Hey, guys.
I'm Sharon Vaknin for CNET and even though (??) opened my iPhone, makes me really, really nervous.
This (??) is worth it.
There aren't many ways to customize the hardware of your iPhone, so replacing the back panel has become a really popular trick.
There are transparent back panels, glowing Apple logo mods or replacing back plates for, if your back cover has become really scratched.
But today, I'll be replacing my back plate with a mirror.
It's not a vanity thing.
Mostly just a way for me to figure out if I have stuff stuck in my teeth, or a hair is sticking out in the wrong place.
After all, the front facing camera only goes so far.
So, to get started, you'll need two things; a replacement panel of your choice and a screwdriver.
If you have an older iPhone4, you'll need a Phillip's Screwdriver, but if you have one of the new iPhones, you'll need a Pentalobe Screwdriver which matches these star shaped screws right here.
I got mine from iFix.
Maybe, you can get them elsewhere around the web.
To get started, turn your phone on silent and turn it off.
To open up the case, remove these two screws at the bottom here.
Make sure to put these little screws somewhere safe since they can roll away pretty easily.
Now, push up on the back plate.
It should move about 2 millimeters and you'll be able to remove it.
In case you were ever wondering what's the inside, the guts of your iPhone looks like...
Here it is.
When you're done poking around, grab your new back plate and slide it on.
Make sure it snaps in place and that all the edges are even.
Now, put the 2 screws back in and tighten them down gently.
The Pentalobe Screws can be easily stripped, so be careful, and now my back plate mirror is in place and it was super simple.
Now, with my mirror, I can sneak a quick look plus, now I don't have to replace my back plate with really cool alternative.
But before you go and do this, you have to know two things.
This may or may not void your warranty, and if you ever need to take your iPhone in for repair, there's no telling how the genius bar guy will react.
So, be ready to put your old back place back on your phone before you go and see Apple Store.
If you have any questions about this process, you can tweet me or subscribe to my Facebook page, for more tips like this.
For cnet.com, I'm Sharon Vaknin.
