Removing the Otterbox Defender

**ItsMeMandi** · 10-17-2012, 09:49 PM

So since I'm outside a lot with my phone I decided to splurge on the otterbox defender case. I got it on just fine, but now I can't get it off! Are there pressure points to get the front and back apart that I'm missing??

**Borarjti** · 10-17-2012, 10:12 PM

just pull really hard!
i tired it out at best buy and decided against it for that reason, because it was a pain in the a$$ to remove especially compared to the previous otterboxes i have had, look up the seidio OBEX case it is waterproof

**Bond32** · 10-17-2012, 10:15 PM

Don't pull. Take the silicon off then pop up each of the little tabs on the sides. Should be 4 or 5 - one on the top and bottom, a few on the sides. Just slide your nail under the plastic tab, should pop right off.

**Borarjti** · 10-17-2012, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Bond32

Don't pull. Take the silicon off then pop up each of the little tabs on the sides. Should be 4 or 5 - one on the top and bottom, a few on the sides. Just slide your nail under the plastic tab, should pop right off.

the S3 case is more of a PITA than other otterboxes

**geekymcfly** · 10-17-2012, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by ItsMeMandi

So since I'm outside a lot with my phone I decided to splurge on the otterbox defender case. I got it on just fine, but now I can't get it off! Are there pressure points to get the front and back apart that I'm missing??

Take your time removing the otter. I have one and it's already broken. Good thing otterbox covers it and I have a replacement coming.

"may the odds be in your favor"

**dcharleyultra** · 10-17-2012, 10:25 PM

There are 6 "locks" - 2 on each side and 1 on the top and bottom.

Each lock needs to be unlatched.

The easiest way to do this is:
1. Remove the silicone protection.

2. With the phone in your hands, turn the phone on its side so that the volume keys are pointing up and the power key is pointing down. The display should be pointing to the right.

3. Put left thumb over volume-up and right thumb over volume-down.

4. Push into the case with your left thumb, unlatching the lock above your left thumb.

5. Keeping thumbs more or less in place, use your left index finger to press into the case over the top microphone. This should unlock the top latch.

6. Continue working around the phone, unlatching the locks.

7. The case should separate fairly easily.

Swyped from my SPH-L710

**funkylogik** · 10-17-2012, 10:26 PM

i couldnt handle carryin around one of em big ugly badboys lol, theyr like a breifcase

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or stupid) guess

**smooth4lyfe** · 10-17-2012, 10:45 PM

LMAO! Thats pretty funny...I have a bootleg ottberbox case which i think is even better than the real thing, and it has different colors

**ItsMeMandi** · 10-17-2012, 10:49 PM

dcharley thank you!! It was so easy lol I knew I was overlooking something obvious.

**geekymcfly** · 10-17-2012, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by smooth4lyfe

LMAO! Thats pretty funny...I have a bootleg ottberbox case which i think is even better than the real thing, and it has different colors

Nothing is like the real thing. Lol.

"may the odds be in your favor"

**smooth4lyfe** · 10-17-2012, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by iCrank

Nothing is like the real thing. Lol.

"may the odds be in your favor"

Lol true, but I think mine does just as good

**Bond32** · 10-17-2012, 11:44 PM

I just ordered the Seidio Convert... Pretty excited lol.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

**smooth4lyfe** · 10-18-2012, 12:10 AM

This is the case I have though...I get compliments all the time on it, has a kickstand for landscape and portrait viewing and extra protection

Removing the Otterbox Defender-41k13ofx-hl._aa300_.jpg

Removing the Otterbox Defender-41g12klhl5l._sl500_aa300_.jpg

Removing the Otterbox Defender-41vqncindhl._aa300_.jpg

**dcharleyultra** · 10-18-2012, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by ItsMeMandi

dcharley thank you!! It was so easy lol I knew I was overlooking something obvious.

You are quite welcome.

Swyped from my SPH-L710

**Soundtrack to Chaos** · 10-18-2012, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by ItsMeMandi

So since I'm outside a lot with my phone I decided to splurge on the otterbox defender case. I got it on just fine, but now I can't get it off! Are there pressure points to get the front and back apart that I'm missing??

Try and get as much space as you can between the two parts of the screen protector part and the back cover once you get the silicon off

Then a stick a small knife or a nail clip in there and try and slowly release the sides and then it should come off

Or you can try by force. Luckily for me, mine no longer has that issue anymore

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Android Central Forums

**bassmig** · 10-18-2012, 06:36 PM

I have a defender but I got it for free from my father in law. I would have preferred a comuter or a seidi but hey you can't beat the price!

**Larry Steinhauer** · 01-06-2013, 07:21 PM

ugh

**Larry Steinhauer** · 01-06-2013, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bond32

Don't pull. Take the silicon off then pop up each of the little tabs on the sides. Should be 4 or 5 - one on the top and bottom, a few on the sides. Just slide your nail under the plastic tab, should pop right off.

Tried this and got nothing but broken fingernails.

**dcharleyultra** · 01-06-2013, 07:41 PM

Did you see post #6?

Swyped from my SPH-L710

**cellphonejunkey** · 01-06-2013, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by smooth4lyfe

This is the case I have though...I get compliments all the time on it, has a kickstand for landscape and portrait viewing and extra protection

Click image for larger version.

Name: 41K13OFX-hL._AA300_.jpg
Views: 282
Size: 10.9 KB
ID: 41899

Click image for larger version.

Name: 41g12klhL5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Views: 282
Size: 11.8 KB
ID: 41900

Click image for larger version.

Name: 41VQnCIndhL._AA300_.jpg
Views: 282
Size: 9.0 KB
ID: 41901

This is really weird I have an original ottor box commuter and my outer shell did not come with a kick stand!? The defender uses the same shell and components!?

Sent from my SGH-I957R using Android Central Forums

**mhinc** · 01-07-2013, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by smooth4lyfe

LMAO! Thats pretty funny...I have a bootleg ottberbox case which i think is even better than the real thing, and it has different colors

The otterbox has several different colours as well, and a 100% replacement guarantee and amazing customer service

**frekiluv** · 01-07-2013, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Larry Steinhauer

Tried this and got nothing but broken fingernails.

Try putting pressure on inner tab, not pulling on outer tab. Try top and one side first. Once you release it shoud fall apart.

composed by my imaginary construct for you.

**jerry 12** · 01-11-2013, 09:43 PM

I just got mind off with your help it is a defender for a galaxy note 2 but the screen didn't fit down on the phone screen and that made it hard to scroll with the case on the screen.

**clintlinderman** · 03-04-2013, 09:34 AM

I made an account specifically to thank you for this advice right here, worked great!

unfortunately two of my locks are breaking already so I'll probably be emailing otterbox soon anyhow.

"The easiest way to do this is:
1. Remove the silicone protection.

2. With the phone in your hands, turn the phone on its side so that the volume keys are pointing up and the power key is pointing down. The display should be pointing to the right.

3. Put left thumb over volume-up and right thumb over volume-down.

4. Push into the case with your left thumb, unlatching the lock above your left thumb. "

**dcharleyultra** · 03-04-2013, 10:23 PM

Glad it helped you!

Believe it or not, I just emailed and sent pics to Otterbox yesterday. My replacement is on the way.

In the meantime I'm using my Cruzerlite Spi-Force, and getting a lot of compliments.

Swyped from my SPH-L710