Before you begin

Step 1

This is your open iphone and the new iphone 2G replacement screen.

Step 2

Begin by carefully removing the glue that is holding the wifi-antenna cable in place. You can use the opening tool or a flathead screwdriver. When the glue is peeled off, gently pry up the connector itself, do not pull the wire or put pressure on the ring-shaped antenna socket.

Step 3

This is what is looks like when the wifi-antenna connector is released.

Step 4

Do the same with the iPhone GSM antenna connector.

Step 7

Carefully lift the board and release the screen connector, digitizer connector and ear speaker connector cables at the bottom.

Step 8

Use the opening tool to pry up the iphone battery. It is held in place by powerful glue.

Step 9

Pry at the bottom side of the iPhone 2G battery. Avoid bending or puncturing the battery.

Step 10

If you work patiently the glue will come loose and you can slide the opening tool under the battery. Gently twist the iphone 2G battery left and right slowly to release it from the glue.

Step 11

You will now have access to the connector for the large ribbon cable on the bottom side of the iPhone motherboard. Open the latch using the green tool and you will be able to take out the motherboard/communicationsboard assembly with the battery.

Step 12

This is a look at the front assembly after removal of the iPhone logic board/ iPhone communicationsboard assembly.

Step 13

Turn the front assembly on it's side and remove the three srews.

Step 14

There are three more screws on the oppsite side, remove those as well.

Step 15

Remove the four screws on the top and bottom corners of the front assembly, one of which is hidden under adhesive tape.

Step 16

There is a screw next to the iPhone 2G microphone under the black tape.

Step 18

You can now take off the chrome bezel surrounding the screen.

Step 19

Make sure you wear a cut-safe glove when using a knife.

For right tool for the next step we prefer not to make a specific recommendation. You can use anything from a safe open tool to a small not too sharp kitchen knife. Avoid applying too much force at any point to you don't slip and injure yourself.

Step 20

Hint: Use a hair dryer to heat up the assembly before you try to remove the glass. The glue will become much weaker when warm.

Insert the blade at the bottom of the front assembly next to the menu button. The goal is to cut through the glue that is holding the screen assembly to the midboard. Insert the blade right underneath the glass layer of the iPhone 2G screen.

Step 21

On the bottom you can push the blade all the way in, until you make contact with the metal frame surrounding the screen. Do the same on the other side of the iPhone menu button.

Step 22

On the top of the front assembly you have to be careful. Be sure to not push the blade in all the way, since you will be damaging the iPhone 2G digitizer cable.

Step 23

This is about as far in as you can go, if you want to keep from damaging the digitizer cable.

Step 24

Let the blade sit under the glass to keep it slight lighly elevated and inserted the small flathead between the iPhone metal frame and the screen on the side of the front assembly. The goal is to release the three clips of the screen backlight from the metal frame.

Step 25

Insert an opening tool under the glass to wide the gap between glass and front assembly. Be careful not to exceed too much force.

Step 26

Remove the black adhesive tape at the top.

Step 27

This is what it looks like when the black adhesive tape is removed.

Step 28

Bend up the small rectangular metal box that contains the digitizer controller.

Step 29

Slowly pull the iPhone 2G screen away from the midboard. The digitizer controller will get trapped, carefully push it downward to allow it to get released from the midboard.

Step 30

As you can see the screen and digitizer cables have to slide through the apertures at the top of the iPhone 2G midboard.

Step 31

Almost done ...

Step 32

You successfully separated the screen from the iphone midboard. For reassembly using the new screen, follow the steps in reverse order. Also, look at the tips for reassembly below.

Step 1 - Tips for Reassembly

Make sure the touch screen controller and the digitizer cable are inserted into the apertures at the top of the midboard first.

Step 2

Slowly lower the screen on the midboard and keep the cables from getting trapped to avoid tearing. On certain replacement screens you may have to straighten the digitizer cable before installation, otherwise it will appear too short upon installation.

Step 3

Reposition the menu button before you reseat the screen assembly. You can use adhesive tape to hold the menu button in place as you move the screen. It may be necessary to insert a distance piece under the menu button if the screen does not sit perfectly flush, otherwise the menu button will be slightly recessed.