How to Replace Apple iPad 3G Speakers Tutorial

Duration: 45 minutes

Steps: 23 Steps

Ready to jazz up your sound? This guide will walk you through swapping out those tired, blown-out speakers for a fresh set. Let’s get those tunes back on track!

Step 1

Put on those stylish safety glasses to keep your peepers safe, and remember to treat that LCD screen with the care it deserves!

– If your display glass is cracked, let’s keep things safe and sound! Use some tape to hold those pesky shards in place while you work your magic.

– Start by laying down some clear packing tape in overlapping strips over the entire face of your iPad. Cover it up like a pro!

– Now, follow the rest of the guide as best as you can. Just a heads up, once the glass starts breaking, it might want to keep on cracking. Don’t be shy about using a metal prying tool to help scoop out those pieces.

Step 2

The iPad in the pictures might have a different look than yours, but don’t worry—the steps are still the same!

– Gently slide a metal spudger between the right edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly.

– Now, give that spudger a little twist away from you to pop those tabs loose along the top edge of the display.

Tools Used

Metal Spudger

Step 3

– Slide a second metal spudger into the gap between the top edge of the display assembly and the rear panel assembly. This will help keep those pesky tabs from springing back into place.

– Gently pry the display assembly away from the rear panel. You’ve got this!

Tools Used

Metal Spudger

Step 4

Be super careful as you get close to the top edge of the iPad! The digitizer ribbon cable is hanging out near the rear panel edge, and it’s a bit sensitive. Treat it like a delicate treasure!

– Keep working your way around the display assembly, gently nudging it away from the rear panel along the bottom and left edges of the iPad. You’re doing great!

Step 5

Be careful not to yank the display assembly too far away from the iPad, as there’s a delicate antenna cable with just a smidge of slack keeping them connected.

– Gently lift the display assembly from the rear panel by its bottom edge, like you’re giving it a little hug to say goodbye.

Step 6

– Gently use the flat end of a spudger to lift the antenna connector that’s nearest to the bottom of the iPad off its socket on the communications board. You’re doing great—keep it up!

Step 7

– Alright, let’s get rolling! In the upcoming steps, you’ll be disconnecting the three cables that link the display assembly to the logic board. These cables are responsible for connecting some important components:

Step 8

Just a friendly reminder: make sure you’re lifting the retaining flap and not the socket itself. You’ve got this!

– Grab your trusty iPod opening tool and gently lift the retaining flaps that are keeping those digitizer ribbon cables snug in their sockets on the logic board.

– With a steady hand, pull the digitizer ribbon cables straight out of their cozy little homes.

Step 9

– Grab your trusty iPod opening tool and gently pry upward to pop the ambient light sensor connector out of its socket. You’ve got this!

Step 10

Gently slide the connector out, keeping it parallel to the face of the logic board. You’re doing great!

– Gently release the display data cable from the main board by flipping up the metal retainer using the nifty black plastic pull tab.

– Carefully pull the cable connector away from its cozy socket.

Step 11

– Gently detach the display assembly from the rear panel assembly, taking care to keep everything in one piece. You’ve got this!

Step 12

– Take a moment to find those two 4.56 mm T5 Torx screws holding the dock connector cable snugly against the main board. Once you’ve spotted them, remove them with care!

Step 13

– Take out the lone 2.84 mm T5 Torx screw that’s keeping the dock connector cable snug against the rear case assembly. You’ve got this!

Step 14

– Unscrew those two 2.84 mm T5 Torx screws that are holding the dock connector cable snugly to the rear panel assembly. You’ve got this!

Step 15

– Gently peel back the plastic cover protecting the WiFi/Bluetooth board and dock connector cable using your trusty iPod opening tool. You’ve got this!

Step 16

– Gently lift the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antennas off their cozy little homes on the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth board. You’ve got this!

Step 17

– Gently detach the dock connector cable from the back panel assembly, and you’re one step closer to your goal!

Step 18

– Gently slide the edge of your trusty iPod opening tool under the SIM board connector and lift it up from its cozy spot on the logic board. You’ve got this!

Step 19

Gently lift from underneath the wires.

– Gently tuck the SIM cable aside to give yourself some room to reach that sneaky speaker connector.

– Grab your trusty iPod opening tool and use its edge to carefully detach the speaker connector from the logic board.

Step 20

If you need to, peel off the tape that’s hiding the Wi-Fi cables. Let’s get those connections ready!

– Unscrew those two 2.84 mm T5 Torx screws that are keeping the speaker assembly snug against the rear panel assembly. You’ve got this!

Step 21

– Guide the Wi-Fi antenna through its designated path in the speaker assembly. Keep it cozy in there!

Step 22

– Carefully peel back the black sticker on the left side of the rear panel assembly and gently free the speaker cable connector from its cozy little spot underneath. You’ve got this!

Step 23

– Gently lift the speaker assembly and nudge it forward until the ports pop free from the bottom of the rear panel assembly. You’ve got this!