Replacement thick rear backplate for 80GB iPod Video 5G builds. Use it when the chrome rear housing is scratched, dented, bent, missing good clips, or being changed for a custom finish or capacity engraving.
Product Overview
Use this listing if you need the thick metal rear housing for an iPod 5th Generation Video 80GB. People search for this as an iPod video 5th generation thick backplate, back cover, rear panel, or rear housing.
This part fixes physical rear-case problems: a bent, dented, badly scratched, warped, or non-closing backplate. It is not an internal electronics, storage, dock, or audio repair.
It can also be a customization choice. Non-OEM back panels may be offered in custom finishes or with custom storage-capacity engraving, which is useful when a flash-mod capacity no longer matches the original rear-case engraving.
Stock 30GB iPod Video units use the thin 0.43-inch rear case and need the thin backplate path instead. A separate listing covers the 60GB rear-capacity engraving for stock-look 60GB repairs.
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 80GB thick rear-housing work; confirm case depth before ordering.
You're viewing this optionWhat Is Included
Quick Diagnosis: Is It The Thick Backplate?
Start here before ordering. The thick backplate is a physical housing part, so case damage and thick-case fitment matter more than electrical symptoms.
Check first: Confirm the damage is on the metal rear housing, not the front faceplate, battery, or internal stack.
Backplate makes sense when: The iPod is a thick 80GB build and the rear housing is the damaged part.
Check first: Check capacity, order number, and physical depth: stock 30GB is 0.43 inch thin; this 80GB route is the 0.55 inch thick rear case.
Backplate makes sense when: The build uses the deeper 80GB rear case and matching thick hardware.
Check first: Plan the full thick hardware stack: backplate, headphone/hold assembly, battery, bumpers, and storage clearance.
Backplate makes sense when: All adjacent thick-case parts fit without forcing the shell closed.
Check first: Choose finish and custom storage-capacity engraving only after confirming this is the thick 80GB rear-case path.
Backplate makes sense when: The back panel is being replaced for a color/finish refresh or to align the rear engraving with a flash-mod capacity.
Pry marks or tool damage
Scratches, gouges, or dents from previous opening attempts are common after earlier DIY work.
Scratches or scuffing
Polished or painted exterior parts show surface wear easily; confirm whether this is cosmetic-only damage.
General wear
Confirm visible wear, product family, and fitment before ordering.
What Brings People Here
Cosmetic refresh
Replace a scratched, worn, or damaged exterior to restore the iPod's appearance.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA450LL/A | 80GB | Black | thick | Yes— stock match | — |
| MA448LL/A | 80GB | White | thick | Yes— stock match | — |
| MA146LL/A | 30GB | Black | thin (0.43 in) | No— wrong case depth | Other iPod 5th Generation (Video) case-depth routes (thin) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA446LL/A | 30GB | Black | thin (0.43 in) | No— wrong case depth | Other iPod 5th Generation (Video) case-depth routes (thin) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA452LL/A | 30GB | U2 Special | thin (0.43 in) | No— wrong case depth | Other iPod 5th Generation (Video) case-depth routes (thin) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA664LL/A | 30GB | U2 Special | thin (0.43 in) | No— wrong case depth | Other iPod 5th Generation (Video) case-depth routes (thin) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA002LL/A | 30GB | White | thin (0.43 in) | No— wrong case depth | Other iPod 5th Generation (Video) case-depth routes (thin) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA444LL/A | 30GB | White | thin (0.43 in) | No— wrong case depth | Other iPod 5th Generation (Video) case-depth routes (thin) unless the listing explicitly says it matches this capacity family Use New Custom Thin Backplate instead. |
| MA147LL/A | 60GB | Black | thick | No— wrong case depth | 60GB rear-capacity engraving routes — use the 60GB backplate page when you want a stock-looking 60GB rear case Use New Custom Thick Backplate instead. |
| MA003LL/A | 60GB | White | thick | No— wrong case depth | 60GB rear-capacity engraving routes — use the 60GB backplate page when you want a stock-looking 60GB rear case Use New Custom Thick Backplate instead. |
Failure Signs
Back is bent, dented, scratched, warped, or will not close flush
- Buyers may describe it as: back cover is dented, rear case is scratched, backplate tabs are bent, case will not close, clean thick backplate for 80GB.
- Check first: rear metal housing, case lip, side clips, screw points, front faceplate, battery pressure, and rear-mounted headphone/hold assembly.
- This backplate makes sense when: the metal rear housing is physically damaged and the iPod is a thick 80GB build.
- This part does not include the headphone jack or Hold switch.
Wrong thin/thick backplate
- Buyers may describe it as: will a 30GB backplate fit a 80GB, A1136 is not compatible with, thin vs thick backplate, 30GB vs 80GB backplate.
- Check first: capacity, order number, physical depth, and whether the unit is stock-thin or stock-thick.
- This backplate makes sense when: the build needs the deeper 0.55-inch 80GB rear case.
- Do not force a 30GB thin and 80GB thick shell mismatch closed.
Thick conversion needs more than the backplate
- Buyers may describe it as: put a thick back on a 30GB iPod, headphone jack does not line up, thick case will not close after flash mod or big battery.
- Check first: matching thick headphone/hold assembly, thick battery fit, rubber bumpers, storage clearance, and dry-fit alignment.
- This backplate makes sense when: the conversion plan includes all thickness-dependent nearby parts.
- This thick backplate alone is not a complete conversion kit.
Custom color, finish, or capacity engraving
- Buyers may describe it as: custom backplate, custom rear housing, custom capacity engraving, flash mod capacity engraving, color swap, or cosmetic refresh.
- Check first: thin/thick fitment, finish option, engraving option, storage capacity to be engraved, and whether the rest of the build matches.
- This backplate makes sense when: you want a custom non-OEM look 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 stock 30GB and you are keeping the thin 0.43-inch rear case. | Use the 30GB thin backplate path instead. |
| You are trying to solve an internal electronics, power, storage, sync, or audio 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 the battery and internal part stack before ordering a backplate. |
| The headphone jack or Hold switch is broken. | This rear panel does not include that assembly. |
| You only know A1136. | Confirm capacity, order number, and physical depth first. |
| You want a custom finish or capacity engraving. | Confirm the thin/thick rear-case path first. |
| You are converting thin to thick. | Check the matching headphone/hold assembly, battery, bumpers, and storage clearance. |
Install Overview
Use case-opening technique
Treat this as a moderate case-opening repair, not a snap-on cover. Release the retaining tabs gently and stop if the shell resists.
Protect the headphone/Hold ribbon
When the case first opens, do not pull the halves apart; battery and headphone/Hold ribbons still bridge the rear panel to the assembly.
Respect thick-case clearance
Stop if the case is bulging or hard to close; inspect battery swelling, storage thickness, and internal alignment before forcing the shell.
Transfer rear-panel hardware
The rear-panel procedure removes the battery from adhesive and removes the headphone jack/hold-switch assembly from the old rear case.
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 80GB iPod Video?
Use this listing when the rear case should match a thick 80GB iPod Video build. Match the capacity engraving, order number, and 0.55-inch thick case before ordering.
Does the 80GB backplate fit the other thick iPod Video capacity?
The 60GB and 80GB thick rear cases share the same physical depth, but the rear capacity engraving is different. For a stock-look repair, choose the listing that matches the engraving on your iPod. A separate listing covers the 60GB rear-capacity engraving for stock-look 60GB repairs.
Does A1136 mean this thick backplate fits?
No. A1136 is a family clue across 30GB, 60GB, and 80GB iPod Video variants. Confirm capacity, order number, and physical depth before ordering.
Will this fix internal electronics, storage, or audio problems?
No. Buy the backplate only when the rear housing is physically damaged or the build needs the thick case.
Does the rear panel include the headphone jack or Hold switch?
No. Plan to transfer or replace the rear-mounted headphone/hold assembly separately if it is damaged or if a thick conversion needs matching thick hardware.
What else should I check during a thin-to-thick conversion?
Check the matching thick headphone/hold assembly, thick battery fit, rubber bumpers, storage clearance, and whether the shell closes without pressure.
Can I choose a custom color or capacity engraving?
Yes, when that option is offered for the part. Treat custom finish and storage-capacity engraving as personalization choices, then confirm the backplate thickness, capacity family, and case fit before ordering.
Why is this not a five-minute repair?
The part is passive metal housing, but reaching it means opening the iPod, protecting fragile ribbons, removing the battery from adhesive, and removing the headphone/hold assembly.
Search Language
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", "chrome back", "shiny back", "mirror back", "slim back", "steel back", "iPod Video 5.5 backplate", "iPod 5.5G back cover", "iPod Video Enhanced backplate", "A1136 backplate", "scuffed", "hairline scratches", "fingerprint magnet", "cosmetic damage", "wrong capacity engraving", "chrome back scratched", "remove engraving", "flash mod backplate", or "make my iPod look new"; 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.
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