Open an Otterbox Case

Otterboxes are some of the most durable smartphone and tablet cases you can buy, but that same durability can make it difficult to remove from your device. Most Otterbox cases use tension clips to keep the case secure. These can be difficult to pry with your fingers, so you may need a small flat-head screwdriver or a stiff credit card.

Steps

Defender Series

1. Remove the snap-on holster. If the device is in a belt clip or other snap-on attachment, pop it off using the large tab on the side.
   • The process for removing a Defender Otterbox case will be the same for virtually all devices. The only differences will be the number and the style of tension clips.
2. Find an opening in the silicone slipcover. The most difficult part of removing the Defender case is peeling off the flexible silicone layer. Your best bet is to start at the camera opening, the charging port, or a corner of the screen.
3. Wedge a thin tool under the cover. If you can't fit your finger into one of these openings, use an old credit card or other hard, flexible piece of plastic. Stick it underneath the slipcover, and wiggle it back and forth until you can insert your finger into the gap.
4. Peel the silicone off carefully. Once you've wedged a corner open, you should be able to go around the phone pulling off the silicone. Be careful when removing the silicone from your open ports to avoid tearing any port covers.
5. Find the tension clips along the edge of the case. New Defender cases have clips along the side that you can pop open with your fingers. The larger the device, the more clips you'll find along the edges. There is typically a clip on each corner and clips in the middle for larger devices.
   • If you're using an iPad and don't have tabs or slots, Open-an-Otterbox-Case.
6. Release one of the tension clips. Use your fingers to pop one of the tension clips open along the side of the case. If you can't get your finger under the clip, you may need to use a small flat-head screwdriver or a stiff credit card to get some leverage. The tension clips release from the bottom.
   • If using a tool to pry the clips open, lift towards the front of the case. Don't try to pull down, or you may break the plastic.
   • Some clips may be easier to remove than others, especially when all clips are closed. If you're having trouble with one, move onto a different clip.
7. Continue releasing tension clips until the two halves separate. The front and back of the case should come apart completely. Don't force the two apart, or you may damage the tension clips.
   • You may not be able to release all of the clips for some devices while the device is inside. Instead, release them along the top, bottom, and one side, then open the case like a hinge.

Original Defender (iPad)

1. Remove the snap-on cover. You can remove the cover by pulling any of the four corner tabs.
2. Take off the rubber shell. Push the rubber shell off of one of the corners, then continue your way around the device until you've completely removed it. Be careful when removing the shell from ports on the iPad, as the rubber covers can be easy to tear.
3. Flip the iPad over so that you're looking at the back. You'll be removing the panels from the back of the case.
4. Slide the dock panel from the bottom half. This panel will slide off about an inch below the Apple logo.
5. Pull up on the circle around the top of the Apple logo. This circle is the latch that keeps the two pieces of the case together.
6. While pulling the circle up, remove the top half of the case off of the iPad. The case is split into two halves, and pulling the circle up releases the top half, allowing you to remove it.
7. Remove the iPad from the bottom half. You can now pull the iPad out of the bottom half of the case. Connect the two halves if you want to store them.

Commuter Series

1. Start at the top of the device. You'll have the easiest time removing the plastic part of the case if you work from the top of the device.
2. Pull the top plastic up and off the rubber. You may have to lift a bit to get the plastic over any Power buttons. When you lift the plastic top off, the rest of the case should come off easily.
3. Push the rubber casing off one of the corners with your thumb. Starting from the corner is the easiest way to begin removing the rubber. The seal will be tight, so you'll need to push with some force.
4. Work the rubber casing off of the device. Work your way around the case to remove the rubber. Be careful with the ports, as the rubber port covers can tear easily.

Symmetry Series

1. Push the case off one of the corners with your thumb. The Symmetry series is one of Otterbox's simplest cases: a flexible silicone enclosure for your phone. The seal is tight, so you'll have the best luck starting from a corner and pushing the case off the edge. Otterbox recommends starting at the top edge.
2. Use a hard plastic card if necessary. Wedge the card under an edge of the flexible case. Lever it back and forth to pry the case away from the device enough to grasp it with your finger.
3. Work your way around the case. Once you have a corner off, you can work your way around the edge of the case to remove it. Be careful with the port covers so that they don't get torn.

Troubleshooting Other Models

1. Equalize pressure on waterproof models. Waterproof cases form an airtight seal around your device. A change in altitude or temperature can cause a pressure change that makes removal much more difficult. If this happens, equalize pressure by inserting a coin into the gap next to the latch on front of the case, then twisting the coin. Large models have a "purge knob" on the front of the case instead, which you can turn to open and equalize pressure.
   • Tighten the purge knob before using the case again. The case is not waterproof while the knob is open.
2. Open hinged Armor cases. Some Otterbox cases, such as the Armor series models for the iPod touch, do not separate into two parts. Instead, they open when you rotate a latch on the back of the case. The case will pop open enough to remove the phone, but the two halves remain attached at one end.

Tips

• Some Otterbox cases come with a hard plastic tool to help you wedge open the two halves of the case. This tool is designed to slip onto the lanyard on your case. If you don't have this tool, a hard plastic library card or similar tool should work.

Sources and Citations

• Videos provided by ITJungles

See also

• Sew an iPod Carrying Case
• Make a Duct Tape Case for Your iPod Nano
• Make an iPod Cover
• Knit an iPod Cover With Button Clasp
• Knit an iPod Cozy