DIY iPad Home Button Switch Replacement Guide: Step-by-Step

Duration: 45 minutes

Steps: 12 Steps

Hey there! Just a friendly heads-up: make sure to handle your device with care during this process. If you run into any bumps along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Ready to tackle that pesky home button switch that’s gone on strike? With this guide, you’ll be swapping it out in no time. Let’s get you back to pressing buttons like a pro! And remember, if you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Step 1

Put on those stylish safety glasses to keep your peepers safe, and remember to handle that LCD screen with care—it’s more delicate than it looks!

– If your display glass has decided to crack, let’s keep it from shattering all over the place and causing any mishaps during your repair. Grab some tape and secure that glass!

– Lay down some overlapping strips of clear packing tape over your iPad’s display until it’s fully covered. Think of it as giving your device a protective shield!

– Try your best to stick with the guide as you go along. Just a heads up, once the glass is broken, it might want to keep cracking while you work. You might need a metal prying tool to help scoop out the glass when that happens.

Step 2

In this guide, you’re going to carefully pop the iPad’s display assembly off the aluminum body. Take a moment to read through the steps and follow them closely—this will help you keep the display assembly and those delicate clips safe and sound!

– There are 14 little metal clips keeping the display assembly snug and secure, as shown on the left. As you gently pry in the upcoming steps, try your best to work around these clips without slicing through them with your trusty opening tool. You’ve got this!

Step 3

– Slide a metal spudger into the gap between the top edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly.

– Gently twist the spudger away from you to pop those tabs loose along the top edge of the display.

– Pop in a second metal spudger between the top edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly to hold those tabs in place while you work.

Tools Used

Metal Spudger

Step 4

Pry with care and a gentle touch—if you hit a snag, just stop and try a different spot.

– Grab your trusty spudger and gently glide it along the right edge of the iPad. You’re doing great!

– The front panel is snugly held to the aluminum back by some metal clips at the top, bottom, and left sides. Don’t worry, the right side just has some plastic tabs that slide into little recesses on the backplate.

– Once you’ve set those clips free, gently lift the left side of the front panel and slide it to the left to release those tabs from the aluminum backplate. Easy peasy!

Step 5

Hold your horses on trying to take off the display right now; it’s still cozy with the rear panel assembly.

– Gently pull the display assembly up from the rear panel by the bottom edge, like you’re lifting a heavy pizza slice. Just take it slow and steady!

Step 6

– Alright, folks! It’s time to get those cables unplugged. In the next few steps, we’ll be disconnecting the three cables that are keeping the display assembly cozy with the logic board. These cables are linked to some important components, so let’s give them a gentle farewell!

Step 7

Remember, you’re lifting the retaining flap, not the socket itself. You’ve got this!

– Grab a plastic opening tool and gently lift the retaining flaps that keep those digitizer ribbon cables snug in their sockets on the logic board.

– Now, give those digitizer ribbon cables a nice, straight pull to free them from their cozy spots.

Step 8

– Grab your trusty plastic opening tool and gently nudge the ambient light sensor connector upward from its cozy socket. It’s like giving it a little lift to help it out!