iFixit - Answers With Device "Apple Watch Series 4"

Apple Watch Series 4: Apple Watch water damaged due to screen crack

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:31:12 -0700

My Apple Watch series 4 screen cracked unfortunately while washing my hands water fallen on force fully

on that time I just wiped & after 1 hour I put on charge but it won’t Turing on

then I shake my watch some water drops came out

I just put nearer to fan to dry completely

does it survive or completely dead

⟐ Answered March 28, 2026 at 22:31 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Changed battery, now dead screen

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 05:29:51 -0700

After replacing the battery itself, I was pleased that it powered up normally. However when fiddling with applying the gasket and adhesive the screen died. First had vertical white lines, and now it doesn't work at all. It is on because I can feel the haptics but nothing on the screen. Tried hard reset. So disappointed.

Posted picture of ribbon cable. I didn’t detach it to replace the battery. I thought I was gentle but wonder if I put too much pressure on it somewhere.

⟐ Answer edited March 30, 2025 at 5:29 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Can't open watch

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 16:13:56 -0700

I have a Series 4 40mm SS.

I bought the iFixit kit to replace the battery. However I can not get under the screen to lift it using the scalpel. I've applied the iOpener heat mat several times, to the point the watch is too hot to handle. I just can't get enough purchase. I've tried lightly, with force, and all along the edges. Advice would be appreciated.

⟐ Answered March 29, 2025 at 16:13 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Did a screen replacement and now I have no WiFi and very bad Bluetooth

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:24:17 -0700

So as the title says, I performed a screen replacement on my watch (S4 44mm) and it works but now my WiFi never shows any networks and the Bluetooth connection is extremely poor (watch will disconnect if I have phone in my pocket and watch on wrist on table, it’s that bad).

i was looking around inside and comparing with the tear down to see what I could have damaged or forgotten to put back, and the only thing I noticed that was missing was this:

Then I remembered that when removing the display, that little gold thing popped off and flew across the room so who knows where it is now. Anything I could use to replace it? Since I’m pretty sure that connects with a little metal tab on the screen to provide wireless functions

⟐ Commented November 06, 2024 at 16:24 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Use apple watch series 2 charger on apple watch series 4

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 11:06:29 -0700

I've an apple watch series 4 that I'm actually using. I also have an apple watch nike series 2 that I will need to repair, I've noticed that the charger are similar but not sure if there is any difference. If I use the charger of the apple watch series 2 to charge the seres 4 can be a problem?Can this damnage the device or the battery?

⟐ Commented October 27, 2024 at 11:06 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Which Adhesive Strip is used for the Series 4 Watch?

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:18:24 -0700

There's two gaps in the watch that need to be sealed: between force touch sensor and LCD, and between force tough sensor and chassis.

Apple Watch Series 4 Battery Replacement

Step 6 of the repair guide stated that, the force tough sensor should be separated from the display, and it took me 10 minutes to clean up the adhesive.

Then I noticed that in the repair guide, only ONE installation of adhesive strip is mentioned. I used two adhesive strips provided in the IFIXIT repair kit, heated up the display, and provided high and even pressure between the LCD and the chassis. Didn't work. 2 days later, the LCD fell off, and both adhesive strips didn't stick at all

It is possible that the watch still functions. I need to know what adhesive I should use, and how I can make them stick correctly. NOTE: Please specify which adhesive to use between each gap

⟐ Commented August 30, 2024 at 4:18 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: What is this flex cable called and is it replaceable?

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:30:58 -0700

When trying to pry up the screen to do a battery replacement, it was so hard to get it to start moving I had to keep heating it more and more and press harder and harder and then suddenly the blade slipped into the watch and cut through this cable which is directly beside the Taptic Engine, at the top edge of the watch body.

I can't find this cable in any of the listings of flex cables for the Series 4. So I'm fearful that it might mean it's a permanent irreplaceable part of the motherboard.

BTW the watch still seems to function, but I can't get it to pair, so maybe it's lost bluetooth or wifi or both...

⟐ Commented May 16, 2024 at 14:30 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Replacement screen apple 4 series 40mm

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:55:21 -0700

I noticed ifixit has 2 replacement screens available.does it matter which one buy for a replacement.need help

⟐ Answered April 12, 2024 at 6:55 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Trouble Pairing & No Wi-Fi, Very Poor Bluetooth Range

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 19:55:11 -0700

Got given a Apple watch series 4 with a broken screen so I purchased an iCloud locked series 4 for the donor screen.

I replaced the screen without issue but upon trying to pair the watch to my iPhone my iPhone cannot find the watch automatically.

I can manually pair the watch and enter the passcode displayed on the watch and have paired the watch to my phone successfully.

Upon testing the watch it finds no Wi-Fi networks at all so there is also an issue with Wi-Fi.

Whilst Bluetooth works it is only short range, if I move the watch more than 30 cm away from the phone it loses Bluetooth connection.

I know swapping the screen means NFC will not work which does not bother me but does Apple use NFC to find the watch during pairing?

Been looking over every connector and flex for damage but cant find any with my microscope. No clue where the Wi-Fi antenna is located.

Seeing as I have another watch I tried swapping the back glass, tapic engine and but it made no difference.

Anyone got any pointers on where I should be looking for a Wi-Fi issue?

⟐ Edited by author January 26, 2024 at 19:55 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Power button is stuck

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:24:48 -0700

I have an apple watch series 4 that has the power button stuck pressed in. I had a protector cover on it that I never removed and it may have built up dirt and grime over time. I tried cleaning it around the edge of the button with a toothbrush and some water to no avail. When I connect the watch to the charger the apple icon comes on for a few seconds but then turns off due to the power button being stuck.

⟐ Commented December 06, 2023 at 12:24 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Apple watch boot looping after failed update

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:27:06 -0700

I recently got an apple watch series 4 44mm second hand. Not sure how long they had it but it looks brand new and has no signs of wear. The first time I tried to set it up it told me I needed to update the watch in order to continue so I tried that and the estimated time started at 24 hours and only increased. After letting it go for a few hours it failed and I had to start from the beginning. Second time I hard reset the watch as well as my phone and tried a different wifi to see if any of that would change anything. At first it seems to be working with the ETA only being 20 hours but only actually taking about 2 hours to complete downloading. After the download finished, it started installing on the watch only for it to fail again and this time popping up with the big red exclamation mark. I figured I'd try it again with another phone but when I went to restart the watch it loaded up to the apple logo for a few seconds then goes blank and then the apple logo for a few seconds. It's been doing this on repeat and I've tried hard resetting it but that doesn't do anything now. Anybody have any suggestions? I've already tried 3 different batteries and a screen all with the same result

⟐ Commented November 17, 2023 at 5:27 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Screen is black, but touch is working.

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 09:41:16 -0700

During a screen replacement, I tested the replacement screen to verify it was working then I removed it to clean up the force touch gasket. When I put the screen back on and closed up the watch I find find that the display is black but the watch does turn on and the touch is working. Has anyone encountered this issue? I was thinking maybe the screen's flex cable was damaged somehow. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Apple Watch Series 4: doesnt force restart or turn on … apple logo appears and turns off

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 04:40:01 -0700

doesnot start and doesnot force restart

Apple Watch Series 4: Putting an LTE screen on a non LTE body (Apple Watch 4 Nike)

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 02:44:38 -0700

Hi Everyone,

I need some help.

I have an Apple Watch Series 4 Nike 44mm. I got it as a present (it was used), worked perfectly until my son managed to drop it and cracked the screen.

I found an LTE screen on ebay, and I am wondering if it will work on a GPS only model. I don't care about apple pay and stuff like that, I use the basic functions of the watch (Strava, step counter, looking at notifications when cycling etc.) hence I don't want to spend 100 euros on a new screen, happy to spend about 50-60 for a used one. Yes I can do the swap myself.

Thank you for the answers!

⟐ Commented August 02, 2023 at 2:44 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: Why won't my apple watch turn on

Sat, 15 Jul 2023 06:28:00 -0700

My apple watch series 4 won't turn on any more.

It will show the apple logo , but that's it

I opened up my apple watch when replacing the battery. But during the proces I broke a piece of what looked like tape.

Could that be the reason the apple watch won't turn on any more.

Any suggestions if it's fixable and yes , how can I fix this?

Apple Watch Series 4: Re-attaching rear glass assembly to main housing.

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 07:52:37 -0700

When re-attaching back glass assembly to the main housing unit, do I need to use any type of glue or adhesive? If so, please provide name of glue or adhesive to use. In case it matters this is an Apple Watch 4 40mm. Thanks!

⟐ Answered June 17, 2023 at 7:52 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: How difficult and expensive to repair the cracked glass screen

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:35:42 -0700

I have newly purchased an aluminum AW4, but when I took it off from my wrist it accidentally fell on the hard ground surface facing down, so the glass cover cracked (I didn’t expect it to be so fragile). Apple Store asks me $349 to replace it with a new one, which I think is to expensive (65% of the retail price!). Therefore, I’m begging help on the ifixit.com, hoping to get a guide and quote or just a general idea on how difficult and expensive it is to repair by myself. I am an engineer, and have experience replacing the home button of iPhone 4, so I’m pretty confident about handling small things. But I don’t have any experience in handling the water resistive seal or to use heater to melt the adhesive. It’s not hurry because I can wear it as is since the capacitive touching and Force Touch functionality are both working right now. And also maybe it will take a while until the 44mm replacement screen be available. Any suggestion would help, thanks!

⟐ Answered June 16, 2023 at 15:35 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: What is this part for?

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:34:49 -0700

I’m 13 years old and trying to take responsibility for breaking my Apple watch by fixing it myself.

I have the screen replacement, but this part came out of my watch. I think it is the force touch sensor, but I wanted to double check.

EDIT: My screen replacement is below. It is off-brand.

If possible could I get some help?

⟐ Answer edited June 02, 2023 at 4:34 MST

Apple Watch Series 4: What have I done wrong?

Sat, 20 May 2023 11:31:40 -0700

I was trying to repair the screen of my apple watch s4 and then I broke that black foily partly transparent thing and put the new screen on

Apple Watch Series 4: Are these all the parts for the apple watch series 4

Sun, 14 May 2023 09:07:35 -0700

Are these all the parts for apple watch becauuse i want to build one

⟐ Answer accepted May 14, 2023 at 9:07 MST