Google Pixel 4a 5G USB-C Port 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 ejected SIM card tray.

Step 2 | Precautionary Notes

Read these notes carefully before prying the screen.

Identify the two seams on your phone:

Screen seam: Where to pry to remove the screen.
Frame seam: Avoid this area, held in by screws.

Note areas on the screen:

Screen flex cable: Do not insert opening pick too deep to avoid damage.

Adhesive perimeter: Pry within this narrow area, angling the pick to protect the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

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

Use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate instead if available, but be careful not to overheat the phone and risk heat damage to the display and internal battery.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

If display is severely cracked, use clear packing tape or strong tape for suction.

Apply tape to entire surface, ensuring suction cup adheres securely.
Alternatively, superglue suction cup directly to broken screen.

Place suction cup as close to the right edge of the screen as possible.

Lift suction cup with a strong, steady force.
Insert opening pick tip into screen seam, no more than 1 mm deep.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Precaution: Be careful not to damage the OLED panel when inserting your pick.

Before slicing the adhesive, gently insert the pick into the gap with about 1 mm exposed.
Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle and carefully push it in at approximately 6 mm (1/4 inch) while still at this angle.
If you encounter resistance, stop. The pick may be pressing against the edge of the OLED panel. Adjust its angle and try again.

Step 6 | Slice through the display adhesive

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

Keep the pick no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) deep to avoid damaging the flex cable.
Leave the pick in the bottom-right corner to prevent re-sealing of the adhesive.

Step 7

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

Apply minimal heat, as the screen adhesive is weak.
If the screen resists slicing, apply gentle heat for one minute and try again.
Insert an opening pick at the right edge into a pre-formed gap to protect the OLED panel.
Slide the pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive.
Leave the pick in place along the top edge to prevent resealing.

Step 8

Insert a second opening pick into the top edge at an angle where a gap has formed.
Use the pick to cut around the camera window in the top-left corner.

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.

Step 9

Insert the opening pick along the left edge of the phone.

Slide the pick to cut the adhesive, working carefully around the screen flex cable and digitizer.

If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat for one minute and try again.

Step 10

Slide the opening pick around the bottom-left corner and across the bottom of the display.

To cut remaining adhesive, apply heat to difficult areas for one minute if needed.
Be cautious when slicing near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 11

Locate the phone's right edge and gently pry it open, like a book.

Do not remove the screen at this stage.

Insert an opening pick to carefully separate any remaining adhesive.

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Careful handling is required to avoid damaging the ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from the top edge.
Swing the screen over the bottom edge and rest it glass-side down.

Step 13 | Disconnect the display

Peel off the screen connector's protective tape using your fingernail or tweezers.

If the tape is still usable, you can reattach it during reassembly.
Otherwise, replace it with a piece of Kapton tape.

Step 14

Insert the spudger tip into the plastic cover opening.

Pry the plastic cover straight up until it pops out of place.
The plastic cover may spring into the air. Be prepared to catch it.
Remove the plastic cover.

Step 15

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

To re-attach press connectors, align carefully and press down on one side until it clicks into place; repeat on the other side. Avoid pressing down in the middle.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the existing screen.

Check if your replacement screen has pre-installed speaker mesh and top edge adhesive.
If it does, skip applying top edge adhesive.

If not, remove clear liner from adhesive and apply to the screen (not frame), aligning with speaker mesh.

Follow guide for custom-cut adhesive application.
Refer to third photo for positioning adhesives.

During boot-up, do not touch the screen during calibration sequence to avoid improper touch calibration and touch issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Be precise with screw placement — each must be returned to its original position.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the nine 4.4 mm-long screws.
Keep track of each screw for easy reassembly.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert a opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the 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 holding the back cover in place.
This will allow you to access the midframe.

Step 20

Flip your phone over so the back cover is facing up.

Carefully swing the back cover up to an upright position.

Do not remove the back cover — 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

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the following screws:

Four screws, 4.0mm long
Three screws, 2.1mm long

Step 22

Remove the motherboard bracket.

Step 23 | Disconnect the battery

Disconnect the battery cable using the tip of a spudger.

Step 24 | Remove the back cover

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

Step 25

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

Pry upwards, then gently pull away from the board to fully disconnect the cable.

Step 26

Remove the back cover.

Step 27 | Remove the front-facing camera

Use fingers or tweezers to carefully remove tape from copper foil.

Copper foil is thin and prone to damage, exercise care when handling.

Step 28

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

Remove the front-facing camera once disconnected.

Step 29 | Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the T3 Torx using screws.

Two screws, each 4.2mm long, are located on the loudspeaker assembly.
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove these screws.

Step 30

Insert the spudger tip under the loudspeaker assembly.

Be careful not to puncture the white membranes for easy reuse.

Flip the loudspeaker assembly over, resting it lightly on top of the battery.

Step 31

Never touch internal components to avoid damage.

Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the antenna cable from the loudspeaker assembly.
Grab the metal connector with your tweezers, avoiding the plastic cable.

Step 32

Avoid damaging the loudspeaker's wireless membranes while lifting it.

Lift the loudspeaker assembly carefully, peeling it from its adhesive underneath.
Remove the loudspeaker assembly once free.

Step 33 | De-route the antenna flex cable

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

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

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

Step 36

Use a tweezers to carefully lift off the tape covering the antenna flex cable near the earpiece speaker.

Step 37 | Remove the charging port screw

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

The screw is approximately 2.1mm long.

Step 38 | Remove the motherboard

Careful not to damage the motherboard or the camera lens.

Use a spudger to release the first plastic clip at the front edge of the device, located near the camera lenses.
The gap between the motherboard and midframe is narrow; insert the tip of the spudger carefully to avoid damage.

Step 39

Hold the motherboard firmly and open it like a book.

This action releases any remaining clips.
Lift the motherboard straight out to complete removal.

Step 40 | Remove the USB-C port assembly

Disconnect the USB-C port press connector using a spudger.

Pry up the USB-C port press connector with the spudger.
Remove the USB-C port assembly from the motherboard.