iPad Air 2 Retina Glass & Screen Replacement (digitizer and LCD removal & installation)

Shut down the iPad

This is a guide for replacing a glass digitizer and an LCD on the Apple iPad Air. To begin,
hold down the power button at the top and confirm the shutdown on screen.

Warm up the perimeter of the iPad

Start warming up the surface of the glass digitizer with a heat gun or hairdryer. Keep the
heat stream about 2 inches away and do not stop in one place for too long. Thoroughly
warm up the perimeter of the digitizer. The surface should be hot to the touch, but not
burning. Do not apply heat for longer than 3 minutes.

Open the iPad

Place a suction cup at the top right corner and use a plastic pick to begin separating
the glass digitizer. Place a piece of plastic under the corner to prevent it from sticking
back. Continue onto the top left corner, separating the top edge with a plastic pick.
Insert a piece of plastic under the corner once it is separated. Proceed in the same manner
onto the two other corners, making sure that the plastic pick is not inserted more than
a quarter inch deep into the device. Once all the corners have been separated, proceed
with opening the digitizer. You may need to use a scalpel to cut any strands of glue that are
still connecting the digitizer to the main body. Open the digitizer from the top edge, making
sure that its cable at the bottom is not overstretched.

Disconnect the digitizer

Remove three Phillips screws from the metal shield securing the digitizer connectors to the
logic board. Remove the metal shield. Using a flat screwdriver, pick open three connectors
from the logic board. Set the main body aside.

Connect the new digitizer

At this point, the new replacement parts can be installed. Reconnect the three snap-in
connectors back to the logic board. Each connector makes a distinct click when plugged in
properly. Please do not apply too much force to the connectors; all connectors are
extremely fragile. Replace the metal connector shield. Secure it with three Phillips screws.
Gently put the digitizer back onto the body and test out the device. If the startup graphics
appear, the display assembly has been reinstalled properly. Hold the power button and
confirm the shutdown on screen.

Close the iPad

Apply heat to the surface of the glass digitizer to reactivate the glue underneath. Use a
paper towel to firmly secure the perimeter of the display assembly with the main body.
Turn on the iPad on and we are done!