Repair the cracked glass face of an Apple iPhone 3G

Replacement glass

We ordered the replacement glass face plate from iFixIt. The replacement procedure looks easy enough, but looks are deceiving.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Remember the screws

Here is what got us in trouble during the Cracking Open - the two screws on the bottom of the iPhone. Trying to remove the display portion of the iPhone without removing the screws is asking for trouble.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Steady

With the screws removed a simple prying action with a plastic spudger is all you need to get separation. After disconnecting a few ribbon cables the display part of the iPhone lifts right out.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Separate LCD panel

The next step is to remove the LCD panel portion of the display so we can get to the glass face plate.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

All that remains

With the LCD screen removed we are left with the faceplate and the underlying electronic connections that go with its plastic frame.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Connections and buttons

I take special note of the connecting ribbon cables and the big button switch on the bottom of the iPhone. I have to make sure they are returned to their proper places.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

About 1 week later

Okay so this image shows the glass face plate removed from its plastic frame. What it does not show you is the week of frustration that came before. The glass is glued to the plastic and could only be separated by applying heat to the glued parts.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Special equipment

We found an old hair dryer someone had left in the workout room. This baby puts out some heat. Of course, when you click it on, the building has a brief brown-out.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Plastic frame

Oh boy. The plastic frame is very fragile and you can see the pulling and heating required to remove the glass has warped the frame considerably.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Close examination

The folks at iFixIt suggest using double-sided tape to hold the new face plate in position. The red arrows mark the corners where the original glue substance was applied and where I will apply double-sided tape.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Double-sided tape

Your basic double-sided tape.

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Not so fast my friend

While the double-sided tape held the glass face plate in place temporarily, one of the corners kept separating. The slight warping of the plastic frame created torque forces that the tape could not overcome. Thus enter the large binder clip.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

Large binder clip

I used large binder clips on each corner of the display and held them in place over a weekend. This worked (to my surprise) and I was able to reattach the LCD screen and reconnect the entire display to the other half of the iPhone.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.

It's alive again

And after a reset of the software, the TechRepublic Apple iPhone 3G is once again operational. Now, I would suggest it be handled carefully because I am not convinced that the double-sided tape will hold through rough treatment.

So we successfully repaired the cracked glass face plate on our iPhone 3G. But I would not and will not recommend anyone do this repair on an iPhone they actually intend to use. It is not worth the time or trouble. I suggest phone insurance and a simple replacement.

Images compiled or created by Mark Kaelin for © TechRepublic.