Google Pixel 4a Front-Facing Camera Replacement - Google Pixel 4a

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, battery removal 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

Be cautious when prying the screen, as it may be damaged if not done correctly.

Pry the screen up along the screen seam, avoiding the .
Insert the opening pick carefully to avoid damaging the screen flex cable.
Be mindful of the orange ribbon cable under the lower-right corner of the screen.
Avoid prying beyond the adhesive perimeter to prevent damage to the OLED panel.

Do not insert the opening pick deeper than instructed, as this may cause irreversible damage.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

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

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate can also be used.

Be cautious not to overheat the phone, as the display and internal battery may be damaged by excessive heat.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Using clear packing tape or superglue may damage your display further — use at own risk.

Apply clear packing tape to cracked display for suction cup adhesion, if necessary.
Use strong tape instead of suction cup for screen removal.
If both fail, apply superglue to attach suction cup to broken screen.

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

Lift the suction cup firmly but steadily with a strong force.
Pry the screen open by inserting an opening pick into the seam, no more than 1 mm deep.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Begin by inserting the pick into the gap, with the tip 1 mm in.

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

Stop if you feel resistance from the edge of the OLED panel.

If encountering issues, re-angle the pick and try again.

Step 6 | Cut the adhesive

Inserting the pick too far can damage the screen's flex cable.

Slide the pick along the right edge of the screen to cut the adhesive.
Limit insertion depth to 1/4 inch (6 mm) to avoid damaging the flex cable.
Leave the pick in the top right corner after cutting the adhesive to prevent re-sealing.

Step 7

The screen adhesive may be weak, but if it's hard to slice, apply heat for one minute.

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

Be careful not to snag the delicate cable under the bottom-right corner. If your pick gets caught, pull it out and try again.

Maintain a downward angle with your pick, inserted no more than 2 mm deep.
Leave the pick along the bottom edge to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 8

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

Slice through the left edge using the pick, and then leave it inserted in this position.
If the screen is hard to slice, heat the left edge for one minute and try again.

Step 9

Do not damage or remove the earpiece mesh covering on the top screen edge.

Insert another opening pick at the left edge's formed gap, angled slightly to avoid OLED panel damage.
Slide the pick along the top edge to cut adhesive. Be cautious if cutting is difficult.
If issue persists, heat the top edge for one minute and retry.

Step 10

Careful lifting required — risk of damage.

Lift the right edge of the screen with care, opening the phone.

Do not remove the screen yet.

Use an opening pick to carefully cut any remaining adhesive.

Step 11 | Flip the screen over

Avoid applying pressure to the ribbon cable.

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

Step 12 | Disconnect the display

Use tweezers to gently lift the black tape from the screen connector bracket.

If the tape is still intact and in good condition, set it aside for reassembly.
Otherwise, replace with a piece of electrical tape.

Step 13

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

Keep track of each screw and ensure it is replaced in its original position.

Step 14

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Keep this part for later use, as you will need to reinstall it.

Step 15

Use a spudger to pry up the screen flex cable.

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

Repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle.

Risk of pin damage if misaligned: do not apply pressure to the middle of the connector.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen.

Check if your new screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed.
If it does, skip applying additional top edge adhesive.
If not, remove the clear liner from the adhesive and apply it to the screen (not the frame), ensuring correct alignment with the speaker mesh.

During boot-up, do not touch the screen during calibration or you may experience touch issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the 8 x 4.3mm screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Step 18 | Spring contact information

Avoid inserting the opening pick more than 2mm into the device.

Examine the midframe components, noting the proximity of the spring contacts.
Slice carefully with the opening pick, avoiding damage to these delicate parts.

Step 19 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Avoid inserting the opening pick more than 2 mm into the seam.

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

Step 20

Slide a opening pick along the left edge of the phone.
This will release the plastic clips holding the back cover to the midframe.

Step 21

Insert the opening pick into the gap at the top of the phone, then slide it along the right edge to release the remaining clips.

Step 22

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

Be cautious when placing the midframe on the back cover, avoiding stress on the attached ribbon cables.

Lay the back cover on a work surface.
Lightly rest the midframe on the back cover.

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

Locate and carefully pry off the motherboard bracket from its mounting points at the upper-right and lower-right corners of the motherboard.

Step 25

Remove the motherboard bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Step 26 | Disconnect the battery

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

Be careful not to damage the connector or surrounding components.

Step 27 | Remove the back cover

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully disconnect the two flex cables connected between the fingerprint sensor, buttons, and the motherboard.

Step 28

Remove the back cover.

Step 29 | Remove the front-facing camera

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the front-facing camera from the motherboard.

Step 30

Use tweezers to carefully grasp and lift out the front-facing camera.