Google Pixel 4a 5G Headphone Jack Replacement - Google Pixel 4a 5G

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, SIM tool bit, or a 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 and carefully follow these notes before attempting to remove the screen.

Identify two seams on your phone's edge:

Screen seam: Separate point for screen removal. Pry here.

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

Mark the following areas on the screen:

Screen flex cable: Avoid inserting the pick deeper than instructed to prevent damage.
Adhesive perimeter: Prying beyond this area without angling the pick may damage the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Risk of heat damage to the display and internal battery.

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

Alternative methods: use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate; but be careful not to overheat the phone.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Apply clear packing tape over cracked display for better suction cup adhesion.

Alternatively, use strong adhesive tape instead of suction cup.
As last resort, superglue suction cup to broken screen.

Position suction cup near right edge of screen.

Lift suction cup with steady, firm force.

Insert opening pick tip into screen seam, no deeper than 1 mm.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Insert the pick carefully to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle, with about 1 mm into the gap.
Carefully push the pick in at this angle for about 6 mm (1/4 inch) until it slides below the OLED panel.

Stop if you feel resistance, as this may indicate the pick is hitting a ridge or pressing against the OLED edge. Adjust the angle and try again.

Step 6 | Slice through the display adhesive

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

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

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

Step 7

Be cautious not to damage or lose the mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen.

The screen's adhesive is weak; excessive heat application can cause further issues, so avoid re-applying it.

If the screen is hard to slice, apply gentle heat to the problematic area for one minute before trying again.
Insert another opening pick at an angle into the right edge of the phone where a gap has formed to prevent OLED panel damage.
Slide the opening pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive and create a gap.
Leave the pick inserted along the top edge to maintain the gap and prevent adhesive resealing.

Step 8

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

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

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

Step 9

Apply opening pick along left edge of phone to cut adhesive.

If screen is stubborn, apply heat for one minute before retrying.
Be cautious near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 10

Slide a 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 for one minute before retrying.

Be cautious near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 11

Carefully lift the right edge of the screen, about halfway.

Do not remove the screen yet.

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

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Do not apply excessive force, which may damage the attached ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from the top edge.
Swing the screen over the bottom edge until it can be rested 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 usable, save it for reassembly.
Otherwise, replace it with a piece of Kapton tape.

Step 14

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

Pry the plastic cover straight up until it pops out of place.

The cover may spring into the air, be careful to avoid injury.

Remove the plastic cover completely.

Step 15

Use a spudger to pry up the screen flex cable.

To reconnect, carefully align and press one side of the press connector until it clicks into place.

Repeat on the other side, but do not press down on the middle.

Misaligned connectors can cause permanent damage by bending pins.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen.

Check if your replacement screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed.

If it does, you won't need the top edge adhesive. If not, remove the larger clear liner from the top edge adhesive and apply it to the screen (not the frame), ensuring the larger cutout lines up with the speaker mesh.

Follow the guide to apply custom-cut adhesive.

During boot-up after reassembly, let the screen complete its calibration sequence without touching it, as improper touch calibration can cause issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 9 x 4.4mm long screws securing the back cover.

Mark each screw for reinstallation.
Remove and set aside each screw as you go.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert an 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

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

The goal is to release the plastic tabs that secure the back cover to the midframe.
This process should be repeated until all the tabs are released.

Step 20

Hold the phone face down with the back cover exposed.

Swing the back cover up to a vertical position, taking care not to damage the ribbon cables.

Do not remove the back cover as it is still attached by two ribbon cables.

Support the back cover with an object like a cardboard box or a soda can.

Step 21 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the seven motherboard bracket screws.
Remove four screws, each 4.0 mm long, and three screws, each 2.1 mm long.

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

Locate the fingerprint sensor cable and carefully use the tip of a spudger to release it from its connector.

Step 25

Use the spudger tip to gently pry up the front sensor array cable.

Hold the cable by its connector to prevent damage.
Pry upwards carefully until the cable is disconnected.

Step 26

Remove the back cover.

Step 27 | Remove the headphone jack

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

Step 28

Insert a spudger straight into the headphone jack.

Pry up to remove the headphone jack from your phone.
If the headphone jack is difficult to remove, apply a drop of high concentration (≥ 90%) isopropyl-alcohol underneath it to soften the adhesive.

The use of excessive force or sharp objects may damage the phone's internal components.

Apply a small piece from a generic adhesive card to the headphone jack slot before installing the new headphone jack.