Google Pixel 4 Side Buttons Replacement

Insert a SIM eject tool, ejector pin, or a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the SIM card tray.

• Press firmly to eject the tray.

• Take care not to damage the SIM card tray

• Remove the SIM card tray.

Apply a iOpener to the bottom edge of the back panel for 1 minute.

• Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate — but be cautious not to overheat the phone and risk damaging the display or internal battery.

Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back panel by pressing down on it.

• For maximum adhesion, position the suction cup as close to the edge as possible.
• If the back glass is badly cracked, cover it with clear packing tape to improve adhesion.
• As a last resort, use strong tape or superglue to secure the suction cup to the broken panel.

Apply a strong, steady force to the suction cup to create space between the back panel and frame.

The process may be challenging depending on your phone's age; reapply heat if needed and try again.

• Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the suction cup.

Insert an opening pick at the bottom edge.

• Slide it towards the left corner to start slicing the adhesive.
• Then, slide it over to the right corner to fully slice the bottom side adhesive.
• Leave the pick in place to prevent re-sealing.

Apply iOpener to the left edge of the phone for 1 minute.

Insert a second opening pick under the back panel, above the charge port.

• Position it at the bottom left corner of the phone.

Insert an opening pick at the bottom left corner of the phone and slide it across the left side towards the top.

The adhesive can be very gummy; use a sawing motion to help slice with the pick.

• Continue sliding the pick until you reach the top left corner, near the camera.
• Leave the pick inserted at this point for further disassembly.

Apply iOpener to the right edge of the phone for 1 minute.

Insert a third pick at the lower part of the righthand side.

• Slide the pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the adhesive on the right side.
• Stop when you reach the top right corner and leave the pick inserted.

Slide the third opening pick towards the top right corner of the phone, then along the top edge to slice the last piece of adhesive.

Do not attempt to remove the panel completely at this stage — it remains attached.

• Lift the right edge of the back cover with care, prying it open like a book.

Be cautious of the ribbon cable when resting the back panel on the left edge of the phone.

• Rest the back panel on the left edge of the phone, ensuring no stress is applied to the attached ribbon cable.
• Power on your phone and test all functions before re-sealing the back panel during reassembly.
• Before proceeding, power down your phone completely.

Remove the T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:

• Four 4.0 mm T3 Torx screws
• One 2.1 mm T3 Torx screw

Keep track of each screw and ensure it is replaced in its original location.

Remove the battery connector shield with a pair of tweezers.

Never puncture the battery using a spudger — risk of acid leak and fire.

• Use the pointed end of a plastic spudger to pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard.
• To reconnect, carefully align the press connector, pressing down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Avoid pressing in the middle.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently fold the battery cable out of the way.

• Prevent accidental contact with other components during repairs.

Remove the T3 Torx driver and use it to unscrew the two 4 mm screws securing the back panel connector cover.

Remove the back panel connector cover with a pair of tweezers.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up the back panel connector and disconnect it.

Remove the back panel.

• For reassembly with custom-cut adhesives: Follow this guide.
• For reassembly with pre-cut adhesive cards, follow this guide instead.

Pull the yellow pull tab with steady force.

• If it's hard to pull, roll the adhesive around a spudger and continue.
• Spin the spudger periodically to keep the exposed tab short.

This may require significant force and can cause the tab to snap in half.

• Pull slowly and carefully.
• If the tabs aren't stretching, apply a few drops of high concentration isopropyl alcohol under the left edge of the battery.

Continue this process for each tab until they're removed or snapped in half.

Do not apply pressure to the grip sensor cable — risk of damaging the flex cable.

• Insert an opening pick on the upper right edge of the battery, slicing the adhesive underneath, if the tabs snapped during removal.
• If all three adhesive pull tabs were removed successfully, using an opening pick to dislodge the battery may still be necessary.

Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery due to safety hazards.

• Remove the battery by lifting it up and away from the phone, potentially peeling off leftover adhesive tabs.
• Carefully wipe any remaining alcohol solution with a lint-free cloth or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.

To install a replacement battery:

• Apply stretch release adhesive onto the battery, or use double-sided tape/adhesive strips in the phone's battery well (avoiding the charge port flex cable).
• Temporarily reconnect the battery connector to ensure proper positioning.
• Lay the battery in place and press firmly.
• Disconnect the battery connector and resume re-assembly.

Remove the camera connector cover using a T3 Torx driver.

• Locate and remove the four 4mm screws

• Use a pair of tweezers to lift the camera cover.
• Slide the camera cover upwards and out of its retaining slot, located on the upper right corner of the phone.

• Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently lift the camera and sensor connectors straight off the motherboard.

Disconnect the additional sensor connector.

Remove the T3 Torx with its 2.4 mm socket using a T3 Torx driver.

• Two 2.4 mm screws secure the front camera and sensor assembly.

Remove the front camera and sensor assembly with a pair of tweezers.

Remove the T3 Torx screws: one 4.2 mm and one 4.4 mm with shoulder.

• Locate the 4.2 mm T3 Torx screw and remove it.
• Next, locate the shouldered 4.4 mm T3 Torx screw and remove it carefully to avoid stripping its shoulder.

Remove the vibration motor shield with a pair of tweezers.

Locate the two rear-facing camera connectors on the motherboard.

• Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently pry loose the camera connectors from their sockets.
• Next, disconnect the side buttons connector from its socket on the motherboard.

Disconnect the earpiece speaker connector from the motherboard.

• Disconnect the left grip sensor connector from the motherboard.
• Remove the charge port connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the right grip sensor connector from the motherboard.

• Disconnect the display connector from the motherboard.

• Disconnect the antenna connector from the charging assembly using a pair of tweezers.
• Pull the connector upwards to release it from the motherboard.

Disconnect the bottom microphone connector from the motherboard.

Remove the motherboard carefully, avoiding ribbon cable connectors.

• The rear-facing camera module may detach with the motherboard due to its unsecured position.
• Completely lift out the motherboard.

When reinstalling, inspect for snagged ribbon cable connectors.

Remove the rear-facing camera module with a pair of tweezers.

Remove the side button flex cable using a pair of tweezers.

The cable is secured with light adhesive.

Peel the flex cable further until it releases from the phone's backing.

Destructive repair — replace part afterwards.

• Use tweezers to loosen side button flex cable from button bracket.
• Continue peeling until the cable is no longer attached to the bracket.

Remove the side button flex cable entirely.

• Verify that all remnants are removed, as the flex may break into multiple parts during removal.
• Inspect the area carefully to ensure no pieces remain attached.

Remove the two 2.4 mm screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Remove the button bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Identify the side button flex cable stuck to both sides of the button bracket.

• Use a pair of tweezers to remove excess flex cable from the back side of the button bracket.
• Ensure all leftover flex cable is removed, as it may be in multiple pieces.

Remove any remaining adhesive before installing a new grip sensor to prevent damage or malfunction.

Align the flex cable holes with those on the button bracket.

• Remove the adhesive backings from the flex cable.
• Press to secure the new side button flex cable in place.

Do not install on opposite side until phone frame is secured.