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How much CO₂ do I save by repairing vs replacing?

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iPhone 3G Home Button Repair: Cost Guide & Carbon Impact [2025]

Name: HowMuchToFix AI Repair Estimator
Brand: HowMuchToFix
Rating: 4.9 (1247 reviews)

Home Button Repair is one of the most common repairs for iPhone 3G. This repair involves replacing the damaged input component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 20-40 min and requires easy skill level.

🔧 Required Tools

What You'll Need

Replacement input part (OEM or aftermarket)
Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
Adhesive strips or glue
Clean workspace with good lighting

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1:

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass.

Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the iPhone's display until the whole face is covered.

This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

Step 2:

Remove the 2 Phillips #00 screws at the bottom of the iPhone, located on both sides of the dock connector.

Step 3:

Attach the small suction cup to the iPhone, above the home-button.

Grip the suction cup, and start lifting the display slowly, and gently, making sure not to remove the display completely. There are still ribbon cables connecting the display assembly to the motherboard.

In some cases, the [product|IF145-361|suction cup] just won't adhere to the screen! You could use a [product|IF145-023|heavy duty suction] cup, or duct tape to pry off the screen. However, if you do not plan on replacing the screen, I do not suggest that you use duct tape.

Lift the display to a 45 degree angle.

Step 4:

Use a spudger to disconnect ribbon cable(s) 1, 2, and 3.

Just a reminder. The 3rd cable is actually connected to the board by a port, which requires an inset connector.

Lift up the black tab on the back of the inset connector port, and then the 3rd ribbon should slide right out.

Step 5:

After connectors 1, 2, and 3 are detached, you can lift the display assembly off completely, and set apart the case for the iPhone, you will only need the assembly for now.

Sorry for the bad image quality.

Step 6:

It will be easy to locate the home-button assembly from here.

Make sure the cable that runs into the home button assembly is not damaged or loose. This cable is indicated in the image here with a rectangular marker.

Step 7:

If the cables are all fine, or making sure the cables are firmly placed does not work, check the dock connector for any broken pins, especially the areas I highlighted with the circular red markers. If any pins are broken, you might want to buy new cables, because repairing these pins requires a lot of experience and precision tools.

If this STILL doesn't work, check the pins on the cables connected to the home-button (marked with a red marker in second image.) Again, if any pins are broken, you might want to buy new cables, or a new home-button, because these pins are very fragile and hard to fix.

Step 8:

If any cables or pins are broken , you could buy new cables, as mentioned before. However, if the home-button screws are broken or missing, or the home-button is completely broken, you might want to buy a new home button assembly. This assembly is displayed on this step's adjoining image.

📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

iFixit Difficulty: Moderate | Time: NaNh NaNm

DIY vs Professional Repair

✋ DIY Repair

✅ Lower cost (parts only: $24-$60)
✅ Learn new skills
❌ Risk of further damage
❌ No warranty
❌ Requires tools and time

🔧 Professional Repair

✅ Expert installation
✅ Warranty included
✅ Faster turnaround
❌ Higher cost ($40-$100)
❌ Need to find reputable shop

Environmental Impact

By choosing to repair your iPhone 3G instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 45 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new iPhone 3G generates 47 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 2 kg of CO₂. That's a 96% reduction in carbon emissions!

iPhone 3G Home Button Repair

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💰 Cost Breakdown

🔧 Repair Overview