iPad 7 Home Button Assembly Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 51 Steps
Swapping out the home button? Just a heads up: the Touch ID sensor is cozy with the logic board. If you replace that home button, you'll be saying goodbye to Touch ID functionality. Keep that in mind while you work your magic!
This guide walks you through removing or swapping out the home button assembly on an iPad 7 LTE model. Heads up: this is only for the LTE version; if you have the Wi-Fi model, check the link provided. Keep in mind, the home button’s Touch ID sensor is linked to the logic board, so replacing it means losing Touch ID functionality. When disconnecting the battery with a battery blocker, handle with care—the battery contacts are fragile and easy to damage, which could cause permanent issues. If you decide to skip isolating the battery, try to avoid metal tools unless absolutely necessary (like unscrewing) to prevent short circuits and protect delicate components. Some images might be from a slightly different model and look a bit off, but don’t worry—they won’t affect the steps you need to follow.
Step 1
- Warm up an iOpener and stick it on the left edge of your device for a solid two minutes to get things nice and toasty.
Tools Used
Step 2
- While you let that adhesive chill for a bit, keep an eye out for these delicate spots that don’t appreciate a rough touch:
- Front camera
- Antennas
- Display cables
Step 3
The next three steps walk you through the Anti-Clamp, a handy tool we created to make popping open your device a breeze. If you’re not using the Anti-Clamp, just skip ahead three steps for another way to get it done.
For full details on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
If your iPad’s surface is feeling a bit too slick for the Anti-Clamp to grip, slap some tape on to give it a bit more traction.
- Give that blue handle a little tug backwards to set those Anti-Clamp arms free!
- Slide something under your iPad to keep it nice and level between those suction cups.
- Nestle the suction cups right around the center of the left edge—one on the top and another on the bottom.
- Stabilize the bottom of the Anti-Clamp and press down firmly on the top cup to create a good seal.
Step 4
- Slide the blue handle forward to lock those arms in place.
- Rotate the handle clockwise a full 360 degrees, or until you notice the suction cups starting to stretch out.
- Keep an eye on the suction cups to make sure they stay perfectly aligned. If they start to shift, just loosen them a bit and realign the arms before moving on.
Step 5
Take it easy and only twist a half turn at a time. Give it a minute between each twist—let the Anti-Clamp and a bit of patience do their magic!
For detailed tips on using a hair dryer like a pro, dive into this guide.
If the Anti-Clamp isn't making enough space, just crank up the heat a bit more and give that handle a half-turn clockwise. You've got this!
- Hang tight for a minute to let that adhesive chill out and create a little opening for you.
- If your screen isn’t warming up enough, grab a hair dryer and give the left edge of your iPad a little warm-up session.
- Slide an opening pick under the digitizer when the Anti-Clamp has made a big enough gap for you.
- Feel free to skip the next step!
Step 6
- First things first, let’s warm up that screen a bit! Once it’s cozy to the touch, grab a suction handle and stick it onto the left edge of the screen, keeping it nice and close to the edge.
- Gently lift the screen with your suction handle to open up a tiny gap between the digitizer and the frame. You got this!
- Now, let's slide an opening pick into that little gap you just created. It's like giving your device a friendly nudge!
If your screen is in rough shape, don't worry—cover it with some clear packing tape to help that suction cup stick. No suction cup? No problem! You can always use super strong tape instead. If you're feeling a little extra, glue the suction cup straight onto the broken screen. If you're not into DIY repairs, feel free to schedule a repair for a pro fix.
Tools Used
Step 7
No sweat if you spot the opening pick poking through the digitizer—just gently pull it out. The LCD should stay safe, but be careful not to leave behind any sticky adhesive mess that's a pain to clean.
- Slip a second opening pick into the gap you just made.
- Gently slide the pick toward the bottom-left corner of the device, breaking that adhesive seal.
- Keep the pick in place at the bottom-left corner to stop that adhesive from sealing back up again.
Step 8
- If your opening pick gets stuck in the adhesive, gently 'roll' it along the edge of the iPad to keep peeling that sticky stuff away.
Step 9
- Gently slide the first opening pick towards the top-left corner of your device to break the adhesive seal.
- Keep the pick in place at the top-left corner to make sure the adhesive doesn't seal back up.
Step 10
- Grab an iOpener, heat it up, and gently press it against the top edge of your device for a solid two minutes. Just enough time for it to work its magic and soften things up.
Tools Used
Step 11
- Gently twist the pick around the top-left corner of your device to break the adhesive seal. You're doing great!
Step 12
Keep the pick away from the front camera lens to avoid any accidental scrapes. The next steps will help you dodge that hazard like a pro.
- Gently glide the opening pick along the top edge of your device, but be sure to stop just shy of the front camera. You've got this!
Step 13
- Gently pull the pick out so just the tip stays wedged between the digitizer and the frame.
- Carefully slide the pick over the top of the front camera to loosen the adhesive.
- Keep the pick resting near the right side of the front camera before moving on to the next step.
Step 14
- Pop the pick back in and gently slide it towards the top-right corner of the device, making sure the adhesive comes loose completely.
- Keep the pick in the top-right corner so the adhesive doesn't decide to get all clingy again.
Step 15
- Warm up your iOpener and let it sit on the right edge of your device for two minutes. Trust us, it’ll make things so much easier!
Tools Used
Step 16
- Gently twist the pick around the top-right corner to loosen up that sticky adhesive. Keep it smooth and steady!
Step 17
The display cables are nestled about halfway up from the bottom of the iPad. Just a heads up—stop sliding when you hit three inches from the bottom. You've got this!
- Grab a fresh opening pick and slide it in halfway along the right edge of your iPad. Keep it steady!
Step 18
- Warm up that iOpener and give it a cozy hug to the bottom edge of your device for a solid two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 19
Take it easy and don’t rotate the pick all the way around the corner – you don’t want to accidentally mess with the antenna!
- Gently slide the pick down to the bottom-left corner to loosen that adhesive like a pro.
- Keep the pick right there in the corner before moving on to the next step.
Step 20
Slide the pick gently toward the home button only—going the other way might mess with the antenna, and we definitely don’t want that!
If you find yourself needing to glide the pick over this spot again, just pull it out and pop it back in at the bottom-left corner to keep things smooth.
- Slip a fresh opening pick into the little gap you just made at the bottom edge of your iPad.
- Gently glide the pick across the antenna, but stop just shy of the home button.
- Position the pick to the left of the home button before you carry on.
Step 21
Be careful to insert the pick only about 1 mm to keep the right antenna safe and sound!
- Pop an opening pick into the little gap you just made.
- Gently slide that pick under the home button, gliding it down toward the bottom-right corner—just the tip should sneak between the digitizer and the frame.
Step 22
Make sure to slide that pick toward the home button, not away from it! Going the wrong way could lead to an antenna disaster, and we definitely don’t want that!
If you find yourself needing to slide the pick over this area once more, simply take it out and give it a fresh start by reinserting it at the bottom-right corner.
- Slide the pick back in and gently work it toward the home button to fully loosen that stubborn bottom adhesive.
- Let the pick rest just to the right of the home button before moving on to the next step.
Step 23
- Grab your trusty iOpener and give it a good heat-up! Once it's nice and toasty, place it on the right edge of your device for a solid two minutes. This will help loosen things up for the next steps!
Tools Used
Step 24
Take your time with this one! Make sure the adhesive is nice and soft—give it some heat. Use a pick to separate all of it, and don't hesitate to pause and reheat if needed. No rush, just be careful and thorough.
If you hit some stubborn spots, just warm up the edges again and gently slide your opening pick along to loosen things up.
- Give those opening picks a little twist at the iPad's left corners. This will gently lift the digitizer, slowly peeling away the last of the adhesive. Take it easy, no need to rush—patience is key!
Step 25
- Gently lift the left edge of the digitizer upwards to loosen the adhesive along the right side of the iPad a bit more.
Step 26
- Keep a steady hand on the digitizer while gently sliding an opening pick between the two display cables to carefully separate the last bit of stubborn adhesive.
Step 27
- Once you've successfully separated all that sticky adhesive, gently swing open the digitizer like a book and lay it down parallel to your iPad. You've got this!
- When it's time to put everything back together, make sure to wipe away any leftover adhesive from the frame—and if you're reusing the digitizer, give it a clean too—with some isopropyl alcohol. For a secure fit, swap in our adhesive strips or those handy pre-cut adhesive cards.
- Keep an eye on those delicate display cables while you're reassembling everything. Tuck them away neatly beneath the LCD screen to keep them safe and sound. You're doing great!
Step 28
- Grab your Phillips screwdriver and carefully remove the four 4.3 mm screws holding the LCD to the frame.
- Keep a close eye on each screw during this repair—making sure every one goes back exactly where it came from will save your device from any mishaps.
- If any tape is hiding those LCD screws, peel it away so you can get to work.
Step 29
Hey there! Just a friendly reminder: don’t go yanking out that LCD just yet, it’s still hanging on by a few cables over at the home button. So, let’s keep it cool and only lift that LCD from the front-facing camera side. You've got this!
- Gently use the flat end of a spudger to nudge the LCD out of its cozy little spot just enough so you can grab it with your fingers.
- Now, flip that iPad LCD like you're turning the pages of your favorite book, lifting it near the camera and swinging it over to the home button side of the rear case.
- Place the LCD down on a clean, soft, lint-free surface to give yourself easy access to those display cables.
Tools Used
Step 30
- Grab your trusty Phillips screwdriver and remove the lone 2.3 mm screw that's holding the battery connector in place on the logic board. Easy peasy!
Step 31
Check out these pics to see what the battery connector looks like tucked under the logic board. Keep them handy as you carefully unplug the battery.
Heads up: the battery connector uses cantilever springs on the logic board that press against the battery's contact pads. Since both the logic board and battery are glued down, you'll need to gently slide a thin, flexible tool between those contacts to safely disconnect the battery.
Step 32
Handle the battery blocker with care! Those battery contacts are delicate little things that can easily bend or break, and once that happens, it’s game over. Keep it gentle!
Make sure the logo on the battery blocker is facing upwards—no upside-down surprises here.
Avoid forcing the battery blocker under the connector. If it’s being stubborn, try sliding a playing card underneath to gently disconnect the battery instead.
Ideally, the battery blocker or playing card should glide smoothly under the logic board without hitting any snags. Once in place, it should sit at about a 15-degree angle.
- Gently slide the battery blocker under the logic board's battery connector, angling it at about 35 degrees. You've got this!
- Keep that battery blocker right where it is while you tackle the rest of the repair. You're doing great!
Tools Used
Step 33
- Grab your trusty Phillips screwdriver and unscrew those three little 1.4 mm screws holding the display cable bracket in place. Nice and easy—no rush!
Step 34
- Gently remove the display cable bracket and set it aside. It’s a simple step, but don’t rush—take your time and make sure everything is safe and sound.
Step 35
- Grab your trusty spudger and gently lift the LCD cable out of its press connector like you're peeling a sticker off a fresh notebook. Just be sure to lift straight up!
- When it's time to reconnect those press connectors, take a moment to align it just right. Press down on one side until you hear that satisfying click, then do the same on the other side. Avoid the middle to keep those pins safe and sound; a little misalignment can lead to some serious damage.
Tools Used
Step 36
- Carefully detach the LCD and set it down gently, screen side facing the surface, on a clean, soft, lint-free area.
Step 37
- Grab a pair of tweezers and gently peel back the tape that's keeping the home button cable ZIF connector under wraps. Easy does it!
Tools Used
Step 38
- Gently lift the small, hinged locking flap on the home button cable ZIF connector using the tip of a spudger, an opening tool, or even your fingernail. Take it slow, no rush!
Tools Used
Step 39
- Grab a pair of tweezers and gently wiggle the home button ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector. Take your time—patience is key here!
Tools Used
Step 40
Hey there! Just a little tip to keep your iPad safe: when you're prying, stick to the connectors themselves and steer clear of the socket on the logic board. Let's keep it all in one piece, shall we?
- Grab the flat end of your trusty spudger and gently lift straight up on those press connectors to unplug the two digitizer cables. Easy does it!
Tools Used
Step 41
Be careful not to poke or rip the home button ribbon cable, or it might just throw a little tantrum!
- Grab the flat end of your trusty spudger and gently work it under the vibration isolator below the SIM card reader.
- Once you've got it lifted, remove the vibration isolator with care.
Tools Used
Step 42
The cable is held down with a bit of gentle adhesive.
- Grab a trusty pair of tweezers and gently coax that home button cable away from the rear case. You've got this!
Tools Used
Step 43
Grab your trusty opening pick and slice through any leftover adhesive that might still be holding the front panel assembly snug against the frame. It's like cutting through butter!
Watch out! Without the right insulation, those parts of the digitizer can accidentally touch other components, leading to some pesky touch input issues. Yikes!
Now, here's a secret: the insulation is sneaky and not visible to the naked eye. It's different from the foam dust barriers you might find on many iPads, so keep your eyes peeled!
- Kick things off by taking off the front panel assembly!
- If you're dealing with pesky 'ghost' or 'phantom' touch issues on your shiny new display, fear not! A quick fix is to add a super thin layer of insulating tape, like Kapton (polyimide) tape, to the highlighted spots on the back of the panel. No need to stress—Salvation Repair replacement digitizers come prepped with the right insulation, so you shouldn't need to add any extra tape.
- As you put everything back together, make sure to clear away any leftover adhesive from your iPad and give those glued areas a good clean with high concentration isopropyl alcohol (90% or more) and a lint-free cloth. This little step is crucial for getting your iPad ready for some fresh adhesive, ensuring a solid bond.
- Before sealing everything up, give your iPad a test run to check all functions and apply those pre-cut adhesive strips to the back of the display using our handy display adhesive application guide. You're almost there!
Step 44
The home button cable is held in place with a bit of gentle glue. Just a little bit of sticky magic keeping it secure!
- Gently peel the home button cable away from the back of the front panel using just your fingers.
Step 45
If the adhesive is being a bit stubborn, don’t get too forceful with the pick. A gentle touch with some warmth from an iOpener or a hair dryer can help soften that adhesive up nicely.
- Slide an opening pick under the home button cable to gently disconnect it from the front panel.
- Carefully glide it forward to slice through the adhesive holding the home button cable in place.
- Keep sliding that pick until you reach the home button bracket – you're almost there!
Tools Used
Step 46
- Gently slide an opening pick under the top edge of the home button cable to carefully lift the metal contact away from the home button bracket.
Step 47
- Warm up an iOpener and place it on the home button bracket for about thirty seconds.
Tools Used
Step 48
If you bend or warp the home button bracket, your home button might lose its delightful 'click' when you put everything back together. So, handle it with care to keep that satisfying feel!
If the home button bracket starts to bend before it pops off, try dropping a little high-proof (90% or more) isopropyl alcohol on the bracket mounts to help loosen things up.
- Grab your trusty opening tool and gently nudge the home button bracket away from the front panel. You've got this!
Step 49
- First up, carefully take off that home button bracket. It's like a mini treasure hunt, so make sure you’re gentle with it!
- When you're putting it back on, grab some high bond glue like E6000 to stick it onto the front panel. Just a little dab will do the trick to make sure it stays in place and you're good to go!
Step 50
Take your time and press down gently. The adhesive is stuck to a fragile gasket that’s super easy to rip.
- Give that home button a gentle nudge with your finger from the front side of the panel to break free the adhesive that's keeping it snug. You've got this!
Step 51
- Time to put your device back together! Just retrace your steps and follow the instructions in reverse.
- Got some old electronics lying around? Make sure to drop them off at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
- If things didn’t go as smoothly as you hoped, no worries! A little basic troubleshooting might do the trick, or feel free to reach out to our iPad 7 Answers community for some friendly advice. And remember, if you're feeling stuck, you can always schedule a repair!
