I am wondering how people opened their iPhone cases. I know there is some guides out there, iFix seems to be the most commonly used. But I wanna know how people actually did it, what tools did you use and how well did they work?? since this step seems to be the hardest part of the process maybe we can compile a lists of tips and tricks

Great idea.

Tired of waiting for a SW unlock, I have been gearing up for a HW unlock over the weekend. All the software is prepared, and I have setup a makeshift workbench. I've got everything ready.

Most nervous about the case opening, I experimented a little bit tonight. I can say without a doubt that it is not possible to remove the case and have it look 100% as it did before. I know there are probably 1 in 10 people who get it to look perfect afterwards, but I must say it will be difficult.

The plastic antenna cover appears difficult at first but turns out to be pretty easy. I was able to get it off after about 5 or 10 minutes of probing and testing it at various points. I could get it off now in about a minute I think, now that I've really seen how it is attached. Ifixtit.com has some pics of it underneath, but they don't say as much as seeing it yourself.

After that, I removed the three screws from the metal housing. Here's when I realized really how fragile and malleable the housing of the iPhone really is. I mean, it's strong as a shell - but if you catch it on the side it's like butter.

When I was removing these three screws which sit *very close to the edge of the housing*, the head of my screw driver brushed ever so slightly with the case as I rotated the screwdriver. This made tiny little marks just above those screws...very small, but be careful! If you are using a laptop screwdriver or larger it could be a problem for you. Angle your screwdriver at about 70 degrees when you go in to remove those three screws! Well...it's actually only the outer two that are problematic.

Anyway, I got the screws out, but after that I dared not go further. I pried and pulled at the housing a bit to see how difficult it would be. The answer is difficult.

Keep in mind I have no real spudger (just the dull end of a swiss army knife), no iPod tools of any kind. This was probably not a good way to start.

I got the girl back together without much trouble. When you go to place the antenna cover be patient. It feels like you will never get it back on, then suddenly, click... Use some force but make sure the lip of the cover is just slightly under the housing as you work it back on. Otherwise it looks crappy.

I have no idea how one gets the housing off without prying it out of shape, or making small impressions along the side. I think having proper iPod tools is a must, but I would love to hear if other people have found it possible using guitar picks, credit cards or what have you.

anyone out there actually use the ipod opening tool? did it actually make a big difference??

Just opened my case for the 3rd time. Used the instructions on ifixit and found the part for removing the antenna cover to be very misleading. Another site had you opening it by pressing and prying on the end that meets the back case. Plus using a metal spuder is not a good idea either.
your main latches are right above your docking connector but well hidden. If you understand how to release those then use a thin guitar pick, slide it in between the plastic frame around the connector and the ant. housing itself. You'll hear a distinct click and the cover will slide right off. I bought the ipod opening tools for the main case and you really do need them. Also got a huge magnifier light to see the area on the board where the contacts are made - heck with that, for now.
Put it back together and the home button and charger were dead. Though I toasted $500.00 but pulling it apart again I found the ribbon on the right side of the logic board slid out - most-likely from fiddling with the battery for I never had the boards out in the first place. Now all is well!!

Originally Posted by firecopter

...Used the instructions on ifixit and found the part for removing the antenna cover to be very misleading...

I agree, ignore that aspect of ifixit's tutorial. I still don't know how to open the case correctly once I get that part off though. Do you need to bend back the curling metal sides, or is it really just a matte of having an ipod opener? Does the casing sit flush with the sides of the phone and the bezel when it is placed back on? Or does it look tampered with?

Putting mine back together - everything is flush and nothing looks tampered with. Guitar pic, ipod tools, spuder, proctologist latex gloves, and a good magnifier / light are the essential tools Guess I should have taken pics when doing mine.

Oh! The proctologist's latex gloves were used when pulling my head out of my a$$ for even attempting this "project"

Man, I don't know how you guys got your backing off... got the antenna part off fairly easily, but I've been trying to get the iphone back cover off for a couple of hours now... the edge is pretty scratched off, and my plastic ipod opening tool tip BROKE halfway up the first side, so now I have this thin green plastic wedged into one half-open side. Much of the edge of the back cover (along the top edges bordering the antenna) are totally bent too. Does anyone have any other tips? I'm thinking of order another 2-3 sets of ipod opening tools. I must be yanking at a wrong angle too hard.

Has anyone had any luck taking off the iphone back WITHOUT ipod opening tools?

i used a razor. works well

Took the plastic wrap off and opened the box.