iPad 5 LTE LCD Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 34 Steps
Heads up! The battery isolation technique shown here is a bit old-school and could seriously mess up the battery pins on the logic board if you're not super careful—potentially ruining it for good. If you decide to go this route, take it slow and watch those warnings closely. If you'd rather skip isolating the battery, try to keep metal tools out of the mix unless it’s screw time, to avoid any accidental shorts that might fry sensitive parts. Stay sharp!
Get ready to tackle the challenge of replacing the LCD on your iPad 5 LTE! Just a heads up, some parts of this guide feature the Wi-Fi model, so your internals might look a bit different. No worries though, the process is pretty much the same for both versions, with a few exceptions that we’ll point out. Now, a little caution: the battery isolation method described here is a bit old school and could potentially damage the battery pins on the logic board, which would be a real bummer. If you decide to go ahead with isolating the battery, please be super careful and follow all the warnings. Alternatively, if you'd rather skip the battery isolation, try to avoid using metal tools unless absolutely necessary (like when you're removing screws) to keep everything safe and sound. And hey, if you find yourself in a pinch, remember you can always schedule a repair.
Step 1
- Warm up an iOpener and stick it on the left side of your device for about two minutes to get things nice and toasty.
Tools Used
Step 2
- While you're waiting for the adhesive to soften up, just keep an eye out for these areas that are a little sensitive to prying:
- Front camera
- Antennas
- Display cables
Step 3
The next three steps show off the Anti-Clamp, a nifty tool we created to make your opening process a whole lot easier. If you’re not using the Anti-Clamp, no worries—just skip ahead three steps to see an alternative method.
Want the full rundown on how to use the Anti-Clamp? Check out this guide for all the details.
If you find your iPad’s surface is a bit too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to grip, just grab some tape to give it a little extra traction.
- Slide the blue handle backward to release the Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Set something underneath your iPad to keep it balanced and level between the suction cups.
- Place the suction cups close to the center of the left edge—one near the top and the other near the bottom.
- Keep the bottom of the Anti-Clamp steady, then firmly press down on the top suction cup to create suction.
Step 4
- Give that blue handle a gentle tug forward to secure those arms in place.
- Twist the handle a full 360 degrees, or keep going until those cups start to stretch out nicely.
- Keep an eye on those suction cups to make sure they're still in sync. If they start to slide out of place, just loosen them up a tad and nudge those arms back into alignment.
Step 5
Take it easy – only turn half a twist at a time, and give it a minute to settle between each one. Let the Anti-Clamp and some patience do their thing.
To master the art of using a hair dryer, check out this helpful guide.
If the Anti-Clamp isn't creating enough space, simply add a bit more heat to the area and twist the handle clockwise by half a turn.
- Pause for a minute to let the adhesive loosen and create a little opening gap—patience pays off!
- If the screen feels stubborn and isn't warming up, give it a gentle nudge with a hair dryer along the left edge of the iPad.
- Slide an opening pick under the digitizer once the Anti-Clamp has made a nice, big enough gap.
- Skip this step and keep moving forward—you're doing great!
Step 6
If your screen is sporting some serious cracks, slapping on a layer of clear packing tape might just do the trick to help that suction cup stick. Feeling adventurous? You could also try using super sturdy tape instead of the suction cup. And if you’re really in a pickle, a little super glue can go a long way—just stick that suction cup right onto the broken screen!
- Once the screen feels warm to the touch, stick a suction handle onto the left edge of the screen, making sure it's as close to the edge as you can get.
- Gently lift the screen using the suction handle to create a tiny gap between the digitizer and the frame.
- Slide an opening pick into the gap between the digitizer and the frame to start loosening it up.
Tools Used
Step 7
No stress if you can spot the opening pick through the digitizer—just gently slide it out. The LCD screen should be just fine, but be careful not to leave behind any stubborn adhesive mess.
- Slide a second opening pick into that little gap you just made.
- Gently nudge the pick toward the bottom-left corner to start breaking that adhesive free.
- Leave the pick hanging out in the bottom-left corner to keep the adhesive from re-sticking.
Step 8
- If the opening pick gets stuck in the adhesive, try gently "rolling" it along the edge of the iPad to keep peeling the adhesive away without any hassle.
Step 9
- Gently slide the first opening pick up towards the top-left corner of your device to break that sticky bond holding it together.
- Once you've made some headway, leave the pick in that corner to keep the adhesive from playing tricks and sealing back up!
Step 10
- Warm up an iOpener and stick it onto the top edge of your device, letting it work its magic for two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 11
- Gently glide the pick around the top-left corner of your device to break the adhesive seal. Take it slow and steady – no rush here.
Step 12
Watch out for that front camera! Sliding the pick too close might just give it a little ouch. Let's dive into the steps to keep it safe and sound.
- Gently glide the opening pick along the top edge of your device, but make sure to stop just shy of the front camera. You've got this!
Step 13
- Gently pull the pick out until just the tip is nestled between the digitizer and the frame.
- Slide that pick up above the front camera to break free the adhesive.
- Keep the pick close to the right side of the front camera before moving on.
Step 14
- Pop that pick back in and give it a little slide towards the top-right corner of your device to fully break free from the adhesive's grip.
- Once you're there, leave the pick in the top-right corner to keep that pesky adhesive from getting all clingy again.
Step 15
- Warm up that iOpener and give it a cozy hug on the right edge of your device for two minutes. Let's get things heated up!
Tools Used
Step 16
- Twist the pick around the top-right corner of your device to break free that stubborn adhesive.
Step 17
The display cables hang out about halfway up from the bottom of your iPad. Slide carefully and stop when you’re around three inches from the bottom—that’s their sweet spot!
- Grab a new opening pick and gently slide it along the right edge of your iPad until you're right in the middle. Nice and steady, you've got this!
Step 18
- Warm up an iOpener and place it on the bottom edge of your device for a cozy two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 19
Avoid spinning the pick all the way around the corner—your antenna will thank you if you keep it chill!
- Slide the pick gently into the bottom-left corner to separate the adhesive. Nice and easy—you're doing great!
- Keep the pick in place at the bottom-left corner before moving on to the next step. It’s all about the steady pace here!
Step 20
Slide the pick gently toward the home button only—going the other way might mess up the antenna, and we don’t want that!
If you need to slide the pick over this section again, just pull it out and re-insert it starting from the bottom-left corner. Simple as that!
- Pop in a new opening pick right where you made that snazzy gap at the bottom of the iPad.
- Gently glide the pick over the antenna, but hold up just before you reach the home button.
- Keep that pick cozy to the left of the home button before you move on. You've got this!
Step 21
Gently slide the pick in no more than 1 mm to keep the right antenna safe and sound.
- Grab your opening pick and slide it into the gap you've made. Nice and easy, no need to rush!
- Now, gently slide the pick under the home button, working your way toward the bottom-right corner. Just make sure only the tip is between the digitizer and the frame – we're aiming for precision here!
Step 22
Slide the pick gently towards the home button, not away from it! Going the wrong way could mess with your antenna, and we don’t want that.
If the pick isn't gliding smoothly over this section, just pop it out and reinsert it at the bottom-right corner. It'll make your life easier!
- Slide the pick back in and gently nudge it toward the home button to fully break through the bottom adhesive.
- Set the pick down just to the right of the home button before moving on.
Step 23
- Warm up an iOpener and stick it on the right edge of your device for a solid two minutes to loosen things up.
Tools Used
Step 24
Take it slow and steady here. Make sure the adhesive is nice and warm so it’s soft enough to work with, and carefully separate all the adhesive using a pick. Don’t hesitate to pause and reheat if you need to!
If things feel stuck, give those edges another quick heat and gently wiggle an opening pick along them.
- Gently twist the two opening picks at the left corners of your iPad to nudge the digitizer up a bit, while saying goodbye to that pesky adhesive that's been holding it down.
Step 25
- Gently lift the left edge of the digitizer to help peel away the adhesive stuck along the right side of your iPad.
Step 26
- Gently support the digitizer and carefully slide an opening pick between the display cables to loosen the last bit of adhesive holding everything together.
Step 27
- Once all the adhesive has been carefully separated, open the digitizer like a book and lay it flat, parallel to the iPad.
- When you're putting everything back together, use some isopropyl alcohol to clean up any leftover adhesive from the frame—and from the digitizer if you're reusing it. Stick in the new adhesive strips or pre-cut adhesive cards.
- Keep an eye on those display cables when you're reassembling. Make sure they're tucked neatly under the LCD screen, so you don't end up with any unexpected damage.
Step 28
- Peel off any tape hiding the LCD screws so you can get to them easily.
Step 29
- Time to unscrew those four Phillips screws holding the LCD in place!
- Start with three 4.0 mm screws, they’re the smaller bunch.
- Then, grab that one 4.8 mm screw—it’s a little longer but won’t bite.
Step 30
Avoid removing the LCD completely just yet! It's still attached at the home button end by a few cables. Start lifting from the front-facing camera side only.
Be careful when flipping the display! Keep an eye on those LCD cables to avoid any damage.
Gently place the LCD on a soft, clean surface that’s free from lint. We want to keep it cozy and scratch-free!
- Gently wedge the flat end of a spudger under the LCD just enough to loosen it so you can get a good grip with your fingers.
- Carefully flip the iPad’s LCD like turning a page, lifting near the camera and folding it over towards the home button side of the back case.
- Set the LCD face down to give yourself easy access to the display cables.
Tools Used
Step 31
Using a battery blocker can be super handy! Just remember to be gentle—no need to shove it under the connector with too much oomph. Take it easy and you'll be golden!
Craft a handy battery blocker using a playing card and gently slide it under the logic board connector to disconnect that battery! You've got this!
- Take out the 2.3 mm Phillips screw that’s holding the battery connector in place on the logic board.
- Leave the blocker in place so that the battery connector doesn’t accidentally make contact. You’ll want to keep things separated until you’ve wrapped up your repairs.
Step 32
- Unscrew the three 1.4 mm Phillips screws holding down the display cable bracket—time to get those screws out and keep moving forward!
Step 33
The display cable connector is stuck to the bottom of the bracket, so be careful not to shove the spudger too far under. Going too deep could cause some unwanted damage to the connector. Take it slow and steady!
- Grab your trusty spudger and use its flat end to gently lift the display cable bracket straight up from the logic board. You're doing great!
Tools Used
Step 34
- Put your device back together by reversing these steps, nice and easy.
- If you run into any trouble, remember you can always schedule a repair with us!
