How hard to fix iPod screen?

[amdhunter]

It's an old 64GB iPod Touch, running iOS 5.1. My brother gave it to me because he never used it. Battery is still awesome, but only runs 5.1.1, haven't bothered to see if it can jailbreak or not.

I plan to use it with my head unit to stream Spotify, Pandora, music videos and pretty much leave it in my car 24/7 with a hotspot.

The screen is cracked and I want to go ahead and try and fix it myself. I don't know the exact model, but will check later.

Anyone attempt this before? Is it hard for someone with decent skill with electronics?

 

[Greenman]

Rudeguy is who you want to talk to. If he's banned you can find him at the Kingdom of Crap.

 

[amdhunter]

Rudeguy is who you want to talk to. If he's banned you can find him at the Kingdom of Crap.

I'll PM him, I think it's worth fixing.

 

[highland145]

Yep, Rude.

Any way to get a more recent IOS on it?

 

[Rakehellion]

It's easy enough. A lot of tiny screws. I've fixed tons of iPhone screens.

 

[mmntech]

I'm guessing it's the third gen touch. It's doable but can be a bit tricky for beginners.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod+Touch+3rd+Generation+Front+Panel+Replacement/3308

The biggest challenge is not tearing the ribbon cable attaching the digitizer to the logic board. They're quite delicate.

 

[Fritzo]

I fixed an iPad screen. probably similar. You heat up the edges of the glass with a hair dryer to melt the glue and pry it off. Then you remove 8,364,264 tiny tiny screws with a special screw driver, remove the digitizer ribbon, and replace the glass.

The connectors are very fragile, so be careful!

 

[Ichinisan]

Battery won't be very good if you leave it in the car during the summer.

I've done screen replacements on 4th gen. My friend has broken WiFi Ann as while attempting it, so be careful. Watch videos. The hard part is adhering the new screen...even if you buy the adhesive strips.

Can't you be specific about which generation?

 

[CZroe]

I'm guessing it's the third gen touch. It's doable but can be a bit tricky for beginners.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPod+Touch+3rd+Generation+Front+Panel+Replacement/3308

The biggest challenge is not tearing the ribbon cable attaching the digitizer to the logic board. They're quite delicate.

Because it's 64GB? Yeah, at that capacity it must be either third, fourth, or fifth generation, but I've fixed almost a hundred of iPods and have yet to see a true iPod touch 3G. Almost everyone claiming to have one actually has an 8GB iPod touch 2G, which was incorrectly listed as "3G" in advertisements all the time just because it was sold alongside the 32GB and 64GB iPod touch 3G. 4G is far more likely.

Bad memory: I still can't believe that Apple had the nerve to charge for iOS upgrades back then!

With that iOS version, it couldn't possibly be 5G. All prior to the 5G have chrome backs and you'd recognize the 5G anyway (4" and 16:9 aspect ratio). If it has a front "FaceTime" camera, it is 4G. If not, it's 3G.

 

[CZroe]

I fixed an iPad screen. probably similar. You heat up the edges of the glass with a hair dryer to melt the glue and pry it off. Then you remove 8,364,264 tiny tiny screws with a special screw driver, remove the digitizer ribbon, and replace the glass.

The connectors are very fragile, so be careful!

No special screws in iPad 2 or later. Never opened an original iPad, but I think you are confusing Apple's pentalobe screws that they use on their Macs and iPhones.

 

[mmntech]

Because it's 64GB? Yeah, at that capacity it must be either third, fourth, or fifth generation, but I've fixed almost a hundred of iPods and have yet to see a true iPod touch 3G. Almost everyone claiming to have one actually has an 8GB iPod touch 2G, which was incorrectly listed as "3G" in advertisements all the time just because it was sold alongside the 32GB and 64GB iPod touch 3G. 4G is far more likely.

Bad memory: I still can't believe that Apple had the nerve to charge for iOS upgrades back then!

With that iOS version, it couldn't possibly be 5G. All prior to the 5G have chrome backs and you'd recognize the 5G anyway (4" and 16:9 aspect ratio). If it has a front "FaceTime" camera, it is 4G. If not, it's 3G.

I assumed it was the third gen because iOS 5.1 is the maximum that model supports. Not that it matters because iFixit has repair guides for all of them.

 

[CZroe]

I assumed it was the third gen because iOS 5.1 is the maximum that model supports. Not that it matters because iFixit has repair guides for all of them.

If "only runs 5.1.1" means that he tried to update it then you are probably right.

iPt3G is the only 64GB iPt with no FaceTime camera.

 

[Fritzo]

No special screws in iPad 2 or later. Never opened an original iPad, but I think you are confusing Apple's pentalobe screws that they use on their Macs and iPhones.

You're right, it's just the smallest phillips screws you've ever seen. The ones in a glasses repair kit weren't even small enough.

 

[mmntech]

You're right, it's just the smallest phillips screws you've ever seen. The ones in a glasses repair kit weren't even small enough.

Apple definitely doesn't want you getting inside them. Peering inside that Jobsian brilliance is like looking into the Ark of the Covenant.

The trickiest part with the iPad screens is watching you don't damage the delicate WiFi antenna. I truly hate how every electronics manufacturer has to hot snot everything into place.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I replaced the screen on a second gen ipod touch a few years back. Came out way better than it had any right to, considering it was my first touchscreen repair attempt. I can vouch for the 2nd gen being pretty easy.

 

[CZroe]

I replaced the screen on a second gen ipod touch a few years back. Came out way better than it had any right to, considering it was my first touchscreen repair attempt. I can vouch for the 2nd gen being pretty easy.

MUCH easier than 4G, especially if you aren't salvaging the frame and gasket, but those who think 4G is hard are just not prepared. Fresh adhesive, heat, and clamps are the key. Don't expect to reuse old adhesive and don't try to do it without heat, especially to loosen the flat cables under the backplate. Someone said it's hard to avoid tearing the digitizer cable on the new display assembly, but Apple gave it MORE than enough length to work with (you actually have to accordion-fold it when buttoning up). I use a handled suction cup as a stand when attaching the display assembly cables. The biggest issue is always just making sure their connectors are actually seated, which can be a pain when you are working UNDER the PCB.