Google Pixel 4a Battery Replacement - Google Pixel 4a

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or 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 notes carefully before proceeding.

Note the Screen seam on the edge of the phone, where to pry the screen.
Avoid prying at the Frame seam, held by screws.

Do not insert opening pick deeper than instructed or risk damaging the Screen flex cable.

Be cautious of the orange ribbon cable under the lower-right corner of the screen.
Pry only within the narrow Adhesive perimeter to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Do not apply excessive heat, which can cause damage to the internal components.

Apply a heated iOpener or use an alternative heat source (hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate) for one minute to soften the adhesive on the right edge of the display.
Be cautious not to overheat the phone, as both the display and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Super Glue should be used as last resort for attaching suction cup due to risk of further damage.

Packing tape or strong tape may be applied over cracked display to aid suction cup adhesion.
Place suction cup near right edge of screen.
Lift with steady, firm force.
Insert opening pick tip into screen seam ≤ 1 mm.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Locate the pick's insertion point without damaging the OLED panel.

Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle with about 1 mm of the pick in the gap.
With the pick at this angle, carefully push it about 6 mm (1/4 inch) into the gap below the OLED panel.

Stop if you feel resistance from a ridge; the pick may be contacting the OLED's edge. Adjust its angle and try again.

Step 6 | Cut the adhesive

Slide the 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 is weak; heat may not be needed for removal.

If the screen is hard to slice, apply heat to the area for one minute and try again.
Insert another opening pick into the right edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has formed.
Slide the opening pick around the bottom of the phone to cut the adhesive.

Be careful not to damage the OLED panel by snagging on a delicate cable under the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Maintain an angled downward pick and only insert it as necessary (no more than 2 mm deep) to separate the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick inserted along the bottom edge to prevent resealing.

Step 8

Insert a new opening pick at the bottom edge, angled where a gap is present.

Slice through the left edge with the pick.

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

Leave the pick in place along the left edge to prevent re-adhesion of the adhesive.

Step 9

Do not remove or damage the mesh covering on the earpiece speaker.

Insert an opening pick at the left edge of the phone into a formed gap, angled to avoid the OLED panel.
Slide the pick along the top edge to cut the adhesive.
If the screen is hard to slice, heat the top edge for one minute and try again.

Step 10

Open the phone by lifting the right edge of the screen.

Do not remove the screen yet — further steps are required.

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

Step 11 | Flip the screen over

Careful not to apply stress on the ribbon cable.

Lift the screen from top edge.
Swing the screen over bottom edge, resting it glass-side down.

Step 12 | Disconnect the display

Peel off tweezers and use to gently lift the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.

If tape is in good condition, re-use during reassembly.
Otherwise, replace with a piece of electrical tape.

Step 13

Remove the T3 Torx driver screws (2.1 mm) holding the screen connector bracket in place.

Keep all removed screws separate and secure to avoid mix-ups during reassembly.

Step 14

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Set aside for later reinstallation.

Step 15

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

To re-attach, carefully align press connectors and press down on one side until it clicks into place.

Repeat this process for the other side; do not press in the middle.

Misaligned connectors may cause pin bending and permanent damage.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen.

Verify if your replacement screen comes with speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed.
If it does, proceed without applying top edge adhesive. If not,
- Remove the larger clear liner from the top edge adhesive.
- Apply it to the screen, ensuring proper alignment with speaker mesh (larger cutout).
- Follow this guide for custom-cut adhesive application.
Use the third photo as reference to position adhesives.

During boot-up, avoid touching the screen during calibration sequence; improper touch calibration may cause issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the eight 4.3 mm screws that secure the back cover to the midframe.

Step 18 | Spring contact information

Inspect the midframe components behind the back cover.

Take note of the spring contacts near the edge.

Do not insert the opening pick more than 2 mm, as this may damage the spring contacts.

Step 19 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Be cautious when inserting the opening pick.

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and 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.

Limit insertion depth to 2 mm or less.

Step 20

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

Release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Step 21

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the phone casing and the screen, then gently work it along the top and right edges to disengage all remaining clips.

Step 22

Swing the back cover from the bottom of the phone over the top and around the back.

Lay the back cover flat on a work surface.
Gently rest the midframe on the back cover, taking care not to stress the ribbon cables.

Step 23 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Remove the motherboard bracket using a T3 Torx driver.

Remove three 2.9 mm-long black screws.
Remove three 2 mm-long screws.
Remove one 4.1 mm-long screw.

Step 24

Use the spudger to gently pry the motherboard bracket loose at the upper-right and lower-right corners.

Step 25

Remove the motherboard bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Step 26 | Disconnect the battery

Disconnect the battery cable by prying it loose with the flat end of a spudger.

Step 27 | Remove the back cover

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

Step 28

Remove the back cover.

Step 29 | Remove the battery adhesive

Flip the midframe over.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the two pieces of black tape covering the battery adhesive pull tabs.
If the tape remains intact, reuse it during reassembly. Otherwise, replace with electrical tape.

Step 30

Do not pierce the battery with the tweezers.

Lift the battery adhesive pull tabs using a pair of tweezers.
Hold the tabs with your fingers once exposed.

Step 31

Twisted or wrinkled adhesive strips may break instead of pulling out cleanly.

Slowly pull a battery adhesive tab towards the bottom of the phone, maintaining constant tension.
Pull the strip at as low an angle as possible to avoid stretching it beyond its limit.
If the strip breaks, use fingers or blunt tweezers to retrieve the remaining length and continue pulling.
If adhesive remains underneath the battery, apply 90% isopropyl alcohol for one minute before proceeding.

Step 32

Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery — potential safety hazard.

Remove and discard the old battery.

Beware: do not touch bent battery edges.

Apply 90% isopropyl alcohol to loosen adhesive, following previous instructions.
Wait one minute for the alcohol to take effect.
Pry up the battery with an opening pick from a long edge.