iPod Shuffle 4th Generation Control Button Cover Replacement

Written By: Andrew Bookholt

Comments: 9

iPod Shuffle 4th Generation Control Button Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Replace a damaged rubber control button cover.

Tools

Step 1

Accessing the internals of the 4th generation Shuffle is extremely difficult, as the rear panel is both glued to the front case and secured by metal retaining clips. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to remove the rear panel without inflicting cosmetic and/or structural damage.
Before proceeding, be sure your Shuffle is switched off.

Step 2

Use a combination of iPod opening tools and metal spudgers to pry the rear panel away from the Shuffle by the seam nearest the ON/OFF switch.

I managed to open mine using no tools at all so without damage. Maybe the glue also weakened over time so might need to use some heat. I didn’t but then again it’s a second hand, old device in my case.

I used the clip on the back as a leverage to (ever so slightly) bend the back piece in the center. Having that bend is enough for the very small clips on the power switch side to detach. Once that side is removed you can slide the complete back out towards the direction of the power switch. I checked on a flat surface and the piece isn’t damaged, still straight. Just don’t keep it bend too long and don’t over bend it. It really shouldn’t take much since those notches are really small.

To close it again just slide the back side in again and then snap the power switch side back in place by lightly pressing it on top. Since the clips aren’t damaged this way it will close up nicely. If the notches got damaged you’ll have to use glue instead (hot glue will do and is easily removable again).

Ha ns - 20/03/20

what do you mean by bend the back piece in the center?! How do you do that exactly? Did you stick something in between the back piece and the clip and press in?

Jackson Chan - 06/05/21

I completely agree with Ha ns' comment. I really cannot understand how the author managed to open this device as described. There must be something like a 0.1mm gap between the housing and the cover, impossible to enter a spudger or pry tool. Use a lever on the hinged side of the clip to lift the cover, insert a 0.2mm plastic film or a thin plectrum or spudger on the bent center of the cover. Avoid to push the spudger down, as there are electronic components underneath, only lift the cover, without overbending. Move over to the side of the on/off switch, and release the 3 clips. On the other end an 8mm long nose will avoid lifting off the cover. You will have to slide it out horizontally. Clearly: you have to be very very careful and gifted...

cloclolulu -

Step 3

Remove the rear panel from the Shuffle.

Step 4

If present, remove the thin black moisture seal covering the Shuffle's internals.
Remove the single 2.1 mm Phillips screw securing the logic board to the front case.

Step 5

Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to flip up the retaining flap on the control button cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently pull the control button ribbon cable out of its socket.

The cable was in so firmly that it tore off the socket coming out, any hope of attaching for someone with soldering skills?

Jon -

I could not get the ribbon cable out with a pair of tweezers. Instead I inserted a needle below the cable, and gently pulled it out by pressing with the finger on the cable (and against the needle). Very difficult!

cloclolulu -

Step 6

Use an iPod opening tool to gently pry the battery off the adhesive securing it to the front case.
Lift the battery out of the front case, being sure not to strain its delicate leads.

Why not simplifying this delicate step by just cutting the wires and soldering the (also cutted) new battery’s wires onto them (without creating a short circuit of course!)

Frans Noordman - 18/01/18

I was going to refer to my comment on step 10, where I am essentially saying this same thing and how to do it.

If you don’t like the prospect of soldering to the logic board if you are new to it this is an easier way to get this job done without the risk of bricking the logic board, and you also wont have to disassemble the iPod any more than the guide has shown up to this point.

Lars Alfred Henrik Stahlin -

Step 7

Insert the tip of a metal probe into the hole molded into the logic board retainer nearest the logic board.
Pry the retainer first away from the front of the front case, then pull it away from the side of the front case.
Remove the logic board retainer from the Shuffle.

Step 8

Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to push the headphone jack down toward the center of the Shuffle.

Step 9

Continue pushing the logic board down away from the top edge of the Shuffle.
Pull the logic board out of the front case by the side nearest the ON/OFF button and gently maneuver the headphone jack out of its recess in the front case.
Remove the logic board assembly from the Shuffle.

Step 10

Remove the following four screws:
Two 1.2 mm Phillips screws with large heads.
Two 1.6 mm Phillips screws with small heads.

Step 11

Use an iPod opening tool to pull the control button plate out of the front case.
Remove the control buttons from the Shuffle.

Step 12

Push the rubber control button cover out of the front case.
When reinstalling the control button cover, be sure it is properly aligned and that its top and bottom edges are seated in the grooves cut into the front case.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Andrew Bookholt

590566 Reputation

2 comments

Great job my friend

Diego da Silva Ferreira - 28/11/17

Hola, quisiera saber donde poder localizar las piezas de repuesto de la botonera play/pause tanto la pieza electrónica como la botonera. Gracias

Verónica - 09/05/18