Google Pixel 4a 5G Vibrator Motor Replacement - Google Pixel 4a 5G

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bent paperclip or similar into the SIM tray hole.

Press firmly into the hole until the SIM card tray is ejected.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 2 | Precautionary Notes

Remove the screen by prying it upwards, taking note of the following:

Distinguish between the screen seam, where you must pry to separate the screen from the rest of the phone.
Avoid prying at the , which is held in place by screws.

Do not insert the opening pick deeper than instructed near the screen flex cable or risk damaging it.

Prying beyond the narrow adhesive perimeter without angling the pick may damage the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Avoid overheating the phone, which can cause 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.
Alternately, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but maintain a safe distance to prevent overheating.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Using packing tape or superglue on the display may damage it further.

Apply clear packing tape over a cracked screen to improve suction cup adhesion, or use strong tape as an alternative.
Position the suction cup near the right edge of the screen.
Lift the suction cup firmly but steadily.
Pry open the screen by inserting an opening pick into the seam with a force of no more than 1 mm from the edge.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

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

Push pick at 90° into gap to 6mm depth, below OLED panel.
If hitting ridge, adjust angle and try 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 more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you may damage the screen's flex cable.

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

Step 7

Identify and handle with care the mesh covering earpiece speaker on the top screen edge.

Apply gentle pressure when slicing the screen, as the adhesive is weak.
If the screen is difficult to slice, apply heat for 1 minute before retrying.

Insert another opening pick at an angle into the right edge, keeping it away from the OLED panel to prevent damage.

Slide the pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive completely.
Leave the inserted pick along the top edge to prevent resealing.

Step 8

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-adhesion.

Step 9

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

Apply gentle pressure to slice the adhesive.
If the screen is hard to separate, apply heat for one minute and try again.

Be cautious near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 10

Slide the opening 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 attempting again.
Be cautious when slicing near the screen flex cable and digitizer.

Step 11

Lift the right edge of the screen, about halfway.

Do not remove the screen at this time.

Apply an opening pick and carefully pry away any remaining adhesive.

Step 12 | Flip the screen over

Avoid putting stress on the attached ribbon cable.

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

Step 13 | Disconnect the display

Peel off the screen connector tape using your fingernail or a pair of tweezers.

If the tape is in good condition, set it aside for reassembly.
If damaged, replace with 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 plastic cover may spring upwards, be cautious when removing.
Remove the plastic cover.

Step 15

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

Do not press down in the middle when re-attaching connectors - this can cause pins to bend and result in permanent damage.

Re-attach by carefully aligning the connector and pressing down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the old screen.

If your replacement screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed, proceed to installation.
Otherwise, remove the larger clear liner from the top edge adhesive and apply it to the screen (not the frame), ensuring the larger cutout aligns with speaker mesh.
Follow the guide for applying custom-cut adhesive. Use the third photo as a reference for positioning adhesives.

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

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the nine 4.4 mm long screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Be mindful of each screw's location and store them in order for correct reassembly.

Step 18 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover, right 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 sliding the opening pick along the top, left, and bottom edges of your phone.

The goal is to release the plastic tabs securing the back cover to the midframe.
Make sure all tabs are released before proceeding.

Step 20

Hold the phone with the back cover facing up.

Swing the back cover upwards, keeping it attached to the phone.
The back cover remains connected by two ribbon cables.

Do not remove the back cover yet, as it is still attached.

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

Step 21 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Remove the motherboard bracket using a T3 Torx screwdriver.

Remove four 4.0 mm-long screws.
Remove 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 pointed end of a spudger.

Step 24 | Remove the back cover

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

Step 25

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

Careful not to damage the cable or its connector

Once freed, gently pull the cable out from under the component.

Step 26

Remove back cover.

Step 27 | Remove the front-facing camera

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

Be careful not to damage the thin, fragile copper foil.

Step 28

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully release the front-facing camera connector.

Disconnect the camera's electrical connection, taking care not to damage any surrounding components.
Once disconnected, gently remove the front-facing camera from its mounting bracket.

Step 29 | Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker assembly using a T3 Torx driver.

Locate and remove two screws with a length of 4.2 mm.

Step 30

Insert the spudger tip under the loudspeaker assembly.

Be careful not to puncture the white membranes if you plan to reuse the loudspeaker.

Flip the loudspeaker assembly over and rest it on top of the battery.

Step 31

Disconnect the antenna cable from the loudspeaker assembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to grasp the metal connector.
Avoid touching the plastic cable itself with the tweezers.

Step 32

Peel the loudspeaker assembly carefully away from its tape attachment.

Be cautious not to damage the white membranes for successful reusability.

Remove the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 33 | De-route the antenna flex cable

Remove the antenna cable by gently pulling it out from under its protective tape, either using your fingers or a pair of tweezers.

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

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

Step 36

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

Step 37 | Remove the charging port screw

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

Step 38 | Remove the motherboard

Locate the first plastic clip holding the motherboard in place, situated near the front-facing cameras.

Insert the tip of a spudger into the gap between the motherboard and midframe.
Pry to pop the first clip free.

Step 39

Hold the motherboard firmly with both hands.
Open the motherboard like a book to release the remaining clips.
Lift the motherboard directly upwards to complete removal.

Step 40 | Remove the vibrator motor

Use the tip of a pair of tweezers to carefully pry off the vibration motor from the midframe.

The vibration motor is secured with some light adhesive.
Remove the vibration motor.
If the adhesive is too strong, apply a few drops of 90% isopropyl alcohol around the base and wait one minute for it to soften.