iPhone 2G screen repair DIY

I got a 2G iPhone with a broken screen.
Luckily the digitizer still working and the serious cracks not really reached the screen itself, apart a small fracture from the clock area.
So, I decided to repair it somehow DIY, because a proper screen-repair could cost you around 120 GBP.

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Step 1: Clean up the mess

You will need: iPhone 2G keen to survive
tweezer
some used top-up or sim-card
scissors
pen or pencil
sandpaper
clear liquid glue
Some alcohol
Black acryl paint
good eye for details
iPhone screen protector (optional)

Firstly I removed the broken glass chips from the seriously damaged area with a tweezer. Under those there are the speaker and the light sensors.
I fixed the remaining shivers over the clock area with a model-kit glue,because I want to see the clock.

zack247 says: Aug 11, 2011. 12:00 AM

very well done!
i would have used some clear epoxy to fill in the gaps between the replacement chunk and the glass, but thats just because im a perfectionist :P

dprihodko says: Mar 9, 2011. 9:41 PM

Thank you! I't s very interesting article! Can I take them on my web?

Max Headroom (author) says: Mar 10, 2011. 1:34 PM

Thanks! Of course, use it freely!
dasvidania!

arduinoe says: Oct 27, 2009. 9:59 AM

have to say , im incredibly impressed with this , it started out looking like it was going to be a tape and glue kinda fix , but the end result really isnt too bad at all , bravo :) , 5 outa 5 stars :P

brandonb5269 says: Sep 19, 2009. 9:39 AM

this is ok i guess for a super cheep fix. but if u bought an iphone im sure you can scrounge up 10-20 bux and get a screen on ebay. or sum plexi glass replacements. it would be alot better then this, as your fix is just a bandaid. and more drops or anything and the rest will crack or fall off. its better to fix things right, then to put a bandaid on it. but if you need a quick fix this is a deffinit option

Max Headroom (author) says: Oct 22, 2009. 2:35 PM

for the 2G the replacement screen is around 120 GBP,

Berserk87 says: Sep 17, 2009. 5:18 PM

lol thats awesome, decent end result too. or you could order a new glass peice for $8.

Cubie2 says: Sep 30, 2009. 2:30 PM

LOL!

Max Headroom (author) says: Sep 24, 2009. 1:24 PM

wrong, the first gen iPhone screen is totally diff from the second generation displayed glued together with the digitizer part

Berserk87 says: Sep 24, 2009. 4:21 PM

What... I never said anything about which generation of phone or the digitizer, what did I say that was wrong? A glass replacement piece is available for both types the 2g and the 3g/3gs.

Max Headroom (author) says: Oct 22, 2009. 2:41 PM

but anyway: could you give mi a link for that rep glass, please?

Max Headroom (author) says: Oct 22, 2009. 2:34 PM

The 2G and the 3G iPhone screens are different: the 2G glass melted/glued together with the digitizer, you can't change the glass only

Pink_wolf says: Dec 1, 2009. 10:32 PM

Yes you can, you have to separate the glass from the digitiser but it is perfectly doable. Use a razor blade.

Max Headroom (author) says: Dec 2, 2009. 1:50 AM

I tried, but very hard, and there is a huge chance to damage the digitizer, and thereafter "you have to put the toothpaste back"too. how to glued them bubbleless together again?

Doveman says: Sep 17, 2009. 4:23 PM

All I know is, that if I would of bought an iPhone and it had a cracked screen, I would have sent it back with a nasty letter. A letter raising holy hell.

frollard says: Sep 20, 2009. 9:16 AM

It was likely purchased intentionally broken for a discounted price.

Max Headroom (author) says: Sep 24, 2009. 1:27 PM

definitely

MACKattacksnipe says: Sep 19, 2009. 7:41 PM

AKA (POOR MANS) Fix Sorry Caps Button Broke MIND of ITs OwN

Max Headroom (author) says: Sep 24, 2009. 1:21 PM

Hardly seen a "Bentley parts order sheet directly from the manufacturer" guides here...

Thekodanator says: Sep 17, 2009. 8:28 AM

This looks pretty good! Especially since it's cheap. And there iare always parts from sites like iFixit

=SMART= says: Sep 16, 2009. 11:44 AM

Wow that looks really cool ! Way to repair instead of re-buy !!!

jimmytvf says: Sep 16, 2009. 12:44 AM

very good tut! by the time you change the screen, is a very good solution, at least the chips of glass won't fly away and it mantains all the circuits clean

cpotoso says: Sep 14, 2009. 10:33 AM

Excellent, a truly fantastic instructable. You basically got back 100% functionality with a small degradation in the beauty of the device (yes, we all know that the iphone beauty is all-important, but still...).