Google Pixel 3a XL Battery Replacement

Careful handling is crucial when removing the screen to avoid damage.

• Inspect the backside of the screen as shown in this reference image.
• Note the narrow clearance between the edge of the screen and the OLED panel underneath.

To reuse your screen, follow these steps carefully to avoid damaging it.

• Identify two seams: the screen seam, where the screen meets the phone's body, and pry here.
• Avoid prying at the midframe seam, as it is secured with screws and requires a different approach.

Position a suction cup at the bottom right corner of the screen, near the volume control.

Risk of damaging OLED display panel if not inserted carefully.

• Insert the opening pick at a downward angle as shown in photo 2.
• This ensures the opening pick slides under the OLED panel, avoiding damage to the screen.

Apply strong, steady pressure to the suction cup to create a gap between the screen and phone.

opening pick into the created gap.
• If the tip of the pick hits something, stop immediately. The pick may be against the edge of the OLED panel.
• Try angling the pick downward and reinsert it.
• You can remove the suction cup once the opening pick is in place.

Slide the pick along the right edge of the phone, moving it up and down to break the adhesive holding the screen.

• Move the pick with a smooth, even motion.
• Continue applying gentle pressure until the adhesive is fully broken.

Heating the top edge first can prevent damage to the screen and surrounding components.

• Apply heat to the iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer at the top edge of the phone.
• This loosens the stronger adhesive holding the top and bottom edges, making it easier to slice without causing damage.

Careful handling is crucial to avoid damaging the screen.

• Insert your opening pick at the upper-right corner of the screen.
• The gap here is larger than on the sides as shown in step one.

If reusing the screen, keep the pick deep under the OLED display or insert it no deeper than 5 mm to avoid display contact.

Continue to separate the adhesive along the top edge of the display.

• Slice carefully along this edge, taking care not to damage the camera or proximity sensor.
• If you encounter either component, work around them instead of prying aggressively.

Position the opening pick at the top-left edge of the phone and gently slide it downwards along the left side, carefully separating the adhesive.

Adhesive at the bottom edge is thicker and stronger than sides.

• Apply heat to the bottom edge using an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer.
• Loosen adhesive before slicing to aid in screen reusability.

Slide your opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone to separate the adhesive holding the screen in place.

• The gap between the display and the edge of the screen is larger at the bottom than on the sides.
• If you plan to reuse your screen, use a careful approach: insert the pick 5 mm into the device or keep it under the OLED display.

Do not attempt to remove the screen yet – it is still connected by a display cable.

Lift the screen by its top edge (where the front-facing camera is) and carefully flip it 180° so that the screen is resting face-down on the phone.

Be careful not to stress the display cable if you plan to reuse your screen.

Use tweezers to carefully remove the black sticker covering the display cable bracket.

• If the sticker is in good condition, set it aside for reuse during reassembly.
• Otherwise, replace it with a piece of electrical tape.

Remove the two 4.3mm T3 screws securing the display cable bracket.

A T4 Torx driver may fit better due to manufacturing tolerances, but use a T3 Torx driver if available.

• Maintain a record of each screw's location and ensure it is replaced exactly where found.

Remove the display cable bracket.

• Pry up the cable connector with a spudger's pointy end to disconnect the screen from the phone.

• Be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket when disconnecting connectors like this one.

When re-attaching, carefully align and press down on one side of the connector until it clicks into place. Repeat on the other side.

Do not press down on the middle to avoid bending the pins and causing permanent damage.

Remove the screen from the phone.

• Inspect the replacement part against the original part for any necessary component transfers.
• Transfer remaining components, such as the speaker grille and camera bracket, to the new part if required.

Do not touch the screen during the post-reassembly boot-up process.

• Remove all adhesive residue from the phone frame using tweezers or an opening tool and high concentration isopropyl alcohol.
• If reusing the screen, thoroughly clean the screen as well to prevent scratches.
• Apply pre-cut adhesive or Tesa tape to reattach the screen to the frame.

Remove the following screws:

• 14 silver T3 Torx screws.
• 2 black T3 Torx screws.

Due to manufacturing tolerances, consider using a T4 Torx driver, which may fit better in some screws.

• Keep track of each screw and ensure it is returned to its original location during reassembly.

Be cautious when handling the midframe, as it may still be held in place by plastic clips.

• Insert an opening pick into the seam along the bottom of the phone.
• Slide the pick along the seam to release the clips holding the midframe in place.

Slide the opening pick along the left and right edges of the phone to release the midframe clips.

• The flat edge of the opening pick can separate the rest of the clips once the bottom clips are released.
• Lift up the bottom edge of the midframe, but do not remove it yet, as a fragile cable still connects it to the phone.

• Use a spudger to carefully pry up and detach the proximity sensor cable from the motherboard.

Remove the midframe from the phone.

Align the midframe with the top edge of the phone.

• Finger or spudger, gently press proximity sensor cable connector onto its socket.

May require patience and finesse for proper alignment.

Use a plastic spudger to carefully pry up and then disconnect the battery connector.

Use the pointy end of a spudger to lift up and release the lower half of the battery connector cable.

Loosen the interconnect cable by prying up on both ends.

• Disconnect the squeeze sensor cables on either side of the interconnect cable.

Disconnect and remove the interconnect cable.

The strips may not work as intended; if they break, continue with the repair.

• Hold the phone firmly by its sides and avoid pressing down on the battery.
• Pull the adhesive tabs slowly and steadily to allow the adhesive to stretch and separate.
• Keep the strips flat and unwrinkled during removal to ensure success.
• Pull at a low angle to prevent snagging along the bottom edge of the battery.

It may take up to 30 seconds for each strip to release; be patient.

Avoid damaging the battery pack by carefully removing the pull-tab.

• Use tweezers to gently grasp the right adhesive strip's pull-tab from the bottom right corner of the battery.
• Continue pulling slowly until you can comfortably grab the tab with your fingers, then stop.

Grab the adhesive tab and slowly pull it toward the bottom of the phone.

• Maintain constant tension until the strip slips out from between the battery and rear case.
• The strip may stretch; re-grab near the battery if necessary.
• If tabs break, use fingers or tweezers to retrieve remaining adhesive and continue pulling.

Repeat steps for left adhesive strip.

• For broken strips: heat rear case behind battery using iOpener or hair dryer until just too hot to touch.
• Caution: use an opening pick or spudger to pry out battery, taking care not to deform it.

Do not apply heat directly to the battery; risk of fire or explosion.

Use gentle force and non-metal tools only.

Alternatively, apply high-concentration isopropyl alcohol or adhesive remover along one edge of the battery, then tilt phone to let liquid run underneath. Wait a few minutes before prying out battery with an opening pick or spudger.

Use an opening pick to lift one edge of the battery out.

• To install a new battery, remove any remaining battery adhesive from the phone.
• Apply replacement stretch-release adhesive or double-sided tape (e.g. Tesa tape) in the battery cavity.

Temporarily connect the battery connector to the motherboard for proper positioning.

• Gently press the battery firmly into place with your fingers.
• Disconnect the battery from the motherboard and resume re-assembly.