Step-by-step

1. 1

   Heat the front glass edges

   3 min

   Apply heat around the outer perimeter of the iPad display to soften the adhesive underneath. Keep the heat source moving constantly to avoid scorching the LCD.

2. 2

   Apply suction cup

   2 min

   Place a suction cup on the lower portion of the screen just above the home button. Pull up gently with steady pressure to create a small gap between the glass and frame.

3. 3

   Insert opening pick

   2 min

   Insert a thin plastic opening pick into the gap created near the bottom edge. Do not insert deeper than 3mm to prevent damaging the lower display cables.

4. 4

   Slice display adhesive

   5 min

   Slide the plastic pick carefully around all four edges of the iPad glass to cut through the perimeter adhesive. Reapply heat if the pick meets heavy resistance.

5. 5

   Open the display assembly

   2 min

   Gently lift the top edge of the screen and swing it open toward the home button side. Rest the display flat face-down on the workspace without straining the ribbon cables.

6. 6

   Unscrew display bracket

   3 min

   Use a precision Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws holding down the metal display cable shield. Lift the metal shield off the logic board.

7. 7

   Disconnect display cables

   3 min

   Use a plastic spudger to pry the display cable, digitizer cable, and home button flex cable straight up from their connectors. Lift the display assembly clear.

8. 8

   Isolate the battery

   2 min

   Remove the single screw securing the battery terminal to the logic board. Slide a plastic battery isolator pick under the contacts to break power.

9. 9

   Disconnect rear camera

   2 min

   Remove the bracket screw securing the rear camera shield. Pry the camera press-connector off the logic board using the flat edge of a spudger.

10. 10

    Disconnect front camera array

    2 min

    Remove the small metal bracket covering the front-facing camera assembly. Disconnect the camera and ambient light sensor flex cables from their sockets.

11. 11

    Disconnect antenna coaxial cables

    3 min

    Pry the antenna coaxial connectors straight up off their logic board sockets with a spudger. Carefully unroute the fine cables from their retaining channels.

12. 12

    Disconnect headphone jack flex

    2 min

    Unscrew the bracket covering the headphone jack cable connector near the top corner. Disconnect the flex cable from the logic board.

13. 13

    Remove logic board screws

    4 min

    Remove all Phillips and standoff screws anchoring the logic board to the aluminum casing. Store screws in a labeled tray as they vary in length.

14. 14

    Heat rear casing

    3 min

    Flip the iPad over and apply warm air directly to the back shell behind the logic board area. This softens the strong factory adhesive securing the board.

15. 15

    Pry up the logic board

    4 min

    Insert a flat plastic spudger underneath the top edge of the logic board. Slowly pry upward along the board length to separate it from the chassis adhesive.

16. 16

    Extract the logic board

    2 min

    Guide the Lightning port carefully out of its recessed slot in the lower frame while lifting the board. Place the free logic board onto an anti-static surface.