Google Pixel 4a Fingerprint Sensor Replacement

Locate the SIM tray hole.

• Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the hole.
• Press directly and firmly into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.
• Remove the SIM card tray.

Prying at the wrong seam can damage internal components.

• Pry along the screen seam, not the frame seam held by screws.
• Avoid the screen flex cable; do not insert the opening pick too deeply.
• Be cautious of the orange ribbon cable under the lower-right corner of the screen.
• Pry only within the adhesive perimeter, angling the pick to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Excessive heat can damage the display and battery.

• Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute to loosen the adhesive.
• Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but keep the phone away from direct heat sources.

Be cautious when handling cracked screens.

• Apply clear packing tape or strong tape directly to the broken display, if necessary.
• Position a suction cup as close to the right edge of the screen as possible.

Avoid applying excessive force on the suction cup.

• Lift the suction cup with steady and strong force.
• Penetrate the screen seam with an opening pick tip, no deeper than 1 mm.

Insert the pick before slicing adhesive.

• Pivot the pick upwards, 1 mm into gap, to steep angle.
• At a steep angle, push the pick about 6 mm into gap.
• The pick should slide below OLED panel. Stop if hitting ridge or edge.
• Re-angle and try again if encountering resistance.

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

Do not insert more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or risk damaging the screen's flex cable.

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

Apply gentle heat for one minute if the screen feels hard to slice.

• Insert an opening pick into a gap at the right edge of the phone, angled downwards.
• Slide the pick around the bottom to cut adhesive; ensure it's only inserted 2 mm deep.

Be cautious not to snag on delicate cables under the screen.

Leave a pick inserted along the bottom edge to prevent resealing.

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

• Use the pick to slice through the left edge of the phone.
• If the screen is hard to slice, heat the left edge for one minute and try again.

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

Careful not to damage or lose the mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen.

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

If the screen resists slicing, heat the top edge for one minute and try again.

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

• Do not remove the screen yet.
• Use a opening pick to carefully cut through any remaining adhesive.

Avoid putting stress on the attached ribbon cable.

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

Peel up the black tape covering the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

If the tape is damaged, replace it with new electrical tape.

Remove the T3 Torx screws (2.1 mm) holding the screen connector bracket with a T3 Torx driver.

Ensure each screw is accounted for and replaced in its original position throughout this repair.

• Use a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the screen connector bracket.
• Set aside this part for easy reinstallation later.

Do not press down on the middle of a re-attachable connector.

• Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.
• To re-attach, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place.
• Repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle.
• If misaligned, connector pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Do not touch the screen during calibration — may cause touch issues.

• Remove the old screen.
• Check if replacement screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed.
• If it does, proceed to reassembly. If not:
• Remove larger clear liner from top edge adhesive.
• Apply adhesive to screen, aligning with speaker mesh.
• Follow guide for custom-cut adhesive application.
• Use third photo as reference for positioning adhesives.

Remove the T3 Torx driver and take out the eight 4.3 mm screws

• The screws secure the back cover to the midframe.

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

• Note the location of the spring contacts near the edge of the midframe.

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.

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

Insert an opening pick into the left edge gap and gently slide it along the edge, releasing the plastic clips that secure the back cover to the midframe.

• Slide the opening pick along the top edge and then around the right edge.
• This will help release any remaining clips.

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

• Lay the back cover on a work surface.
• Lightly rest the midframe on the back cover, being careful not to stress the attached ribbon cables.

Remove the Motherboard Bracket using a T3 Torx Driver.

• Remove three 2.9 mm black screws and set aside.
• Next, remove three 2 mm screws and set aside.
• Finally, remove the single 4.1 mm screw and set it with the others.

Locate the motherboard bracket and use the tip of a spudger to carefully unclip it at both the upper-right and lower-right corners.

Remove the motherboard bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up and release the battery connector.

Disconnect the flex cable connecting the fingerprint sensor using the tip of a spudger.

• Repeat for the button flex cable

Remove back cover.

Use the tip of your finger to push the fingerprint sensor through the back cover, releasing the adhesive.

• If the adhesive is too strong, use a iOpener to apply heat for one minute and try again.

Apply gentle pressure with the flat end of a spudger to pry up the fingerprint sensor cables from the inside of the back cover.

If adhesive is too strong, apply heat to the back cover using an iOpener for one minute before retrying.

• Continue to pry up the fingerprint sensor with a spudger.
• Once free, remove the fingerprint sensor.