iPad mini Home Button Replacement

[Wirenut]

I have a iPad Mini 2, it has been bullet proof for 4 years and still going strong. I use it mostly around the house but it is the cellular model so I take it out with me sometimes.

Over the past couple days I noticed that the Home button has felt soft, as if it's not springing back up all the way. And today it just doesn't work at all. I assume the button is just broke from so much use.

Is this button easy and inexpensive to replace? I have to debate getting a new iPad altogether if it is going to be expensive to fix this.

Second, is there a way to open the iPad without the Home button? With an iOS change a while back you can't press the lock button and then swipe to open like the old days. Now you have to press the Home button twice. I would like to be able to use the iPad today, if possible.

 

[akash.nu]

Use assistive touch. That replaces the home button with a virtual button on the screen.

Since your iPad is pretty old. Replacing the button wouldn’t be expensive but don’t try to do it yourself. It’s better to get it done by professionals.

 

[Wirenut]

How do I do that? Right now I can't open my iPad at all.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

You may want to try a drop of isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip to see if maybe the home button has some debris or gunk causing the problem

 

[Wirenut]

You may want to try a drop of isopropyl alcohol on a q-tip to see if maybe the home button has some debris or gunk causing the problem

That's a great idea. I went and got the alcohol and tried it. It didn't work. I tried massaging the Home button with a tiny bit of alcohol there and still nothing. I tried letting an alcohol wipe sit on top of it for a few minutes and nothing again.

The button is nice and clean lol, but its dead :-( There is no movement, it's pushed in and not springing out.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Well, I guess it didn’t hurt to try. The virtual home button in settings/general/accessibility/assitive touch may work well enough for you. Replacing the home button isn’t a huge ordeal but it does involve some technical skill and a gentle hand when removing the display from the chasis. There are disassembly vidoes on youtube that can show you what’s involved in the repair to help you decide if it’s something that your comfortable attempting.

 

[Wirenut]

I changed the battery on one of my iPhones and I am an electrician so I assume I will be able to do it.

I had to figure out a way to open (unlock) my iPad, which I finally did. Once it was opened I was able to turn on the virtual Home button and everything is now working.

Maybe I will wait until the next iPad is released. I only need something basic, so the current plain iPad would work for me, but the Buyer's Guide says not to buy now.

 

[charlituna]

I only need something basic, so the current plain iPad would work for me, but the Buyer's Guide says not to buy now.

The Buyer's Guide is for those who are obsessed with having the latest and greatest. if the current one works for you get it.

 

[Wirenut]

The Buyer's Guide is for those who are obsessed with having the latest and greatest. if the current one works for you get it.

If a new one is going to come out in a month, and have better specs for the same price, it would be a smart choice to wait.

It seems to me that the Buyer's Guide is for those who want to make an informed choice.

 

[Richard8655]

I would replace the Mini 2 with a current regular 2017 iPad rather than try to replace the home button. The 2017 iPad is a great tablet with excellent performance, especially if you don't need to use a pencil. Prices are coming down lately as well.

I personally have always disliked the mechanical home button, as we see how susceptible it is to physical issues and failure. There’s a good chance the next iPad Pro or even regular version will do away with it and provide a virtual electronic home button. So it also might make sense to wait for that (as you mentioned), along with the latest features and processor of the latest models.

 

[Wirenut]

I figure if it's only going to be a month or so I will just wait. Either I will get a better model for the same price, or the 2017 for a discounted price.

 

[Brandonjr36]

I changed the battery on one of my iPhones and I am an electrician so I assume I will be able to do it.

I had to figure out a way to open (unlock) my iPad, which I finally did. Once it was opened I was able to turn on the virtual Home button and everything is now working.

Maybe I will wait until the next iPad is released. I only need something basic, so the current plain iPad would work for me, but the Buyer's Guide says not to buy now.

Suppose to have a couple cheaper iPads releasing the end of this month
[doublepost=1521431419][/doublepost]

The Buyer's Guide is for those who are obsessed with having the latest and greatest. if the current one works for you get it.

The hell with that. There’s suppose to be a new one coming out in like 8 days for $259 why not wait??
[doublepost=1521431524][/doublepost]

I figure if it's only going to be a month or so I will just wait. Either I will get a better model for the same price, or the 2017 for a discounted price.

Definitely wait til after the keynote. It’s literally a week away. Might be able to get the $259 2018 model that will have More options then the $329 2017 model.

 

[subjonas]

There’s a good chance the next iPad Pro or even regular version will do away with it and provide a virtual electronic home button.

You mean the haptic home button like on the iPhones? I haven’t seen any rumors regarding this. And I’m doubtful it’s true because the haptic home button requires the Taptic Engine, and Apple has avoided putting any haptic feedback in the iPad for its entire existence. I don’t think they would change that now just for the home button, especially when Face ID seems to be the way things are going.

 

[Wirenut]

Suppose to have a couple cheaper iPads releasing the end of this month
[doublepost=1521431419][/doublepost]
The hell with that. There’s suppose to be a new one coming out in like 8 days for $259 why not wait??
[doublepost=1521431524][/doublepost]
Definitely wait til after the keynote. It’s literally a week away. Might be able to get the $259 2018 model that will have More options then the $329 2017 model.

I agree.

I definitely want the latest and greatest. That's the reason why the iPad Mini 2 has lasted me 4 years, because I waited for the absolute optimal time to buy an iPad Mini.

 

[Wirenut]

So I am going to get a new iPad. What I can I do with my Mini 2? It’s a cellular model so it wasn’t cheap, but with the broken Home button I doubt I can sell it.

I don’t need it for anything at home or in the car. But I hate to throw it away.