Google Pixel 3a Front Facing Camera Replacement - Google Pixel 3a

Step 1 | SIM Card Tray

Locate the SIM tray hole.

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

Step 2 | Screen

Identify two critical seams on the phone:

Screen seam: This is where the screen meets the rest of the phone, and where you should carefully pry.
Frame seam: Avoid prying here, as it's held in place by screws.

When prying the screen, be cautious around:

Screen flex cable: Do not pry deeper than instructed to avoid damage.

Adhesive perimeter: Prying beyond this narrow area without angling your pick will damage the display panel.

Step 3

Apply heat to the right edge of the display using either an iOpener for 1 minute or a hair dryer until it is hot to the touch.

For best results, use an iOpener and apply it directly to the right edge of the display for 1 minute.

If you do not have an iOpener, heat the edge with a hair dryer until it is hot to the touch.

Step 4

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

Use strong steady force to pull on the suction cup.

If the adhesive is stubborn and you can't create a gap, heat the edge first.
Insert the pick into the gap, no more than 1 mm.

Step 5

Avoid damaging the OLED panel by carefully inserting the pick.

Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle, with it 1 mm in the gap.
Push the pick into the gap about 6 mm, angling it if you feel resistance.
Stop and try again if the pick hits a ridge or appears to be pressing against the OLED edge.

Step 6

Inserting the pick too far can damage the screen's flex cable.

Slide the pick along the right edge, cutting through the adhesive.
Only insert the pick up to 1/4" (6 mm) to avoid damaging the screen's flex cable.
Leave a pick in place after removal to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 7

Insert the pick no more than 1/4" (6 mm) into the phone at any time.

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

Step 8

Insert the picking tool into the left edge of the phone.

Pose the picking tool at a shallow angle below the OLED panel.
Insert the tip of the picking tool no more than 1 mm into the edge.
Gradually tilt the picking tool upward and push it in 6 mm.

Step 9

Hold the pick at an angle and cut along the top edge, maintaining a depth of no more than 5/16" (8mm) from the surface.

Step 10

Open the right edge of the screen using a gentle hinging motion.

The screen remains attached via a flex cable, so do not remove it yet.

Insert an opening pick to carefully cut through any remaining adhesive.

Step 11

Flip the screen glass over so that the glued side is facing down.

Rest the screen on top of the phone, ensuring the screen flex cable is loose and slightly arched.

Step 12

Peel off the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.

If the tape is still usable, set it aside for reassembly. Otherwise, replace with a piece of electrical tape.
Remove the two T3 screws, each 4.4 mm long.
Take out the screen connector bracket.

Step 13

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

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

To re-attach, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place.

Repeat on the other side; do not press down on the middle.

Misaligned connector can cause pins to bend, resulting in permanent damage.

Step 14

Remove the screen.

Compare your new screen carefully with your original part to ensure correct component transfer (e.g., speaker mesh).

If using custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide for reinstallation.
If using double-sided tape (Tesa tape), follow the corresponding guide.

During boot-up, do not touch the screen during calibration to avoid improper touch calibration and potential issues.

Step 15 | Plastic Midframe

Remove the fourteen T3 screws, comprising twelve 4.3 mm silver ones and two 4.3 mm black ones.

Set aside each screw as you remove it, ensuring correct placement upon reassembly.

Step 16

Locate the plastic clips securing the midframe in place.

Opening pick: Insert it into the frame seam at the bottom of the phone, situated between the plastic midframe and the back cover.
Release mechanism: Slide the pick along the seam to free the plastic clips.

Step 17

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

Lift the bottom edge of the plastic midframe up, but leave it attached at the top by the proximity sensor cable.
To reinstall: align the midframe with the back cover, then squeeze the perimeter with your fingers to snap the clips into place.

Step 18

Check if the proximity sensor connector has already been disconnected.

If not, use the point of a spudger to carefully pry up and disconnect it from the motherboard.
Remove the plastic midframe.

Step 19

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

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

Careful not to damage the sensor.

Use a spudger's point to carefully 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.

Press down with your finger to adhere the sensor back onto the midframe.

Step 20 | Google Pixel 3a Battery Disconnect

Insert the point of a spudger into the battery connector to pry it loose.
Bend the battery flex cable slightly to avoid accidental contact with its socket.

Step 21 | Front Facing Camera

Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully pry up and release the interconnect flex cable from its socket on the motherboard.

Step 22

Use a pointed spudger to carefully pry up and release the left squeeze sensor cable connector from its mating socket on the motherboard.

Step 23

Insert the spudger tip into the right buttons connector and gently pry it loose from the motherboard socket.

Pry up the right squeeze sensor cable connector from its motherboard socket using a similar technique.

Step 24

Remove the T3 screw located near the right edge of the motherboard using a 2.7 mm driver.

Step 25

Ensure the SIM tray is ejected.

Pry the motherboard loose with a spudger, starting from the right edge.

Step 26

Do not attempt to remove the motherboard yet, as it is still secured.

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

Step 27

Use a spudger to carefully pry up the camera connector.

Disconnect the camera connector from the motherboard socket.
Remove the camera by peeling the adhesive holding it in place.