Open an iPhone 2G
The iPhone 2G has a metal backing that makes for a better fit than later all-plastic iPhone models', but the process of opening the 2G is different from that of later iPhones. Opening the iPhone 2G requires patience because there are a lot of interlinking parts that were discontinued in later models. Once opened, parts such as a cracked LCD screen or damaged logic board can be replaced by the owner. Opening up the iPhone 2G yourself, rather than having it done by an authorized service center, will completely void the Apple warranty.
Instructions
1. Place a soft cloth down on a table. Straighten out the paper clip. Insert the paper clip in the small hole at the top of the iPhone 2G. Push the end of the paper clip into the hole until the SIM tray begins to pop out. Pull out the SIM tray and place it aside.
2. Put the iPhone 2G face down on the soft cloth. Push in the two tabs at the edge of the black connector on the bottom using the utility knife. Push in the two tabs farther up on the black connector. Remove the black connector from the iPhone 2G's case.
3. Insert the utility knife into the bottom of the iPhone 2G between the dock connector and the antenna cover. Pry the antenna cover upward.
4. Carefully insert the utility knife into the gap between the antenna cover and the front bezel. Slide the utility knife toward one edge and go around the corner until you encounter the metal backing. Reinsert the utility knife between the antenna cover and front bezel. Slide the utility knife toward the other edge and go around the corner until you encounter the metal backing. Remove the utility knife.
5. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the three screws at the bottom. Remove the rear bottom panel from the iPhone 2G.
6. Insert one end of the toothpick into the small square hole. Wiggle the toothpick to dislodge the inner rear panel. Pull the inner rear panel up. Insert the utility knife between the rear panel and the metal bottom and push up to dislodge a corner of the metal bottom. Repeat the process on the other side of the bottom.
7. Use the utility knife to pry the metal bottom up off the front of the iPhone 2G. Put the bottom case aside. Use the utility knife to pull the copper colored headphone cable off the logic board on the front of the iPhone.
8. Peel off the orange tape from around the white antenna cable on the side of the front of the iPhone. Use the utility knife to remove the two antenna cables attached to the logic board. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the three screws that are now exposed near the camera module and on each side of the logic board.
9. Use the utility knife to pull the camera connection off the logic board. Remove the camera module from the front of the iPhone.
10. Insert the utility knife between the front of the iPhone and the battery. Wiggle the battery free. Lift the battery up slightly. Insert the utility knife between the front of the iPhone and the logic board at the position where the camera module was located. Wiggle the logic board free. Lift the logic board up slightly.
11. Use the utility knife to remove the two ribbon cables from the right side underneath the logic board. Use the utility knife to remove the ribbon cable from the left side underneath the logic board. Insert the utility knife beneath the black locking bar on the logic board and pry the logic board farther up from the front of the iPhone.
12. Hold onto the battery and the logic board and slide them both away from the orange antenna and out of the iPhone. Put them both down on the soft cloth.
13. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the three screws holding the front bezel to the iPhone. Rotate the front of the iPhone 90 degrees and unscrew the two screws with the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver.
14. Rotate the front of the iPhone 90 degrees and unscrew the three screws with the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver.
15. Rotate the front of the iPhone 90 degrees and unscrew the two screws with the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver. Remove the front bezel from the front of the iPhone. The iPhone 2G has now been fully opened.
Tags: utility knife, logic board, front iPhone, jeweler screwdriver, Phillips jeweler, Phillips jeweler screwdriver, Insert utility