iPad Air Gen 1 Microphone Repair

Allow your iPad's battery to fully drain before starting this repair. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged during the repair.

Unplug any cables and fully shut down your iPad.

Apply a [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Instructions/11677|new_window=true|heated iOpener] to the left edge of the screen for two minutes.

You can also use a hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Heat+Gun+to+Soften+Adhesive/151116|new_window=true|heat gun], or hot plate—but extreme heat can damage the screen and/or internal battery, so proceed with care.

While your iPad looks uniform from the outside, there are delicate components under portions of the screen. To avoid damage, follow instructions exactly as written and note the following areas as you open your iPad:

Camera module and ambient light sensors

Display cables

Screen magnets

Display edges

The next three steps demonstrate the [product|IF145-513|Anti-Clamp], a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. ***If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.***

For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, [guide|152309|check out this guide|new_window=true].

Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.

Place an object under your iPad so it rests level between the suction cups.

Position the suction cups near the middle of the left edge—one on the top, and one on the bottom.

Hold the bottom of the Anti-Clamp steady and firmly press down on the top cup to apply suction.

If you find that the surface of your iPad is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, [guide|159595|use tape|new_window=true] to create a grippier surface.

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.

Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.

Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.

If your screen isn't getting hot enough, you can use a hair dryer to heat along the left edge of the iPad.

For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Hair+Dryer+to+Soften+Adhesive/157348|new_window=true|check out this guide].

Insert an opening pick under the screen when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.

If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.

Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.

***Skip the next step.***

If your screen is badly cracked, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Tape+Over+a+Cracked+Phone+Screen/140533|covering it with a layer of clear packing tape|new_window=true] may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

Apply a suction handle to the top left edge of the screen.

Pull up on the suction handle with firm, constant pressure to create a gap just small enough to insert an opening pick.

Only create a gap small enough to insert an opening pick. Overbending the screen will damage it.

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Don't insert the opening pick more than 3 mm or you'll damage the display edges.

Leave the pick in to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Don't insert the pick more than 3 mm or you'll damage the display edges.

Insert a new opening pick in the gap you just created.

Slide the opening pick along the left edge to separate the adhesive.

Leave the pick in the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes.

Don't insert the pick more than 3 mm or you'll damage the display cables.

Insert a new opening pick in the bottom left corner.

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.

Leave the pick in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.

The right edge of the iPad contains the [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/sFHHNAN2hBhLVhii.full|new_window=true|screen magnets, display cables, and a digitizer cable.] These components are easily damaged if an opening pick is inserted too far.

Insert a new opening pick in the bottom right corner and slide along the right edge to separate the adhesive. ***Make sure to note the following marked areas:***

Don't insert an opening pick more than 2 mm or you'll damage the screen magnets.

The screen magnets are located directly above the SIM card slot (Wi-Fi + Cellular models only) and volume buttons.

Don't insert an opening pick more than 3 mm or you'll damage the display and digitizer cables.

Don't insert an opening pick more than 5 mm or you'll damage the display edges.

Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.

The top edge of the iPad contains the front camera module and two ambient light sensors. These components are easily damaged if an opening pick is inserted too far.

The two ambient light sensors can be hard to see and can be located using a [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/OV1aago1N1DSLDCK.full|new_window=true|flashlight] or by placing the iPad under a bright light.

Insert a new opening pick in the top right corner and slide along the top edge to separate the adhesive. ***Make sure to note the following:***

Don't insert an opening pick more than 5 mm or you'll damage the display edges.

Don't insert an opening pick more than 3 mm or you'll damage the ambient light sensors.

Don't insert an opening pick more than 2 mm or you'll damage the front camera module.

Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Don't try to remove the screen yet, as it's still attached to the frame by delicate ribbon cables.

Grip the left edge of the screen and fold it open like a book.

During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPad and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your iPad back down before you continue working.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 1.8 mm screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.

Throughout this repair, [https://www.ifixit.com/products/fixmat|keep track of each screw|new_window=true] and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

These photos show what the battery connector looks like underneath the logic board. Use these photos as a reference while you safely disconnect the battery.

Notice that the battery connector has cantilever springs on the logic board that press against the battery contact pads. Since both the logic board and battery are glued down, you'll need to slide something thin and flexible between the contact points to disconnect the battery.

Cut two 6 mm wide strips from a playing card or cardstock to use as a battery blocker.

The strips should be about 4 cm long so you can easily grip them.

Insert the card strips on each side of the battery connector until they stop.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the display and digitizer cable brackets to the logic board:

Two 1.1 mm screws

One 1.5 mm screw

The display cable bracket is held in place by a small latch at the bottom.

Use [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to pivot the latch out from the top and remove the bracket.

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the digitizer cable bracket.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the two display cables by lifting straight up on the press connectors.

To re-attach [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Recognizing+&+Disconnecting+Cable+Connectors/25629#s70308|press connectors|new_window=true] like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Repeat the previous step for the digitizer cable.

Grip the left edge of the screen and lift it away.

During reassembly, before installing a screen, remove any remaining adhesive from the frame, and clean the glued areas with high-strength (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. This helps prep the iPad for fresh adhesive and ensures that it will bond properly.

If you plan to reinstall your existing screen, remove any remaining adhesive from the back and clean the adhered areas with isopropyl alcohol.

Follow [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPad+Display+Assembly+3+Pc.+Adhesive+Application/118753|new_window=true|this guide] to install pre-cut adhesive strips on your iPad before sealing it up.