How to remove a broken headphone plug from inside an IPod

That sinking feeling fills your stomach. Your iPod is really broken this time. The headphone jack broke off inside the iPod and you're stuck with a stub and a useless iPod. Take a deep breath. You don't need to visit the Apple Store or throw the iPod across the room, flush it down the toilet or stomp on it with a ski boot. You can fix it if you're careful and patient. Let's look at how to remove a broken off headphone plug from inside an iPod.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal paper clip
• Super Glue
• Original broken headphone plug
• Good earphone jacks

1. 
    
   Broken jack, iPod, super glue and paperclip.

   Locate the broken end on the headphone jack (attached to the earphones or external speaker). There should be enough there to adhere to the piece inside the iPod.

2. 
    
   Applying glue to the paper clip.

   Bend one portion of the paper clip straight. Place a tiny drop of crazy glue onto the end of the paperclip. Use the smallest amount of glue. Less is more and you don't want excess glue adhering to the inside of the iPod jack tunnel.

3. 
    
   Applying glue to the broken end.

   Dab this tiny dollop of glue onto the broken end of the headphone jack (not the one inside the Ipod). Aim for the very center of the broken end piece.

4. 
    
   Inserting the glued jack into the iPod.

   Insert the broken jack back directly into the iPod without touching the sides and press hard. Hold in place for about 20 seconds to allow the glue to adhere to the broken end inside the iPod.

5. 
    
   Removing the broken headphone jack

   Pull straight back and out with the headphone jack to remove the stub from inside the iPod. Don't spin the jack at all or you may break the super glue bond. The broken stub should come out re-attached to the headphone plug. DO NOT PUT THE JACK BACK IN THE IPOD! Throw it away!

6. 
    
   Repaired iPod.

   Immediately take a new set of headphones and press the plug inside the iPod. Pull it out quickly and wipe it off to remove glue residue. Do this a few times to remove any excess glue.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to repeat these steps since you're using a very small amount of glue. Be patient. Using too much glue at first won't make the super glue bond better. It will just fill the headphone jack opening with glue.
• Tampering with an iPod may void the warranty.

[kenking]

on 9/24/2009 Nice article.