Google Pixel 3a Fingerprint Sensor Replacement - Google Pixel 3a

Step 1 | SIM Card Tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, SIM eject bit, or a paper clip into the SIM tray hole.

Press firmly and gently to avoid damaging the tray.

Step 2 | Screen

Identify the two seams on your phone:

The screen seam separates the screen from the rest of the phone and is where you should pry.
The frame seam, held in place by screws, should not be pried at.

Before prying, note these areas on the screen:

Do not pry deeper than instructed near the screen flex cable, as damage is possible.

Avoid prying beyond the narrow adhesive perimeter without angling your pick, as it can damage the display panel.

Step 3

Apply heat to the right edge of the display using either an iOpener or a hair dryer.

Use an iOpener and apply it for one minute.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer to heat the edge until it's hot to the touch.

Step 4

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

Pull on the suction cup with steady force.
If the adhesive is stubborn and you cannot create a gap, heat the edge and try again.
Insert a pick into the created gap, no more than 1 mm deep.

Step 5

Locate the gap where the long edges meet, but do not yet slice them.

Insert the pick into the gap with the tip only 1 mm deep.
Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle and push it in about 6 mm.

Stop immediately if you feel resistance, as the pick may be pressing against the OLED edge. Adjust the angle and try again.

Step 6

Insert a pick along the right edge, carefully slicing through the adhesive.

Do not insert more than 1/4" (6 mm), or you may damage the screen's flex cable.

Leave one pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 7

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, apply a heated iOpener for 1 minute and try again.
Continue slicing along the bottom edge and left corner of the phone.

Step 8

Insert picking tool at left edge, angling it below OLED panel, and no more than 1 mm in.

Ensure the pick is not inserted too far — risk of damaging internal components.

Hold phone firmly with non-dominant hand for stability.
Pick up remaining slack with picking tool and slowly insert it to a depth of no more than 1/4" (6 mm).

Step 9

Use a scooter pick to carefully slice along the top edge, keeping it less than 5/16" (8 mm) from the surface.

Step 10

Never touch the screen's internal components — risk of damage.

Carefully hinge open the right edge of the screen using your fingers or a plastic tool.
Use an opening pick to carefully cut through any remaining adhesive near the left edge.

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

Step 11

Flip the attached screen glass upside down and support it with the phone.

The screen flex cable should remain loosely arched during this process.

Step 12

Peel off the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.

If the tape is still usable, you can re-use it during reassembly.
Otherwise, replace it with a piece of electrical tape.

Remove the two T3 screws, each 4.4 mm long.

Then, take out the screen connector bracket.

Step 13

Be careful when disconnecting screen flex cables to avoid damaging small components.

Use a spudger's point to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.

Do not press down on connectors in the middle, as this can cause pins to bend and cause permanent damage.

To re-attach: align carefully and press one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side.

Step 14

Remove the screen.

Carefully compare your replacement screen with your original part.
You may need to transfer additional components, such as the speaker mesh, to the new part.

Reinstalling the screen:

Do not touch the screen during the boot-up process after reassembly, as it could result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

If using custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide for installation.
If using double-sided tape (such as Tesa tape), follow this guide for installation.

Step 15 | Plastic Midframe

Remove all fourteen T3 screws with lengths:

Twelve: 4.3 mm silver
Two: 4.3 mm black

Label and keep track of each screw to ensure correct reassembly.

Step 16

Be careful not to damage the midframe or its plastic clips.

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

Step 17

Slide the opening pick along both edges of the phone to release the midframe clips.

Lift the bottom edge of the plastic midframe but do not remove it yet.

The midframe is still attached by a fragile proximity sensor cable at the top edge.

Careful, as the proximity sensor cable can be easily damaged.

To reinstall: align the midframe to the back cover and squeeze the phone's perimeter to snap the clips into place.

Step 18

Locate and carefully pry up the proximity sensor connector with a spudger to disconnect it.
If necessary, use the same spudger to further assist in separating the components after disconnection.

Be cautious not to damage the motherboard.

The proximity sensor connector may have automatically disconnected when you lifted the midframe, so check before proceeding.
Remove the plastic midframe.

Step 19

Align the top edge of the plastic midframe with the phone.

Use a spudger point to carefully align and push the proximity sensor connector onto the motherboard socket.
Alternatively, remove the proximity sensor from the midframe:

Use a spudger point to pry the sensor out of its recess on the midframe.
Remove the sensor from the midframe and attach the sensor connector onto its motherboard socket.
Thread the sensor cable through the midframe and reposition the sensor in the recess.

This takes patience and finesse; a finger can also be used to gently press the connector onto the socket once it's aligned.

Step 20 | Google Pixel 3a Battery Disconnect

Use a spudger to carefully pry up the battery connector from its motherboard socket.

Bend the battery flex cable slightly to prevent accidental contact with the socket.

Step 21 | Motherboard

Locate the interconnect flex cable on the motherboard and use the point of a spudger to carefully pry it loose from its socket.

Step 22

Locate the left squeeze sensor cable connector on the motherboard.

Pry up the cable connector using a pointed tool, such as a spudger.
Disconnect the cable from its socket once loose.

Step 23

Use the spudger tip to carefully pry and release the right buttons connector from the motherboard.

Pry up the right squeeze sensor cable connector from its motherboard socket using the spudger tip.

Step 24

Remove the 2.7mm T3 screw near the right edge of the motherboard.

Step 25

Ensure the SIM tray has been ejected.

Pry the motherboard loose by inserting the flat end of a spudger under its right edge and gently pushing upward.

Step 26

Do not attempt to remove the motherboard, as it remains attached to the phone.

Grasp the right edge of the motherboard and swing it left until it lies flat.

Step 27

Insert the pointed end of the spudger between the fingerprint sensor cable and its motherboard socket.

Pry up gently to release the connection.
The cable should now be disconnected from the motherboard.

Step 28

Choose to leave the motherboard partially installed if only replacing the fingerprint sensor.

Disconnect the white antenna cable using a spudger, prying it from its socket on the motherboard.
Carefully de-route the disconnected cable out of its retaining clips.

Step 29

Use the point of a spudger to gently pry up the black antenna cable and release it from its motherboard socket.

De-route the cable from the retaining clip.

Step 30

Locate and disconnect all cables connected to the motherboard.

Disconnect the keyboard, mouse, and display cables.
Remove the screws securing the motherboard in place.
Gently lift the motherboard out of the system casing.

Step 31 | Fingerprint Sensor

Apply heat from an iOpener to the fingerprint sensor for 1 minute.

Caution: Do not apply excessive heat, as this may damage the sensor.

Step 32

Press the fingerprint sensor with your finger from the back.

May require some force, but be careful not to damage the surrounding material.

Step 33

Remove the fingerprint sensor.