Google Pixel 4a 5G Rear-Facing Camera Replacement

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

Press directly into the hole to avoid damaging the SIM tray — risk of damage.

• Remove the SIM card tray from its slot.

Carefully read these notes before proceeding to prevent damage.

• Identify two seams on your phone's edge:
  • Screen seam: Separate screen from rest of phone; pry here.
  • Frame seam: Held in place by screws; do not pry.

• Locate these areas on the screen:

  • Screen flex cable: Do not insert opening pick deeper than instructed to avoid damage.
  • Adhesive perimeter: Pry carefully within this narrow area, angling the pick to prevent OLED panel damage.

To prevent damage, apply heat carefully.

• Use a heated iOpener on the right edge of the display for one minute.
• Alternately, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate with caution to avoid overheating.

Heat damage can harm the internal battery and display.

Apply clear packing tape over a cracked display if necessary for suction cup adhesion.

• Alternatively, use strong tape instead of the suction cup or superglue it to the broken screen as a last resort.

Avoid using weak or low-quality tape that may not hold the weight of the display.

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

• Lift the suction cup with firm, steady pressure to prevent accidental screen separation.

Insert the opening pick carefully, no more than 1 mm into the screen seam to avoid damage.

Before slicing the adhesive, carefully insert your pick without damaging the OLED panel.

• Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle with about 1 mm of the tip already in the gap.
• At this angle, gently push the pick into the gap approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) below the OLED panel.

Stop immediately if you feel the point of the pick hitting a ridge, as it may be pressing against the edge of the OLED panel.

• Adjust the angle and try again if necessary.

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

• Ensure the pick doesn't exceed 1/4 inch (6 mm) depth to avoid damaging the flex cable.
• Leave the pick in the bottom-right corner to prevent re-adhesion.

Inserting the pick too far may cause irreparable damage to the screen's flex cable.

Do not remove or damage the earpiece speaker mesh on the top edge of the screen.

• Check that heat is not needed to separate the screen due to weak adhesive.
• If separation is difficult, apply heat to the area for one minute and try again.

Be careful not to damage the OLED panel when inserting another opening pick into the right edge of the phone.

• Insert a new opening pick at an angle into the right edge, where a gap has already formed.
• Slide the pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive completely.
• Leave the pick in place along the top edge to prevent re-adhesion.

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

• Slice around the top-left corner, avoiding the camera window.
• If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat for one minute and try again.
• Leave the pick inserted along the left edge to prevent re-sealing of adhesive.

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

• If it's hard to slice, apply heat for one minute and try again.
• Note that you're now near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

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

• If the screen resists cutting, apply heat for one minute before retrying.
• Note: Be cautious near the screen flex cable and digitizer while making this cut.

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

Do not remove the screen yet.

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

Avoid applying excessive force that could damage the ribbon cable.

• Lift the screen from the top edge.
• Swing the screen over the bottom edge until it rests glass-side down.

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

• If the tape is in good condition, set it aside for reassembly.
• Otherwise, replace with a new piece of Kapton tape.

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

• Pry the plastic cover straight up until it pops out of place.
• The plastic cover may spring into the air.
• Remove the plastic cover.

Pressing down on the middle of a re-attach connector can cause permanent damage.

• Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.
• To re-attach, carefully align the connectors and press down on one side until it clicks into place.
• Repeat on the other side; do not press in the middle.

Remove the screen.

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

• If it does not, remove the larger clear liner from the top edge adhesive and apply it to the screen (not the frame), ensuring the cutout aligns with the speaker mesh.

Apply custom-cut adhesive according to the provided guide, referencing the third photo for positioning.

During boot-up after reassembly, avoid touching the screen during calibration to prevent touch issues.

Keep track of the 9 screws, as they are specific to their locations.

• Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the screws securing the back cover to the midframe.
• The screws have a length of 4.4 mm.

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

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

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

• Continue applying pressure until all plastic tabs are released.
• The back cover should now be free from the midframe.

Flip the phone over with the back cover facing upwards.

Do not attempt to remove the back cover yet, as it is still secured by two ribbon cables.

• Swing the back cover up into an upright position.
• Support the back cover with a stable object, such as a cardboard box or soda can.

Remove the motherboard bracket using a T3 Torx screwdriver.

• Loosen four screws (M2), each 4.0 mm long.
• Loosen three screws (M1), each 2.1 mm long.

Remove the motherboard bracket.

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

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

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

Remove the back cover.

Peel the tape away from the copper foil using your fingers or a pair of tweezers.

The copper foil is thin and easily damaged.

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

• Remove the front-facing camera once disconnected.

Remove the T3 Torx driver and unscrew the two 4.2 mm-long screws holding the loudspeaker assembly in place.

Insert the spudger tip underneath the loudspeaker assembly.

Be careful not to puncture the white membranes for successful reusability.

• Flip the loudspeaker assembly over and place it on top of the battery, making sure it rests lightly.

Disconnect the antenna cable from the loudspeaker assembly. Use a pair of tweezers to grab only the metal connector, not the entire plastic cable.

Avoid damaging the white membranes when lifting the loudspeaker assembly.

• Pry the loudspeaker assembly upwards from the adhesive underneath.
• If reusing, take care not to puncture the white membranes.
• Remove the loudspeaker assembly.

Use either your fingers or a tweezers to gently pull the antenna cable free from its securing tape.

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

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

Remove the tape covering the antenna flex cable using a pair of tweezers.

Remove the T3 Torx screw using a T3 Torx screwdriver.

• The screw is secured in place by the charging port.
• Measure the length of the screw to be approximately 2.1 mm long.

Insert the tip of a spudger into the gap between the motherboard and the midframe, near the front-facing cameras.

• Pry the motherboard loose from the first plastic clip.
• The motherboard is secured by additional clips; continue prying to release it completely.

Grasp the motherboard firmly and open it like a book.

• This action releases the remaining clips.
• Lift the motherboard straight out to remove it completely.

Remove the left camera by carefully prying it loose with the flat end of a spudger.

Be careful not to damage the small capacitors on the motherboard.

• Disconnect the right camera from the motherboard using a spudger.

Remove the front-facing camera assembly.

• If your replacement module includes a plastic spacer, remove it prior to installation.
• Clean the lens surface thoroughly before installing the new camera assembly, ensuring it is free from smudges and dust.