Apple iPad Air 2 needs new charging port. Suggestions?

[jymbee]

The charging port in our iPad needs to be replaced. From what I can find on line, possible but not trivial and not something I want to attempt myself. We had an "unpleasant" experience previously with a shopping mall type repair outfit so a bit cautions this time around. Any suggestions for a repair service?

 

[Sgt472]

I recently changed the charging port in my 12.9 pro gen 2. The port itself was around $10 , if you need the plastic tool kit that’s around $15, I already had one from a previous repair on my iMac simple to do and there is youtube vids on it. Hardest part is releasing the screen. I use a hairdryer to warm the adhesive up just a touch

 

[Heli_av8tor]

United Camera Repair
3830 14th AV
Rock Island, IL 61201
309-786-0950

Ask for Eric

 

[jymbee]

I recently changed the charging port in my 12.9 pro gen 2. The port itself was around $10 , if you need the plastic tool kit that’s around $15, I already had one from a previous repair on my iMac simple to do and there is youtube vids on it. Hardest part is releasing the screen. I use a hairdryer to warm the adhesive up just a touch

I have the plastic tool kit but I think the Air2 is a different animal altogether?

Can you replace the charging port on an iPad Air 2?
Image result for replace charging port ipad air 2
Unfortunately, on the iPad Air 2, the lightning port or charging port flex is soldered onto the logic board. It is not a modular part like the screen, LCD or headphone jack. Due to this, we need to have a specialist which does micro soldering to fix this issue.

 

[jymbee]

United Camera Repair
3830 14th AV
Rock Island, IL 61201
309-786-0950

Ask for Eric

Thanks. You've had work done by them in the past?

 

[8Muddypaws]

Take it to an Apple Store. I took an iPad to them last year for a new battery. $129 and 30 minutes later I walked out with a BRAND NEW identical iPad. The old one was reset, cleared, and then sent for recycling.

Is the port physically broken or just not charging anymore? If it's just not charging you may be able to clean the ports contacts with a toothpick and some contact cleaner.

 

[jymbee]

Take it to an Apple Store. I took an iPad to them last year for a new battery. $129 and 30 minutes later I walked out with a BRAND NEW identical iPad. The old one was reset, cleared, and then sent for recycling.

Is the port physically broken or just not charging anymore? If it's just not charging you may be able to clean the ports contacts with a toothpick and some contact cleaner.

It's broken. Apple store is a fair distance away but I'll call them after the holiday to get some more info. Thanks.

 

[8Muddypaws]

I checked ifixit.com. The iPad Air 2 has a bad repairability score and the port is especially difficult. Not recommended for novices.

I would suggest that you contact Apple via apple.com before you go there.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Saw this on the google:

On June 6, 2022 after iPadOS 16 was announced at the WWDC 2022, it was revealed that the iPad Air 2 will not be compatible with this new version of the operating system.

Seems to me the writing's on the wall for this unit. Apple has deemed it unfit and shall be shunned as a leper to the wilderness.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[UTTransplant]

Sounds like a good time to get a new(er) one instead of spending money on an end of life item. Happens to all electronics eventually.

 

[jymbee]

Sounds like a good time to get a new(er) one instead of spending money on an end of life item. Happens to all electronics eventually.

Yep, that's always the case isn't it: When is old too old?

In this case the iPad (WiFi) is only used to play a handful of games, check FB and some browsing so faster processing & improved screen just not that important. Of course if one were to invest $100+ only to have something break that can't be fixed given no parts etc., that's money down the drain.

Looking at new models, of course Apple makes choosing that much more confusing given there's so many different sizes, models, generations, ranging from a few hundred bucks to over a grand.

 

[UTTransplant]

I actually still have an ancient laptop with windows XP on it. It has a parallel “printer” port which is the only IO for a specialty card reader i have. However I have disabled the internet access because when XP went end of life, security updates were abandoned. That made it way too risky to use online. Apple generally supports older iOS versions for a while, but they will eventually stop doing so. It is the lack of security updates that will be dangerous.

 

[SpencerPJ]

An option is always to pickup a used unit off Facebook Marketplace. I guess the decision will be based on cost to repair vs cost to replace.

 

[Heli_av8tor]

Thanks. You've had work done by them in the past?

I owned United Camera. I employed Eric for 23 years and sold the business to him in 2015. I am confident in recommending his services.

 

[Larry N.]

Yep, that's always the case isn't it: When is old too old?

Well, I've got a 64" rear projection HD TV I bought in 2001 that is still doing well. I can feed it with composite video or component video, but HDMI came along later, so I have to use older tech DVD players, etc. with it. Still, DirecTV works fine with it.

So it's too old to mate with recent electronics, but still does the job nicely.

Old is relative...

 

[jymbee]

Well, I've got a 64" rear projection HD TV I bought in 2001 that is still doing well. I can feed it with composite video or component video, but HDMI came along later, so I have to use older tech DVD players, etc. with it. Still, DirecTV works fine with it.

So it's too old to mate with recent electronics, but still does the job nicely.

Old is relative...

I can relate as I have a pile of devices that once were "state-of-the-art", a state which has long since passed. An Epson GT30000 17" scanner with auto doc feeder as one example. It has a SCSI interface and as you know, not building that many SCSI connections in today's computers. Sooo... I keep an even older PC with PCMCIA slots and a SCSI board around-- just in case.

Also have a 17" notebook with three 750GB HDs, running Windows XP. Was a real beast when I got it, but now doubt I could even give it away.

Anyone out there want a 17" scanner or a 17" notebook by any chance??

 

[Larry N.]

Also have a 17" notebook with three 750GB HDs, running Windows XP. Was a real beast when I got it, but now doubt I could even give it away.

My main computer was new in 2010 and runs Win 7 Pro. I've got a laptop (not used online) running Win XP, and one with a display problem running Win ME (works fine with external monitor). I even have my first computer (TRS-80 Model I), though it's just boxed up-- talk about RFI.

 

[jymbee]

My main computer was new in 2010 and runs Win 7 Pro. I've got a laptop (not used online) running Win XP, and one with a display problem running Win ME (works fine with external monitor). I even have my first computer (TRS-80 Model I), though it's just boxed up-- talk about RFI.

Eek... Win ME?!?

 

[8Muddypaws]

My main laptop is an 13 year old HP. Microsoft says it won't run Windows 11. I know how to circumvent that if I wanted to. But I don't.

You can buy a 10" Amazon Kindle Fire HD with 64GB of storage (and a slot to add more) for about 1/4 what a comparable iPad costs. It can run almost any game you can find on Google Play, plus everything on the Amazon store.

I bought a 8" one several months back and am impressed with the build quality and capability of it. It cost less than $90

 

[jymbee]

Well, here's what happened in the end...

Did a LOT of research as to available tablets-- Apple & Android. Need to upgrade some phones as well and I'm one that researches these things to death.

Had all but given up even trying to repair the iPad Air 2, in part due to input here. Good money after bad kinda' thing. Decided to stop at Apple Store in any event. Had an appointment at noon. Got there and the store was packed. Guy up front saw that we had an appointment and immediately directed us to a tech near the back of the store.

Very pleasant tech guy takes the tablet, disappears in "the back" for probably 15 minutes or so then emerges, "All fixed". Huh?!

Turns out there was a tiny piece of a pin, almost invisible, that had broken off in the port from a charge cable that he was able to remove. Plugged it in, started to charge right up. No fee. Enjoy.

Did mention briefly some upgrade options if we might want to go that route but otherwise could not have been a more pleasant experience. I read some reviews of that store prior to vising and universally the employees there were praised for their competency and overall manner.

.