Google Pixel 3a Motherboard Replacement - Google Pixel 3a

Step 1 | SIM Card Tray

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

Press down firmly on the tray until it is ejected.

Step 2 | Screen

Take care to avoid damaging sensitive components.

Identify the two seams on the phone:
- Screen seam: Prying location.
- Frame seam: Held in place by screws. Do not pry.
Mark the following screen areas:
- Screen flex cable: Avoid prying too deeply to prevent damage.
- Adhesive perimeter: Limit prying to narrow area and angle pick to avoid display panel damage.

Step 3

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

Leave the iOpener on the edge for 1 minute.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer to heat the edge until it's hot to the touch.

Step 4

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

Pull on the suction cup with strong steady force.
If the adhesive is stubborn, heat the edge and try again.
Insert the pick into the gap created, no more than 1 mm deep.

Step 5

Insert the pick without damaging the OLED panel by following these steps.

Hold the pick at a steep angle with its tip 1 mm in the gap between the phone's case and screen.
Pivot the pick upwards to this angle, then carefully push it into the gap about 6 mm (1/4").

Stop if you feel resistance; the pick may be hitting a ridge or pressing against the OLED panel's edge.

Re-angle the pick and try again, making sure it slides in below the OLED panel.

Step 6

Slide the pick along the right edge, slicing through the adhesive.

Insert no more than 1/4" (6 mm) of the pick to avoid damaging the screen's flex cable.
Leave a pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 7

Insert pick up to 1/4" (6 mm) deep while slicing.

Slide pick around the right corner to cut through adhesive.
If the corner feels stubborn, apply heat for a minute with an iOpener and try again.
Continue slicing along the bottom edge and left corner.

Step 8

Insert a surgical pick into the phone's left edge, ensuring the tip remains below the OLED panel, to a depth of no more than 6 mm (1/4").

Angle the pick upwards by inserting the point approximately 1 mm into the gap.
Slowly push the pick inwards, maintaining this angle.

Step 9

Use a picks to slice along the top edge, maintaining a depth of no more than 5/16" (8 mm) from the surface.

Step 10

Careful: do not remove the screen.

Open the right edge of the screen, keeping it attached via the flex cable.
Use a spudger to carefully cut any remaining adhesive.

Step 11

Flip the attached screen glass over so that the screen is facing down.

Place the glass on top of the phone, ensuring the screen flex cable remains loose and slightly arched.

Step 12

Peel back the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.

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

Be careful not to damage any components under the tape.

Remove the two T3 screws, each 4.4 mm long.
Remove the screen connector bracket.

Step 13

Be careful when disconnecting the screen flex cable, as dislodging surrounding components is possible.

Pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable using a spudger's point.

When re-attaching, align and press down on one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other side. Do not press in the middle.

Pressing misaligned connectors can bend pins, causing permanent damage.

Step 14

Remove the screen.

Carefully compare your replacement screen with your original part for any necessary component transfers.
To reinstall, refer to specific guides based on your chosen adhesive type:

Custom-cut adhesives:
Double-sided tape (e.g. Tesa tape):

During the post-reassembly boot-up process, avoid touching the screen until the calibration sequence is complete to prevent improper touch calibration and potential issues.

Step 15 | Plastic Midframe

Remove all fourteen T3 screws of varying lengths.

Twelve silver screws: 4.3 mm long
Two black screws: 4.3 mm long

Keep track of each screw to ensure proper reassembly.

Step 16

Locate and pry open the plastic clips securing the midframe.

Insert an opening pick into the frame seam at the phone's bottom.
Slide the pick along the seam to release the plastic midframe clips.

Step 17

Fragile proximity sensor cable — risk of damage.

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

Lift bottom edge of midframe, but do not remove it as the cable is still attached.

Do not pull on fragile proximity sensor cable — risk of damage or breakage.

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

Step 18

Locate the proximity sensor connector attached to the motherboard.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry up and disconnect the proximity sensor connector.
Verify if it has already been disconnected when removing the midframe. If not, proceed with manual disconnection.
Remove the plastic midframe.

Step 19

Reconnect the proximity sensor:

Align the top edge of the plastic midframe with the phone.
Proximity Sensor Connector: use a spudger to carefully align and push it onto the motherboard socket.
Alternatively, remove the proximity sensor from the midframe:

Use a spudger to pry the sensor out of its recess (it's lightly adhered).

Thread the cable through the midframe, then reposition the sensor in its recess.

Step 20 | Google Pixel 3a Battery Disconnect

Insert the tip of a spudger between the battery connector and its motherboard socket, prying them apart.
Bend the battery flex cable slightly to prevent accidental contact with the socket.

Step 21 | Motherboard

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently pry up the interconnect flex cable from its motherboard socket.

Step 22

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

Step 23

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the right buttons connector from its motherboard socket.
Pry up the right squeeze sensor cable connector from its motherboard socket.

Step 24

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

Step 25

Eject the SIM tray first.

Pry the motherboard upwards using a spudger at its right edge.

Step 26

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

Grasp the right edge of the motherboard.
Swing it gently left until it lays flat.

Step 27

Be cautious when handling the motherboard.

Insert the point of a spudger into the gap between the fingerprint sensor cable and its socket on the motherboard.
Gently pry up to disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable from the motherboard.

Step 28

When only replacing the fingerprint sensor, you can omit full motherboard removal.

Disconnect the white antenna cable using a spudger.
Carefully remove the cable from its retaining clips.

Step 29

Disconnect the black antenna cable from the motherboard by gently prying it with the tip of a spudger.

Pry the cable out of its socket using a pointed tool.
Release the cable from the retaining clip by moving it away from its slot.

Step 30

Disconnect and carefully remove the motherboard.