cable that may get caught.

    • The display ribbon cable is routed under the metal display tray.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

169 other people completed this guide.

4 Comments

I wore a pair of nitrile gloves (the blue ones) while putting in the new LCD and glass. That way no fingerprints got on the inside portions of the screens.

Thanks for the great instructions, I'm happy to keep using my same iPod and not have to buy a whole new unit.

Mike - Reply

Somehow it always get left out of these tutorals that the !@#$ thing has ALL parts glued together! There's a thin layer of what looks like silicon sealant/glue between the glass and the metal shell. Then the LCD is glued (also with silicon) to mylar backing and mylar backing is glued to the metal frame. The battery is also glued to that frame. The glue gives if you're persistent but it's very easy to crack the LCD while trying to pry it from the metal frame and I had to literally cut the battery off of the other side of that frame.

Elabz - Reply

Ugh... Apple makes it almost impossible to open without breaking it.

Aiden - Reply

Having successfully changed several iPhone batteries I decided to replace the cracked glass on my 2nd Gen Touch but it's practically impossible to do without damaging the rest of the iPod. With 2nd hand values as they are now in 2022 it's actually cheaper to buy a decent second hand 3rd. Gen one than it cost to buy the new screen, mid-frame & glue to repair the original.!! Not my ideal as I wanted to repair the old one, but at least I'm making use of another iPod that the previous owner no longer wanted. I have no doubt that these are repairable but a great deal of care & experience / practice is required & mine ended up being scrapped :-(

Peter Brown - Reply

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