Replacement thin 0.43-inch rear backplate for 30GB iPod Video 5G builds. Use it when the chrome rear housing is scratched, dented, bent, or being changed for a custom finish or capacity engraving; factory 60GB/80GB builds use the thick rear-case path.
Product Overview
Use this listing if you need the thin metal rear housing for an iPod 5th Generation Video 30GB build. People search for this as an iPod video 5th generation thin backplate, thin backplate, 30GB rear panel, back cover, rear case, or rear housing.
This part is for rear-case fit, finish, thickness, and customization: scratched chrome, dents, pry marks, a bent rear shell, a cosmetic refresh, or a custom/blank capacity engraving. It is not an internal electronics diagnosis.
Factory 60GB and 80GB iPod Video builds use the thick 0.55-inch rear-case path and may need matching thick nearby hardware.
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 30GB thin rear-housing work; confirm case depth before ordering.
You're viewing this optionWhat Is Included
Quick Diagnosis: Is It The Thin Backplate?
Start with the rear case itself. This is a passive housing part, so physical condition, thin/thick fitment, nearby hardware, and customization goals matter more than functional symptoms.
Check first: Confirm the damage is on the metal rear housing, not the front faceplate, screen lens, battery, or internal stack.
Backplate makes sense when: The iPod is a thin 30GB-style build and the rear housing is the damaged or worn part.
Check first: Check capacity, order number, and physical depth: 30GB builds are the 0.43-inch thin path; factory 60GB/80GB builds are the 0.55-inch thick path.
Backplate makes sense when: The build uses the thin 30GB rear case and matching thin headphone/hold hardware.
Check first: Check whether the rear panel includes hardware and whether the headphone jack / Hold switch flex is thin-path hardware.
Backplate makes sense when: The existing assembly transfers cleanly, or you have the matching thin replacement assembly.
Check first: Confirm thin 30GB fitment first, then choose finish, U2-style, blank, or custom storage-capacity engraving.
Backplate makes sense when: The goal is a cosmetic refresh, color swap, coordinated build, or rear engraving that matches a flash-mod capacity.
General wear
Confirm visible wear, product family, and fitment before ordering.
What Brings People Here
Flash-mod preparation
Match the rear engraving or case choice to an upgraded storage build after confirming the storage path.
Engraving removal
Choose a replacement rear housing when the goal is a cleaner back without prior engraving.
Specifications & Fitment
Part Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | A1136 |
| EMC | EMC 2065 |
| Condition | Used — factory original Apple part. Normal cosmetic wear expected. |
Customization Options
This can also be a customization choice. Non-OEM back panels may be offered in custom finishes or with blank/custom storage-capacity engraving, which is useful when a flash-mod capacity no longer matches the original rear-case engraving. Choose finish and engraving after confirming thin/thick fitment.
Compatible Variants
| Order Number | Capacity | Color | Case | Compatible | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA146LL/A | 30GB | Black | thin (0.43 in) | Yes— stock match | — |
| MA446LL/A | 30GB | Black | thin (0.43 in) | Yes— stock match | — |
| MA002LL/A | 30GB | White | thin (0.43 in) | Yes— stock match | — |
| MA444LL/A | 30GB | White | thin (0.43 in) | Yes— stock match | — |
| MA147LL/A | 60GB | Black | thick | No— wrong case depth | Different case depth — choose the listing that matches this order number's case. |
| MA003LL/A | 60GB | White | thick | No— wrong case depth | Different case depth — choose the listing that matches this order number's case. |
| MA450LL/A | 80GB | Black | thick | No— wrong case depth | Different case depth — choose the listing that matches this order number's case. |
| MA448LL/A | 80GB | White | thick | No— wrong case depth | Different case depth — choose the listing that matches this order number's case. |
| MA452LL/A | 30GB | U2 Special | thin (0.43 in) | No— different variant | Other rear-capacity engraving routes when you want a stock-looking 30GB backplate Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA664LL/A | 30GB | U2 Special | thin (0.43 in) | No— different variant | Other rear-capacity engraving routes when you want a stock-looking 30GB backplate Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
Failure Signs
Scratched, dented, bent, worn, or badly pried rear panel
- Buyers may describe it as: scratched backplate, dented rear case, chrome back is worn, pry marks, bent rear shell, or clean 30GB back cover.
- Check first: rear metal housing, case lip, tabs, screw points, front faceplate, battery pressure, and rear-mounted headphone/hold assembly.
- This backplate makes sense when: the metal rear housing is physically damaged or cosmetically worn and the iPod is a thin 30GB-style build.
- This part is for the rear metal housing; front plastic or screen-lens damage belongs on another route.
Thin vs thick backplate mismatch
- Buyers may describe it as: thin vs thick backplate, 30GB back on 60GB, 30GB back on 80GB, replacement back will not close, or headphone jack does not line up.
- Check first: capacity, order number, physical depth, storage/battery stack, and thin vs thick headphone/hold hardware.
- This backplate makes sense when: the build is the 0.43-inch 30GB path and the internal stack fits without pressure.
- Do not force a factory thick 60GB/80GB internal stack into a thin rear panel.
Bare backplate or nearby hardware mismatch
- Buyers may describe it as: does backplate include Hold switch, transfer headphone jack, bare back cover, or Hold switch does not line up.
- Check first: whether the rear panel includes hardware, the headphone/hold flex depth, connector latches, orange flex cables, and battery adhesive.
- This backplate makes sense when: the matching thin hardware can be transferred or replaced without ribbon or latch damage.
- A correct backplate can still fit badly if the nearby rear-panel hardware is from the wrong thickness path.
Custom color, cosmetic refresh, or capacity engraving
- Buyers may describe it as: custom iPod backplate, blank backplate, blank/custom capacity engraving, U2 backplate engraving, color swap, or flash-mod capacity engraving.
- Check first: thin 30GB fitment, finish option, engraving option, U2 styling needs, and whether flash storage changed the true capacity.
- This backplate makes sense when: you want a custom non-OEM look, a cleaner rear case, or a rear-panel engraving that matches the iPod's upgraded storage capacity.
- Customization is a valid reason to buy a backplate, but it does not override fitment.
Do Not Buy This Backplate Yet If...
| Situation | Start here instead |
|---|---|
| The iPod is a factory 60GB or 80GB thick build and you are not deliberately planning a thin conversion. | Use the matching 60GB or 80GB thick backplate path instead. |
| The rear case is intact and closes normally, and you are trying to solve an unexplained functional or electronic problem. | This is a physical rear housing. Start with the logic board, hard drive, battery, dock, or audio path instead. |
| The case is bulging or hard to close. | Check battery swelling, storage thickness, and internal part placement before ordering a backplate. |
| The headphone jack or Hold switch is broken and you expected this bare rear panel to include that assembly. | Order or transfer the matching thin headphone/Hold assembly separately. |
| You only know A1136. | Confirm 30GB capacity, order number, and physical depth first. |
| You want a custom color, U2-style back, blank panel, or capacity engraving. | Confirm the thin 30GB rear-case path first. |
Install Overview
Use case-opening technique
This is a short mechanical job with moderate opening and ribbon risk. Release the retaining clips gently.
Protect rear-panel ribbons
When the shell first opens, do not pull the halves apart because rear-panel ribbons still bridge the assembly.
Handle connector latches gently
Release the battery ribbon and headphone/Hold ribbon in sequence; small connector latches and orange flex cables are fragile.
Transfer matching hardware
The battery is adhered to the rear panel, and the headphone jack / Hold switch assembly may need to be transferred from the old rear case.
Check thin-case clearance
Stop if the case is bulging or hard to close; inspect battery swelling, storage thickness, and internal alignment before forcing the shell.
Repair Guide
Repair guide summary: iPod 5th Generation (Video) Rear Panel Replacement.
Show all 18 installation steps
Before opening the iPod, confirm that the hold switch is locked. With the iPod screen-side down and facing you, the slider should sit all the way to the right.
Do not get discouraged if the iPod takes several opening attempts; work slowly until the case releases. Release the first bottom retainer clip with the plastic opening tool. Point the tool edge toward the metal rear case to avoid scratching the plastic front.
Use these retaining clip locations: four along each side, one on top, and two along the bottom. This helps avoid frustration and reduces the chance of scratching the plastic cover.
Each side of the iPod has four retaining clips. Use a plastic opening tool to separate the plastic front from the metal rear case. Slide the plastic opening tool into the iPod's left side with the tool edge pointed toward the metal rear case. A small guitar pick can help with opening. Place it in the seam and slide it around the case to release the clips more smoothly. Gently enlarge the existing crevice by wiggling the plastic opening tool and moving it to the left. Keep working this way until the entire side of the iPod is loose. Then slide a plastic opening tool to the right of the Hold button. Work very carefully while inserting the tool because the display is fragile.
Gently glide the plastic opening tool on the top of the display, making sure to release the retaining clips. The other sides of the iPod should now release easily. If they do not, work plastic opening tools along the right side the same way you did on the left side. In this step, separate the front of the device from the back about an inch (or a couple of centimeters). The iPod casing is now open, but do not fully separate the two halves yet. Two ribbon cables still connect the back panel to the remaining iPod assembly.
With angled tweezers or a plastic opening tool, slide the brown connector latch upward where it secures the orange battery ribbon cable. Pull from both sides of the latch. Lift it only about 1-2 mm to release the cable; do not lift farther or remove it, or the white connector may come with it. Do not raise the assembly very far; lifting too high could pull the battery connector out of the logic board. Move the brown connector straight upward. It is fragile and can break if shifted to the side. Hooks at the bottom hold the cable in place. If an arm breaks, reinstalling the battery cable becomes difficult; put the cable in the slot and press the brown holder into place to stop the cable from slipping out. Take the cable out of the connector.
At this stage there should be one orange ribbon cable still attaching the front housing to the back. At this stage you are able to take out and replace the blue rubber bumpers, or keep going with separating the case. You can replace the battery without separating the case, but opening it farther can make the work easier. Doing so requires one extra cable removal and adds some damage risk.
Raise the hard drive so the headphone jack ribbon connector is exposed. If the hard drive bumpers come loose, put them back with the notch seated in its original orientation.
With the plastic opening tool, gently raise the brown tab of the headphone ribbon cable connector. The tab can rotate up 90 degrees, releasing the ribbon cable. With your fingers, draw out the headphone jack ribbon cable.
The front and rear case halves should now be fully separated.
During this step, take care not to damage any headphone or battery ribbon cables. Slide a plastic opening tool between the metal case and the battery. Gently wiggle the tool while pressing it farther between the battery and back case. The battery adhesive should give so the battery can be removed from the rear panel.
In this step, be very cautious when performing this step, since the orange ribbon cables can readily be broken. Peel away the tape holding the ribbon cables in place.
Take out the two black Phillips screws that are holding the headphone jack to the lower casing.
Take out these two screws: Remove the black Phillips screw holding the Hold switch near the corner of the device. Remove the silver Phillips screw securing the other edge of the Hold switch. Reassembly tip: a tiny dab of removable white craft glue on the screwdriver tip can help hold these small screws while you reinstall them.
Raise the Hold switch free of its housing on the rear panel. Move the headphone jack out of its housing on the rear panel. Raise the headphone jack and hold switch assembly out of the iPod. If the goal is replacing the back panel, stop here after removing the Hold switch and headphone jack. The next steps only transfer the plastic Hold switch to a replacement headphone jack.
If the replacement headphone jack includes the white plastic hold switch, reinstall the headphone jack. If it does not, use the next steps to transfer the plastic hold switch to the new headphone jack. Take out the single Phillips screw closest to the hold switch. Adhesive may hold the screw back in place. Raise the plastic part of the Hold switch away from the orange ribbon cable. During switch reassembly, confirm that the black notch lines up with the gray slider.
With the small plastic opening tool, carefully peel up the orange ribbon cable and attached black Hold switch from the metal backing. When attaching the replacement Hold switch, align the two small rear posts on the switch with the two holes in the metal backing.
In this step, you are now able to replace the back panel of the iPod.
Common Questions
Is this the right backplate for a 60GB or 80GB iPod Video?
Usually no. Factory 60GB and 80GB Video builds are the thick 0.55-inch path. This listing is for the thin 0.43-inch 30GB-style rear panel unless you are deliberately planning a thin conversion.
Does A1136 mean this thin backplate fits?
No. A1136 is a broad parts-market clue across multiple 5G Video variants. Confirm 30GB capacity, order number, and physical case depth before ordering.
Does the rear panel include the headphone jack or Hold switch?
Do not assume it does. Many rear panels are bare, so plan to transfer the existing headphone/hold assembly or order the matching thin assembly if yours is damaged or mismatched.
Can I choose a custom color or capacity engraving?
Yes, when that option is offered for the part. Choose custom finish, blank, U2-style, or storage-capacity engraving after confirming thin fitment and nearby hardware.
Will this fix an electronic problem if the case looks fine?
No. This listing covers rear-case fit, finish, thickness, and customization. If the rear case is intact and closes normally, diagnose the functional problem before buying a housing part.
What if the case is bowed or hard to close?
Stop and inspect battery swelling, storage thickness, and part placement before forcing the backplate shut. A cosmetic rear panel should not be used to clamp down an unsafe or oversized internal stack.
Worth Knowing
- Owner-verified failure mode: installing a thick-case part in a thin 30GB case compresses the LCD panel against the internals — dark pressure marks or permanent panel damage. Thin and thick batteries, headphone jacks, backplates, and side bumpers are NOT interchangeable between case variants.
Some buyers search for "back housing", "rear cover", "metal back", "iPod Video 5.5 backplate", "iPod 5.5G backplate", "iPod Video Enhanced backplate", "A1136 backplate", "slim", "scuffed", "cosmetic damage", "remove engraving", "flash mod backplate", or "lock switch"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
Why people land on this part
Some buyers search for "back plate"; confirm the checks above point to this same part before ordering.
Also searched as: iPod 5th generation (video) 30GB backplate replacement, iPod 5th Generation Video 30GB rear case, iPod 5th Generation Video 30GB back cover, iPod 5th Generation Video 30GB rear housing, iPod 5th generation video rear panel, iPod Classic 5th Generation.
