iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera
Replacement
Replace the iSight Camera in your iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639.
Written By: Walter Galan
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 1 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
INTRODUCTION
Issues with Photobooth and FaceTime? Might be time to replace your iSight camera.
TOOLS:
iMac Intel 27" (2012-2019) Adhesive Strips
(1)
Plastic Cards (1)
T5 Torx Screwdriver (1)
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 2 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 1 — Display
With the hinge free to move, the
iMac will be unbalanced and hard to
work on. Repairs can be completed
with the iMac laying down, but are
faster and easier with an iMac
service wedge.
If you are using the iFixit
cardboard service wedge, follow
these assembly directions to put it
together.
Step 2
Starting on the left of the display, near the power button, insert the iMac Opening Tool into the gap
between the glass panel and the rear case.
The hub on the iMac Opening Tool will keep you from pushing the wheel in too far. If using a
different tool, insert no more than 3/8" (9.5 mm) into the display. You risk severing antenna cables
and causing serious damage.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 3 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 3
Use the tool like a pizza cutter—roll it along through the gap, and it will cut the foam adhesive
through the center.
Be sure to always push with the handle behind the cutting wheel. If you pull, the wheel might get
pulled out of the handle.
Run the tool up along the left side of the display.
Step 4
Continue wheeling the tool up around the top left corner.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 4 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 5
Cut the adhesive along the top left of the display.
Step 6
Continue along the top of the display.
You may want to run the tool back and forth through what you've already cut a few times, to
ensure you get as much of the adhesive separated as possible.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 5 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 7
Push the tool around the top right corner of the display.
Step 8
Wheel the tool down along the right side of the display.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 6 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 9
Finish pushing the opening tool to the bottom of the right side of the display.
At this point, you'll want to run the tool back around the entire display, to ensure you cut as much
adhesive as possible.
Step 10
While the opening tool did the lion's share of the work, the display will still be slightly adhered to the
case. A plastic card will be necessary to free up the last of this adhesive.
Set the iMac face-up on a table.
Starting from the top right corner of the iMac, insert a plastic card between the display and frame.
Be careful not to insert it more than 3/8" (9.5 mm), or you may damage internal components.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 7 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 11
Gently twist the plastic card to open the space between the display and frame, and cut any
remaining adhesive near the corner.
Using too much force will crack the glass. Work carefully, and don't try to create a gap any larger
than about 1/4" (6 mm).
Step 12
Be sure to stop cutting before the iSight camera in this step, or you may damage it.
Slide the card toward the center of the display, to cut any remaining adhesive.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 8 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 13
Put the card into the corner again and let it stay there to keep the adhesive from resettling.
Step 14
Insert a second card into the gap between the display and frame in the top left corner.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 9 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 15
Gently twist the card, slightly increasing the space between the display and frame.
As with the other side, move slowly to allow the adhesive to break, and be careful not to over-
stress the display glass.
Step 16
Slide the plastic card toward the center, again stopping just before the iSight camera.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 10 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 17
Insert the card back into the top left corner.
Step 18
Only lift the display a few inches—it is still attached to the iMac by data and power cables.
With the cards inserted as shown near the corners, gently twist the cards to increase the gap
between display and case.
If there are any sections that seem to stick and won't separate, stop twisting and use one of the
cards to cut the adhesive in the problem area.
Begin to lift the top of the display up from the frame.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 11 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 19
While holding the display up with one hand, use the other to unplug the display power cable.
Lift the display up enough to have easy access to the connections, but not so much that you
stretch the cables and stress their connections (about 8").
Step 20
Flip up the metal retaining bracket on the display data cable.
Disconnect the display data cable.
This is a delicate connection that can easily be broken. Be sure to pull the display data cable
connector straight out of its socket, toward the top of the iMac.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 12 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 21
Lift the display up to a near-vertical position.
At this point there is still a strip of adhesive along the bottom of the display, that will hold the
display to the frame like a hinge. You can loosen this adhesive by working the display up and
down a few times.
Remove as much of the adhesive as possible by grabbing it at the outer edges, and then pulling or
rolling it towards the middle.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 13 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 22
Be very careful not to touch the capacitor leads or any exposed solder joints on the back of the
power supply (boxed in red).
If necessary, a plastic card can be used to cut any remaining sections of the bottom adhesive strip.
Step 23
Be very careful handling the display—it's big, heavy, and made of glass. The display has fragile
edges. Avoid lifting the display by the corners.
Lift the display up from the frame and remove it from the iMac. Lay the display face down on a flat,
soft surface.
It may be necessary to slowly lift from one side, to peel against the remaining adhesive.
After the adhesive is cut, it cannot be used to re-seal the display in place. Follow this guide when
your repair is complete to replace the adhesive strips that secure the display to the rear enclosure.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 14 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 24
If you are replacing the display
panel, you may need to transfer
additional components from the old
panel to the new one. Compare the
back of the old display with the
replacement display. Note all cables,
sensors, and foam cushioning that
are missing from the new display.
If there is a wire or cable
underneath adhesive tape,
always pull the tape off first.
If the cable is glued to the
chassis, use a heated iOpener or
a hair dryer to soften the adhesive
first. You can then slide an
opening pick underneath the
cable to loosen it. Never pull
directly on the delicate
connectors.
Slide an opening pick underneath
the foam cushion pieces to
separate them from the display,
and gently pull them off. You may
need some double sided tape to
re-attach them to the new display.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 15 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 25 — iSight Camera and Microphone Cable
Flip down the metal retaining bracket on the iSight camera cable.
Step 26
Disconnect the iSight camera cable from its socket on the camera board.
Be sure to remove only the iSight connector—the microphone connector is on a separate
branch of the cable.
Disconnect the microphone cable from its socket.
These are delicate connections that can easily be broken. Be sure to pull the two connectors
straight down out of their sockets.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 16 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
Step 27 — iSight Camera
Remove two 4.3 mm T5 screws
securing the iSight camera board to
the top of the rear case.
When reinstalling, be careful not
to over-tighten these screws.
They have large shoulders and
will not hold the camera board
tightly against the rear case.
Step 28
Remove the iSight camera from the iMac.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 17 of 18
iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 iSight Camera R… Guide ID: 19645 - Draft: 2020-10-14
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse and use our Adhesive Strips Guide to
reattach the display glass.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.
This document was generated on 2021-09-10 05:03:41 PM (MST).
© iFixit — CC BY-NC-SA www.iFixit.com Page 18 of 18
