iPad 3 Wi-Fi Display Bezel Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 42 Steps
Ready to give your device a fresh look? This guide will walk you through replacing the display bezel. Don't worry if it sounds tricky—step by step, we'll make it easy to get your device back in action. Just follow the steps and you'll have it done in no time. If you run into any issues, you can always schedule a repair and we'll take care of it for you!
Step 1
For carousel microwaves: Ensure that the plate spins without any hiccups. If your iOpener gets caught up, it could overheat and cause a little scorch action. Keep it moving!
Before you dive in, give your microwave a quick clean. You don’t want any old crumbs or gunk sticking to the iOpener during the process.
- Pop that iOpener right in the middle of the microwave, nice and centered, just like a pro!
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Step 2
Keep an eye on the iOpener's temperature—overheating it is a no-go since it might pop like a balloon. Never heat it beyond 100˚C (212˚F).
If your iOpener starts looking puffed up or swollen, hands off! That’s a no-touch zone.
If the middle part of the iOpener is still too toasty to handle, just keep it on and give it a bit more time to cool down before reheating. When done right, it should stay nicely warm for about 10 minutes.
Microwaves vary in power, so your heating time might need a little tweaking. Your iOpener is ready when it’s just a smidge too hot to hold comfortably.
- Give your iOpener a warm-up in the microwave for thirty seconds. It's like a spa day for your tool!
- As you work through the repair, keep that iOpener nice and toasty. Whenever it starts to cool off, just pop it back in the microwave for another thirty seconds. Easy peasy!
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Step 3
Heads up! The iOpener gets seriously hot, so handle it with care. Don’t hesitate to use an oven mitt if your fingers need a break!
- Carefully take the iOpener out of the microwave, gripping one of the flat ends to steer clear of that steamy center. You've got this!
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Step 4
Careful now! The iOpener is going to be super toasty, so make sure to grab it by the end tabs only.
No microwave? No problem! Just pop your iOpener into some boiling water to heat it up instead. Easy peasy!
- Grab a pot or pan and fill it with enough water to completely immerse your iOpener.
- Turn up the heat and get that water boiling. Once it’s bubbling away, switch off the heat.
- Carefully drop your iOpener into the hot water for about 2-3 minutes. Make sure it’s fully dunked!
- Using tongs, fish out the warmed-up iOpener from the water.
- Give your iOpener a good towel dry.
- And voilà, your iOpener is ready to go! If you find you need to warm it up again, just repeat the boiling process: heat the water, turn off the heat, and let the iOpener soak for another 2-3 minutes.
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Step 5
Put on your safety glasses to keep those peepers safe, and watch out for that LCD screen; it's more delicate than it looks!
This will help keep those pesky glass shards in check and make sure the display stays sturdy while you're gently prying and lifting.
- If your screen is looking a little worse for wear with a crack, let’s keep it from getting any worse and protect those fingers of yours! Grab some packing tape and cover that glass like a pro.
- Layer on some clear packing tape, overlapping those strips over the iPad's display until it's completely wrapped up like a gift ready for unwrapping!
- Follow the guide as closely as you can. Just a heads up, once that glass starts to break, it might want to keep cracking while you work. You might find yourself using a metal prying tool to help scoop out those pieces. If the going gets tough, don't hesitate to schedule a repair for some expert assistance!
Step 6
Heads up! Since you might be handling some pesky broken glass here, it's a smart move to rock some safety glasses to keep those sneaky shards from making a surprise appearance.
- Place the iOpener flat along the right edge of the iPad, pressing down gently to make sure it’s making solid contact with the surface.
- Let it chill there for about 90 seconds to warm things up before you try to pop open the front panel.
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Step 7
Getting that wedged tip of the opening tool between the glass and plastic might take a bit of elbow grease. Stay cool and take your time, gently wiggling the plastic opening tool back and forth as needed. You've got this!
- Check out the tiny gap in the iPad's adhesive ring located in the upper right corner, about 2.0 inches (~5 cm) down from the top. This little opening is your entry point.
- Line up your tool with the mute button. Gently slip the tip of a plastic opening tool into the space between the front glass and the plastic bezel. Just nudge the tip in just enough to start widening the crack.
Step 8
- Carefully slide your tool in right where the plastic display bezel meets the front glass—precision is key!
Step 9
- With the plastic opening tool snugly positioned between the front glass and plastic bezel, gently slide a plastic opening pick into the space right next to the tool.
Step 10
- Gently slide the plastic opening tool away from the iPad, then carefully nudge the opening pick further under the front glass, aiming for about half an inch deep.
Step 11
- As you carefully work on loosening the adhesive along the iPad’s right side, pop that iOpener back in the microwave for a quick heat-up, then set it right back on the bottom edge to keep things toasty.
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Step 12
The adhesive is pretty tough, so you might need to apply a bit of muscle here. Take it slow and steady.
If you can spot the tip of the opening pick peeking out from under the front glass, give it a gentle tug. While getting the pick in this deep won't cause any harm, it might leave some sticky residue on the LCD. Just a heads up!
- As the iOpener warms up the bottom edge, start loosening the adhesive along the right side of the iPad.
- Gently slide the opening pick down the edge, peeling away the adhesive bit by bit.
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Step 13
You might want to slide that warm iOpener back over to the right edge of the iPad while you peel off the adhesive. Just keep in mind, this all depends on how long the iPad has been chilling out while you were busy working your magic.
- If the opening pick gets stuck in the adhesive, just roll it gently along the edge of the iPad to keep loosening that sticky stuff.
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Step 14
- Before pulling out that first opening pick from the bottom corner of your iPad, slide a second pick under the right edge of the front glass to keep the adhesive from getting sticky again.
- Warm up the iOpener once more, then shift it to the top edge of the iPad to keep things nice and soft.
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Step 15
The Wi-Fi antenna is snugged in at the bottom right edge of the iPad’s rear case with screws and a cable. Since it’s positioned just so, take your time and handle it gently to avoid any accidental damage that’s hard to fix later.
- Alright, listen up! We're about to dive into some steps that need a steady hand and a lot of care.
- You'll be carefully peeling away the adhesive that's holding the antenna to the front panel. Just remember to be gentle so you don't mess up the delicate bits connecting the antenna to the bottom of the iPad. Take it slow and follow the upcoming steps closely.
Step 16
Careful now! Don’t push the pick past the bottom right corner or you might mess up the Wi-Fi antenna.
- Gently slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner of the iPad to loosen the adhesive hiding out there.
Step 17
Carefully slide your opening pick along the bottom right edge of the front panel. Watch out for the Wi-Fi antenna near the corner—it’s super close and can get snipped if the adhesive comes loose the wrong way.
Keep the pick under the front glass, but just slide it out a tiny bit so about 1/8" (3 mm) of the tip is still tucked underneath.
- Gently glide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the iPad, freeing up the adhesive that holds the Wi-Fi antenna in place. You're doing great!
Step 18
- After you’ve passed the Wi-Fi antenna (about 3" or 75 mm from the right edge, right next to the home button), slide that opening pick back in all the way.
- Gently slide the pick to the right to break through the adhesive holding the Wi-Fi antenna to the front glass.
- The antenna is screwed and connected by a cable at the bottom of the iPad. This step carefully frees the antenna from the front panel so it stays safe when you take the panel off.
Step 19
Hey there! Just a friendly reminder: keep that iOpener's heating time to a minute max, and give it a well-deserved two-minute break before you heat it up again. Your device will thank you!
If the adhesive along the bottom edge has cooled off too much, just give the iOpener another quick heat-up to warm things back up where you’re working.
- Keep peeling that adhesive along the bottom of the iPad! Make sure to pull the opening pick out far enough to wrap around the home button. Once you're past the home button, pop that pick back in to a depth of about 1/2 inch (10 mm). You've got this!
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Step 20
When working on iPad 4 models, slide your pick in no deeper than 1/2 inch (10 mm) here to keep that home button ribbon cable safe and sound.
- Keep sliding that adhesive remover tool along the entire bottom edge of your iPad like a pro.
- Let the opening pick chill right under the front glass by the home button to keep things loose and ready.
Step 21
- Pop the iOpener in the microwave for a bit, then place it along the left edge of the iPad. This will start to soften up the adhesive in that area, making it easier to work with.
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Step 22
If the adhesive has become too cool, simply swap in a fresh iOpener along the top edge and keep going. And if your iOpener is feeling a little chilly, just give it a quick reheat!
- Gently slide the opening pick along the top edge of the iPad, nudging it out a bit to carefully navigate around the front-facing camera bracket.
- Heads up: the adhesive here is super stubborn, so you might need to apply a good amount of pressure. Take it slow and steady to avoid any slips or accidental damage to yourself or the iPad.
- If the pick starts to get stuck in the glue, try "rolling" it as demonstrated in step 9 to keep things moving smoothly.
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Step 23
If the adhesive is nice and toasty, go ahead and take the iOpener off the iPad to make things easier. But if it’s still feeling a bit too sticky, just give that iOpener another round of heat and place it on the left edge while you work your magic.
- Keep peeling off the adhesive along the top edge of the iPad, and gently work the opening pick around the top left corner. It's like giving your device a gentle nudge to open up and let you get to the good stuff inside!
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Step 24
Heads up! The digitizer cable hangs out about 2" (50 mm) from the bottom edge of your iPad. When sliding your pick, pause once you reach around 2.25" (60 mm) from the bottom to keep things safe and sound.
- Gently glide the opening pick along the left edge of your iPad, letting it work its magic on that adhesive as you go! The adhesive here is pretty thin thanks to the digitizer stretching along the whole left side. Just a friendly tip: keep the pick no deeper than about 1/2 inch (10 mm) to avoid any mishaps with the digitizer. You've got this!
Step 25
Be super careful while working on the digitizer cable—it's hanging out just about 1 inch (25 mm) from the bottom of the iPad. Take your time and keep your cool to avoid cutting this cable. You've got this!
- Take the trusty opening pick that's still tucked under the iPad's bottom edge and gently peel back the adhesive from the bottom left corner. No rush, just a little patience and you'll be on your way!
Step 26
Sometimes the adhesive around the edge of the iPad likes to stick back down. If that happens, just slide a pick under the edge where the glass is still holding tight and gently 'cut' through the adhesive to free it up.
- Grab an opening pick and gently wedge it under the bottom right corner of the iPad, then lift it up and hold it with your fingers.
Step 27
Watch out for any stubborn adhesive still hanging on, and carefully use an opening pick to slice through any sticky spots holding the front panel in place.
- Grab your iPad by the top and bottom right corners and gently twist the front glass away from the device. You've got this!
- When it's time to put everything back together, give your LCD a little love with a microfiber cloth and some compressed air to whisk away any dust bunnies or fingerprints before the glass goes back on.
Step 28
- Unscrew the four tiny 2 mm Phillips #00 screws that are keeping the LCD snug against the aluminum frame. You've got this!
Step 29
Handle the LCD with care! That ribbon cable is a delicate little thing and could snap if you bend it too much. Keep it safe and sound!
- Grab a plastic opening tool or a spudger, and gently pry up the right side of the LCD from the iPad.
- Now, carefully rotate the LCD along the left edge and let it rest on top of the front panel.
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Step 30
- Carefully use the tip of a spudger to lift and peel back the tape that’s hiding the LCD ribbon cable connector.
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Step 31
- Lift up the retaining flap on the LCD ribbon cable ZIF connector.
- Gently pull the LCD ribbon cable out of its socket on the logic board using your fingers or tweezers. No rush, just take your time.
Step 32
- Gently lift the LCD away from the front panel without touching the screen. You've got this!
Step 33
If needed, gently peel off the tape holding the digitizer ribbon cable in place on the logic board. Be careful not to rush – a steady hand will keep things smooth.
- Gently lift the retaining flap on both of the ZIF connectors for the digitizer ribbon cable.
Step 34
- Gently wiggle the flat end of your spudger underneath the digitizer ribbon cable to break up the adhesive holding it down.
- Slowly and carefully pull the digitizer ribbon cable straight out from its connectors on the logic board—steady hands are your friends here!
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Step 35
- Gently peel back the digitizer ribbon cable and use the flat end of a spudger to carefully lift the adhesive holding the cable in place on the rear aluminum case. A little patience goes a long way here!
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Step 36
- With a gentle touch, carefully pull the digitizer ribbon cable out from its cozy spot in the aluminum frame.
- Next up, let's take off the front panel from the iPad. You're doing great!
Step 37
- Gently wiggle the edge of your trusty plastic opening tool between the plastic and aluminum frames, starting at one of those cozy corners.
- With care, glide that plastic tool along the edge of your iPad, as you free it from the clutches of adhesive.
Step 38
- Keep sliding that plastic opening tool along the entire left edge of the iPad, just like a smooth dance move—steady and steady!
Step 39
- As you approach the bottom left corner, give your plastic opening tool a little twist around the corner, and keep sliding it smoothly along the bottom edge.
Step 40
- Keep gently sliding that plastic opening tool along the right edge of your iPad. A little more, you've got this!
Step 41
- Watch out for the front-facing camera as you slide the plastic opening tool along the top edge of the iPad—no one wants a camera casualty on their watch!
Step 42
- Once you've freed the adhesive around all the edges of your iPad, gently lift off the plastic display bezel. It should come away easily, so no need to wrestle with it!
