Phone · Apple · iPhone 4S
Apple iPhone 4S Screen Replacement
Screen Replacement guide for the Apple iPhone 4S
Before you begin
Tools
- P2 Pentalobe screwdriver
- Phillips #000 screwdriver
- Plastic prying tools
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- SIM eject tool
- Suction cup tool
Parts / materials
- Replacement iPhone 4S screen assembly
- Double-sided display adhesive strips
- Isopropyl alcohol cleaning wipes
Safety
- Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from fine glass splinters if the original screen is cracked.
- Disconnect the battery early in the process to avoid shorting out delicate logic board components.
- Do not bend or puncture the lithium-ion battery during removal.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Remove Pentalobe Screws
2 minUse a P2 Pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two 3.6 mm screws located at the bottom edge of the phone next to the dock connector.
- 2
Slide Off Rear Panel
1 minPush the glass rear panel gently upward toward the top edge of the phone until it shifts up about 3 mm, then lift it away.
- 3
Unscrew Battery Connector Bracket
2 minRemove the single 1.7 mm Phillips screw securing the battery connector bracket to the logic board.
- 4
Disconnect and Remove Battery
3 minPry the battery connector straight up off the logic board with a spudger, then pull the clear plastic tab to detach the battery.
- 5
Remove Dock Cable Shield
2 minRemove the two Phillips screws securing the metal dock connector cable cover and lift the shield out.
- 6
Disconnect Dock Flex Cable
1 minUse the flat end of a spudger to pry the dock flex cable connector straight up off the logic board.
- 7
Disconnect Cellular Antenna
1 minGently pop the lower coaxial cellular antenna cable off its socket on the logic board near the bottom corner.
- 8
Eject SIM Card Tray
1 minInsert a SIM eject tool or paperclip into the hole beside the SIM tray to pop it open, then remove it.
- 9
Unscrew Top EMI Shield
3 minRemove the five Phillips screws holding the upper grounding shield in place near the top edge of the board.
- 10
Remove Upper Grounding Shield
1 minLift the top metal shield carefully off the logic board using tweezers.
- 11
Disconnect Upper Flex Cables
3 minPry up the five ribbon cable connectors at the top of the logic board, including display, digitizer, front camera, and audio jack flex cables.
- 12
Remove Rear Camera Assembly
2 minLift the rear camera connector off the board and lift the camera module out of its recess.
- 13
Unscrew Logic Board Standoffs
4 minRemove the logic board screws, including the hex standoff near the camera well, that hold the board to the outer frame.
- 14
Lift Out Logic Board
3 minGently tilt the logic board up from the bottom edge and pull it out of the rear housing, watching for snagging cables.
- 15
Remove Speaker Enclosure
2 minRemove the two Phillips screws securing the speaker assembly at the bottom of the frame and lift the speaker out.
- 16
Remove Corner Display Screws
3 minRemove the four Phillips screws with washers located at the inner four corners of the display frame.
- 17
Loosen Side Display Screws
3 minLoosen the three side frame screws on each side by about two full turns without completely removing them.
- 18
Pry Broken Display Glass
4 minInsert a plastic prying tool between the glass assembly and the steel frame to slice through the adhesive around the perimeter.
- 19
Thread Display Cables Free
2 minCarefully feed the display and digitizer ribbon cables through the frame slot as you pull the old screen off completely.
- 20
Mount Replacement Screen
3 minThread the ribbon cables of the new display through the frame slot and press the screen flat against the chassis frame.
- 21
Fasten Frame Screws
3 minTighten the six loosened side screws and reinstall the four corner screws firmly to secure the screen assembly.
- 22
Reinstall Internal Components
8 minReassemble the speaker, logic board, camera, top shield, cables, battery, and rear glass in reverse order.
After your Apple iPhone 4S screen replacement
Power the iPhone 4S back on and test the screen replacement function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Apple iPhone 4S job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Apple iPhone 4S repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
