Introduction: 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.
Step 1: Clean Up the Mess
You will need: iPhone 2G keen to survive
tweezers
some used top-up or sim-card
scissors
pen or pencil
sandpaper
clear liquid glue
Some alcohol
Black acrylic paint
a bit of developed 35 mm film negative
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.
Step 2: The Right Shape
As I found it out a regular top-up or sim card have exactly the same thickness as the glass. Ideal for fill up that gap. Easy to cut, not too soft nor too hard, you can draw on it and easy and cheap to get.
I used a transparent piece of plastic (or it could be a paper too) to get the guideline to cut the plastic-card for the right shape around the crackline.
Check how it fit after every cut! Use sandpaper to shape the rims of the corners. Then carry on until everything is just fit.
Step 3: Holes
OK, make those holes for the speaker and the light sensors. I used the same transparent card and drilled them together to align the right positions of the holes. Check and check again.
After everything on place get a small bit of an already developed film-negative. It is a very cheap IR-filter layer solution. For a proper working proximity and light sensors it is necessary.
Put that piece of film under the top-row holes (do not cover the speakar holes!).
Step 4: Matching Color
Paint it to the right color. Luckily is simple black
Step 5: The Last Layer
OK, everything is almost perfect, but my finger still feel those cracklines. I bought a cheap iPhone screen protector layers from eBay, and covered the screen with that. It is cover the cracklines and also prevent to get dust in the light sensors and those tiny gaps between the glass and the plastic area of the screen.
I have to admit this is not an ultimate solution, but will be ok until I get a faulty iPhone with an intact screen
Be the First to Share
Recommendations
Make It Bridge
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
Big and Small Contest
35 Comments
7 years ago
That is an ancient phone. It's probably worth a lot noe
9 years ago
That would have been useful when I dropped my old iPhone!
11 years ago on Introduction
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
12 years ago on Introduction
Thank you! I't s very interesting article! Can I take them on my web?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! Of course, use it freely!
dasvidania!
13 years ago on Introduction
lol thats awesome, decent end result too. or you could order a new glass peice for $8.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
wrong, the first gen iPhone screen is totally diff from the second generation displayed glued together with the digitizer part
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
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
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yes you can, you have to separate the glass from the digitiser but it is perfectly doable. Use a razor blade.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
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?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
but anyway: could you give mi a link for that rep glass, please?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
LOL!
13 years ago on Step 5
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
13 years ago on Step 5
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
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
for the 2G the replacement screen is around 120 GBP,
13 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
It was likely purchased intentionally broken for a discounted price.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
definitely
13 years ago on Introduction
AKA (POOR MANS) Fix Sorry Caps Button Broke MIND of ITs OwN