Google Pixel 4a 5G Earpiece Speaker 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 to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 2 | Precautionary Notes

Read these notes carefully before proceeding with screen removal.

Distinguish between two seams on your phone's edge:

Screen seam: Where to pry to separate the screen from the rest of the phone.

Frame seam: Held in place by screws; do not pry here.

Identify these areas on the screen:

Screen flex cable: Avoid inserting opening pick deeper than instructed to prevent damage.
Adhesive perimeter: Pry within this narrow area, angling the pick to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Heat the right edge of the display using a iOpener, a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate for 1 minute to loosen adhesive.

Avoid overheating the phone, as the display and internal battery are prone to heat damage.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Avoid using clear packing tape or superglue on your device's screen, as this can cause permanent damage.

Apply a strong adhesive tape to cover a badly cracked display, allowing the suction cup to adhere.
Place the suction cup as close as possible to the right edge of the screen.

Use a steady, firm force to lift the suction cup.

Insert the opening pick into the screen seam no more than 1 mm.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Before slicing the adhesive, position the pick carefully to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Pivot the pick upwards at a steep angle with approximately 1 mm into the gap.
At this angle, slowly push the pick about 6 mm (1/4 inch) deeper. It should slide below the OLED panel.

Stop immediately if you feel resistance, as the pick may be pressing against a ridge near the OLED edge.

Adjust the angle and try again if necessary.

Step 6 | Slice through the display adhesive

Insert a pick into the right edge of the screen, moving it along the surface to cut the adhesive.

Do not insert more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you may damage the flex cable.

Leave the pick in place at the bottom-right corner to prevent re-sealing.

Step 7

Be careful not to damage or lose the mesh covering on the earpiece speaker.

The screen adhesive is weak, so heat application should be minimal.
If the screen resists slicing, apply heat for one minute and try again.

Take care not to damage the OLED panel during this process.

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

Leave the pick inserted along the top edge to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 8

Insert another opening pick at the top edge, angled over a formed gap.

Slice around the top-left camera corner using the pick.
If slicing is hard, apply heat to the area for one minute and try again.

Leave the pick inserted along the left edge to prevent re-sealing of adhesive.

Step 9

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

If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat to the difficult area for one minute before retrying.

Beware: you are now slicing 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 area for 1 minute and try again — risk of damaging flex cable or digitizer.

Step 11

Carefully lift the right edge of the screen, partially opening the phone like a book.

Do not remove the screen yet — risk of damage from further handling.

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

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Avoid stressing the attached ribbon cable.

Lift from top edge, swinging the screen over bottom edge.
Set it down glass-side facing up.

Step 13 | Disconnect the display

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

Note: The original tape can be reused if in good condition; otherwise, replace it with a piece of Kapton tape.

Step 14

Insert the spudger tip into the screen flex cable cover's opening.

Pry the cover straight up until it releases.
The cover may spring away; remove it immediately.

Step 15

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

To reattach, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side.

Do not press down in the middle.

If misaligned, pins can bend causing permanent damage.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen for installation.

Check if new screen has pre-installed speaker mesh and top edge adhesive.
If available, skip top edge adhesive application. Otherwise:

Remove clear liner from top edge adhesive
Apply to screen (not frame), ensuring larger cutout aligns with speaker mesh.

Do not touch the screen during boot-up calibration process, which may cause improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the nine T3 Torx screws, each measuring 4.4 mm in length.

Keep track of each screw to ensure correct reassembly.
Store each screw separately to avoid mix-ups during the repair process.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover, positioned 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 edge of your phone.
Move the pick down to the left edge and continue sliding it along this seam.
Finally, slide the pick along the bottom edge until all plastic tabs are released.

Step 20

Turn your phone upside down with the back cover facing upwards.

Carefully swing the back cover up to an upright position, but do not remove it yet.

It is still attached by two ribbon cables. To proceed safely, rest the back cover against a stable object like a cardboard box or soda can.

Step 21 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Remove the T3 Torx using its corresponding driver, and take out four screws, each measuring 4.0 mm in length.
Next, remove three more screws, this time each measuring 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 pointed end of a spudger.

Step 24 | Remove the back cover

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

Step 25

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully pry up and disconnect the front sensor array cable.

Step 26

Remove the back cover.

Step 27 | Remove the front-facing camera

Use fingers or a tweezer to carefully remove the tape from the copper foil.

Copper foil is delicate and prone to damage, handle with care.

Step 28

Disconnect the front-facing camera using a spudger's flat end.
Remove the front-facing camera.

Step 29 | Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the Loudspeaker Assembly by using a T3 Torx Driver to unscrew the two 4.2 mm-long screws.

Step 30

Insert the tip of a spudger underneath the loudspeaker assembly.

Avoid puncturing the white membranes on either side if reusing the loudspeaker.

Flip the loudspeaker assembly over and gently rest it on top of the battery.

Step 31

Hold the tweezers so that they grasp the metal connector, not the plastic part.

Use the tweezers to grip the metal end of the antenna cable.
Disconnect the antenna cable from the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 32

Avoid piercing the white membranes for a re-usable loudspeaker.

Loudspeaker assembly lift using care.
Pull out the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 33 | De-route the antenna flex cable

Remove the antenna cable by gently pulling it out from under the adhesive tape.

Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully grasp the cable.

Step 34 | Disconnect the loudspeaker cable

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

Step 35 | Disconnect the headphone jack

Disconnect the headphone jack cable from the motherboard using the tip of a spudger.

Step 36

Use tweezers to carefully remove the tape covering the antenna flex cable.

Step 37 | Remove the charging port screw

Remove the screw securing the charging port using a T3 Torx screwdriver.

Step 38 | Remove the motherboard

Locate the plastic clips holding the motherboard to the midframe.

Use a spudger to pry the first clip loose near the front-facing cameras.

Step 39

Hold the motherboard firmly and pry it open.

The clips will release when the board is opened.
Lift the motherboard straight up to remove it.

Step 40 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Soak the earpiece speaker with 90% isopropyl alcohol, allowing it to sit for one minute.

Step 41

Remove the earpiece speaker.