DIY iPhone 4 Screen Repair - Don't Lose Your Screws!

By Jesse Herman •MacNewsWorld • ECT News Network
Aug 6, 2010 5:00 AM PT

Screen damage to the iPhone 4 is likely to rival its predecessors in frequency, which means lots of people will hear that "pop" when their iPhone screen breaks. If you don't believe me, a quick Google search will show a number of iPhone experiments resulting in quick breakage.

Drops from three feet onto a concrete surface can result in a shattered screen. If you are one of those people who opted not to buy protection and have broken your screen -- or perhaps you bought a protector and the LCD still died -- the good news is you can fix it yourself. However, careful planning is crucial.

Following are some organizational tips to keep in mind when attempting a DIY iPhone 4 screen repair.

The iPhone 4 screen is built differently than the 3G and 3GS models because the glass is glued to the LCD display. This means that when you break the glass, the LCD and glass will both need to be replaced. If you broke the glass of your iPhone 3G, a DIY repair could cost less than US$40. No such luck with the iPhone 4. The LCD part alone can cost over $100. Still, the savings can be worth it -- if you know what you are doing.

Find Your Guide

Many iPhone repair guides have been released -- some came out before anyone had even received the iPhone. Lots of the information to be found is good if you are attempting a screen repair, and I suggest you consult one or more of these guides to see if you're up to the task.

If so, here are a few suggestions concerning organization that are very much worth following if you want to succeed. After all, a repair can go well, but if you are missing some screws at the end, your gratification will be delayed, at best.

Many DIY kits don't come with an anti-static mat. This is one precaution that's highly advisable to start safely.

With the iPhone 4 repair, organization is crucial. Before you begin, take a close-up shot of what the phone looks like with the back casing removed.

Place our organizational chart next to you during your repair, and you'll be able to accurately trace the screws to their origins. As you disassemble your phone, place the screws next to the appropriate label. When you remove the part, place it next to its screws.

The Dreaded 'Cable Cover'

This is probably what befuddles people the most, as there are five different screws, total, that help cover the camera, LCD and Digitizer. Notice I said "different" screws.

Most of the screws for the iPhone 4 are different sizes, so don't think you can just throw the screws to the side and grab them later and it will work. One way to keep the screws from flying all over is to put clear tape over them. You'll also want to make sure that any overhead fan is turned off to avoid disaster.

One last important tip is to place a tupperware container next to your repair chart. You never know what might happen during a repair. A beginner's DIY screen repair attempt may take well over an hour.

If something happens within this time frame and you must quickly leave the scene, throwing everything in the tupperware container can help insure that nothing is lost. Of course, sorting everything out will be a huge chore, but not as bad as trying to figure out what screws need to be replaced.

A Beautiful Thing

A DIY iPhone 4 screen repair is not easy. There are many steps involved that aren't covered here. If you've researched the task and feel confident you can handle it, our organizational tips can help you succeed in your bold, financially sound and environmentally friendly attempt.

Self reliance is a beautiful thing. If you succeed, take comfort in knowing you've done what some repair techs are scared to do: Repair the iPhone 4. Good luck!

---

Jesse Herman is the editor at iFixyouri, an electronics repair service that specializes in iPhones.

Get Permission to License or Reproduce this Article