iOpener Repair

The iOpener is an insulated, heat-retaining bag that can be heated in a microwave and used to transfer heat to the adhesive along the edge of an iPad or similar device. Get it here!

As a whole, the iPad lineup has never been easy to repair. Since the second generation, all iPads have been sealed shut with copious amounts of glue, deterring many would-be repairs. Previously, the only way to open an iPad was to blast the perimeter of the tablet with a heat gun to melt the adhesive. While this method will indeed open an iPad, it is very difficult. Add that to the possible side effects of warping the LCD, melting exposed plastic components—such as the home button—and burning your fingers, and you have a recipe for a headache.

At iFixit, our goal is to make repair as easy as possible. We saw that the necessity for a heat gun was deterring many DIY enthusiasts from repairing iPads, so we searched long and hard for a better solution. We needed something that would make the repair not only easier, but faster, safer, and more convenient as well. We found the solution to our iPad opening problem in the iOpener.

The iOpener was designed to apply the same heat as a wily heat gun, but in a much easier, safer, and more sustainable way. By using a material with a high heat capacity, the iOpener can easily transfer heat from one place to another. The iOpener is heated in a microwave, and then laid across the surface of the iPad, applying heat only where it is necessary. In this way, the iOpener has a huge advantage over the heat gun method.

Weight: 10 ounces

Length: 13 inches

Height: 3 inches

Depth: 3 inches