Google Pixel 4a Back Cover Replacement - Google Pixel 4a

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

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

Press directly into the hole to avoid damaging the surrounding area.

Remove the ejected SIM card tray.

Step 2 | Precautionary notes

Identify two seams on the phone's edge:

Screen seam: Where you'll pry to remove the screen.

Frame seam: Do not pry here, as it's held by screws.

Be cautious of damage when prying:

Screen flex cable: Avoid inserting the pick too deep to prevent damage.
Orange ribbon cable: Be gentle near the lower-right corner, as it's easily damaged.
Adhesive perimeter: Pry only along this narrow area and avoid applying pressure.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Apply a iOpener to the right edge of the display for 1 minute.

The iOpener should soften the adhesive.

Be careful not to overheat, as heat damage may occur to the display and internal battery.

Alternative methods include using a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Avoiding suction can be necessary if your display is badly cracked.

Use clear packing tape or very strong tape to adhere to the broken screen.

Alternatively, you may superglue the suction cup directly onto the screen.

If using a suction cup, place it as close to the right edge of the screen as possible.

Lift the suction cup with a strong steady force.
Insert an opening pick into the screen seam at most 1 mm from the tip.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Insert pick without damaging OLED panel before slicing adhesive.

Pivot pick upwards to steep angle with 1 mm into gap.
Push pick at steep angle for 1/4 inch (6 mm), sliding below OLED panel.

Stop if pick hits ridge, risk of damage to OLED panel. Adjust pick angle and try again.

Step 6 | Cut the adhesive

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

Do not insert the pick more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you may damage the screen's flex cable.

Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 7

Screen adhesive may not require re-heating, but if slicing is difficult, apply heat for one minute and retry.

Insert another opening pick into the right edge of the phone at an angle, where a gap has formed, to prevent damage to the OLED panel.
Slide the pick around the bottom of the phone to cut the adhesive.

Be cautious of a delicate cable under the bottom-right corner of the screen; if your pick gets snagged, pull it out and try again. Ensure your pick is angled downward, inserted only 2 mm deep.

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

Step 8

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

Use the pick to slice through the left edge, working carefully around the OLED panel.
If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat to the left edge for one minute and try again.
Leave the pick inserted along the left edge to prevent re-adhesion of the adhesive.

Step 9

Remove the mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge, taking care not to damage or lose it.

Insert another opening pick at an angle into the left edge of the phone where a gap has formed to prevent OLED panel damage.
Slide the pick around the top edge to cut the adhesive.

If the screen is hard to slice, heat the top edge for one minute and try again to avoid further damage.

Step 10

Carefully lift the right edge of the screen, opening the phone like a book.

Do not remove the screen yet.

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

Step 11 | Flip the screen over

Be cautious when handling the display — avoid applying pressure to the ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from the top edge and swing it towards you.
Rest the screen glass-side down, ensuring not to strain the ribbon cable.

Step 12 | Disconnect the display

Peel off the black tape from the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

If the tape is damaged or deteriorated, replace it with electrical tape for reassembly.

Step 13

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm screws securing the screen connector bracket.

Identify and separate each screw for easy reinstallation.
Make sure each screw returns to its original location.

Step 14

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.
Keep this part for easy reinstallation later.

Step 15

Never press down on the connector's center — risk of pin bending and permanent damage.

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable at its tip.
To re-attach, align connectors carefully and press down on one side until it clicks into place. Repeat for the other side.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen.

If your replacement screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed:

You won't need additional top edge adhesive.

If it doesn't:

Remove the larger clear liner from the top edge adhesive.
Apply it to the screen, not the frame; align with speaker mesh.

Avoid touching the screen during boot-up calibration process — risk of improper touch calibration and subsequent issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the eight 4.3 mm screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Step 18 | Spring contact information

Avoid inserting the opening pick more than 2mm to prevent damaging the spring contacts.

Observe the midframe components through the back cover in this photo.

Step 19 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Be careful not to insert the opening pick more than 2 mm into the seam.

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover, angling it downwards at a steep angle.
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Step 20

Insert the opening pick into the left edge of the phone and slide it along the edge to release the plastic clips.

The clips hold the back cover to the midframe.

Step 21

Slide the opening pick along the top and right edges of the phone to release remaining clips.

Step 22

Remove the back cover by swinging it from the bottom over the top and around the back.

Lay the back cover flat on a work surface.
Carefully place the midframe on the back cover, avoiding stress on the ribbon cables.

Step 23 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the following screws from the motherboard bracket:

Three 2.9mm-long black screws
Three 2mm-long screws
One 4.1mm-long screw

Step 24

Insert the spudger tip into the upper-right corner of the motherboard and gently pry off the motherboard bracket.

Repeat the process at the lower-right corner.

Step 25

Remove the motherboard bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Step 26 | Disconnect the battery

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the battery cable and gently pry it loose.

Step 27 | Remove the back cover

Disconnect the two flex cables from the fingerprint sensor and buttons using the tip of a spudger.

Step 28

Remove the back cover.