iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi antenna repair guide

The Wi-Fi signal is very weak.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your iPad mini 2’s defective Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna. This repair can help if you’re having problems with your Wi-Fi/Bluetooth signal or if it’s not working.

Required tools

Hard Plastic Picks

Hard Plastic Picks

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
€3.00 at the iDoc store
Heat gun

Heat gun

You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.
from €14.47 on Amazon
For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
€8.00 at the iDoc store
Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
€5.00 at the iDoc store
Steel Laboratory Spatula

Steel Laboratory Spatula

You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.
€6.00 at the iDoc store
Suction cup

Suction cup

A suction cup is perfect for lifting smooth surfaces such as displays or rear glass panels.
€3.00 at the iDoc store
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
€11.00 at the iDoc store

Show all replacement parts for the iPad mini 2

Passendes Werkzeug

Mit unserem Werkzeug gelingt dir die Reparatur.

Samsung Toolkit, 17 pieces

for €59.00

Steps

16 Steps

Inserting the picks

Step 1

Lifting the touchscreen

Step 2

Removing the LCD screws

Step 3

Lifting the LCD

Step 4

Removing the rear panel

Step 5

Disconnecting the battery connector

Step 6

Disconnecting the display cables

Step 7

Removing the right Wi-Fi antenna

Step 8

Removing the left Wi-Fi antenna

Step 9

Installing the left Wi-Fi antenna

Step 10

Installing the right Wi-Fi antenna

Step 11

Connecting the cables

Step 12

Connecting the battery

Step 13

Attaching the rear panel

Step 14

Attaching the LCD

Step 15

Attaching the touchscreen

Step 16

Getting started with the repair of your iPad mini 2

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

16 steps

Inserting the picks
The iPad mini 2’s touchscreen is glued firmly in place. To detach it, you have to constantly heat it with a heat gun so the glue will soften (see figures 1 and 2). Make sure you only heat the edge of the display. Then you have to insert a plastic pick into the gap between the frame and the display to detach the adhesive.

Turn off the iPad.

Start with the left and right sides, where there’s only a small adhesive strip. Insert a laboratory spatula about 4 millimeters between the aluminum frame and the display frame (see figure 3). Be very careful to avoid damaging the LCD under them or the touchscreen with the spatula. Alternatively, you can lift the glass with a suction cup. At the same time, insert a pick between the aluminum frame and the display frame.

Once you’ve inserted the first pick, you can lift the screen slightly. Continue heating the edge of the display during this process.
Now use more picks to work your way around the display one time (see figures 4 and 5).
Don’t work on the side where the Home button is until the next step. The important flexible flat cables under it could get damaged.
Lifting the touchscreen
As soon as you’ve finished with the upper part of the glass, you can slowly lift the screen at the part where the FaceTime camera is. At the same time, heat the bottom of the iPad mini 2 where the Home button is (see figure 1). You should be able to feel the glue slowly coming undone while you continue to carefully lift and heat the screen.

Once the glue is fully dissolved, you can lift the screen all the way, fold it over and set it down (see figure 2). Make sure you don’t stretch the LCD and touchscreen cables too much.Avoid getting fingerprints on the LCD. If necessary, you can wear latex gloves.
Removing the LCD screws
First remove the adhesive strips at the four corners of your iPad. There are screws below them (see figure 1).
There are also magnets to hold the Smart Cover in place.

Now remove the three stickers from the LCD (see figures 2 to 4).

Then unscrew the four Phillips screws.
3 x 3.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 4.5 mm Phillips screw
Lifting the LCD
The LCD is lightly glued to the rear panel all along the sides. Carefully insert the laboratory spatula at the edges between the silver rear panel and the LCD to slowly detach the glue (see figures 1 and 2).

Make sure you don’t bend the LCD too much.
Removing the rear panel
There are seven identical Phillips screws holding the silver rear panel in place. Remove them.
7 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws

Now lift the rear panel and remove it.
Disconnecting the battery connector
Now remove the three Phillips screws from the silver cable cover (see figure 1).
2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw
Then lift the cover to remove it (see figure 2).
Now carefully lift off the battery connector by inserting the flat end of the ESD spudger slightly below the connector (see figure 3). If you don’t have a spudger, you can also try using your fingernail.
You can also go ahead and remove the battery at this point by skipping ahead to step 13, but we don’t recommend it because you could damage other parts during removal.
Disconnecting the display cables
Disconnect the LCD connector (see figure 1). Be very careful. Insert the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up. Now you can remove the LCD.

Disconnect the touchscreen connector (see figure 2). Once again, be very careful.
The cable is still lightly glued in place. Use the spudger to detach the glue (see figure 3).
Removing the right Wi-Fi antenna
Carefully peel off all the marked stickers (see figure 1).

Now remove the four Phillips screws (see figure 2).
3 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

The antenna is stuck to the speaker under it. Carefully remove it using the laboratory spatula (see figure 3).

Now slowly pull out the antenna cable and carefully lift off the antenna connector using the spatula (see figure 4).

Removing the left Wi-Fi antenna
Remove the angled sticker (see figures 1 and 2).
The antenna cable is under it.

Now remove the three Phillips screws (see figure 3).
2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

The antenna is stuck to the speaker under it. Carefully remove it using the laboratory spatula (see figure 4).

Now slowly pull out the antenna cable (see figure 5) and carefully lift off the antenna connector using the spatula (see figure 6).
Installing the left Wi-Fi antenna
Connect the Wi-Fi antenna with the long cable again and install it just like before. Make sure you compare it with figure 1.

Attach the antenna to the speaker again and screw it in place (see figure 2).
2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

Now put the sticker back on (see figure 3).
Installing the right Wi-Fi antenna
Connect the Wi-Fi antenna with the long cable again and install it just like before. Make sure you compare it with figure 1.

Attach the antenna to the speaker again and screw it in place (see figure 2).
2 x 1.5 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.6 mm Phillips screw

Now put the sticker back on (see figure 3).
Connecting the cables
Connect the new touchscreen’s cable and gently press it on at the point where it was glued on.

Now you can install the LCD cable again (see figure 2).
Connecting the battery
Now connect the battery connector again.
Put the silver cover back on and screw it in place (see figure 2).

2 x 1.3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 2.8 mm Phillips screw
Attaching the rear panel
Put the rear panel back in and screw it in place.
7 x 1.7 mm Phillips screws
Attaching the LCD
Now put the LCD back in the frame.Make sure you don’t leave any fingerprints on the display. If necessary, we recommend using latex gloves.

Now fasten the four Phillips screws and make sure the magnets are positioned correctly.
3 x 3 mm Phillips screws
1 x 4.5 mm Phillips screw

Attach the adhesive strips to the LCD again (see figure 2).
Attaching the touchscreen
Now you can attach the screen again. First peel the protective film off the inside of the screen and see if there are any fingerprints.

Make sure there are no fingerprints or dust on the LCD. Remove any fingerprints with a microfiber cleaning cloth. You can use an air compressor or compressed air spray to blow away the dust.
Now remove the protective strips from the adhesive strip.

Then put on the touchscreen quickly but precisely so no new dust can settle on the LCD.

Press on the screen at the edges and then weight it down for a long time, for example with a few books, so it’s pressed firmly onto the enclosure.