Replacement housing or trim part for iPod 4G Monochrome. Use it to restore fit, finish, color, case alignment, or visible damage rather than to fix an internal electronics fault.
Product Overview
Choose this backplate listing to restore the visible fit, finish, or mounting hardware on the iPod 4th Generation (Monochrome).
Use the Compatible Variants table below to confirm capacity, color, case, or order-number fitment.
This is a fit-and-finish part, so choose it by physical damage, color, case thickness, and missing hardware rather than by an electrical symptom.
Choose Your Option
This part comes in multiple variants. Confirm your iPod's capacity, case depth, and order number before ordering.
Choose this backplate by the capacity engraved on the rear case. This listing is for 20GB thin rear-housing work; confirm case depth before ordering.
You're viewing this optionWhat Is Included
Quick Buying Check
Buy this when
- Use this listing when the original rear panel (20GB) is damaged, missing, mismatched, or physically worn; diagnose internal symptoms separately.
- The model, rear engraving, capacity, and order number match this listing.
Diagnose first when
- Confirm the color variant before ordering: Black/Red (U2), White.
Do not buy for
- Choose this backplate by the capacity engraved on the rear case. This listing is for 20GB thin rear-housing work; confirm case depth before ordering.
- Do not use this part for: Other iPod 4th Generation (Monochrome) case-depth routes (thick) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family.
- Do not use this part for: Other rear-capacity engraving routes when you want a stock-looking 20GB backplate.
- Confirm the capacity match before ordering: 20GB.
- Confirm the case thickness before ordering: thin.
Specifications & Fitment
Part Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | A1059 |
| EMC | EMC 1995 |
| Condition | Used — factory original Apple part. Normal cosmetic wear expected. |
| Material | Chrome stainless steel |
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M9787LL/A | 20GB | Black/Red (U2) | thin | Yes— stock match | — |
| M9282LL/A | 20GB | White | thin | Yes— stock match | — |
| PE435A | 20GB | White (HP) | thin | Yes— compatible | Stock match |
| M9268LL/A | 40GB | White | thick | No— wrong case depth | Different case depth — choose the listing that matches this order number's case. |
| PE436A | 40GB | White (HP) | thick | No— wrong case depth | Different case depth — choose the listing that matches this order number's case. |
Cosmetic Failure Signs — When to Replace
This rear panel is a cosmetic part — it does not change how the iPod plays, charges, or syncs. Replace it when the damage is physical:
Not every buyer here is fixing damage: matching the original white, black/red (u2) finish after another repair, restoring a gift or keepsake iPod to clean condition, and finishing a refreshed shell while the case is already open are just as common.
Do Not Buy / Problems This Rear Panel Does Not Fix
| Situation | Start here instead |
|---|---|
| Other iPod 4th Generation (Monochrome) case-depth routes (thick) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family | This is a different model — check your order number and generation before ordering. |
| Other rear-capacity engraving routes when you want a stock-looking 20GB backplate | Use the correct capacity or case-depth listing instead. |
| The only problem is an internal electronic symptom with no physical damage to this part | Start with the diagnosis that matches your symptom — not a housing part. |
| The issue is charging, audio, storage, display, or controls rather than fit, finish, or visible housing damage | Start with the hard drive, flash storage, or drive cable check. |
| The replacement would not match the case depth, color, or capacity family you are repairing | Confirm the exact model, capacity, connector, and case variant before ordering. |
Install Overview
Before You Start
Set Hold to locked (orange bar visible) before opening. Confirm the model and variant before opening the iPod.
Treat case opening as the highest handling risk. Work around the seams gently and stop if the shell, clips, or internal stack resist.
Do not pull the halves apart or side-load board sockets. Reseat nearby ribbons and connectors before blaming a replacement rear panel.
Confirm thickness, color, screw points, and nearby hardware alignment before pressing the case fully closed.
Repair Guide
Repair guide summary: iPod 4th Generation or Photo Rear Panel Replacement.
Show all 6 installation steps
Before you open the iPod, confirm that the hold switch is in the locked setting. The orange bar should be showing, indicating hold is active.
Move an opening pick as far as possible into the gap between the plastic front and the metal back panel, on the right edge of the iPod. You may have to rock the pick back and forth to move it in farther. With the opening pick, lever up against the plastic front panel and release 5 retaining tabs. Slide the pick along the iPod edge and keep levering gently until the remaining retaining tabs release. In this step, after all five tabs along the right edge are free, the case should easily open.
The iPod case is now open, but do not separate the two halves yet. An orange ribbon cable still connects the headphone jack to the logic board. With the dock connector edge at the top, open the case like a book and set the rear panel beside the iPod front half.
With a plastic tool or your fingernails, carefully detach the orange headphone jack cable. Make sure to draw straight up on the connector, not the cable itself. This fragile ribbon cable can stay connected for a battery replacement. Prop and tape the rear case against a box so the headphone jack remains connected to the motherboard without straining its cable while you work.
Take out the 3 silver Philips screws securing the headphone jack to the back panel.
Raise the headphone jack assembly out of the iPod. Only the rear panel remains.
After This Repair
| Check | What to do |
|---|---|
| Check rear fit | Confirm the rear housing sits flush, matches the intended capacity and case depth, and does not pinch transferred hardware. |
| Watch nearby parts | Reopen if the case bows, rattles, or puts pressure on the battery, storage, display, or control stack. |
Worth Knowing
- Thin rear panel fits 20GB models only.
- Chrome finish — prone to scratching. Common cosmetic replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know this backplate is the right one?
Match capacity 20GB and color White, Black/Red (U2), then confirm case depth and order number in the fitment table before ordering.
Will this fix charging, audio, storage, or screen problems?
No. A backplate is passive rear housing. Use it for dented, scratched, bent, missing, or custom rear-case work, not as an electronics diagnosis.
Should I choose by capacity or by thin/thick case?
Choose by the rear capacity engraving first, then use thin/thick case depth as the safety check so the housing and adjacent parts line up.
How do I confirm this is the right exterior part?
Match the exact iPod 4th Generation Monochrome model, visible part shape, color or finish goal, and any capacity or case-depth note before ordering Replacement Rear Panel (20GB).
Why people land on this part
Also searched as: iPod 4th generation (monochrome) 20GB backplate replacement, iPod 4th Generation Monochrome Rear Panel, iPod 4th Generation Monochrome 20GB rear case, iPod 4th Generation Monochrome 20GB back cover, iPod 4th Generation Monochrome 20GB rear housing.
You May Also Want
Rear panel removal is required for battery replacement — do both at once.
Related: Flash Storage Mod Kit (iFlash IDE Adapter)Rear panel must be removed for flash mod installation.
Some buyers search for "HP rear-panel style", "iPod 4G 20 GB thin rear panel", or "iPod 4th Gen 4G Monochrome 20GB Back Cover Panel Plate"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
