Posts

How to choose the best quality color mod parts for your iPhone 4

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Just because Apple never made colored iPhone parts doesn't mean you can't find good ones if you know what you're looking for. If you have an  iPhone 4  and you want to swap out the standard Apple black or white backplate for something more colorful -- like red or blue -- it can be a challenge to find the best, high quality parts. Backplate swaps especially are an easy  DIY  project, but you want to pay careful attention to the supplier, the materials they're using, the specific model of iPhone 4 you're ordering for (AT&T/GSM is different than Verizon/Sprint/CDMA), and that you have all the tools you need for the job. Only order iPhone 4 parts from a reputable supplier As tempting as it can be to order colored parts on eBay or Amazon because of the low price tag, keep in mind that it'll cost you more to replace your iPhone 4 if faulty parts cause something to go wrong. Spending a couple extra bucks for parts that are high quality and backed with a...

Weekly Mod: How to replace the rear camera in an iPhone 4 (GSM/CDMA)

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Replacing the rear camera in your GSM or CDMA iPhone 4 isn't a very difficult DIY repair, as long as you have the right tools and parts. We'll walk you through step by step and show you how to get your camera back into working order in no time. While the GSM and CDMA variants are slightly different, the guide will work for both. So grab your tools and your sad iPhone 4 and follow along! Disclaimer:  As with any repair, iMore nor  PXLFIX  can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It’s also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don’t feel comfortable opening your device, don’t. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on  any  device. What you need for a DIY iPhone 4 rear camera repair PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like  eTech Parts . They have quality parts, tools, and mu...

Weekly Mod: How to replace an iPhone 4 battery

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Have an out of warranty AT&T or Verizon  iPhone 4  that's can't seem to hold a charge and wondering how to replace the battery DIY (do it yourself) style? Changing out batteries is a service we provide at  PXLFIX  on a regular basis, but it's actually a pretty simple repair and something most people with just a bit of technical know-how can perform. Disclaimer:  As with any repair, iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. With this specific repair, please take care not to puncture or bend the battery in any way as it could be a potential fire hazard. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on  any  device. What You need for a DIY battery swap PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts f...

How to check for water damage before purchasing a used iPhone 4

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"Checking for water damage is pretty simple and something everyone should do before forking over your hard earned cash for a second-hand iPhone 4." If you're trying to save some money and are in the market to purchase a used iPhone 4  from either Craigslist, eBay, or some other local or online seller, one of the first things you'll want to do is check for any signs of water damage. I see several people in my office each week that purchased used iPhones that mysteriously quit working after a few days. As much as we'd like to believe there aren't people out there who would sell us broken or water damaged devices, it happens every day. While online-only iPhone purchases are convenient, I highly recommend meeting up with someone locally, for example, someone off of Craiglist, before turning to eBay or any other online broker. This allows you inspect the iPhone device before you actually commit to purchasing it, and gives you a chance test it out and check ...

How to properly clean your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch screen

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The best way to clean dirt, grime, grease, and grit off all your iOS devices without damaging them or their oloephobic coatings How should you clean your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch screen? Should you stick with a dry cleaning cloth or is it okay to use a cleaning solution? If so, what kind of solution is safest? From everyday usability, to applying screen protectors and stickers, to reducing the risk of scratches, keeping your iOS screen clean is something we get asked about a lot. And while it's not a  DIY repair , it's every bit as important to know. First off, if you own an iPhone 3GS or any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that came out after it, you're device has an oleophobic coating. This coating works to help prevent fingerprints and also makes it a lot easier to wipe them off using nothing but a dry cloth and in some instances, even a pant leg or inside of your shirt. Older devices don't have this coating and you may find you'll need to use a bit of wat...

Weekly Mod: how to replace the back casing on an iPhone 4

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Replacing the back casing of an iPhone 4 is by far the easiest hardware modification for do-it-yourself types. Even the most casual user shouldn't have a problem performing this one. If having not only a glass front, but a glass back makes you nervous, or you just want to switch it up to white or stainless steel and really stand out, this guide will walk you through how to replace the backing on your iPhone 4. Hit the jump for a walkthrough, some pics, and a video guide! Anytime you make any hardware repairs, make sure to do them in a dry, clean place. You don't want any liquid or dirt getting inside your device. I typically perform repairs on a cool, clean surface and use a few white sheets of printer paper. The paper makes it easy to spot screws. As always, be careful. With this particular walkthrough, remember that if you ever need to take your phone back to Apple for repair or replacement, you'll need to replace the default back. What You'll Need A ne...

How to fix the dock connector on an AT&T/GSM iPhone 4

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If your AT&T/GSM iPhone 4 won't recognize a charger when you plug it in, odds are you need a new dock connector. A dock connector can go bad over time or if it's become exposed to liquid or humidity. If you're off warranty and would rather attempt a  DIY repair  instead of shelling out the cash for a new iPhone, here's how you can fix it! Disclaimer:  As with any repair, iMore nor  PXLFIX  can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It’s also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don’t feel comfortable opening your device, don’t. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on  any  device. Read this first If you're iPhone 4  recognizes  a charger but dies when you disconnect it, odds are the battery needs to be replaced, not the dock connector. We can help you replace your battery too: How to replace the ...