Tutorial: Open Up A 3G/4G iPod

[Sniper22]

Disassemble Your 3G / 4G iPod

NOTE: If the pictures do not work in Firefox, They WILL work in Internet Explorer.

Hello. This tutorial is for people who would like to disassemble their 3G or 4G iPod.

Please note:

I am not responsible for any damages that you cause to your iPod. Although these accidents are not probable, ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN.

Follow my steps well, and you will not cause your iPod any damage whatsoever.

Please give me all feedback! Thanks.


Starting off, turn off your iPod and put it on hold. You will also need a guitar pick. I found that a 1 mm pick, not much less or more, works the best. I also got it apart successfully with a 0.7 mm pick. First, take your iPod out of all cases. Next, press with one thumb towards side as you try to force the pick in. Be patient. It took me at least 10 minutes the first time I opened mine. You will know when you get it in.
http://photos23.flickr.com/26883394_b1d763d1eb_o.jpg

After you get it in, slide it towards the bottom of the iPod, releasing the other clips.
http://photos21.flickr.com/26883395_5db4d5beff_o.jpg

Once you have reached near the bottom, go back up towards the top of the iPod, make sure to release all of the clips. DO NOT GO ACROSS THE TOP (Where the hold switch is.) Only go as far as I do in the picture.
http://photos23.flickr.com/26882556_4c0ed66591_o.jpg

Next, go back to the bottom. go across the bottom of the iPod, being careful not to jam the pick into the dock connector, but still pressing firmly as you continue unclipping.
http://photos22.flickr.com/26883396_0dfdfd290c_o.jpg

The next side should be a sinch. Work the pick up the side that you havn't unclipped yet, but still do not go across the top.
http://photos21.flickr.com/26883397_1898e7ab5e_o.jpg

After you have successfully unclipped the whole front, place the iPod white side down.
http://photos21.flickr.com/26883398_e52d48e7fa_o.jpg

Gently lift the stainless steel backing and place it right next to the iPod. Be careful of the ribbon that runs between the two parts. It is ok to pull it apart a little bit (it will be folded.) It is glued to itself so it will fit well inside. You will not damage it doing just this.
http://photos23.flickr.com/26883399_8a7eb2f969_o.jpg

When you are all done inside your iPod, gently place the rear metal backing on top of the white front again. Make sure that the ribbon that connects the two parts is completely inside the iPod. Press down with equal force with both hands, as shown below. You should hear clicks. Examine around all edges carefully to make sure that all cracks are sealed. If not, just press the two halves together where there is a gap, and it should easily close.
http://photos22.flickr.com/26883932_409b391764_o.jpg



You've done it! You've opened your iPod! A new world of modding is now at your fingertips. Please remember to use caution every time you open it. Hope this tutorial helped!

Tutorial by:

iPodlounge Member Sniper22
iPodWizard Member Ferrari22
iPod Hacks Member Ferrari22

If you must steal this tutorial, please at least give me recognition.

[Sniper22]

Edited:
My stupid bandwidth ran out on the stupid freewebs site...

[Sniper22]

yay! Links fixed perminantly.

Is anyone going to sticky this?

[Hennesy]

Mods don't like the selfish. Nice tutorial though. I thought someone had made one already.

The 3g is slightly different from the 4g.

[Sniper22]

I know that, but they both have the same bodies and the way of taking them apart is the same. It is when you take out the main logic board it is different, but I am not posting how to do that.

[Sniper22]

Originally posted by Hennesy
Mods don't like the selfish. Nice tutorial though. I thought someone had made one already.

Hmm.. I see. Just curious.

Originally posted by Kikoman
The 3g is slightly different from the 4g.

I know that, but they both have the same bodies and the way of taking them apart is the same. It is when you take out the main logic board it is different, but I am not posting how to do that.

[Linux_inside v2]

little tip, DONT try to pry it open with a screwdriver, they slip too easily, they scratch the white plastic and can damage the circuitry of your ipod, i almost killed my ipod doing that because i couldnt find a pick, luckily ive had experience pulling things apart before.
otherwise by ipods dock connector coulda been screwed

damn ipod photo :P

[Sniper22]

Did you destroy an iPod Photo?!?!

[Linux_inside v2]

hell no, like i said, lucky ive had experience pulling #### apart before. otherwise it would be dead!

[thesire]

hmm this is good.

Stickey anyone??

[Sniper22]

thank you for the compliment

[Linux_inside v2]

i second the sticky request, very useful esp for ipod modders

[Sniper22]

thanks again... or we could just keep it at the top of the list with a million + Posts lol

[Linux_inside v2]

Originally posted by Sniper22
thanks again... or we could just keep it at the top of the list with a million + Posts lol

that sounds like a plan :P