iPad 9 LTE Left Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Antenna Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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iPad 9 LTE Left Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Antenna Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the left Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antenna in your iPad 9 LTE.

Note: this guide is for the LTE version only. For the Wi-Fi version, click here.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your iPad. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Some of the instructions in this guide were taken from a previous model. There are small differences between models, but the overall procedure is very similar.

You'll need replacement adhesive in order to complete this repair.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Power down your iPad before beginning the repair.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the iPad for two minutes.

Step 2

While you're waiting for the adhesive to loosen, note the following areas that are sensitive to prying:
Front camera
Ambient light sensors
Antennas
Display cables

Step 3

The next three steps demonstrate the 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, check out this guide.
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, use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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, check out this guide.
Insert an opening pick under the digitizer 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.

Step 6

If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape 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.
Once the screen is warm to touch, apply a suction handle to the left edge of the screen and as close to the edge as possible.
Lift the screen with the suction handle to create a small gap between the digitizer and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap between the digitizer and the frame.

Step 7

Insert a second opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the pick toward the bottom-left corner of the iPad to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick in the bottom-left corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
Don't worry if you can see the opening pick through the digitizer—just pull the pick out. The LCD screen shouldn't be damaged, but you risk leaving behind hard-to-clean adhesive.

Step 8

If the opening pick gets stuck in the adhesive, "roll" the pick along the side of the iPad to continue separating the adhesive.

Step 9

Slide the first opening pick towards to top-left corner of the iPad to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick in the top-left corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 10

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the iPad for two minutes.

Step 11

Rotate the pick around the top-left corner of the iPad to separate the adhesive.
Only insert the pick up to 7 mm to avoid damaging the ambient light sensor.

Step 12

Slide the opening pick along the top edge of the iPad, stopping just before you reach the front camera.
Avoid sliding the pick over the front camera, as you may damage the lens. The following steps will show how to prevent this.

Step 13

Pull the pick out until only the tip is between the digitizer and the frame.
Slide the pick above the front camera to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick near the right side of the front camera before continuing.

Step 14

Re-insert the pick and slide it towards the top-right corner of the iPad to completely separate the top adhesive.
Leave the pick in the top-right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 15

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the iPad for two minutes.

Step 16

Rotate the pick around the top-right corner of the iPad to separate the adhesive.
Only insert the pick up to 4 mm to avoid damaging the ambient light sensor.

Step 17

Insert a new opening pick and slide it to the middle of the iPad's right edge.
The display cables are located approximately halfway from the bottom of the iPad. Stop sliding once you reach three inches from the bottom of the iPad.

Step 18

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the iPad for two minutes.

Step 19

Slide the bottom-left pick to the bottom-left corner to separate the adhesive.
Don't fully rotate the pick around the corner, as you may damage the antenna.
The third image shows the bottom-left antenna underneath the digitizer.
Leave the pick in the corner before moving to the next step.

Step 20

Insert a new opening pick into the gap you just created on the bottom edge of the iPad.
Slide the pick over the antenna, stopping just before the home button.
Only slide the pick towards the home button and not away from it, as you may damage the antenna.
If you need to slide the pick over this section again, remove and re-insert it at the bottom-left corner.
Leave the pick to the left of the home button before continuing.

Step 21

Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the pick underneath the home button and towards the bottom-right corner, making sure only the tip is between the digitizer and the frame.

Step 22

Re-insert the pick and slide it towards the home button to completely separate the bottom adhesive.
Only slide the pick towards the home button and not away from it, as you may damage the antenna.
If you need to slide the pick over this section again, remove and re-insert it at the bottom-right corner.
Leave the pick to the right of the home button before continuing.

Step 23

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the iPad for two minutes.

Step 24

Be very careful with this step. Take your time, ensure the adhesive is hot and soft, and make sure you separated all of the adhesive with an opening pick. Don't be afraid to stop and reheat.
Twist the two opening picks on the left corners of the iPad to lift the digitizer slightly, separating the the last of the adhesive in the process.
If there's a significant amount of resistance, reheat the edges and work along them with an opening pick.

Step 25

Lift the left edge of the digitizer upwards to further separate the adhesive along the right edge of the iPad.

Step 26

While supporting the digitizer, slide an opening pick between the two display cables to separate the last of the adhesive.
Be careful not to damage the two display cables with your opening pick.

Step 27

Once all of the adhesive has been separated, open the digitizer like a book and rest it parallel to the iPad.
During reassembly, clean the remaining adhesive from the frame—and the digitizer if you're re-using it—with isopropyl alcohol. Replace the adhesive with our adhesive strips or pre-cut adhesive cards.
Be mindful of the display cables when reassembling the iPad. Make sure they are folded properly underneath the LCD screen to prevent any damage.

Step 28

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove any tape covering the LCD screws.

Step 29

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the four 4.2 mm screws securing the LCD screen.

Step 30

The LCD is lightly adhered to the frame.
Insert a spudger between the frame and the top-right portion of the LCD.
Pry slowly with the spudger to separate the adhesive.

Step 31

Repeat the previous step for the top-left portion of the LCD.

Step 32

Don't attempt to fully remove the LCD during this step, as it's still connected by a flex cable.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the LCD out of its recess just enough to grab it with your fingers.
Flip the LCD like a page in a book, lifting near the camera and turning it over the home button end of the frame.
Lay the LCD on a clean, soft, lint-free surface to allow access to the display cables.

Step 33

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2.3 mm-long screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.

Step 34

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.

Step 35

Be careful when you isolate the battery using a battery blocker. The battery contacts are easily bent or broken, resulting in irreversible damage.
Ensure that the iFixit logo on the battery blocker is facing up.
Slide the battery blocker underneath the logic board's battery connector at a 35 degree angle.
Don't push the battery blocker underneath the connector with excessive force. If you're having trouble fitting the battery blocker underneath the logic board, you can try using a playing card to disconnect the battery instead.
The battery blocker or playing card ideally should slide under the logic board without encountering any blockages. After insertion, it should rest at about a 15 degree angle.
Leave the battery blocker in place as you work.

Step 36

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three 1.4 mm-long screws securing the display cable bracket.

Step 37

Remove the display cable bracket.

Step 38

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the LCD cable press connector.
To re-attach press connectors 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, causing permanent damage.

Step 39

Remove the LCD completely and rest it face down on a clean, soft, lint-free surface.

Step 40

Use a pair of tweezers to peel off the tape covering the home button cable ZIF connector.

Step 41

Use a spudger, an opening tool, or your fingernail to flip up the small, hinged locking flap on the home button cable ZIF connector.

Step 42

Use a pair of tweezers to pull the home button ribbon cable straight out of the ZIF connector.

Step 43

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the two digitizer cable press connectors.
To avoid damaging your iPad, pry only on the connectors themselves, not on the socket on the logic board.

Step 44

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the buffer block near the bottom-right corner of the iPad.
Take care not to puncture or tear the home button ribbon cable.
Remove the buffer block.

Step 45

The home button cable is secured with some light adhesive.
Use a pair of tweezers to peel the home button cable away from the frame.

Step 46

Remove the front panel assembly.
Use an opening pick to cut away any residual adhesive that may still be connecting the front panel assembly to the frame.
If you experience "ghost" or "phantom" touch input issues with your new display, this can be resolved by adding a layer of very thin insulating tape, such as Kapton (polyimide) tape, to the highlighted areas on the back of the panel. iFixit replacement digitizers come with the proper insulation and should not require the addition of any tape.
Without the proper insulation, these areas of the digitizer can ground out against other components, causing touch input malfunction.
The insulation is not visible to the naked eye and is different from the foam dust barrier strips found on many iPads.
During reassembly, before installing a display, remove any remaining adhesive from the iPad, and clean the glued areas with high concentration isopropyl alcohol (90% or greater) and a lint-free cloth. This helps prep the iPad for fresh adhesive and ensures that it will bond properly.
Test your iPad's functions and install pre-cut adhesive strips to the back of the display using our display adhesive application guide before sealing it up.

Step 47

Use the tip of a spudger, an opening tool, or your fingernail to flip up the small, hinged locking flap on the SIM card reader cable ZIF connector.

Step 48

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully pull the SIM card reader cable straight out of the ZIF connector.

Step 49

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the left antenna cable and lift straight up to disconnect it.
There are two antenna cables here, but you only need to disconnect the one farthest from the edge.

Step 50

Peel the left antenna cable up from the rear case.
Grip the antenna cable by the cable itself and not at its connector. Pulling coaxial cables by their connectors can break them.
The tape securing the left antenna cable is underneath the tape securing the right antenna cable. Disconnect and peel up the right antenna cable if you are having trouble.

Step 51

Continue to peel the left antenna cable away from the rear case, along the bottom edge of the iPad.

Step 52

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the buffer block at the bottom left corner of the iPad.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the buffer block.

Step 53

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the left antenna.
One 2.3 mm-long screw
Two 1.4 mm-long screws

Step 54

The antenna cable is anchored to the speaker with a small metal bracket. The bracket is permanently crimped to the antenna and adhered to the speaker enclosure. The adhesive must be severed in order to extract the antenna.
Carefully insert an opening pick between the speaker enclosure and the bracket.
Slide the pick towards the charging port to cut the adhesive.
Push the bracket away from the speaker to clear it of the tape under it.