Replaced my home button, iphone 4S

[truckracer]

This was not fun at all. I was successful. It was hard job.

 

[KE4EST]

Very good to hear, I have fixed a lot of different phones and changed things. You are right it is not fun, but you feel good about yourself when you are done. Although I will say I have yet to crack the case on an iPhone.

 

[mike123abc]

Nice, but was it worth avoiding whatever the fee the genius bar would charge?

I suppose there are some helpful youtube videos.

 

[truckracer]

I live in an area where there are no apple stores or repair shops. So it was either repair myself or get a new one. I will still probably get a new 5, but the 4s is working great!

 

[Anole]

I put screens and home buttons on a couple of iPhone 4 handsets.
It's no fun, that's for sure.

Now in less than a year, this 4 is just beginning to need a home button cleaning.
I have some part coming from Hong Kong in a few weeks to fix the front light sensor.
That'll require removing the screen anyway, so I can do the button at the same time

From what I've observed, it's not the switch ( even though I put in new ones), and it's not really the button, either.
I think it's an accumulation of dust & skin oils between the button and glass screen.
(If ya think it's the switch, I'm willing to reconsider.)

I have read every crazy cleaning idea I could find on YouTube, and tried them.
None really worked, in spite of the claims.

I've considered various ways to delay the problem in a newly cleaned phone.
- silicon lube on rim of button
- graphite powder (used for locks) on button rim
- case that is sealed around home button

The first two aren't very workable.
The case will probably be bulky.
I have some Otterbox-like cases coming in the same shipment.


Fresh ideas are welcome.