Step-by-step

1. 1

   Power off the iPad

   1 min

   Press and hold the top power button until the power-off slider appears. Slide to power down the iPad completely before starting.

2. 2

   Heat perimeter glass adhesive

   3 min

   Use a heat gun on low setting to warm the outer edges of the screen for two minutes. This softens the adhesive securing the glass digitizer to the frame.

3. 3

   Attach suction cup

   2 min

   Press a suction cup firmly onto the lower left corner of the front glass. Pull up gently to create a slight separation between the glass and frame.

4. 4

   Insert opening pick

   2 min

   Slide a thin plastic opening pick into the gap created by the suction cup. Keep the pick insertion shallow to prevent damaging internal flex cables.

5. 5

   Slice perimeter adhesive

   5 min

   Slide guitar picks around the left, top, and right edges to slice through the adhesive. Avoid prying deeply near the bottom-right Wi-Fi antenna area.

6. 6

   Open front glass digitizer

   2 min

   Carefully swing the glass digitizer open from the left side like a book cover. Lay it flat on your workspace next to the aluminum housing.

7. 7

   Remove LCD corner screws

   3 min

   Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the four corner screws securing the LCD panel. Note that tape covers the top two screws.

8. 8

   Pry up LCD panel

   2 min

   Insert a plastic spudger gently beneath the top edge of the LCD display panel. Carefully lift the display up from the internal frame.

9. 9

   Flip LCD display forward

   2 min

   Flip the LCD panel down onto the opened front digitizer glass. Ensure you do not strain or twist the display flex cables at the bottom edge.

10. 10

    Unscrew shield plate

    4 min

    Remove the seven Phillips #000 screws securing the large metal display shield plate. Keep track of screw sizes as they vary in length.

11. 11

    Remove metal shield plate

    2 min

    Lift the metal shield plate straight up and out of the aluminum rear case. Set the shield plate aside on a clean surface.

12. 12

    Disconnect display connectors

    3 min

    Remove the battery cover bracket screw and disconnect the battery connector, LCD cable, and digitizer cable using a plastic spudger.

13. 13

    Peel home button ribbon tape

    2 min

    Locate the home button assembly on the inner side of the glass digitizer. Gently peel back the black tape covering the home button flex connector.

14. 14

    Pry home button metal bracket

    3 min

    Insert flat tweezers under the metal retention bracket securing the home button. Carefully pry the bracket loose from the glass frame.

15. 15

    Remove old home button assembly

    2 min

    Press the home button face inward from the front glass while lifting the flex cable from the inside. Remove the button and rubber gasket.

16. 16

    Install replacement home button

    5 min

    Align the replacement home button and rubber gasket into the glass opening. Press the bracket firm with fresh adhesive to lock it into place.