Welcome back to another iDop UK video! In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to professionally replace the front glass on your iPad 9th generation or iPad 10.2″. This repair is straightforward if you have the right tools, patience, and attention to detail. So, whether you’re a repair novice or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you get your iPad back in pristine condition.
Before we get started, it’s crucial to inspect the device thoroughly. Check that the LCD isn’t damaged—because if it is, the job becomes more complex and costly. Fortunately, in this case, only the glass needs replacing. Let’s dive right in!
The first and most critical step is to power down the iPad. Hold the power button and slide to power off. This step is essential to avoid any electrical damage or short circuits during the repair process.
Now, the hardest part: removing the old, broken screen from the chassis. The best way to do this is by using a heat mat or hot plate set to 85°C. If you don’t have a heat mat, you can use a hot air gun or even a hair dryer—just ensure that the iPad is placed screen-side up, and the glass should be hot to the touch.
While your iPad is heating up, let’s quickly run through the tools and equipment you’ll need for this repair:
You can find all these tools online, and I’ve linked them in the video description below.
Once the iPad is adequately heated, it’s time to carefully remove the broken screen. Pay special attention to the right-hand edge and the area around the home button—these are delicate zones with important cables that you don’t want to damage.
Start by using your razor blade to create a small gap between the metal chassis and the glass. Insert the blade just a few millimeters to lift the edge of the glass. Once you have a small gap, switch to your guitar pick or opening tool and begin sliding it down the edge of the iPad.
In areas where the glass is more severely broken, push the pick in a little further to get better leverage, but be sure not to touch the LCD underneath. Run the pick along the edges, carefully lifting the glass. Use tweezers to remove any small pieces of glass that might remain stuck.
Now that one edge is free, hold the screen in place while you repeat the process along the bottom edge. Be particularly careful around the home button area—only insert the pick a couple of millimeters to avoid damaging the home button flex cable. If the adhesive is too stubborn, add a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to help loosen it.
Once all three edges are separated, the screen should open like a book cover. Flip the screen up carefully, and you’ll see the flex cables that connect the screen to the iPad. Avoid cutting along this edge entirely to prevent damaging these critical connections.
With the broken glass now loose, prop the screen open using a mug or another heavy object, and it’s time to remove the LCD. You’ll need to unscrew the four screws at each corner of the LCD.
Avoid touching the LCD itself during this process—fingerprints and smudges on the LCD can be a nightmare to clean up later.
If there are still pieces of broken glass stuck to the edges, use an X-Acto blade (I recommend a #17 blade) to carefully scrape them off. Work slowly and methodically to ensure you don’t scratch the LCD or other components. If any glass dust falls onto the LCD, don’t panic. Dry debris is manageable and can be cleaned up later.
After the glass is cleared away, peel back the black tape covering the screws and unscrew them using a cross-headed screwdriver. Once the screws are out, you’ll notice a bit of adhesive holding the LCD down in the corners. Use your tweezers to gently pry the corners of the LCD loose. Be patient and careful—you don’t want to crack the LCD at this stage.
Once free, the LCD can be lifted and stood up on its edge. Now comes a critical step: isolating the battery.
To avoid any potential electrical hazards, it’s vital to disconnect the battery before you proceed. Unscrew the screw holding down the battery connector and use your battery isolation pick to slide under the connector, lifting it slightly to disconnect it from the logic board.
Once the battery is isolated, unscrew the three screws at the bottom that secure the shield over the connectors. With the shield removed, use a plastic prying tool to disconnect the LCD, touchscreen, and home button connectors one by one. The LCD is now completely free and can be set aside in a safe place.
With the old screen removed, it’s time to prepare the iPad’s chassis for the new glass. This step is crucial to ensure a strong bond with the new screen.
Using your X-Acto blade again, carefully scrape away any remaining adhesive from the edges of the chassis. Be mindful of the flex cables and antennas—a slip of the hand here could cause significant damage.
After scraping off the bulk of the adhesive, add some isopropyl alcohol to soften any remaining residue. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the softened adhesive, leaving the chassis clean and smooth.
While you’re working on the chassis, it’s a good idea to check the tightness of all screws. These can often work loose over time, and tightening them will help maintain the structural integrity of your iPad.
Now it’s time to focus on the new digitizer. The first step is to transfer components from the old screen to the new one. Start by removing the plastic bracket around the camera and any other necessary components.
The home button is particularly tricky. If you damage the home button or its flex cable, Touch ID will be permanently disabled. To safely remove it:
If the adhesive on the home button gasket has degraded, you’ll need to replace it with a fresh one. The new digitizer should come with a gasket already installed, but if not, you can remove the gasket from the old screen and attach it to the new one using 5mm Tesa tape.
Once the home button is securely in place on the new digitizer, you can proceed to attach any other components, such as the camera bracket.
With the new digitizer prepared, it’s time to start reassembling your iPad:
Before sealing the iPad, it’s crucial to test the new digitizer. Temporarily close the digitizer and power on the device. Ensure that the touchscreen and home button are functioning correctly.
After confirming that everything works, you can proceed to seal the new screen onto the chassis:
As you press the edges of the screen down to secure it, pay close attention to the flex cables—make sure they aren’t pinched or caught between the digitizer and the chassis.
There’s no need to use clamps—the pre-applied adhesive is strong enough to hold the digitizer securely in place. Just give it a good press along the edges to ensure a tight seal.
Once the screen is secure, your iPad is ready to go back to your customer, looking as good as new!
Replacing the front glass on an iPad 9th generation can seem daunting, but with the right tools and careful attention to detail, it’s a manageable task. By following these steps, you’ll be able to restore your iPad to its original glory. If you found this guide helpful, please give the video a thumbs up, subscribe to iDop UK for more repair tutorials, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest videos. If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to drop a comment below—I’m always here to help. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!
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