Tablet · Apple · iPad Air 1
Apple iPad Air 1 Battery Replacement
Battery Replacement guide for the Apple iPad Air 1
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or iOpener
- Suction cup handle
- Plastic opening picks
- Spudger
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic opening card
- Battery blocker card
Parts / materials
- iPad Air 1 replacement battery
- Pre-cut battery adhesive strips
- Display bezel adhesive strips
- Isopropyl alcohol (90%+ concentration)
Safety
- Wear protective safety glasses in case the glass panel cracks during removal.
- Do not bend, puncture, or lever forcibly against the lithium-ion battery cells.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using isopropyl alcohol or adhesive solvents.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Heat the front glass perimeter
2 minApply a heat gun or heated pad around the outer edges of the front glass panel for two minutes to soften the frame adhesive.
- 2
Attach a suction cup handle
1 minPlace a heavy-duty suction cup onto the upper edge of the display assembly near the front camera.
- 3
Insert an opening pick
1 minPull up gently on the suction handle to create a gap, then slide a plastic opening pick under the glass bezel.
- 4
Slice perimeter adhesive along the sides
3 minSlide the pick down the left edge to slice through the adhesive layer, taking care near the bottom corners.
- 5
Slice top and right edge adhesive
3 minContinue sliding opening picks around the top and right sides to free the remaining glass perimeter.
- 6
Open the digitizer panel
1 minGently lift the glass from the top edge and swing it open toward the left side like a book cover.
- 7
Unscrew the LCD frame corner screws
2 minRemove the four Phillips #00 screws securing the four corners of the internal LCD panel.
- 8
Fold back the LCD panel
1 minPry up the top edge of the LCD using a flat spudger and flip the display open onto the digitizer glass.
- 9
Remove the display cable shield
2 minUnscrew the three Phillips #00 screws securing the metal retaining bracket over the display board connectors.
- 10
Disconnect the LCD flex cable
1 minUse a plastic spudger to snap the LCD connector straight up off the logic board socket.
- 11
Detach the digitizer ribbon cables
2 minDisconnect both digitizer ribbon flex cables from their sockets to completely free the front glass and LCD assembly.
- 12
Remove the battery screw
1 minRemove the single Phillips screw securing the battery contact tab to the main logic board.
- 13
Isolate the battery contacts
1 minSlide a plastic battery blocker card beneath the logic board battery contact tab to cut power to the system.
- 14
Heat the rear housing
3 minFlip the iPad over and apply heat to the aluminum back case behind the battery cells for 2 to 3 minutes.
- 15
Apply adhesive remover to battery cells
2 minApply a few drops of high-purity isopropyl alcohol along the top and outer edges of both battery cells.
- 16
Pry the battery out of the chassis
5 minSlide a thin plastic opening card under the battery cells from the left side and slowly slice through the factory adhesive.
- 17
Clean the rear enclosure
3 minScrape off residual glue strips and clean the battery compartment thoroughly with isopropyl alcohol.
- 18
Install new battery adhesive and battery
3 minApply fresh pre-cut adhesive strips to the chassis, align the new battery, and press it firmly into position.
After your Apple iPad Air 1 battery replacement
Power the iPad Air 1 back on and test the battery 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 iPad Air 1 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 iPad Air 1 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
