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-- -- And if your iphones front panel or screen or cracked like this ones it you can either live with it -- and -- -- one or -- Im going to show you here to fix it. Just know that this isnt something you should do if you -- Apple care plus or other warranty that covers accidental damage. And I suggest you watch my video on what to know before trying to fix a Smartphone -- tablet. It will help you decide if you should repair the phone yourself or just take it to -- shop. And lastly -- the by following these instructions you do so your own risk. Before beginning youll need to get the necessary replacement parts and tools. As the iphones front panel and -- -- your fused together I suggest buying both as a single unit youll find them online between seventy and 120 dollars. Just be sure that by the right one for your phone. Asked for tools believe if you thin metal -- eight plastics budget -- case opening tool. Tweeters Phillips -- -- screwdriver a tiny flathead screwdriver. And a special -- screwdriver which youll use to remove the -- tamper resistant outer case spurs again you can pick these up online if you dont have. Lastly Ill be replacing the panel on AT&T. IPhone four. You can use the same basic steps on iPhone -- from other carriers. And the iPhone four S you may however encountered differences such as the location and type -- vibration motor and the position of the mother of speakers. The first step is to back up all the iphones data using your iCloud or iTunes just in case something goes wrong. Youll also need to reject the same car using the -- tool or a -- With those tasks -- you can open the iPhone by removing two -- located along the bottom -- it slide the back cover upwards and lifted off. Unfortunately. Before we can install the new display in front panel will lead to remove most of the iphones internal hardware. Well start with the battery remove the battery -- -- and disconnected from the motherboard now carefully remove the tiny pressure contact located underneath. Noting its location and position for -- assembly. By gently prying on and then pulling up on the batteries plastic pulled. It should come loose from the frank. Next remove the metal shields the cover the upper portion of the motherboard and thFix a broken screen on your iPhone 4 or iPhone 4Se docking iPhoneconnector cable. And Giroux aegis group -- its location the screws are different links and well need to go back into their original position. Now disconnect and remove the rear camera. And then detach all the cables along the top and side of the motherboard youll need to gently -- the docking connector cable away from the metal shield underneath. Remove the hidden motherboard screw located under the round white sticker near the battery -- -- The screw under the docking connector cable at the bottom and the metal stand all from the top near the headphone Jack. Then removed the mother board lifting up from the -- Lastly remove the speaker enclosure and vibration -- At last we can turn our attention to the broken display assembly. Its held -- the metal frame with ten screws. Three along each side and one in each corner youll need to remove them all keeping track of the -- under the six sides groups. Now carefully insert a thin metal or plastic tool between the metal frame and front glass panel -- -- the top or the bottom edge. And gently -- the panel loops. Two warnings here do not insert the tool to ll or -- you may damage the phones other internal components. Also if the glass panel is -- take care not to injure yourself during the removal process. As you pull the panel away from the phone youll need to thread its cables through the -- frank. Were now ready to install the new display assembly. So first remove the plastic film from the back of the display if it hasnt. Been carefully read the displays cables back through the fine. Making sure not to -- them in the process. Gently press the panel on of the frame and secure it with the appropriate screws and washers. All thats left is to reassemble the phone by working your way back through the steps we just covered. Start with the vibration motor then the speaker assembly motherboard. And rear camera. Motherboard shields. Battery and back cover. And if you work through the process be careful not damage any of the small metal contacts on the cable connectors speaker assembly. Or the battery connectors pressure contact. As fixes go this one isnt too tough. But it does take a lot of patience and attention to detail. If you have questions about this -- Or my cracking open videos you can contact me through Twitter. And to see more tear down photos of the iPhone iPad or other gadgets. Go to tech republic dot com forward slash cracking open for CNET and tech republic. Im build out. Would.

The Galaxy S III is to crack open, but Bill Detwiler explains why replacing the screen or front panel will be costly.

Sharon Vaknin shows you how to replace your iPhones backplate with a mirror, or any rear panel of your choosing with this quick and easy mod.

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Created: 07/16/2012 Bill Detwiler shows you how to replace a cracked glass panel or broken display on the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S.