iPhone 4 – Replacing the rear camera
Duration: 30 min.
Steps: 12 Steps
Ready to tackle that sneaky rear camera on your iPhone 4? This guide is here to help you swap out that faulty camera all by yourself! If your rear camera is playing hard to get, your photos look like a Picasso painting, or it just won’t focus, it’s time for a little DIY magic. We’ll walk you through the steps to get your camera back in action. Let’s get started and bring those picture-perfect moments back to life! If you need a hand, don’t hesitate to schedule a repair!
Step 1
- Depending on your iPhone's birth date, you’ll need either a Phillips screwdriver or a pentalobe screwdriver to crack open your phone.
- These little screws are hanging out to the right and left of the dock connector. Make sure to stash them in the same compartment of your organizer tray. You’ll be dealing with 2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe/Phillips screws, so keep an eye on them!
Step 2
- Give that back cover a gentle nudge with your thumbs or the palm of your hand, pushing it about 4 mm away from the bottom where the dock connector hangs out (check out figure 1 for a visual).
- Once you've done that, go ahead and lift the back cover from the end that's now peeking out (see figure 2).
Step 3
Watch out! The battery contact point on the logic board might decide to take a little vacation. If it breaks off but the soldering points are still hanging in there, no worries—you can just solder that contact point back on like a pro!
- If your iPhone is still awake, let's hit the snooze button! Hold down the standby button for about five seconds and follow the on-screen instructions to turn it off.
- Time to get your Phillips screwdriver ready! Remove the screw on the battery connector (check out figure 1 for a visual). Make sure to stash that screw in a separate compartment of your organizer tray. Remember, it's a 1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw. Oh, and keep an eye on that battery contact point on the logic board—it might decide to take a little vacation. If it breaks off but the soldering points are still good, you can always solder it back on like a champ!
- Now, gently lift off the battery connector by sliding the pointed ESD spudger just below the silver cover plate (see figure 2). If you don’t have a spudger handy, your trusty fingernail can work too!
- For the rest of this adventure, feel free to use a metal laboratory spatula instead of the spudger. It might make some steps a bit easier for you. However, we definitely recommend sticking with the ESD spudger designed for precision electronics for the best results.
Step 4
- The antenna cover is hiding under the battery connector! Gently remove it and toss it into the same section of your organizer tray where you stashed that Phillips screw earlier. (Check out figure 1 for a peek!).
- Next up, let's get that battery out! Sometimes it can be a bit stubborn, so slide the flat end of the spudger into the gap (about 1 cm to the left of the volume down button) between the battery and the outer frame, and carefully lift it out (see figure 2). If it’s really stuck, try using other leverage points on either side to pry it off. And if it still won't budge, a little warmth from a heat gun can help soften that glue.
- Now, let's disconnect the antenna connector! Gently pull it off the plug head using your spudger (see figure 3).
Step 5
- First up, let’s tackle those five Phillips screws! (Check out figure 1 for a visual guide). You’ll need: 1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw, 2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws, 1 x 4.8 mm Phillips Wi-Fi screw, and 1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw. Let’s get them out!
- Now, grab that trusty flat end of the spudger and gently pry off the cover. (See figure 2 for a little encouragement).
- Time to lift that cover out of the phone! Just a heads up: it’s hooked in a couple of spots, so be mindful of that as you lift it out. (Figure 3 has your back!).
Step 6
- First, let's disconnect those LCD and touchscreen connectors. Take it easy and be super careful (check out figure 1 for a visual cue!).
- Next, gently lift off the camera connector and say goodbye to the old camera (see figure 2 for a little help!).
Step 7
- Slide in that shiny new camera and make sure to connect the camera connector to its buddy (check out figure 1 for a visual!).
- Now, let’s get those two other connectors back in action (see figure 2 for guidance). Touchscreen and LCD, you’re back in business!
Step 8
- Time to dress that logic board with its cover! Make sure it’s snugly hooked on just right.
- Next up, let’s secure it with those five Phillips screws (check out figure 1 for a visual guide): 1 x 2.3 mm Phillips screw, 2 x 1.6 mm Phillips screws, 1 x 4.8 mm Phillips Wi-Fi screw, and 1 x 1.3 mm Phillips screw.
- If you notice any Wi-Fi signal hiccups later on, double-check that Wi-Fi screw—it might be feeling a bit loose. And don’t forget to ensure the Wi-Fi contact point is snugly fitted on the cover (see figure 2 for a visual check).
Step 9
- Alright, time to slide that battery back into its cozy home in the iPhone!
- Next, let's pop on the antenna cover (check out figure 1 for a visual guide).
- Now, give that battery connector a little click to secure it back in place and fasten it with a screw (see figure 2 for a handy reference). It's a 1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw, just so you know!
Step 10
- Pop that back cover on and give it a gentle push towards the dock connector until it’s snug as a bug!
Step 11
- Now, let’s get those two screws at the bottom of the enclosure back in their happy place—2 x 3.6 mm pentalobe/Phillips screws, just so you know!
- And just like that, give the SIM card tray a little push to tuck it back in. Easy peasy!
Step 12
Heads up! When you pop that battery out, your iPhone might just forget what time it is and reset to a charming 1:00 a.m. on 1/1/1970. If that happens, you might find it a bit tricky to connect to the cellular network until you set the time right.
- Let's get your iPhone in sync with iTunes or hop onto a WLAN network and hang tight until the time is back on track.
- Pop out that SIM tray with the SIM card and slide it back in like a pro.
- Flip on airplane mode for a moment, then switch it off again to refresh things up!
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