iFixit - Answers With Device "iPad Mini 4"

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: Ipad Mini 4 A1538 Screen Digitiser

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:28:36 -0700

Hi and thanks for any help.

I have several questions.

# I replaced the battery in my ipad mini ok, but I messed up the screen/digitiser. How can I find out what it is that I am doing wrong? I was very careful removing the screen, and had an extra pair of hands while I undid the incredibly tiny screws. When it was put back together the colours are washed out, a band of different colour, and it flickers like crazy on another part of the screen. Also there are black ink blobs under the glass in the corners which you can move about but can't make them go away. I'm sure the screen/digitiser is dead (please prove me wrong ??) but I would really like to know what I did that broke it.

I saw on here a replacement screen which I am willing to buy, but I can't find the ad now ??? I remember though that it comes without the home button (because of fingerprint recognition) but I would really like a screen complete with the button. I have never been able to successfully solder anything. Is it possible to get the screen with the home button already in it?
I also saw that the screen was clear glass, whereas my screen is attached to the black digitiser and is all one item. Am I looking at the wrong thing or is the ad showing the screen as clear just for clarity?
I also saw a video which showed you how to solder in a home button and how to strip down the ipad mini. Can anyone find where these videos are?
That's all folks :)

Lee

⟐ Commented September 16, 2025 at 0:28 MST

iPad mini 4 LTE: black screen but backlight still on

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 21:31:02 -0700

this is the ipad mini 4 listing:

as you can see the screen is on but is still black

help

iPad Mini 4: Can I replace the board on the lcd? #happyearthday

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 07:02:08 -0700

i have 2 ipad mini 4 screens

the original one is bleeding pixels

the other's lcd control board (or whatever you want to call it) is fried

can i replace the board on the second one with the first?

if yes, please send me a instruction list please

thanks

HAPPY EARTH DAY 🌎 🌳 🌱 🍃 🌲

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: Replaced the screen on iPad mini 4 it works until I close it up.

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 01:46:31 -0700

What do you think is wrong with my iPad mini 4, I replaced the screen and it all works up until the actually thing is literally together then the screen flickers black but it’s defiantly still on. I can hear it flicker etc anyone got any ideas?

iPad mini 4 LTE: it is only charging to 2%

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:23:45 -0700

I have used all types of different plugs and cables. I have another ipad mini 2 that charges fine. but i cant get my ipad mini 4 to charge past 2% then it only last about 20 sec once unplugged. i have tried multiple batteries too. my question is how do i diagnose if it is something like the tristar chip or if something else is wrong. i also have a spare mini 2 and was wondering if i could get any parts out of it. Thank you

iPad mini 4 LTE: Touchscreen and lock button issue after battery replacement

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:17:33 -0700

iPad mini 4 LTE Battery Replacement
After following this guide on replacing the battery in my iPad mini 4. The ipad has a few issues. There is a small portion of the screen about 5-6 cm from the top that no longer registers touch input. The lock button cannot be used to lock the iPad although it can still be used to shut it down. I heard the lock button issue can be due to the smart cover setting but the "iPad case Lock/unlock" setting is missing from the settings.
I have experience with replacing batteries and Screens in iPhones and have never damaged everything so I doubt that the display ribbon cable was damaged during the battery relacement although that could be the case

iPad mini 4 LTE: iPad mini 4 - lcd circuit missing parts

Sat, 27 May 2023 23:11:00 -0700

I need your help. Please help me find out what these 4 elements (from lcd circuit) are

I can't find schematic. Only what i found is board view where i can find only connections.

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: ipad mini 4 resistor values between battery connector and wifi ic

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:25:14 -0700

Hi all, I’m looking for two resistor values.

Thanks for your help!

iPad mini 4 LTE: Adheasive difficult to install

Sat, 18 Sep 2021 05:46:32 -0700

3 pcs of new adhesive in the kit. The small pc for the bottom was easy to install as described. The 2 for the sides were horrible. it was NOT possible to remove the “bottom” plastic keeping the top on to help install. There was no “colored” plastic on these parts except a small tab at the ends. It took me as long to install the adhesive as the whole rest of the project took.

⟐ Commented September 18, 2021 at 5:46 MST

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: Why is my touchscren unresponsive after battery replacement?

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 13:44:39 -0700

I replaced my battery following all of the instructions in the official ifixit guide and just before gluing the screen in place I decided to see if it was working so that I wouldn’t have to take it off again. The ipad boots up fine and the screen looks good but touching the glass doesn’t do anything at all. I tried rebooting and I tried disconnecting everything and reseating the connectors but it is completely dead to touch controls.

I really wanted to try repairing this thing instead of throwing it out since the battery was the only problem but now it feels like I did a lot more harm than good.

iPad mini 4 LTE: Sudden turn off when not connected to power and WiFi disconnect

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 04:43:51 -0700

The iPad turns off suddenly when disconnected from power even when has 100% indicated.

additionally the iPad sometimes shows the WiFi signal in grey, so that it’s impossible to press.

is it just an old battery issue or something else?

tia

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: Mini 4 not charging when turned on

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 13:37:53 -0700

I have an iPad mini 4 thats not charging when on. High current when powered off and pluged in to charger, above 2A and charges up to 2-4% and directly when its powerd on about 0.01A.

I have changed USB IC to new one, no difference. Any ideas?

iPad Mini 4: Turns off when display is put to place

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 09:18:45 -0700

I have just replaced the battery on my iPad Mini 4 LTE.

I tried to start it up with all cables connected before I put the display in place. It started up and login screen showed up.

When putting the display in place and pressing it down it shut down and will not start. Only apple logo flashing. Unable to do hard reset.

Opened it up again and I can start it up as long as the display is not put in place. Slowly putting it down everything works until I finaly drops it in place - iPad turns off and I need to open it again. Does not seem to be cable damage. I can wiggle them without iPad turning off.

Are there any “switches” or similar that may be responsible for this?

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: Apple logo shows for ~3 seconds, then screen goes black (LCD on)

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:13:15 -0700

Client states another individual replaced the battery, after which the screen stopped working (it seems they broke the digitizer during reassembly). I replaced the screen. When this iPad mini 4 is plugged in, the apple logo displays for about 3 seconds, and then the screen goes black (though the LCD stays on).

Cannot enter recovery mode. Device does not power on at all when not plugged in.

Any thoughts? I’m thinking the replacement battery the other person put in may be defective but don’t have another on hand to swap in.

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: iPad not connecting to wifi

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 17:35:21 -0700

iPad has stopped connecting to wifi. Try reseting the network setting. Nothing seems to work

iPad mini 4 LTE: Running iPad Mini 4 Without Battery

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 14:10:26 -0700

Hi,

I’m after some advise. I’m using an iPad Mini 4 Lte as project, I need to run it without a battery as it’s being used in car dash. I will hard wire a power supply.

I’ve done this with various tablets in the past by using the battery circuits board then running 5v power supply from an USB Charger.

Ive tried the same with this iPad Mini 4 LTE and no joy.

Without the battery, using just the old battery circuit board. You get no power, if you use lightning cable it just does the Apple Logo loop or the battery charging icon.

Any help without trying to fool the battery circuit board in thinking there is battery connected? like removing diodes, resistors. etc

I’ve attached pictures of the iPad logicboard, and the battery circuit board.

⟐ Edited by author August 25, 2020 at 14:10 MST

iPad Mini 4: Can't charge at boot

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 17:36:59 -0700

ipad mini4 can’t charge at boot,but ,it can charge at shutdown.

iPad Mini 4: What temperature of the case to soften adhesive?

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 14:26:51 -0700

I have an iOpener (I bought the complete kit to replace my battery) but I don’t own a microwave. What I do have is a heat gun and an IR thermometer. What temperature should I bring the edge of the case to?

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi: Gps on a iPad wi fi

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:06:02 -0700

On iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi , The Waze never connects to GPS and Google maps never connect to GPS . Is there any GPS location device inside that connects to a satellite ?is There a way to put a GPS piece in the iPad ? Whoever has the answer and please send me the email-weissm00@gmail.com thank you

iPad mini 4 LTE: How to remove the black antenna cover on the back housing of iPad Mini

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:53:43 -0700

I used a heat gun to soften adhesive while I was doing a screen replacement on an iPad mini 4 A1550 and wasn't careful with the heat gun settings. I stayed for too long and in turn melted the black part that covers the 4G antenna that you see at the back of the iPad housing. I'm sure there's more damage inside but have to open it up fully to have a look properly and order parts accordingly.

My question is does anyone know if that black outside part user replaceable with screws or clips or would I have to buy a whole new back housing? Do you think the previous generations mini black parts would fit as I can't seem to source individual black cover.