How hard is it to replace the front screen of the 4S?

[kannesss]

To replace the front screen on an iPhone 4S? I ordered the kit for it, with the tools, found a 20 minute long how to video, and I've done stuff like this with tiny screws etc before so that's not making me nervous. I just want to know if anyone here has done it, and what is the hardest part I have to worry about?

One more thing, how is it that I can order a screen from a company for 80$, is it still going to be the same quality as my original screen? I just don't see how it could be for some reason it seems impossible.

 

[Jburnette87]

Its very difficult if you've never done it. And you can mess something up, possibly beyond repair.

My advice: Go slow,watch a quality video (ifixit). Buy something like a screwmat.

And no screen will be the same quality as the original.

Most people that I see that try their own screen repair, get it apart fine but can't get it back together. I've done 5-600 off the 4/4s so If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[vastoholic]

I'm not sure how it is exactly since I've never tried it, but iFixit labels it as difficult.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPhone-4S-Display-Assembly/7277/1

Given my knowledge of tearing iPhones apart, I probably wouldn't attempt it unless I had AppleCare+ on it. On the other hand, my cousin who probably isn't as techy as me, was able to do a battery swap on his 3G relatively easy. I wouldn't mind buying a broken device just to test this kind of stuff out on though.

 

[Jburnette87]

I'm not sure how it is exactly since I've never tried it, but iFixit labels it as difficult.

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-iPhone-4S-Display-Assembly/7277/1

Given my knowledge of tearing iPhones apart, I probably wouldn't attempt it unless I had AppleCare+ on it. On the other hand, my cousin who probably isn't as techy as me, was able to do a battery swap on his 3G relatively easy. I wouldn't mind buying a broken device just to test this kind of stuff out on though.

If he has AppleCare and messes something up, AppleCare won't cover him since any repair must be done by apple.

 

[BFizzzle]

its not difficult if you can follow a youtube video..
im sure you know how to follow instructions

i had no problem doing it. granted it took me 2 hours when most people who are used to doing it can do it in 30-1 hour.


be careful to not strip your screws, if you dont have one of the ifixit place mats that are magnetic and show the iphone and you can place the screw on it where they belong, at least get a piece of paper, place the screw on it and mark down what step they were.
the screws are all small and sizes vary.

 

[dualmax]

don't do it! I tried to replace the power button last night, everything was fine until the screw for the power button, that thing is in a weird angle and it is very hard to get to , easy to strip it....... which I did.....

 

[kannesss]

I watched the YouTube video, and it looks tricky, but i think as long as I take my time, it will work well. It just sucks. I've dropped it 30 times with no damage then I drop it slightly off my bed, and the whole thing shatters.
Either way thanks for the help. I hope I can do it the right way. If not I guess I can sell the iPad and buy a 5

 

[vastoholic]

If he has AppleCare and messes something up, AppleCare won't cover him since any repair must be done by apple.

I figured he might be able to pass it off as an accident somehow, go run over it or throw it on the ground.

 

[TexasRangerFan]

I've done it. The biggest problem I had was I stripped the head of one of those impossible to see tiny screws. It almost got the better of me but I finally won. If it hadn't been for that, it wouldn't have been too bad. Even with that issue I'd say it took me no more than an hour.

Go slow and use a screw guide. I found one that I printed out that helped a great deal. Just don't knock it off the table or bump it or anything.

You can see how bad mine was damaged -


Edited to add - Don't forget to switch the speaker screen!!

 

[kannesss]

I've done it. The biggest problem I had was I stripped the head of one of those impossible to see tiny screws. It almost got the better of me but I finally won. If it hadn't been for that, it wouldn't have been too bad. Even with that issue I'd say it took me no more than an hour.

Go slow and use a screw guide. I found one that I printed out that helped a great deal. Just don't knock it off the table or bump it or anything.

You can see how bad mine was damaged -


Edited to add - Don't forget to switch the speaker screen!!

It didn't mention this, can I not just use the same one I have now? Or do I need to order this as well?

 

[TexasRangerFan]

You use the same one. You actually have to switch over your home button and the speaker screen.

You can't really tell, but I forgot about the speaker..I wasn't going to take the whole thing apart again, so I kinda trimmed it to fit and shoved it down in there from the outside..

 

[kannesss]

You use the same one. You actually have to switch over your home button and the speaker screen.

You can't really tell, but I forgot about the speaker..I wasn't going to take the whole thing apart again, so I kinda trimmed it to fit and shoved it down in there from the outside..

I had to buy a new home button due to the fact that I'm tired of having a white iPhone, I Bought a black front, home button, and back. So it will look just stock black. I haven't had a black iPhone in a coupe years. So I'm excited for that at least.