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I dropped my iPhone in a parking lot and the front panel cracked a lot at the bottom of the screen near the home page button. I bought the iPhone 3GS Front Panel replacement, but can’t get the front panel to come off with the small suction cup because of the cracked screen. How can I get the front panel to come off without breaking my iPhone?

perhaps the case is bent and jamming the old panel in… From the procedure on this site it “should” just come off once the screws are out. refer to Installing iPhone Front Panel procedure Specifically step 2 and I quote There is a rubber gasket between the silver front bezel and black display assembly. A bit of force is required in this step to separate the iPhone’s display assembly.

Sounds like you were prying between the silver bezel and the black plastic case. This is not the correct place – I made the same mistake and it drove me crazy. Pry between the glass and the silver bezel!

You have not mentioned taking the screw out.. Screw Location

Sorry, forgot to mention that, but I did take the screws out. It wouldn’t come out.

Hi, the screen sits sometimes a little bit firm. I used a suction cup from a dishwashing brush. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/produc… The advantage is, the suction cup has a handle to pull at.

I have tried actually using a ‘pocket knife’ to pocket through the holes where the screws are (NOT through the speaker or mic!!!) but instead nearly pried the whole bezel off the case, I have a 3G and the screen on mine is apparently ‘sealed’ like yours, I’m not sure what to do really.

Yes, it is a common mistake to pry the silver bezel from the back. You must be sure to pry the glass from the bezel. If you look carefully, you will see there is a thin rubber gasket between the glass and the bezel. The knife idea will work. The rubber gasket will get damaged, but since you are replacing the screen and a new screen comes with a gasket, that should be fine. Try not to scratch the silver bezel, though.

If the suction cup pulls off because of the cracks you can put a piece of 2inch packing tape over glass and the tape will hold the suction. Wiggle the glass side to side while pulling up on the glass. If the glass still will not come off use a flat tip screwdriver to pry up on the bottom. If the screws will not come out easily squeeze the phone at the bottom to take pressure off the screws so they I’m out easier.