iMac Intel 21.5" (Late 2012-Late 2015 non-4K) Display Assembly

Mon problème

Battery was 2 years old and was replacing my iphone 6 battery so I figured I would do my wife's as well.

Ma solution

This did not go as smooth as the Iphone 6. The SE is more difficult mainly due to the location of the home button connector and how it is connected (metal shroud).

Also the iFixit Battery was a very tight fit and there was really no room left and right of the battery had to slowly pry it down and in.

Mon conseil

Take it slow

Mon problème

My iPhone 6 was slowing down and I read the news of the problem with batteries and Apple's slowing down older phones with original batteries. I installed the new battery and the phone seems to be speedier and it shows 99% capacity.

Ma solution

I ran into difficulty with the last step of connecting the new battery terminals to the phone connection terminals due to the battery wire exiting the new battery not lining up exactly with the location of the phone terminals.It looked to be a problem of the length of the wire exiting the battery and not the alignment of the new battery within the space for the battery to sit. I worked with it for quite a while and closed up the phone but it did not turn on. I took the cover back off, worked with the terminal connections some more (even though still not in ideal alignment) and closed up the phone again. After that, it worked appropriately. I followed the instructions of discharging the battery to 10% and then charging to 100% before using the phone. I think the visual aids could better show and illustrate the wiring that exits the battery and that connects to the phone terminals, as I had already affixed the battery stickers to the battery and to the phone. The battery appeared to be aligned perfectly within the area to lay it in, but the connectors were not, apparently, perfectly aligned. The screw-in-place cover over the terminals appears to be holding the connection securely in place. Also, I had to use a hair dryer to free up the iPhone battery, as the pull strips kept snapping, even with very slow pulling as directed.

Mon conseil

I have significant experience and comfort in working on Apple laptops, desktops, PCs over the years, including replacing hard drives and memory, and, thus, was willing to take on this iPhone repair. I would advise all to go slowly and carefully. I think the job earns every bit of being deemed "Moderate" in difficulty.

Mon problème

My Iphone6s battery was not holding it's charge

Ma solution

I took my time removing the screen, don't get to aggressive. Hardware removal went fast, I'm glad I had my 2.0 magnifiers to see. Battery adhesive strips were a pain in the butt. But I took my time. Had to break out the blow dryer to heat up the case and battery and then slowly pried that sucker out.

Mon conseil

Take your time, have a sip of bourbon, just a sip to calm the nerves

Mon problème

Had my iphone6 for over 2 years, the latest iOS was giving me that dreaded "Your battery may need replaced" warning. Wouldn't keep a good charge, and sometimes would bounce between battery levels. Looked at new phone and then found this site. After seeing the instructions, tools and testimony i decided to go with this option.

Ma solution

With my phone the repair went very well. Used my MS Surface to follow along with the instruction steps as i went. The actual battery removal took some time as the sticky stuff gave me issues. After i got it out, going in reverse order was just as easy and going backwards with the directions.

Mon conseil

Buy the plastic card. I had my little headlamp on (strap around head, 2 red LEDs and 5 white LEDS) which really helped to see. Take extra care around the battery tape removal. Mine almost came all out but still snapped, and ended up using the card. If you take your time and follow the directions stated, you'll be good.

Mon problème

My iMac was running super slow. Every test I ran on my hardware reported no issues. However I concluded the issue must be my HDD. So, I decided to slap in an SSD.

Ma solution

I have heard/read horror stories about the sealed up Macs of recent years and how they are terrible to work with. I was rather nervous to start, but I knew I wanted to purge my Mac of its dreaded HDD problem. I went ahead and purchased all the tools and parts as listed in the iMac 21.5 HDD replacement guide.

Right after opening my box from iFixit, which came super fast btw, I dove right in to fixing. I followed the guide step by step and was amazed at how easy the tools and guide made the whole process. I pulled of the screen, swapped my HDD for an SSD, replaced the screen with new sticky tape, performed a internet recovery, and BAM my iMac is as good as new. Actually its better than new.

All of the "Macs can't be worked on any more" stories I have heard sound a bit silly to me now.

Mon conseil

Don't listen to the naysayers. If you need to fix something do your own research and try it for yourself. This can save you time and money. That sweet sweet sense of accomplishment once you are done is like nothing else.

Mon problème

Battery discharging within 24 hours and not connecting to charger cable

Ma solution

A successful repair and I was pleased with the instructions and parts supplied.

Two major challenges:

1. Getting the case open was very difficult. It took all my strength over many attempts over 2 hours to get even a sliver of a crack to appear and then I needed another person to help to get a pick into the tiny opening to break the adhesive because I was fully committed with holding the case apart. Once I had the opening it was easy.

2. Getting the adhesive from behind the battery was also very difficult. The strip kept breaking and a low angle was not possible because of the position of the taptic engine at the front of the battery, As with my iPhone 5s repair, I just has to be forceful and slide a card aggressively from the side until the adhesive was pushed aside. On re-assembly, I made a mistake and put the new adhesive strips the wrong way up. Shouldn't make much difference, but it was the only mistake I made.

The instructions for the replacement of the connector required me to take out every component. Kind of cool, but scary and I wasn't convinced it was necessary.

Mon conseil

The iPhone 6s needs the iFixit opening tool. I think it is essential - assuming it works. I will get this for my next repair. Noticed it was considerably cheaper on other web sites though.