Step-by-step

1. 1

   Heat the top edge

   2 min

   Use a heat gun or hairdryer on medium heat to warm the top perimeter of the iPad for about two minutes. This softens the strong adhesive holding the glass digitizer.

2. 2

   Attach suction cup

   1 min

   Place a suction cup near the top edge of the front glass near the FaceTime camera and press down firmly to secure a grip.

3. 3

   Slice top edge adhesive

   3 min

   Pull up gently on the suction cup to create a small gap, then insert a plastic opening pick beneath the glass. Slide the pick along the top edge to sever the adhesive.

4. 4

   Heat and slice the left edge

   3 min

   Apply heat to the left edge of the iPad frame. Insert an opening pick and slowly slide it down the left side to release the glass.

5. 5

   Heat and slice the right edge

   3 min

   Warm the right edge with your heat gun. Carefully slice through the right adhesive strip, keeping the pick shallow to avoid damaging internal components.

6. 6

   Slice bottom edge cautiously

   3 min

   Warm the bottom edge, then gently slice the bottom adhesive. Do not insert the pick deeper than 3/8 inch near the home button to avoid severing the ribbon cable.

7. 7

   Open digitizer glass

   1 min

   Gently lift the top edge of the glass assembly and swing it open toward the left side like a book cover.

8. 8

   Remove LCD retaining screws

   2 min

   Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four corner screws securing the LCD display panel to the aluminum casing.

9. 9

   Pry up LCD display

   2 min

   Insert a spudger gently under the top edge of the LCD panel and lift it up, taking care not to strain the ribbon cable at the bottom.

10. 10

    Remove display shield screws

    2 min

    Locate the metal display cable shield near the bottom right corner and remove the retaining screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.

11. 11

    Disconnect LCD cable

    2 min

    Lift off the metal shield with tweezers, then use a spudger to pop the LCD ribbon cable straight up from its connector.

12. 12

    Remove LCD panel

    1 min

    Lift the LCD panel completely out of the iPad frame and set it aside face-up on a clean microfiber cloth.

13. 13

    Disconnect digitizer ribbons

    2 min

    Use a spudger to flip up the thin locking zif-levers on the digitizer connectors, then slide the digitizer ribbon cables out.

14. 14

    Remove old digitizer glass

    1 min

    Lift the original digitizer away from the iPad frame completely.

15. 15

    Clean adhesive residue

    5 min

    Scrape away remaining adhesive from the aluminum frame edges using a plastic opening tool and isopropyl alcohol.

16. 16

    Apply fresh adhesive tape

    4 min

    Lay pre-cut adhesive strips along the top, bottom, and side perimeter channels of the aluminum housing.

17. 17

    Connect replacement digitizer

    3 min

    Insert the replacement digitizer's ribbon cables into the ZIF connectors on the logic board and flip down the retaining latches to lock them.

18. 18

    Reconnect LCD panel

    3 min

    Press the LCD ribbon cable onto its logic board socket, reinstall the metal shield, and tighten its screws.

19. 19

    Secure LCD panel

    2 min

    Lay the LCD panel flat into the frame and reinstall the four corner Phillips screws.

20. 20

    Seal front glass assembly

    3 min

    Peel the protective backing off the adhesive strips, align the glass over the frame, and press firmly around all edges to adhere.