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

Step 1 | Screen

Locate the two phone seams:

Screen seam: Separates screen from rest of phone; target area for prying.

Frame seam: Held in place by screws; do not pry here (class="guide-warning">risk of damaging frame or back cover).

Prying at the wrong spot can damage the screen flex cable or adhesive perimeter.

Screen flex cable: Pry carefully, as excessive force may damage this cable.

Adhesive perimeter: Prying beyond the narrow edge without angling pick will harm display panel (class="guide-warning">risk of screen damage).

Step 2

Apply heat to the right edge of the display using either an iOpener or a hair dryer, ensuring it reaches a temperature that is hot to the touch.

Heating time for an iOpener: approximately one minute.
Verify the edge is sufficiently heated with either method before proceeding.

Step 3

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 and you cannot create a gap, heat the edge and try again.
Insert the pick into the gap, no more than 1 mm.

Step 4

Insert the pick before slicing either long edges of the phone, to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle with the tip 1 mm in the gap.
Carefully push the pick into the gap about 6 mm at this angle. It should slide below the OLED panel.

Stop if you feel the point of the pick hitting a ridge; it may be pressing against the edge of the OLED panel.

Step 5

Do not insert the pick more than 1/4" (6 mm) or risk damaging the screen's flex cable.

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

Step 6

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

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

Step 7

Use a picking tool to carefully slice along the left edge of the phone.

Angle the pick below the OLED panel by inserting the point no more than 1 mm into the gap, then tilting it upwards.
Pause and slowly push the pick another 1/4" (6 mm) further into the gap.

Step 8

Use a pick to carefully slice along the top edge, not exceeding a depth of 5/16” (8mm) from the surface.

Step 9

Do not touch the delicate circuitry — risk of damage.

Use an opening pick to hinge open the right edge of the screen.

Be careful not to cut through flex cable near the left edge.

Carefully use an opening pick to cut any remaining adhesive.

Step 10

Place the attached screen glass with its screen-side facing down on top of the phone.

The screen flex cable will naturally arch in a loose curve.

Step 11

Peel off the black tape covering the screen connector bracket carefully.

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

Step 12

Careful not to dislodge surface-mounted components when disconnecting screen flex cables.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.
When re-attaching, align carefully and press down on one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other.
Avoid pressing in the middle, as this can cause pin bending and permanent damage if misaligned.

Step 13

Remove the screen.

Compare your replacement screen with the original part.
Transfer additional components (such as speaker mesh) to the new part if necessary.

Do not touch the screen during the boot-up process after reassembly — improper calibration may result in touch issues.

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

Step 14 | Plastic Midframe

Remove the fourteen T3 screws securing the plastic midframe.

Twelve 4.3 mm silver T3 screws
Two 4.3 mm black T3 screws

Keep track of each screw to ensure it is replaced in its original position.

Step 15

Be careful not to damage the plastic midframe or other surrounding components.

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

Step 16

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

Do not remove the midframe yet as it is still attached by a fragile cable at the top edge.

Lift the bottom edge of the midframe, keeping it attached to the phone.

When reinstalling, ensure the midframe aligns with the back cover and gently squeeze the phone's perimeter to snap the clips into place.

Step 17

Locate the proximity sensor connector on the motherboard.
Pry up the connector using a pointed tool, such as a spudger.

Be cautious not to damage the motherboard or connector.

The proximity sensor connector may have automatically disconnected when lifting the midframe.

Remove the plastic midframe.

Step 18

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

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

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

When reassembling, ensure the sensor connector is securely attached to its motherboard socket and cable threaded through the midframe.

Step 19 | Google Pixel 3a Battery Disconnect

Risk of electric shock: never touch the capacitor terminals.

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 | Rear Facing Camera

Use the point of a spudger to gently pry up and release the rear facing camera connector from its socket on the motherboard.

Carefully lift out the disconnected rear facing camera.