This is a guide on replacing the Glass Digitizer and the LCD on the apple iPad Air.

To begin hold down the power button at the top and confirm the shut down on screen.

Start warming up the surface of the glass digitizer with a heat gun or a hair dryer. 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.

Place a suction cup at the top left corner of the device and using a plastic pick begin separating the glass digitizer from the main body.

Place a piece of plastic under the corner to prevent it from sticking back.

Continue on to 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 on opening the digitizer, 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 on the bottom is not over stretched.

Remove three phillips screws from the metal shield securing the digitizer connectors to the logic board.

Remove the metal shield. Using a flat screw driver pick open three connectors from the logic board. Set the glass digitizer and LCD assembly aside.

This generation of iPad uses optical glue between the glass digitizer and the LCD, just like in the more recent generations of the iPhone - it cannot be separated with-out specialized tools - so the entire display assembly has to be replaced when either the LCD or the glass touchscreen is damaged.


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 start up graphics appear the display assembly has been reinstalled properly. Hold the power button and confirm the shut down on-screen.

Apply heat to the surface of the glass digitizer to reactive the glue underneath.

Use a paper towel to firmly secure the perimeter of the display assembly with the main body.

Turn on the device - and you’re done!