DIY iPad CDMA SIM Board Replacement Guide: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 48 Steps

Ready to swap out that SIM Board? You’ve come to the right place! Let’s dive in and make your device happy again. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.

Step 1

– Pop the iOpener right in the middle of the microwave and let it soak up those toasty vibes!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 2

– Give that iOpener a cozy thirty seconds in the microwave to get it nice and toasty!

– As you work through the repair, keep an eye on the iOpener. When it starts to cool down, pop it back in the microwave for another thirty seconds to keep the warmth flowing.

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 3

– Carefully take the iOpener out of the microwave, gripping one of the flat ends to steer clear of that toasty center.

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 4

– Grab a pot or pan and fill it up with enough water to give your iOpener a nice, cozy bath.

– Heat that water up until it’s boiling, then go ahead and turn off the heat. Safety first, right?

– Now, gently place your iOpener into the hot water for about 2-3 minutes. Make sure it’s fully submerged so it gets all the love!

– Using tongs (because we want to keep those fingers safe), carefully lift the heated iOpener out of the water.

– Give the iOpener a good towel dry—nobody likes a soggy tool!

– And there you have it! Your iOpener is all set for action! If it needs a little more warmth, just repeat the process: boil the water, turn off the heat, and let it soak for another 2-3 minutes. Easy peasy!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 5

– Grab a SIM eject tool or a trusty uncoiled paperclip and gently pop that SIM tray out like a pro!

Step 6

– Gently slide the SIM tray out of its cozy spot and take it out of the iPad.

– If you’re swapping in a new SIM card, just pop the old one out of its tray and slide in the shiny new one.

Step 7

– If your display glass has met with an unfortunate crack, let’s keep things safe and sound! Grab some tape and cover that glass to prevent any further mishaps while you tackle the repair.

– Apply overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPad’s display until the entire surface is nicely covered. It’s like giving your device a little protective blanket!

– Now, just follow the remaining steps in the guide as best as you can. Keep in mind, once the glass has cracked, it might decide to keep on cracking as you work. Don’t worry if that happens! You might need to use a metal prying tool to gently scoop the glass out.

Step 8

– Place the iOpener flat along the right edge of the iPad, ensuring it makes solid contact with the surface for the best results.

– Allow the bag to rest on the iPad for about 90 seconds before you dive in and open that front panel.

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 9

– Look closely at the upper right corner of your iPad – there’s a little gap in the adhesive ring, about 2.0 inches (~5 cm) down from the top. It’s like a secret entrance just waiting for you to take advantage of it!

– Now, let’s get to work! Position your tool near the mute button and gently slide the tip of a plastic opening tool into that gap between the front glass and the plastic bezel. Just insert the very tip – enough to give that crack a little nudge and widen it for the next steps.

Step 10

– Be sure to position the tool just right—snugly between the plastic display bezel and the front panel glass. You’ve got this!

Step 11

– With the tip of your trusty plastic opening tool snugly positioned between the front glass and the plastic bezel, gently slide a plastic opening pick into that little gap right next to your tool. You’re doing great!

Step 12

– Take that trusty plastic opening tool out of the iPad’s grasp, and slide the opening pick a little deeper under the front glass—aim for about 0.5 inches. You’re doing great!

Step 13

– As you tackle the adhesive on the right side of the iPad, give the iOpener a quick reheat and pop it back on the bottom edge of the iPad. You’ve got this!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 14

– While the iOpener is warming up the bottom edge, let’s get started on loosening that adhesive from the right edge of your iPad. You’ve got this!

– Carefully slide the opening pick down the edge of the iPad, and watch that adhesive let go as you glide along. Easy peasy!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 15

– If your opening pick is having a tough time with the adhesive, just give it a little ‘roll’ along the side of the iPad. Keep on going and you’ll be free from that sticky situation in no time!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 16

– Before you pop that first opening pick out from the bottom corner of the iPad, slide a second pick under the right edge of the front glass. This little buddy will help keep the adhesive from getting too cozy again.

– Give your iOpener a little warmth love, then place it at the top edge of the iPad. Let’s keep things nice and toasty!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 17

– Alright, friends, it’s time to get a bit crafty! Remember to take it slow and steady on these next few steps.

– You’ll need to carefully detach the adhesive that holds the antenna to the front panel. Just be super gentle to avoid any mishaps with those delicate connections at the bottom of the iPad. Follow along closely, and you’ve got this!

Step 18

– Gently maneuver the opening pick around the bottom right corner of the iPad to free up that pesky adhesive. You’ve got this!

Step 19

– Gently glide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the iPad to free up that sticky adhesive over the Wi-Fi antenna. You’ve got this!

Step 20

– After you’ve maneuvered past the Wi-Fi antenna (about 3″ or 75 mm from the right edge, right by the home button), pop that opening pick back in all the way.

– Now, glide that pick to the right to break free the adhesive that’s holding the Wi-Fi antenna snug against the front glass.

Step 21

– Keep peeling back the adhesive along the bottom of your iPad. Gently pull the opening pick out far enough to navigate around the home button, then slide it back in to a depth of about 1/2 inch (10 mm) once you’ve passed the home button. You’re doing great!

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 22

– Keep peeling away that sticky stuff all along the bottom edge of your iPad like a pro!

– Once you’ve got it, leave that opening pick snugly tucked under the front glass near the home button.

Step 23

– Pop that iOpener into the microwave for a quick reheat and place it on the left edge of your iPad. This will help warm up the adhesive in that area and make things easier for you.

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 24

– Gently glide the opening pick along the top edge of your iPad, giving it a little tug to navigate around the front-facing camera bracket.

– The adhesive here is like a stubborn friend—pretty thick! So, you might need to apply a bit of muscle. Take your time, stay steady, and watch out for any mishaps that could harm you or your iPad.

– If the opening pick seems to be stuck in the adhesive, try giving it a little ‘roll’ as demonstrated in step 9.

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 25

– Keep peeling away that adhesive along the top edge of your iPad, and gently maneuver the opening pick around the top left corner like a pro.

Tools Used
  1. iOpener

Step 26

– Gently slide that opening pick along the left edge of your iPad, letting it work its magic to break free the adhesive as you go. No need to worry—it’s pretty thin along this side thanks to the digitizer. Just be careful to keep the pick no deeper than 1/2 inch (10 mm) so we don’t accidentally mess with the digitizer. You’ve got this!

Step 27

– With the trusty opening pick still nestled under the bottom edge of your iPad, go ahead and free the adhesive along the bottom left corner. You’ve got this!

Step 28

– Grab one of those handy opening picks and gently lift up the bottom right corner of your iPad. Once you’ve got it popped open, give it a little pinch with your fingers to hold it in place.

Step 29

– Grab your iPad by the top and bottom right corners and gently twist the front glass away from the device. It’s like giving your iPad a little stretch!

– When you’re putting it all back together, take a moment to use a microfiber cloth and some compressed air to wipe away any pesky dust or fingerprints from the LCD before you set the glass back in place. A clean screen is a happy screen!

Step 30

– Unscrew those four 2 mm Phillips #00 screws that are holding the LCD to the aluminum frame tight. You’ve got this!

Step 31

– Grab your trusty plastic opening tool or a spudger and gently lift the right edge of the LCD out of the iPad. You’ve got this!

– Now, rotate the LCD around its left edge and carefully lay it down on top of the front glass panel. Easy peasy!

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 32

– Grab that trusty spudger and gently lift the tape that’s holding down the LCD ribbon cable connector. You’re on your way to a smooth repair!

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 33

– Lift the retaining flap on the LCD ribbon cable ZIF connector like a pro.

– Gently tug on the LCD ribbon cable with your fingers or tweezers to detach it from its cozy spot on the logic board.

– If the LCD screen decides to play hard to get and doesn’t light up after you connect the ZIF connector, just hold down the power button and home button together for about ten seconds until the Apple logo pops up. You’ve got this!

Tools Used
  1. Tweezers

Step 34

– Gently lift the LCD away from the front panel, making sure to keep your hands clear of the screen. You’ve got this!

Step 35

Step 36

– Lift the retaining flap on the home button ribbon cable ZIF connector with a gentle touch.

Step 37

– Grab a trusty pair of tweezers and gently pull the home button ribbon cable straight out of its cozy little socket on the logic board. You’ve got this!

Tools Used
  1. Tweezers

Step 38

– Gently guide the home button ribbon cable out from its cozy spot in the rear case.

Step 39

– Grab your trusty spudger and gently lift the tape that’s holding the digitizer ribbon cable down to the logic board. It’s like peeling back a sticker—just take your time and be careful!

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 40

– Gently lift the retaining flap on both of the ZIF connectors for the digitizer ribbon cable. It’s a simple step that helps you move forward with the repair!

Step 41

– Grab the flat end of your trusty spudger and gently pry up the adhesive hiding beneath the digitizer ribbon cable. It’s like giving it a little nudge to wake it up!

– Once you’ve loosened it up, carefully pull the digitizer ribbon cable straight out of its cozy sockets on the logic board. You’ve got this!

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 42

– Gently lift the digitizer ribbon cable and grab your trusty spudger to carefully loosen the adhesive that’s keeping that cable snug against the rear aluminum case.

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 43

– Give that digitizer ribbon cable a gentle tug with your fingers and watch it slide right out of its cozy spot in the aluminum frame.

– Next up, carefully lift the front panel away from the iPad. You’ve got this!

Step 44

– Gently peel away the electrical tape that’s cozying up to the headphone jack assembly cable connector. It’s time for that tape to say goodbye!

– Now, grab your trusty spudger and with a little finesse, flip up the retaining flap on both ZIF connectors that are keeping the headphone jack cable snugly attached to the logic board. You’re doing great!

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 45

– Gently slide the flat end of your trusty spudger under the headphone jack assembly cable, freeing it from the sticky embrace of the rear aluminum frame.

– Carefully pull the headphone jack assembly cable straight out from its cozy spot on the logic board.

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 46

– Gently peel back the tape that’s hiding the SIM board cable ZIF connector. It’s like unveiling a surprise!

– Lift the retaining flap on the SIM board cable ZIF connector with a careful flick.

– With your trusty spudger, ease the SIM board cable straight out of its cozy socket on the logic board. You’ve got this!

Tools Used
  1. Spudger

Step 47

– Go ahead and unscrew those three 1.75 mm Phillips #00 screws that are keeping the SIM board snug in the aluminum frame. You’ve got this!

Step 48

– Keep the headphone jack assembly cable out of the way and gently lift the SIM board out of the iPad. You’ve got this!

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