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® ®
The Unauthorized Guide to iPhone , iPad , and
®
iPod Repair
A DIY Guide to Extending the Life of Your iDevices!
Timothy L. Warner
800 East 96th Street,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 USA
The Unauthorized Guide to iPhone®, iPad®, and iPod® Repair
Copyright © 2013 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without
written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the
information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability
assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
ISBN-10: 0-7897-5073-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5073-0
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing: May 2013
Editor-in-Chief
Greg Wiegand
Executive Editor
Rick Kughen
Development Editor
Rick Kughen
Technical Editor
Walter Galan, ifixit.com
Managing Editor
Kristy Hart
Senior Project Editor
Lori Lyons
Copy Editor
Charlotte Kughen, The Wordsmithery LLC
Indexer
Tim Wright
Proofreader
Kathy Ruiz
Publishing Coordinators
Cindy Teeters
Kristen Watterson
Book Designer
Anne Jones
Compositor
Nonie Ratcliff
Manufacturing Buyer
Dan Uhrig
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been
appropriately capitalized. Que Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a
term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Warning and Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty
or fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The authors and the publisher
shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or
damages arising from the information contained in this book.
While Que, iFixit, and I have made every effort to ensure that the directions provided in this book are
complete and accurate, any attempt on the reader’s part to perform an iDevice do-it-yourself upgrade
or repair is solely at the reader’s risk. Even when our instructions are carefully followed, the slightest
misstep in disassembly or reassembly could result in further damage or destruction of the iDevice.
Also, any attempt to repair or upgrade your iDevice immediately voids any warranty you have through
Apple. You’ve been warned!
Bulk Sales
Que Publishing offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or
special sales. For more information, please contact
U.S. Corporate and Government Sales
1-800-382-3419
[email protected]
For sales outside of the U.S., please contact
International Sales
[email protected]
Contents at a Glance
Introduction
Chapter 1 Why Do it Yourself?
Chapter 2 The Tools of the Trade
Chapter 3 Protecting Your iDevice User Data and Settings
Chapter 4 iDevice Repair Best Practices
Chapter 5 iPhone 3GS Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 6 iPhone 4S Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 7 iPhone 5 Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 8 iPad 2nd Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 9 iPad 3rd and 4th Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 10 iPad mini Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 11 iPod touch 4th Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 12 iPod nano 5th and 7th Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
Chapter 13 Sourcing iDevice Replacement Parts
Chapter 14 Addressing Water Damage
Chapter 15 Replacing the Front Display and/or Rear Case
Chapter 16 Replacing the Battery
Chapter 17 Replacing the Logic Board and/or Dock Connector
Chapter 18 Recovering Data from Your Broken iDevice
Chapter 19 Before You Sell, Donate, or Recycle Your iDevice
Index
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 Why Do It Yourself?
The Benefits of DIY iDevice Repair
Saving Money
Fighting Back Against the “Tyranny” of Apple
Preparing to Become an Apple Tech
Earning Extra Money
iDevices—A Roster
iPod
iPod touch
iPhone
iPad
Limiting Our Scope
Apple Warranties and You
Apple Hardware Warranty
AppleCare+
Finding Old, “Broken” iDevices
Pawn or Secondhand Shops
eBay or Craigslist
Amazon.com
Yard Sales or Flea Markets
Friends, Family, and Colleagues
Bulletin Boards
Chapter 2 The Tools of the Trade
What Does It Take to Become an iDevice Technician?
Character Traits
Technical Ability
Obtaining iDevice Technician Tools
Sources for iDevice Tech Tools
ESD Safety Equipment
Screwdrivers
Spudger
Plastic Opening Tool(s)
Heat Gun/Hair Dryer
Magnetizer/Demagnetizer
Pick-up Tools
Work Lamp with Magnifying Glass
Magnetic Project Mat
Industry Certification
Increased Professional Credibility
Gaining a Leg Up in the Job Market
Meeting Apple’s Certification Requirements
Attaining Deeper Access to Apple Tech Resources
Increased Confidence
Certification Options
Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT)
iCracked iTech
OnForce Consultant
Apple Consultants Network (ACN)
Chapter 3 Protecting Your iDevice User Data and Settings
What Exactly Do You Need to Back Up?
Backing Up an iDevice by Using iTunes 11
Where Are the Backup Files Stored?
Backing Up an iDevice by Using iCloud
Backing Up an iDevice Manually
Restoring an iDevice by Using iTunes 11
Restoring an iDevice by Using iCloud
Jailbreaking and Unlocking iDevices
What Is Jailbreaking?
What Is Unlocking?
Chapter 4 iDevice Repair Best Practices
Checking iDevice Warranty Coverage
Verifying iDevice Version Info
What Are Order Numbers?
Deciphering iOS Speak
How Do Warranty Repair Orders Work?
Creating an ESD-Safe Workspace
Wear Appropriate Clothing and Protect Your Workspace
Handle IC Components Appropriately
Condition the Air in Your Workspace
Documenting and Securing Your iDevice Components
Chapter 5 iPhone 3GS Disassembly and Reassembly
iPhone 3GS External Anatomy
Disassembly Procedure
Reassembly Notes
A Few Words About iOS 6
Chapter 6 iPhone 4S Disassembly and Reassembly
External Anatomy
Required Tools
Disassembly Procedure
Reassembly Notes
Chapter 7 iPhone 5 Disassembly and Reassembly
External Anatomy
Required Tools
Disassembly Procedure
Reassembly Notes
On Material Costs and Profit Margins
Chapter 8 iPad 2nd Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
External Anatomy
Required Tools
Disassembly Procedure
Reassembly Notes
What Exactly Is a Retina Display?
Chapter 9 iPad 3rd and 4th Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
External Anatomy
Required Tools
Disassembly Procedure
Reassembly Notes
Why Do Front and Rear Cameras Have Different Resolutions?
Chapter 10 iPad mini Disassembly and Reassembly
External Anatomy
Required Tools
Disassembly Procedure
Reassembly Notes
What Are Benchmarks?
Chapter 11 iPod touch 4th Generation Disassembly and Reassembly
External Anatomy
Required Tools
