Google Pixel 3 XL Motherboard Replacement - Google Pixel 3 XL

Step 1 | Heat the edge of the back cover

Be cautious when applying heat to prevent damage to the display and internal battery.

Apply heat to the right edge of the back cover using an iOpener, hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate for 1 minute.
Identify the following areas on the back cover:

Fingerprint sensor cable - exercise care to avoid damaging it during prying.
Strong adhesive near the bottom of the phone.

Step 2 | Create a gap under the back cover

Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back cover.

Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap.
If needed, reheat and try again if you encounter difficulties.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 3 | Loosen the right edge adhesives

Slide a pick along the right edge to cut the adhesive.

If the adhesive hardens, reapply heat to facilitate cutting.
Leave a pick in the seam to prevent re-sealing.

Step 4 | Heat the bottom edge of the back cover

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the back cover for one minute.

Step 5 | Slice through the bottom adhesives

Use an opening pick to carefully slice around the bottom right corner and along the bottom edge of the phone.

Work slowly at this stage to prevent the panel from cracking, and re-apply heat if necessary.

Leave a pick in the edge to keep the adhesive open.

Step 6 | Slice through the remaining edges

Careful not to damage the fingerprint sensor when slicing along the left edge.

Continue heating and slicing around the remaining edges of the phone.
If the pick gets stuck near the top, retract it slightly and try again.
Slice through thick adhesive areas at the bottom and right edge.

Step 7 | Slice through the leftover adhesive

Gently pry up the right edge of the back cover.

Careful not to damage the surrounding area — use an opening pick to slice through remaining adhesive.

Step 8 | Swing open the back cover

Swing the right edge of the back cover upwards and rest it along the left side of the phone.

Maintain slack on the fingerprint sensor cable to prevent pinching.
During reassembly, power on your phone and test all functions before sealing.
Prior to continuing, completely power down your phone.
Reinstall custom-cut adhesives for the back cover during reassembly, following the relevant guide.
If you replaced the fingerprint sensor, use this software tool to enable recognition of the new sensor.

Step 9 | Remove the fingerprint sensor tape

Use tweezers to carefully lift up the yellow tape covering the fingerprint sensor connector.

Step 10 | Disconnect the fingerprint sensor

Prevent shorting by avoiding contact with metal contacts on the flex cable.

Use a spudger point to flip up the black lock bar on the fingerprint sensor's ZIF socket.
Gently walk the flex cable out of the socket using your fingers or tweezers to grasp the cable tab.

Step 11 | Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.

Apply new adhesive according to the provided instructions.

Step 12 | Remove the metal cover bracket screws

Remove three T3 screws, 4mm in length.
Also remove one T3 screw, 3mm in length.

Keep track of each screw and ensure it is replaced exactly where found.

Step 13 | Remove the metal cover bracket

Locate the metal bracket at the top right edge.

Pry up on the bracket using the flat end of a spudger.
Once loose, remove the metal cover bracket.

Step 14 | Disconnect the battery

Risk of electrical shock if metal tools used on battery connector.

Use a spudger point to pry up and disconnect battery connector.
Bend the battery cable away from the socket.

Step 15 | Remove the motherboard shield screws

Remove the motherboard shield secured by three T3 screws, each measuring 4 mm in length.
Next, remove the two remaining T3 screws, each measuring 3 mm in length.

Step 16 | Remove the motherboard shield

Remove the motherboard shield.

Step 17 | Remove the front camera bracket

Remove the T3 screws securing the front camera bracket.

The screws have a length of 3mm.
There are three screws in total.

Step 18 | Remove the front camera bracket

Remove the front camera bracket.

Step 19 | Disconnect the front cameras

Avoid damaging nearby surface-mount components.

Use a spudger point to gently pry up and disconnect the cameras from their motherboard sockets.

Step 20 | Loosen the front cameras

Remove the camera modules using the flat end of a spudger.

Pry up on the lightly adhered modules to loosen them.
Work carefully around the camera's recess to avoid damage.

Step 21 | Remove the front-facing cameras

Remove the front-facing cameras.

Step 22 | Remove one loudspeaker screw

Remove the T3 screw from the top-right corner of the loudspeaker.

This may provide additional clearance for motherboard removal.

Step 23 | Remove the button array connector bracket

Remove the T3 screws with a length of 3 mm.

There are two screws to remove.
They secure the button array connector bracket.

Step 24

Remove the button array connector bracket.

Step 25 | Disconnect the earpiece speaker

Pry up the earpiece connector using the pointed end of a spudger.
Remove the connector pad around the earpiece socket.

Step 26 | Disconnect the motherboard connectors

Pry up and disconnect the microphone connector using the pointed tip of a spudger.
Pry up and disconnect the button array connector using the pointed tip of a spudger.
The earpiece connector should already be disconnected.

Step 27

Disconnect the charging coil connector using a pointed tool.
Remove the left squeeze sensor connector.
Pry up and disconnect the display connector.
Release the right squeeze sensor connector.
Disconnect the loudspeaker connector.
Remove the USB-C port connector.

Step 28 | Remove the motherboard screws

Use a T3 screwdriver to remove two T3 screws, each 3 mm in length, securing the motherboard.

Step 29 | Loosen the motherboard

Insert spudger tip under motherboard near rear-facing camera module.

Pry up gently to loosen motherboard from recess.
If motherboard won't budge, check that all connectors are disconnected.

The motherboard must pass over the earpiece speaker cable. Be careful not to press too hard on this cable; if it does pop open, press the earpiece module back into place carefully.

Step 30

Do not attempt to remove the motherboard as it is still attached.

Lift the top half of the motherboard slightly to clear from its recess.
Keep slack in antenna cables attached to the bottom leg while handling.
Twist left edge of board over and out, resting on right edge of phone.

Step 31 | Loosen the antenna cables

Fragile antenna cables may break easily, handle with care.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the black and white antenna cables near their motherboard clips.
Pry close to the base of each clip for safe removal.

Step 32 | Remove the motherboard

Disconnect and remove the motherboard.

Step 33 | Transfer the rear-facing camera

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear-facing camera from its motherboard socket.

Remove the rear-facing camera and transfer it to your replacement motherboard.
Compare your new part to the original. You may need to remove remaining components or adhesive backings before installing.