iPad Air 5th Gen (2022) – Full Teardown & Repair Guide

---

OVERVIEW:

In this TechDep Teardown, we dive deep into the complex and challenging teardown of the 5th Generation iPad Air featuring the M1 chip. This model proved to be a tough repair due to heavy use of adhesive, complex internal cable routing, and an unusually high number of coaxial cables. Throughout the process, precision, patience, and the right tools were essential. Our guide breaks the steps down clearly, so whether you’re a technician or just brave enough to try this yourself, you’ll have a comprehensive walk-through. If you’re aiming to fix or inspect this device, this teardown is the place to start.

---

REPAIR TIME & SKILL LEVEL:

This repair is estimated to take about 3–4 HOURS to complete and is of ADVANCED difficulty, requiring delicate handling of coaxial cables, careful adhesive removal, and disconnection of tightly packed internal components.

---

STEPS:

Tools You Need

For this repair, you will need a heating mat set between 70 to 90 degrees Celsius, a Phillips screwdriver, a plastic card for safe glass removal, 99% isopropyl alcohol to loosen adhesive, a plastic spudger, and a heat gun for extra adhesive softening where the heating mat alone isn’t sufficient.

---

Begin with Screen Separation

• Apply the heating mat to soften adhesive, followed by a heat gun in areas where the mat alone isn’t sufficient.
• Use 99% isopropyl alcohol in combination with the heat to gently loosen the adhesive.
• Carefully insert a plastic card around the perimeter of the screen to lift it without damaging the LCD glued to the digitizer.

---

Opening the iPad

• After loosening the adhesive, open the iPad like a book (hinged on one side) to prevent stressing internal cables.
• Confirm that the LCD is functioning and that the battery is at 1% to ensure safe disassembly.
• Be patient — removing the screen can take over 20 minutes due to glue between LCD and digitizer.

---

Inspect Internal Layout

• Note this is a cellular model, which includes additional coaxial cables not found in the Wi-Fi-only version.
• Observe numerous magnets and hidden cable connections adhered to the frame.
• Use caution — the interior layout is dense and very different from non-cellular iPads.

---

Disconnect Display Cables

• Disconnect three key cables: two for the LCD and one daughterboard connection.
• Watch for a difficult bracket in the top-right corner that may be firmly attached to the motherboard.
• Remove this bracket carefully — excessive force can damage it or the board.

---

Battery Safety

• Insert a plastic playing card (used here as a battery blocker) between the battery and motherboard.
• This isolates power to avoid accidental shorts during the teardown.
• Note that some use dedicated battery blockers, but a waterproof card works just as well.

---

Camera & Sensor Inspection

• This model lacks Face ID; it only has Touch ID on the power button.
• Be cautious near the pad beneath the power button — a fragile connection lies beneath it.
• Disconnect the rear camera, which resembles the 12MP sensor in iPad Pro but lacks LiDAR.

---

Handle Coaxial Cables

• Identify coaxial cables linked both to the board and screwed to the frame.
• Detach them cautiously to prevent unintentional tearing or damage.
• Apple may have added these for improved antenna function with Touch ID — still, they’re a challenge during teardown.

---

Remove NFC and Charging Port Connections

• Carefully remove the NFC connection — two tiny connectors near the charging port are particularly fragile.
• Use a plastic tool to pry near the port while watching for hidden connections underneath.
• The USB-C charging port is soldered directly to the motherboard, requiring extra care.

---

Rear Camera Disassembly

• Apply alcohol near the rear camera and metal bracket; these parts are often firmly stuck.
• Loosen screws and remove bracket that may appear hinged or fixed unusually tightly.
• Extract rear camera once bracket and screws are released.

---

Front-facing Camera & Ultra-wide Sensor

• Identify the front-facing ultra-wide camera, which supports Apple’s “Center Stage” feature.
• No Face ID here — just basic imaging functionality.
• Disconnect it from the frame with gentle pressure.

---

Bottom Loudspeaker & Magnet

• Extract the bottom speaker, which has strong adhesive and a magnet below it.
• Apply heat as needed — removing the magnet feels like doing two removals in one step.
• Ensure speaker is detached without pulling any magnets off the frame unintentionally.

---

Top Loudspeaker Removal

• Repeat the process used for the bottom speaker.
• Note that both speakers form stereo sound (only two, unlike the four in iPad Pro).
• Expect similar magnet resistance — it might feel like something is breaking, but it’s just stubborn glue.

---

Charging Port Disassembly

• Remove screws and connections to release the charging port.
• Use a plastic card to lift the motherboard, taking care not to damage hidden connections beneath.
• Note that the USB-C port is soldered and not modular — another challenge compared to iPhones.

---

Lift Out the Motherboard

• Apply heat to loosen glue beneath the motherboard — more aggressive than even the LCD adhesive.
• Disconnect the remaining soldered connections for the rear camera and NFC.
• The metal bracket may remain stuck — avoid forcing it off if it resists too much.

---

Final Notes on Battery and Coaxial Cables

• The battery remained in place during this teardown due to extreme adhesive.
• Pull tabs were visible, which sometimes work for battery removal, but not guaranteed.
• Dozens of coaxial cables remained, some still screwed into the frame, underscoring the complexity of the design.

---

CONCLUSION:

The 5th Gen iPad Air with M1 is a difficult device to tear down due to adhesive, coaxial cables, and soldered components. Apple’s design prioritizes compact integration, which poses a challenge to independent repairs. Hidden connections and strong magnets further complicate disassembly. Use extreme care if attempting repairs yourself. This guide offers a step-by-step breakdown to help you avoid common pitfalls. With the right tools, attention, and patience, this repair is possible — but not for the faint of heart.

---

VIDEO TUTORIAL:

Looking for a more in-depth tutorial? Check out our complete teardown video for a detailed step-by-step walkthrough.

---

MAIL-IN REPAIR SERVICE:

We offer professional screen replacement services. If you’re unsure about doing this repair yourself, send your device to our expert technicians for fast and reliable repair.

https://tekdep.com/device-repair/

---

SHOP PARTS:

---

SHOP TOOLS:

Using precision tools ensures a safe and efficient repair. Always use the right tools to prevent damage to delicate components. Cheap or incorrect tools can cause costly damage. Invest in quality tools for consistent repair success.

---

HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below. Our community and team will be happy to help!

• Phone: 818-456-4479
• Email: [email protected]

---

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS: