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How to Use the Anti-Clamp

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  1. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Prepare your device: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Prepare your device: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Prepare your device: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • The Anti-Clamp needs smooth, even surfaces for its suction cups to adhere to.

    • If your device has cracked glass or a slippery surface, follow this guide to apply the included tape pad.

    • Packing tape also works to cover a cracked display.

    • If your back glass is badly shattered, the tape might damage it further. Refer to your specific guide to use a suction handle instead.

    • If your device can be opened from both its screen and back cover, follow this guide to apply the included tape strips.

  2. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Unlock the arms: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Unlock the arms: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0
    Anti-Clamp
    $24.95
    crwdns2942207:0crwdne2942207:0
    • Pull the blue handle backward to disengage the arms of the Anti-Clamp.

    • The handle may be stiff the first time you unlock the arms.

  3. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Center the suction cups: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Center the suction cups: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Center the suction cups: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Rotate the Anti-Clamp to the side so it doesn't obscure your starting edge. Refer to your original guide for which edge to start with.

    • Center the suction cups over a smooth area of the device near the starting edge.

    • Avoid buttons, gaps, seams, and speakers, as they will prevent a good hold.

  4. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Secure the suction cups: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Secure the suction cups: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Squeeze the suction cups together to secure them to the device.

    • If the cups are stiff and hard to secure, use your hands to warm them up.

  5. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Alignment information: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Alignment information: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • The suction cups need to be aligned with each other for the Anti-Clamp to work properly.

    • Improper alignment may cause the cups to separate prematurely. Pull the cups off the device using their pull tabs and re-center them.

  6. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Lock the arms: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Lock the arms: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Push the blue handle forward to lock the arms.

  7. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Support your device: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Place a support under your device so the Anti-Clamp stands upright without being held in place.

  8. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Apply tension: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Apply tension: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Most adhesives separate under constant tension rather than more force. Take your time during this process to avoid breaking the suction cups free or violently opening your device.

    • Twist the handle clockwise one full rotation (360 degrees) or until the cups begin to stretch.

  9. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Heat your device: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Heat your device: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • For smaller devices, thread a heated iOpener through the arms of the Anti-Clamp to heat your device.

    • For larger devices, or iPhone models 12 and newer, use a hair dryer or a heat gun to soften the adhesive along your starting edge.

    • iPhone models 12 and newer have a tougher adhesive that the iOpener is less effective at opening than a hair dryer or heat gun.

    • Be careful not to overheat your device. The edge should feel slightly too hot to touch.

  10. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Open your device: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Open your device: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Open your device: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present a gap.

    • If the Anti-Clamp doesn't separate the adhesive after one minute, apply more heat and wait another minute. Be patient and let the Anti-Clamp do the work for you.

    • If, after several rounds of heating, the device doesn't show any signs of opening, twist the knob one quarter-turn.

    • Don't twist the knob more than three additional quarter-turns. Only use additional heat at this point. The more you twist the knob, the more likely the device is to suddenly pop open.

  11. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Insert an opening pick: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Anti-Clamp.

  12. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Remove the Anti-Clamp: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Remove the Anti-Clamp: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Remove the Anti-Clamp: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Pull the blue handle backward to the unlock icon to disengage the arms.

    • Pull the suction cups off of the device using their pull-tabs.

    • Remove the Anti-Clamp and set your device on a flat surface.

  13. How to Use the Anti-Clamp, Finish opening your device: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Return to your original guide and continue disassembly, skipping any steps that open the device with a suction handle.

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For other general electronics skills guides, click here.

For a fun way to decorate your Anti-Clamp, click here.

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Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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iFixit crwdns2935289:0iFixitcrwdne2935289:0

Staff

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crwdns2944067:07crwdne2944067:0

Very clear step-by-step guide. The next time I do a battery replacement I intend to use one of these.

4surferboy - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Engaging the Opening Mode the first time takes a bit of a push, don't be afraid, keep pushing until you hear a click. Seems to be easier to engage after the first time.

Ed Reeder - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the helpful feedback! I've implemented your note into the guide step.

Arthur Shi -

Looks like an answer to a problem that I don't have right now but I plan to purchase one of these before I do any more battery replacements.

glynn - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I used mine to open a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 tablet. Very frustrating, seemed like you needed three hands to put it in place (though later I found a better procedure). The OEM case glue was quite powerful (used a heating pad to get the tablet Very hot). The Anti-Clamp had difficulty holding to the back of the case and kept losing its grip. I didn't try the packing tape trick, just now noticed it. I mainly used the top suction cup just by itself.

The replacement battery had a very long battery cable and didn't lay flat, which caused a bright spot on the display where the cable "kink" was. So time to remove the case again. This time I stuck each suction cup individually, screen side first, the case - firmly pressing each cup flat after placement. No need to "fight" the Anti-Clamp to get it in place, plus I think I got a better hold with the cups. The B-7000 glue I used was much easier to break loose than the OEM case glue.

To loosen the suction cups I slid an opening pick under the edge of the cup.

Ed Reeder - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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