Backplate
for the iPod 4th Gen A1059
- 1-year limited warranty
Is this the right part?
For the iPod 4th Gen 20GBModel A1059
Also for the iPod 4th Gen: 40GB (White) $37.95 · See all
Doing it yourself?
iPod 4th Gen and iPod Photo back panel replacement guide ›iPod 4G Monochrome — Replacement Rear Panel (20GB)
For the iPod 4th Gen 20GB
Used (Apple Original) · Model A1059
$45.95
Also for the iPod 4th Gen: 40GB (White) $37.95 · See all
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We are not selling this part at the moment.
- Used (Apple Original). Tested: installed in a working iPod and checked before it ships.
- 1-year limited warranty · 30-day returns from delivery
- Free pry tool in the box
- Completed repairs aren't refundable. If a part we fitted fails within a year, we repair it again.
Questions about this part? Chat with us or email sales@imods.com.
Not sure what's wrong? Get your free repair quotePart details
About this part
Overview
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.
Fitment snapshot
What Is Included
Fit and specs
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— fits; cosmetic mismatch: U2 uses red wheel/black front/engraved back | Standard backplate fits the U2 unit but replaces the laser-etched U2 signature back (loses the U2 look) |
| M9282LL/A | 20GB | White | thin | Yes— stock match | — |
| PE435A | 20GB | White (HP) | thin | Yes— fits; cosmetic mismatch: the HP unit carries an etched HP logo | Fits, but it is an Apple-branded back: the HP unit carries a small HP logo etched on the rear under the Apple and iPod marks, and a stock replacement does not reproduce it. |
| M9268LL/A | 40GB | White | thick | No— wrong case depth | Thin (20GB) and thick (40GB) backplates are different depths and not interchangeable: use the Replacement Rear Panel (40GB — White) listing instead. |
| PE436A | 40GB | White (HP) | thick | No— wrong case depth | Thin (20GB) and thick (40GB) backplates are different depths and not interchangeable: use the Replacement Rear Panel (40GB — White) listing instead. |
Install and repair
Step-by-step guide
iPod 4th Gen and iPod Photo back panel replacement
Tools: Plastic opening tools, one wide and one thin, Plastic spudger, T6 Torx screwdriver, Fine Phillips screwdriver (#00 or PH-000), Anti-static wrist strap or mat, Soft cloth and a small tray, Wall charger and headphones you know work
- Unplug it, switch it off and lock HoldDisconnect any cable, charger or computer first. Switch the iPod off by holding Play/Pause until the screen goes dark, then slide the Hold switch to locked, so its orange bar shows.
- Release the case clipsOur opening guide has the detail. In short: with the screen up and the dock connector toward you, start on the right-hand long side with the wide plastic tool, its edge tilted toward the steel back, and free the five tabs on that side. Then the two clips beside the dock connector (lightly past the thin steel there), the five tabs on the left-hand side, and the top edge.
Install Overview
Rather not open it? Choose We Fix It above: mail your iPod in and we fit it. Turnaround is typically 1–3 business days on our bench. 1-year limited warranty.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Is the rear panel itself white?
No. Every 4th-generation monochrome rear panel is chrome stainless steel. "White" and "Black/Red (U2)" describe the iPod's front and wheel, and which unit the back was engraved for — they do not mean the metal back is painted.
Why does case depth matter at all?
Because the two bodies were built around different drives: the 20GB thin case takes a 5 mm 1.8-inch drive, the 40GB thick case an 8 mm one. That difference is the whole reason the backs are not interchangeable — a thin back cannot close over thick internals. If the iPod has already been rebuilt, match the arrangement that is actually inside it.
Is this an iPod Classic?
Apple's 'Classic' branding started with the 6th Generation (2007). This is the iPod 4th Generation (Click Wheel), the monochrome-screen model from 2004. Apple's official name for this model is iPod (Click Wheel).
Should I choose by capacity or by thin/thick case?
Choose by the capacity engraved on the rear panel and the thin/thick case depth so the housing and adjacent parts line up: Apple lists the 20GB body at 0.57 in deep and 5.6 oz and the 40GB body at 0.69 in deep and 6.2 oz, so a thick back is visibly deeper at the seam and noticeably heavier. If the back may have been swapped, Settings > About shows the capacity and model.
Free diagnostic
Broken iPod? We can help.
Mail us your iPod and we will test it and send you a free repair quote. If you don't like our price, we will ship your iPod back at our expense.
How mail-in repair works
Order the free diagnostic
Choose your iPod. Add our shipping box and prepaid label if you need one.
Mail us your iPod
Pack it with your work order. No printer? Put a note in the box with your name, return address, email, order number and what is wrong.
Approve your quote
We test it and email your free repair quote. Most repairs are finished within 1 to 3 business days after you approve the quote.