Google Pixel 4a 5G Back Cover Replacement - Google Pixel 4a 5G

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

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

Press directly into the hole with the tool until the SIM card tray ejects.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 2 | Precautionary Notes

Do not pry at the frame seam, as it is held in place by screws.

Pry the screen up from the screen seam using a plastic opening tool or spudger.

Be careful not to insert the tool deeper than instructed near the screen flex cable.

Avoid prying beyond the adhesive perimeter without angling the pick, as this will damage the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Excessive heat can damage the display and internal battery.

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute to loosen the adhesive.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but maintain a safe temperature to avoid overheating the phone.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Apply clear packing tape over the cracked display if necessary.

Use superglue only as a last resort to attach the suction cup.

Suction Cup: Place near right edge of screen for optimal leverage.
Lift Suction Cup: Use strong, steady force.
Opening Pick: Insert tip into screen seam, not more than 1 mm deep.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Insert your pick carefully to avoid damaging the OLED panel

Pivot the pick upwards at a steep angle, with about 1 mm of the tip in the gap.
Carefully push the pick into the gap at a steep angle, approximately 6 mm deep (1/4 inch).

Stop if you feel resistance, as this may indicate the pick is pressing against the OLED panel edge.

Adjust the angle and try again if necessary.

Step 6 | Slice through the display adhesive

Slide a pick along the right edge of the screen to cut the adhesive.

Do not insert the pick more than 1/4 inch (6 mm), as this may damage the screen's flex cable.

Remove the pick from its insertion point, leaving it in the bottom-right corner to prevent re-sealing of the adhesive.

Step 7

If you don't have a replacement mesh, handle the earpiece speaker carefully to avoid damage or loss.

Be cautious with heat application as screen adhesive is weak.

When slicing the screen is difficult, apply heat for one minute and try again.

Insert an opening pick at an angle into the right edge, where a gap has formed to prevent OLED damage.
Slide the pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive.

Leave the pick in place along the top edge to prevent re-sealing of the adhesive.

Step 8

Insert another opening pick at an angle into the top edge, near a formed gap.

Slice around the top-left camera window with the pick.
If the screen is resistant, apply heat to the area for one minute and retry.
Leave the pick inserted along the left edge to prevent re-adhesion.

Step 9

Slide a opening pick along the left edge to cut the adhesive.

If necessary, apply heat to the difficult area for 1 minute.
Be cautious when cutting near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 10

Slide an opening pick around the bottom-left corner and across the bottom of the display to cut remaining adhesive.
If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat to the difficult area for one minute before retrying.

Be cautious when slicing near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 11

Partially open the phone by lifting the right edge of the screen.

Do not remove the screen yet.

Use a opening pick to carefully cut through remaining adhesive.

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Avoid putting stress on the attached ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from the top edge and swing it over the bottom edge.
Rest the screen glass-side down to prevent damage.

Step 13 | Disconnect the display

Peel off the tape covering the screen connector using your fingernail or a pair of tweezers.

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

Step 14

Insert the spudger tip into the opening of the plastic cover.

Pry the cover straight up to release it from its position.
The cover may spring out of your hands, be prepared for this.
Once loose, carefully remove the plastic cover.

Step 15

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

To reattach, align the connector and press down on one side until it clicks into place.

Repeat on the other side. Do not apply pressure in the middle.

Misaligned connectors can cause pin bending and permanent damage.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen from the device.

Check if your replacement screen has pre-installed speaker mesh and top edge adhesive.
If present, skip applying separate top edge adhesive. If not, apply adhesive to the screen (not the frame), ensuring cutout lines up with speaker mesh.

For custom-cut adhesive, follow application guide.
Refer to third photo for positioning adhesives.

During boot-up after reassembly, do not touch the screen during calibration sequence, as improper touch calibration may cause issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the nine 4.4 mm-long screws.

Remove the screws by applying gentle pressure and rotating them counterclockwise.
Label and keep track of each screw separately for reassembly.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and back cover, just above the SIM card slot.

Slide the opening pick along the right edge of your phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Step 19

Slide the opening pick along the top, left, and bottom edges of your phone.

The goal is to release the plastic tabs that secure the back cover to the midframe.
Continue sliding the pick until all these tabs are released.

Step 20

Flip the phone over, exposing the back.

Swing the back cover up to an upright position, leaving it partially detached.

Do not remove the back cover — two ribbon cables are still connected.

Support the back cover against a stable object, such as a cardboard box or soda can.

Step 21 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Remove the seven screws holding the motherboard bracket using a T3 Torx screwdriver.
The screws are comprised of four 4.0 mm and three 2.1 mm in length.

Step 22

Remove the motherboard bracket.

Step 23 | Disconnect the battery

Disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard using the tip of a spudger.

Step 24 | Remove the back cover

Use the spudger to carefully pry up and disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable.

Step 25

Hold the spudger at the cable's edge and gently pry it loose.

The goal is to lift the connector, not push on any internal components.
Set the dislodged cable aside safely.

Step 26

Remove the back cover.