December 19, 2009 Filed in:
iPhone | DisassembliesI cant believe how must dust has snuck under the display of my aging iPhone 3G. It’s been a year and a half, and it’s at the point where it’s a constant distraction. I admit that it’s partly my fault. I don’t carry it in a case. Cases are bulky and awkward, and often due nothing to protect the display, the main reason for a case. I always carry it in my pocket, behind my wallet, with the glass facing my leg. To this day, I have never scratched the glass. But, as you’ll see in a little bit, that must be the cause of the dust buildup within my iPhone.
![100_0488](100_0488crazy dust.jpg)
The first thing to do is remove the 2 screws on the bottom by the dock connector.
![Pasted Graphic 108](pasted-graphic-108iphone3dust.jpg)
Next is to remove the LCD assembly. You need a pretty strong and descent sized suction cup. Luckily, one of my kids’ arrows that came with a toy bow was perfect for the job.
![Pasted Graphic 109](pasted-graphic-109iphone3dust.jpg)
Slap it on the LCD and pull up. The whole LCD assembly should lift right out/up Be careful not to tear any of the fragile connectors. Open slowly and carefully.
![Pasted Graphic 110](pasted-graphic-110iphone3dust.jpg)
As you can see, the inside of my iPhone is covered in dust.
![Pasted Graphic 111](pasted-graphic-111iphone3dust.jpg)
![crazy dust buildyp](crazy-dust-buildup10.png)
Apple couldn’t have made the tear down any easier. All the things you need to remove are numbered. Just remove them in the order they are numbered.
![Pasted Graphic 112](pasted-graphic-112iphone3dust.jpg)
Once the front LCD assembly is removed, you can see how dusty it is inside
![Pasted Graphic 113](pasted-graphic-113iphone3dust.jpg)
The LCD has to be separated from the glass front panel.
Start by removing this screw.
![crazy dust 2](crazy-dust-2.png)
Next up is to remove 2 screws from the side.
![crazy dust3](crazy-dust3.png)
And two more on the other side, under the black tape.
![crazy dust4](crazy-dust4.png)
Once the screws have been removed, gently separate the LCD from the front panel.
![crazy dust5](crazy-dust5.png)
Remove the dust from the inside of the front panel...
![Pasted Graphic 114](pasted-graphic-114iphone3dust.jpg)
...as well as from the LCD.
![Pasted Graphic 115](pasted-graphic-115.jpg)
I used a can of air and a micropore LCD cloth to remove all the dust.
I connected everything back together and powered on the iPhone to make sure that everything worked before I buttoned it up. However, I discovered that the Home button doesn’t work until the LCD assembly is firmly reseated back in place.
![Pasted Graphic 116](pasted-graphic-116iphone3dust.jpg)
And there you have it. All clean!
![Pasted Graphic 117](pasted-graphic-117iphone3dust.jpg)
So, if your iPhone is having dust issues like mine and you like to void warranties, don’t be afraid to dive right in. The process was a lot easier than I had imagined and I was all done in probably 20 minutes or so.