Replacing an iPhone4s back is super simple and a whole lot cheaper than getting a new phone. All you need are a few tools and a replacement back that can be purchased fairly inexpensively.
I have to admit I have dropped my iPhone a lot, so far only resulting in a few scratches. Last night my phone had enough of my abuse, and it's entire back shattered. There were tiny slivers of glass coming off every time I touched it, so I slapped on a piece of duct tape and started researching my options.
My contract was almost up so I could have gotten a new phone, but I thought that was a little silly since the phone was still working fine otherwise. I found a website that sold a new back and had instructions. Luckily for me, the back is super easy to replace and not too expensive.
I purchased a new back from, www.ifixit.com, and followed their instructions on how replace it. In this how to article, I walk you through my replacement procedure with a few additions that weren't mentioned on iFixit.
Supplies:
All of these parts can be purchased on the iFixit website. Here is a link to the iPhone4s parts: http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-4S
I bought the more expensive Apple part that made it so my phone looked new, but they also sell a cheaper transparent back that would make it so you saw all the guts of the phone, which I have to admit is pretty awesome and kind of wish I would have gotten instead.
Since purchasing these from iFixit I have also found that eBay sells iPhone backs as well so you may want to look on eBay first.
Steps:
