Google Pixel 3 Display Assembly Replacement - Google Pixel 3

Step 1 | Weaken the back cover's adhesive

Apply heat from an iOpener to the bottom of the device for 1 minute.

Step 2 | Create a gap in the seam

Apply a suction cup to the heated bottom edge of the back cover, ensuring it's not mistaken for the screen side.

If your back cover is badly cracked, covering it with clear packing tape may improve adherence.

Lift on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap.
If necessary, apply more heat and try again, as this process may take significant force depending on your phone's age.

Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Avoid using metal tools, which can mar or shatter the glass back cover. If the panel resists removal, apply more heat with a hair dryer or heat gun.

Step 3 | Fingerprint cable information

Avoid pushing the opening pick too far into the device — it may damage the fingerprint sensor cable.

Step 4 | Cut through the adhesive

Insert a adhesive pick along the bottom edge of the phone.

Slice the adhesive along the bottom edge, working carefully towards the right corner.
Leave one end of the pick in place to prevent re-sealing.

Step 5

Apply heat to the right edge using an iOpener.

Continue slicing the adhesive with an opening pick
If the adhesive is gummy, push the pick in and out with a sawing motion.

Step 6

Leave a pick in each edge to prevent adhesive resealing.

Continue heating and slicing through the rest of the phone perimeter.
When slicing above the power button, only insert the pick halfway or less to avoid damaging the fingerprint sensor cable.

Step 7 | Lift the left edge of the back cover

Carefully lift the left edge of the back cover.

The back cover is still attached to the phone via the fingerprint sensor cable.
Flip the back cover along its long axis and position it so that the fingerprint sensor cable is not strained.

Step 8 | Remove the screws

Remove the two Phillips screws securing the fingerprint connector bracket using a screwdriver.

Be meticulous in keeping track of each screw and ensure it's reinstalled in its original location to avoid any issues during future use.

During reassembly, be cautious not to over-tighten these screws, as excessive force may damage your display.

Step 9 | Remove the fingerprint connector bracket

Locate the fingerprint connector bracket and use the point of a spudger to carefully release it.

Gently slide the fingerprint connector bracket out from under the NFC coil.
Remove the released fingerprint connector bracket.

Step 10 | Disconnect the fingerprint connector

Be careful when disconnecting connectors to avoid damaging surrounding components.

Use a spudger's point to pry up and disconnect the fingerprint connector from its socket.

When reconnecting, align and press down on one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other – do not press in the middle.

Pressing misaligned connectors can bend pins and cause permanent damage.

Step 11 | Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.

Scrape off all adhesive residue from the phone frame using an opening tool.

Clean the surface with high concentration isopropyl alcohol.

If reusing the back cover, clean off any adhesive and apply new back cover adhesive.
Compare replacement back cover to original part. Transfer remaining parts (e.g., flash diffuser) to replacement.

Apply new back cover adhesive correctly, following the provided guide.

Step 12 | Remove the screws

Locate and remove the 5 Phillips screws

Two screws measuring 1.9 mm
Two screws measuring 4.2 mm
One screw measuring 4.3 mm

Step 13 | Remove the charging coil

Remove the wireless charging coil by lifting it up.

Step 14 | Disconnect the battery cable

Pry up the battery press connector from its socket using the point of a spudger.

Step 15 | Remove the screws

When removing standoff screws, use a standoff bit for optimal results.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove one 4.1 mm Phillips screw and one 4 mm standoff screw.

As an alternative, a small flathead screwdriver can be used with extra caution to avoid damaging surrounding components.

Remove the camera bracket once the screws are removed.

Step 16 | Identify the cameras

Identify the camera type you need to replace: Normal View or Wide-Angle.

If performing motherboard removal, remove both cameras.
Else, determine and prepare replacement for only the affected camera.

Step 17 | Disconnect the camera(s)

Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully pry up the camera connector.

Apply gentle pressure to release the connector from its housing.
Once disconnected, proceed with the replacement procedure.

Step 18 | Loosen the camera(s)

Loosen adhesive holding the camera.

Insert spudger into the gap between camera module and frame.
Pry upwards gently to release camera from its mount.

Step 19 | Remove the camera(s)

Use blunt nose tweezers to carefully remove the camera(s).

If the adhesive is in good condition, you may reuse it.
Otherwise, replace with double-sided Tesa tape.

Ensure the phone's lens and frame are free of adhesive residue or debris when installing a new camera module.

Step 20 | Disconnect the loudspeaker

Risk of battery damage: be cautious when prying around the battery area.

Use a spudger to pry up the loudspeaker connector near the right edge of the phone.

Be careful not to puncture the battery.

Step 21 | Remove the screws

Remove four Phillips screws:

1.9 mm, 4.3 mm, and two 4.3 mm (thinner shank).

Careful not to lose the tiny grounding clip from the left screw hole.

The grounding clip has a contoured edge facing the left side of the phone.

Remove the small plastic insert from the right side of the USB-C port.

Reinstall this insert before securing the daughterboard with screws.

Step 22 | Loosen the loudspeaker

Be cautious when prying at the adhesive gasket, as it may cause damage.

Pry the loudspeaker in several places to break the adhesive seal.
Insert the point of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the loudspeaker.
Pry up gently to loosen the loudspeaker from the phone.

Step 23

Insert the spudger under the top left corner of the loudspeaker.

Pry up gently to loosen the loudspeaker.

Careful not to puncture the battery with the spudger.

Step 24

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the gap between the speaker and its mounting bracket.
Pry gently to loosen the loudspeaker.

Step 25 | Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker.

Inspect the adhesive gasket before installing a replacement loudspeaker.
If the gasket is in good condition, re-use it. Ensure it does not cover the exit hole.

If the gasket is out of place, remove and replace with new adhesive tape (pre-cut strip or Tesa).

Step 26 | Disconnect the blue antenna cable

Locate the blue antenna cable connected to the charging assembly.

Insert the pointed tip of a spudger into the space between the cable and its socket.
Pry gently to release the blue antenna cable from its connection point.

Step 27

The blue antenna cable is fragile and may break easily.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry up the blue antenna cable from its grounding clips.
If necessary, push the clip open slightly with the spudger's tip before attempting to release the cable again.

Step 28 | Disconnect the black antenna cable

Use a spudger to carefully pry up and release the black antenna cable from its socket, located near the USB-C port.

Step 29 | De-route the antenna cables

Do not allow the antenna cables to touch the charging assembly.

Route the antenna cables away from the charging assembly.
Move them far enough apart to prevent accidental contact.

Step 30

Use a spudger's tip to pry up and release the charging assembly's connector from its motherboard socket on the right edge of the phone.

Be gentle, as the flex cable is connected nearby.
Pry up the SIM card reader's cover to access the flex cable, then carefully peel it away from the top of the SIM card reader.

Step 31 | Disconnect the display connector

Never use metal tools to pry the flex cable — risk of damage.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the black tape holding the display flex cable near the right edge of the phone.
Pry up and disconnect the display connector from the motherboard using the same spudger.

Step 32 | Peel the black tape away from the battery

Be extremely cautious when using a spudger near the battery

Insert the spudger's point into the narrow crevice under the black tape, bridging across the battery and motherboard.
Pry up the tape from the battery side by sliding the spudger along the crevice.
Peel the tape carefully away from the battery and fold it aside.

Step 33 | Disconnect the press connectors

Use a spudger to disconnect the press-fit connectors from their sockets.

Pry up the External buttons connector from its socket.
Disconnect the Top microphone connector.
Release the Earpiece connector.
Remove the Left squeeze sensor connector.
Disconnect the Touchscreen connector (first picture) and the OLED display connector (second picture).
Release the Right squeeze sensor connector.
Pry up the SIM tray connector from its socket.

Step 34 | Move the earpiece speaker cable away from the motherboard

Use the flat edge of a spudger to gently lift and guide the earpiece speaker's flex cable away from the motherboard.

Step 35 | Remove the screws

Be careful not to lose small grounding clips attached to some screws.

Remove six screws securing the motherboard:

One 4.2 mm Phillips screw
Three 1.9 mm Phillips screws
One 4.3 mm Phillips screw
One 3.83 mm standoff screw: use a standoff bit for optimal removal.

When using a small flathead screwdriver to remove the standoff, exercise extra caution to avoid damaging surrounding components.

Retain three small metal grounding clips as they are removed from their respective screws.

Step 36 | Remove the antenna bracket

Remove the antenna bracket from the top left edge of the phone.

To reinstall the small metal grounding clips, orient them with their silver side facing upwards.
The teardrop shaped clips should have their points directed towards the phone edge, while the double-holed clip dips downwards towards the top-right screw hole.

Step 37 | Check the motherboard

Insert spudger tip near top left corner of motherboard below rear-facing camera.

Pry up gently to loosen motherboard, bending all flex cables away from movement.
If motherboard feels firmly seated, check for any remaining connected flex cables or screws.

Step 38 | Loosen the motherboard

Insert spudger under motherboard's top edge, prying upwards to loosen.

Be cautious of earpiece speaker's flex cable pressing tightly against motherboard.

Take your time and guide motherboard carefully around the flex cable.

Step 39 | Start removing the motherboard

Lift the motherboard's left edge and swing it up towards the right.

Caution: Avoid applying too much pressure, which may damage components.

Pull any snagging press connectors away from the motherboard.

Step 40 | Remove the motherboard

Remove the motherboard.

Lift the top end of the motherboard away from the frame.

Be careful not to trap any flex cable connectors underneath when reinstalling.

It may be difficult repositioning around the earpiece flex cable, consider:

Prying up the earpiece speaker, installing the motherboard, and then reinstalling the earpiece speaker.

Step 41 | Weaken the display assembly's adhesive

Apply iOpener to bottom edge of screen for 1 minute.

Position suction cup near USB-C port, at bottom edge of screen.
Lift with strong force on suction cup to create gap; may require significant effort depending on phone's age.
Alternatively, heat and lift a long edge for access.

If struggling, reapply heat and attempt again.

Insert opening pick into created gap.

Step 42 | Cut through the adhesive

Slide the pick along the bezel to cut through the adhesive.

Step 43

Continue to heat the edges with iOpener and use an opening pick to slice through the remaining adhesive.

Repeat this process until all the adhesive has been removed.

Step 44 | Remove the front glass cover

Remove front glass assembly by lifting it upwards.

Step 45 | Cut through the adhesive

Remove any remaining screen fragments from the phone frame.

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the phone frame and the bottom edge of the remaining screen fragment.

Apply a heated iOpener over the screen if necessary to loosen adhesive.

Pry along the edge to carefully release the screen from the phone frame.

Step 46 | Begin removing the display assembly

Apply heat and continue slicing along a screen edge until loose.
Grasp the edge with your fingers and slowly pull away from the phone frame.

Step 47 | Remove the display assembly

Remove the display from its cutouts.

Leaving adhesive residue on the phone frame can cause uneven pressure against the replacement screen and damage it.

Clean all adhesive residue from the phone frame.
Apply a pre-cut adhesive or double-sided tape to the perimeter of the phone frame.

Peel liners from the back of the new screen to expose its adhesive.

Thread the screen and digitizer cables through their cutouts on the phone frame.
Lay the screen onto the frame, then apply pressure with books for an hour to bond the adhesive.

During boot-up, avoid touching the screen during calibration to prevent touch issues.