How to: Fix a broken front panel on your iPad 2 or iPad 3

http://cnet.co/Lx4DXV
Bill Detwiler shows you how to replace a cracked front panel on the iPad 2 or iPad 3 (with English subtitles).

If your ipad's front panel is cracked, like this one here,

you can either live with it, buy a new one, or as i'm going to show you today, fix it.

Just remember that this isn't something you should do if you have an AppleCare +

or other warranty that covers accidental damage.

Also, i encourage you to watch my video on what to know

before trying to fix a smart phone or tablet.

It will help you to decide if you should tackle the repair yourself

or just take your iPad to a shop.

and lastly, understand that by following the instructions in this video, you do so at your own risk.

Before you begin you'll need to get the necessary replacement parts and tools.

On this ipad we're replacing just the front panel, not the LCD

and we'll be re-using the home button and metal camera bracket from the old panel.

You can buy replacement panel online between $50 and $150.

Just be sure you buy the right one for your iPad

and depending on where you buy the panel, it may come with pre-cut adhesive strips.

If it doesn't, you'll need to buy them or cut your own strips from double sided tape.

As for tools, you'll need a hairdryer or heat gun, a few thin metal blades, several plastic spudgers, guitar pitchers or plastic case-opening tools and a Philips double zero screwdriver.

Again, you can pick these up online if you don't have them.

Lastly, I'll be replacing the panel on iPad 2, but the same basic steps can be used on the iPad 3.

The first step is to back up all the iPad's data using iCloud or iTunes, just in case something goes wrong.

With that done, you can begin removing the cracked panel, by heating its edges with a hairdryer or heat gun.

This loosens the adhesive that holds the panel to the case.

Heat a small area of the panel until you can insert a thin tool, between the panel and the case and gently pry them apart.

If the panel doesn't easily come away from the case, keep heating the area.

Also, take care not to insert the tool too far into the iPad. Doing so can damage the LCD and other internal components.

Once you've created a small gap in one area, work your way around the edge, heating and prying as you go.

You'll need to leave placeholders, like the spudgers, in the separated sections to prevent the panel and case from sticking back together.

You'll also need to be very careful when working to the right of the home button.

The wifi antenna is attached to the panel here, and you'll need to gently pry out loose without damaging it.

And although we're not really worried about breaking the panel anymore, take care around the bottom left corner.

The panel's digitizer cable is located here, and you don't want to damage any other internal components, by carelessly yanking it loose.

With the panel separated from the case, we need to disconnect it from the main circuit board.

Unfortunately, the connector is located under the LCD.

So remove the display's four Philips screws and lift it away from the case.

Holding it along the right edge and folding it over along the left.

Then disconnect the LCD connector from the mainboard, and set the display somewhere safe.

We can now disconect the broken panel.

First, carefully flip up the two locking levers on the digitizer cable connector.

As you remove the cable from the connector, you need to gently peel it away from the mainboard's metal shielding.

With the broken panel completely detached, we can now remove the home button contact using our Philips screwdriver.

Then using our hairdryer again, heat and remove the bracket and button.

The camera plate comes off in a similar manner.

You'll also want to remove any pieces of adhesive that is still stuck to the metal case.

We're now ready to assemble and install the new front panel.

First, attach the old home button and camera plate using your pre-cut adhesive strips.

Next, we connect the digitized cable and flip down the locking levers.

Reconnect the LCD and secure it to the frame with its screws.

Now fold the front cover over in the plate. Be extremely careful not to damage its cable.

At this point, we're just testing the panel's fit and functionality.

So we haven't applied any of the adhesive strips.

Turn the ipad on and verify that everything works, if it does, turn the unit off, lift open the panel and apply the adhesive strips.

Before closing the panel for hopefully the last time, carefully inspect the LCD and inside of the panel for dust.

If you see any, gently remove it using a microfibre cloth or puffs of air.

Avoid touching the inside of the panel's viewing area or the LCD with your fingers or anything else that might damage the surfaces.

Once you're sure both surfaces are clean, bow the front panel back on the metal case and press firmly but gently along the edges.

After removing the front panel's protective film, the fix is complete.

i'm not going to lie, this is a tough fix.

But if done right, it can breath new life into a broken ipad.

Now if you have questions about this fix, or any of my cracking open videos, you can contact me through twitter.

and to see more tear down photos of the iPad and other tech gadgets, go to techrepublic.com/crackingopen.

For cnet and techrepublic, I'm Bill Detwiler.