Google Pixel 3a Battery Replacement - Google Pixel 3a

Step 1 | Screen

Identify two seams:

Screen seam: Separates screen from phone body.

Frame seam: Held by screws; do not pry here.

Prying too deep may damage the screen flex cable.

Avoid prying beyond the narrow adhesive perimeter; angled pick required to prevent display panel damage.

Step 2

Apply heat to the right edge of the display using an iOpener for at least one minute.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer to heat the edge until it's hot to the touch.

Step 3

Position the suction cup near the right edge of the screen.

Pull on the suction cup with strong steady force.

The adhesive can be stubborn; if a gap is not created, heat the edge and attempt again.

Insert the pick into the gap, no more than 1 mm.

Step 4

Do not slice either long edge of the phone before proceeding.

Insert the pick into the gap, keeping it 1 mm deep, then pivot it upwards at a steep angle.
Carefully push the pick about 6 mm into the gap, ensuring it slides below the OLED panel.

Stop if you feel resistance; the pick may be hitting the edge of the OLED panel. Adjust its angle and try again.

Step 5

Insert the pick carefully, no deeper than 1/4" (6 mm) to avoid damaging the screen's flex cable.

Slide the pick along the right edge, cutting through the adhesive.
Leave a pick in place after cutting to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 6

Do not insert the pick more than 1/4" (6 mm) at any time.

Slide the pick around the bottom right corner to slice through the adhesive.
If the corner feels hard to slice, apply a heated iOpener for 1 minute and try again.
Continue slicing along the bottom edge and around the left corner.

Step 7

Insert a pick tool into the left edge of the phone, angling it below the OLED panel.

Insert point no more than 1 mm, then angle upwards.
Slowly push the pick inwards by approximately 6 mm (1/4").

Step 8

Use a precision pick to slice along the top edge, limiting the cut to within 5/16" (8 mm).

Step 9

Careful not to damage the screen or flex cable.

Hinge open the right edge of the screen.

Do not remove the screen, as it is still attached by a flex cable near the left edge.

Use an opening pick to carefully cut through remaining adhesive.

Step 10

Loosely arch the screen flex cable.

Flip the attached screen glass side down.
Rest it on top of the phone.

Step 11

Peel off the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.

If the tape is still intact, you can re-use it later; otherwise, replace it with a piece of electrical tape.
Remove the two T3 screws, each measuring 4.4 mm long.
Take out the screen connector bracket.

Step 12

Careful not to dislodge surrounding components when disconnecting.

Use a spudger point to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.
Disconnect by aligning and pressing down on one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other.

Do not press middle; misaligned pins can bend causing permanent damage.

Step 13

Remove the screen.

Carefully compare your replacement screen with the original part to determine if additional components (such as the speaker mesh) need to be transferred.

To reinstall the screen:

Follow the correct guide for your specific adhesive type:

If using custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
If using double-sided tape (e.g. Tesa tape), follow this guide.

During the boot-up process after reassembly, do not touch the screen as it will go through a calibration sequence. Improper touch calibration may result in touch issues.

Step 14 | Plastic Midframe

Remove all fourteen T3 screws.

Silver: Twelve screws (4.3 mm long).
Black: Two screws (4.3 mm long).

Keep track of each screw for reassembly.

Step 15

Locate the plastic clips holding the midframe in place.

Insert an opening pick into the frame seam at the bottom of the phone, between the midframe and the back cover.
Slide the pick along the seam to release the clips holding the midframe.

Step 16

Slide a precision pick along left and right edges to release midframe clips.

Do not remove midframe yet, as it is still tethered by fragile proximity sensor cable.

Lift bottom edge of midframe up carefully.
To reinstall: align midframe to back cover and squeeze phone's perimeter with fingers to snap clips into place.

Step 17

Locate the proximity sensor connector on the motherboard.

If the connector is not already disconnected, use a spudger to gently pry it loose from the motherboard.
Alternatively, check if the midframe was lifted and caused an automatic disconnection of the proximity sensor connector.

Be cautious when handling the delicate components on the motherboard.

Remove the plastic midframe.

Step 18

Reconnect the proximity sensor by aligning the top edge of the plastic midframe with the phone.

Use a spudger to carefully push the proximity sensor connector onto the motherboard socket, requiring patience and finesse.

Alternatively, you can remove the proximity sensor from the midframe by using a spudger to pry it out of its recess.

Remove the sensor from the midframe, attach the sensor connector to its motherboard socket, then thread the sensor cable through the midframe and reposition the sensor in place. Use your finger to press down and adhere the sensor back onto the midframe.

Step 19 | Google Pixel 3a Battery Disconnect

Risk of electrical shock if connector is shorted.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector from its motherboard socket.
Bend the battery flex cable slightly to prevent accidental contact with the socket.

Step 20 | Battery

Use the pointed end of the spudger to carefully pry up the interconnect cable.

Disconnect it from the motherboard socket located above the battery.

Step 21

Use the point of a spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable from its daughterboard socket below the battery.

Remove the interconnect cable completely from the area.

When reassembling, ensure the cable is oriented as shown to avoid damage and malfunction.

Step 22

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left squeeze sensor connector from its socket.

Location: above the battery on the motherboard.
Repeat for the right squeeze sensor connector, located near the power button.

Step 23

Risk of damage to the battery pack if not handled carefully.

Pull the tab on the right stretch-release adhesive from its corner at the bottom right of the battery.
Use care when handling with tweezers to avoid puncturing the battery pack.

Step 24

Hold the tweezers vertically and pull the tab at a shallow angle (near parallel to the phone) with steady force.

Pull straight out until you feel resistance decrease, then roll the strip onto the tweezers as it comes free.
Continue pulling until the entire strip is removed from the phone.

Step 25

Do not puncture the battery with the tweezers.

Locate the second stretch-release adhesive's pull-tab at the upper left corner of the battery.
Grasp the tab carefully with your tweezers.
Pull the tab at a shallow angle with steady force, rolling it as it gets longer, until the entire strip comes free.

If the adhesive strips do not pull out intact, use an opening pick under the bottom edge of the battery to pry upwards and loosen the battery.

Alternatively, apply a heated iOpener to the back of the phone for one minute to help loosen the battery adhesive.

Step 26

Remove the battery.
To install a replacement:

Remove any remaining battery adhesive
Install new pull-stretch adhesives or tape in the battery well.

Temporarily connect the battery connector to ensure proper positioning.

Press the battery firmly into place with your fingers.

Disconnect the battery and resume re-assembly.