Google Pixel 4a 5G Loudspeaker Replacement - Google Pixel 4a 5G

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject 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

Carefully follow these instructions to avoid damaging your phone's screen.

Identify two key seams on your phone:

Screen seam: Where the screen separates from the rest of the phone, pry here to remove the screen.

Frame seam: Held by screws, do not pry at this seam.

Before prying:

Be aware of the screen flex cable to avoid damaging it beyond its specified depth.
Avoid prying past the adhesive perimeter without angling your tool, as this can damage the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Avoid overheating the device - the display and internal battery can be damaged.

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute to soften the adhesive.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but monitor temperature to prevent overheating.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Using clear packing tape on a cracked display can help the suction cup adhere, but use caution.

Apply cClear packing tape over the cracked area if necessary.
Alternatively, use strong tape instead of the suction cup.
If both fail, attach the suction cup with superglue.

Position a suction cup near the right edge of the screen for optimal leverage.

Hold the suction cup firmly and lift it with steady force.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the seam, no deeper than 1 mm.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Ensure the OLED panel is protected by carefully inserting your pick

Begin with the pick 1 mm into the gap.
Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle.
At this angle, push the pick about 1/4 inch (6 mm) into the gap.

Stop if you feel resistance from a ridge, indicating contact with the OLED panel's edge.

Adjust the pick's angle and try again as needed.

Step 6 | Slice through the display adhesive

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

Never insert more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or risk damaging the screen's flex cable.

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

Step 7

Inspect the earpiece speaker mesh on the top edge of the screen and handle it carefully if you don't have a replacement.

Be cautious when handling the screen as the adhesive is weak, avoiding unnecessary heat application.
If the screen is difficult to slice, apply gentle heat to the problem area for one minute before re-attempting.

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

Insert another opening pick at an angle into the right edge of the phone where a gap has formed, protecting the OLED panel.
Slide the pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive and leave it in place to prevent re-sealing.

Step 8

Insert a new opening pick into the top edge at an angle over an existing gap.

Slice around the camera window on the top-left corner with the pick.
If the screen is stubborn, apply heat to the area for one minute and retry.
Leave the pick in place along the left edge to prevent re-sealing of the adhesive.

Step 9

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

For a tough cut, apply heat to the area for one minute then try again.
Note: The screen flex cable and digitizer are nearby during this process.

Step 10

Slide a pick around the bottom-left corner and across the bottom of the display to cut adhesive.

If cutting is difficult, apply heat for one minute before reattempting.
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 with care.

Do not remove the screen yet, as this may cause damage.

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

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Avoid putting stress on the ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from the top edge.
Swing it over until it rests glass-side down, being mindful of the ribbon cable.

Step 13 | Disconnect the display

Remove the tape covering the screen connector using your fingernail or tweezers.

If the tape is in good condition, set it aside for reuse during reassembly.
If not, replace it with a piece of Kapton tape.

Step 14

Insert the tip of aspudger into the opening of the plastic cover securing the screen flex cable.
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 on the middle of a re-attaching connector — risk of pin bending and damage.

Use a spudger tip to disconnect the screen flex cable.
To reconnect:

Carefully align the connector and press down on one side until it clicks into place.
Repeat on the other side, ensuring proper alignment to avoid pin damage.

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; otherwise, remove the larger clear liner and apply it to the screen (not the frame), ensuring the cutout aligns with the speaker mesh.

Don't touch the screen during calibration sequence following reassembly — improper calibration may cause touch issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the T3 Torx driver screws.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove nine screws, each measuring 4.4 mm long, securing the back cover to the midframe.
Label and track each removed screw for reinstallation.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

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

Be careful not to apply too much pressure which may damage the phone's components.

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.
Continue along the left edge, releasing the plastic tabs as you go.
Finish by sliding the opening pick along the bottom edge.

Step 20

Flip the phone over with the back cover facing upwards.

Carefully swing the back cover up to its upright position.

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

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

Step 21 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Remove the four 4.0 mm-long screws using a T3 Torx screwdriver.
Next, remove the three 2.1 mm-long screws with the same T3 Torx screwdriver.

Step 22

Remove the motherboard bracket.

Step 23 | Disconnect the battery

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully disconnect the battery cable from the motherboard.

Step 24 | Remove the back cover

Use the tip of a spudger to gently pry up and release the fingerprint sensor cable.

Step 25

Disconnect the front sensor array cable using the tip of a spudger.

Step 26

Remove the back cover.

Step 27 | Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the T3 Torx driver and unscrew the two screws, each 4.2 mm in length, that secure the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 28

Insert the spudger tip underneath the loudspeaker assembly.

Avoid puncturing the white membranes on either side for reuse.
Flip the loudspeaker assembly over, resting it on top of the battery.

Step 29

Disconnect the antenna cable using a pair of tweezers.

Grasp the metal connector of the antenna cable, not the plastic cable.
Pull gently to release the connection.

Step 30

Avoid puncturing the white membranes when lifting the loudspeaker assembly.

Pry the loudspeaker assembly away from its adhesive.
Remove the loudspeaker assembly.