Google Pixel 4a 5G Front-Facing Camera 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

Carefully read all instructions before proceeding to prevent damage.

Identify the two seams on your phone's edge:

Screen seam: pry here to remove the screen.

Frame seam: do not pry, as it is held in by screws.

Locate and avoid the following areas:

Screen flex cable: do not insert pick deeper than instructed to prevent damage.

Adhesive perimeter: prying beyond this area can harm the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute.

Use extreme caution when using alternative heat sources (hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate) as overheating can cause damage to the phone's internal components and battery.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

If display is badly cracked, use clear packing tape or very strong tape for suction cup attachment.

Place suction cup near right edge of screen, as close as possible.
Lift suction cup with steady force using hands.
Insert opening pick tip into screen seam ≤1 mm depth.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Insert pick 1 mm into gap, pivoting upwards to steep angle.

Push pick at steep angle about 6 mm (0.25 in) into gap.
(Pick should slide below OLED panel)
If hitting ridge, stop and re-angle pick before trying again.

Step 6 | Slice through the display adhesive

Slide the 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 it may damage the screen's flex cable.

Leave the pick in the bottom-right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 7

Take care not to damage or lose the mesh covering on the earpiece speaker.

Insert an opening pick into a gap at the right edge of the phone, angled to prevent damage to the OLED panel.
Slide the pick around the top edge to cut the screen adhesive, leaving it inserted along this edge.
If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat for one minute and try again.

Step 8

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

Slice around the top-left corner, avoiding the camera window.
If slicing is hard, apply heat to the area for one minute and try again.
Leave the pick in place along the left edge to prevent re-sealing.

Step 9

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

If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat for one minute before trying again.

Note: Slicing near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 10

Apply an opening pick to the bottom-left corner of the display and slide it across the bottom.

Use a gentle sawing motion to cut the remaining adhesive.

If the screen is resistant, apply heat for one minute before retrying.

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

Step 11

Carefully lift the right edge of the screen to open the phone.

Do not remove the screen yet.

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

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Avoid applying excessive force to the attached ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from the top edge.
Swing it over the bottom edge, resting it glass-side down.

Step 13 | Disconnect the display

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

If the tape is still in good condition, you can reuse it during reassembly.
Otherwise, replace with a piece of Kapton tape.

Step 14

Insert the spudger tip into the screen flex cable opening.
Pry the plastic cover straight up until it pops out of place.

The plastic cover may spring into the air.

Remove the plastic cover.

Step 15

Do not press down in the middle of a connector.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.
To reattach: align the connector, then press down on one side until it clicks into place.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen.

Check if your replacement screen has pre-installed speaker mesh and top edge adhesive.
If installed: Proceed without additional steps.
Else, remove clear liner from top edge adhesive and apply to screen (not frame) ensuring larger cutout aligns with speaker mesh.

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

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the nine 4.4 mm-long screws securing the back cover to the midframe.

Maintain screw order and ensure each screw returns to its original location.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert a opening pick into the seam between the midframe and back cover, 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

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

The goal is to release all the plastic tabs that secure the back cover to the midframe.

Step 20

Flip your phone over, with the back cover facing upwards.

Carefully swing the back cover to an upright position.

Do not remove the back cover, as it remains attached by two ribbon cables.

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

Step 21 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Remove the seven motherboard bracket screws using aT3 Torx screwdriver.
There are four 4.0 mm-long screws and three 2.1 mm-long screws.

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

Insert the spudger tip under the fingerprint sensor cable.

Careful not to damage the cable or surrounding components.

Pry up gently and pull the cable away from its connector.

Step 25

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

Step 26

Remove the back cover.

Step 27 | Remove the front-facing camera

Peel the tape off the copper foil using your fingers or a tweezer.

Be careful not to puncture the copper foil, as it is thin.

Step 28

Disconnect the front-facing camera using the flat end of a spudger.

Remove the front-facing camera once disconnected.