Google Pixel 3a XL Rear-Facing Camera Replacement - Google Pixel 3a XL

Step 1 | Screen

Note the narrow clearance between the edge of the screen and the OLED panel under the glass, especially if you plan to reuse your screen.

Locate the two seams on the phone:
- The screen seam where the screen meets the rest of the phone (where prying will occur)
- The midframe seam held down by screws, do not pry here
Identify the adhesive holding the screen in place, which you will be cutting through.
For reference, a backside view of the screen is shown below.

Step 2

Apply a suction cup to the right edge of the screen, located below the volume button.

Step 3

Be cautious when inserting the plastic opening tool to avoid damaging the fragile OLED display panel.

Insert an opening pick at a downward angle, as shown in the second photo of this step.
This ensures the opening pick slides under the OLED panel, not between the glass and panel.

Step 4

Pull up on the suction cup with a strong force to create a gap between the screen and phone.
Insert the opening pick into the gap.

Stop if you feel the tip hitting against something, as it may be pressing against the OLED panel edge.

Angle the pick downward and try again.

Once inserted, remove the suction cup.

Step 5

Slide the pick up and down along the right edge of the phone.
Cut through the adhesive holding the screen in place with the pick.

Step 6

Thicker adhesive at top/bottom edges is stronger than side strips.

Use an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer to loosen top edge adhesive before cutting.

Step 7

Slide your opening pick carefully around the upper-right-hand corner of the screen.

Take note that this area has a larger gap between the display and the edge of the glass screen, as shown in step one.

To avoid damaging your OLED display, either insert your pick deep under it (as demonstrated) or only 5 mm into the device for reusability purposes.

Step 8

Be careful not to damage the camera and proximity sensor.

Continue separating the adhesive along the top edge of the display.
Avoid prying aggressively near the camera and proximity sensor.

Step 9

Insert an opening pick along the left edge of the phone and gently pry the adhesive apart.

Work your way down the length of the phone to ensure a clean separation.

Step 10

Heat the bottom edge of the phone with an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer to loosen the thicker adhesive.

Be cautious, as improper heating can damage the screen.

Wait for the adhesive to become pliable before proceeding with the repair.
The sides' adhesive strips are thinner and easier to slice through than the bottom edge's adhesive.

Step 11

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

Be careful not to touch the OLED display under the glass if you plan to reuse your screen, inserting it only 5 mm or deeper than shown in this step's photos.

The gap between the display and the edge of the screen is larger here than on the sides.

Do not attempt to remove the screen yet, as it remains connected by a display cable.

Step 12

Lift the screen at the top edge by the front-facing camera. Flip it 180° so the screen rests face-down.

Be cautious of the display cable if you plan to reuse your screen, to avoid damage.

Step 13

Remove the black sticker covering the display cable bracket using tweezers.

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

Step 14

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

Note: A T4 Torx driver may provide a better fit due to manufacturing tolerances.
Maintain track of each screw, ensuring it returns to its original location.

Step 15

Remove the display cable bracket.

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

Be careful not to dislodge surrounding components when disconnecting connectors like this.

Re-attachment:

Carefully align and press down on one side of the connector until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side.

Do not press down in the middle; misaligned connectors can cause permanent damage to pins.

Step 16

Remove the screen from the phone.

Compare the new replacement screen with the original.
Transfer remaining components, such as the speaker grille and camera bracket, to the new part if necessary.

Step 17

Remove all adhesive residue from phone frame using tweezers or an opening tool.

Avoid scratching the screen with metal tools.

Re-attach the screen to the frame using pre-cut adhesive or Tesa tape.

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

Step 18 | Midframe

Note: Due to manufacturing tolerances, a T4 Torx driver may be used for the T3 Torx screws.

Remove the 14 silver T3 Torx screws.
Also remove the 2 black T3 Torx screws.
Label each screw for reassembly, ensuring it is replaced in its exact original location.

Step 19

Remove the plastic clips holding the midframe in place.

Starting from the bottom edge:
Insert an opening pick into the seam.
Slide the pick along the seam to release the midframe clips.

Step 20

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

Be careful not to damage the midframe or the phone's internal components.

Continue sliding the opening pick until it reaches the bottom edge, where most of the clips should now be loose.
Lift up the bottom edge of the midframe, taking care not to disconnect the fragile cable that still connects it to the phone.

Step 21

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

Step 22

Remove the midframe from the phone.

Step 23

Align the midframe's top edge with the phone's top.

Use a spudger to carefully press the proximity sensor cable connector onto its socket.
Alternatively, once aligned, use your finger to gently press the connector onto the socket.

Step 24 | Battery Disconnect

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

Step 25 | Rear-Facing Camera

Insert the pointed tip of a spudger between the camera cable and the motherboard, gently prying it loose.

Step 26

Remove the camera from the phone.

If your replacement camera module has a plastic spacer, remove it before installation.
During reassembly, ensure no dust or debris is between the camera lens and the clear camera hole in the phone.