Google Pixel 4a Headphone Jack 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 SIM card tray.

Step 2 | Precautionary notes

Before proceeding, carefully read these notes.

Identify the two phone edges seams:

Screen seam: Pry here to remove the screen.
Frame seam: Avoid this area; it's held in by screws.

On the screen:

Avoid damaging the screen flex cable with your opening pick.
Steer clear of the orange ribbon cable under the lower-right corner.
Only pry within the adhesive perimeter; avoid the OLED panel.

Never insert your opening pick deeper than instructed to prevent damage.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Risk of heat damage to display and internal battery.

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

Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate with caution to avoid overheating the phone.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Using clear packing tape or superglue on cracked screens may cause further damage.

Apply clear packing tape to a badly cracked display for better suction cup adhesion.
Alternatively, use very strong tape as a direct replacement for the suction cup.

Use caution when attempting superglue repairs, as they may cause irreparable damage.

Apply superglue to attach suction cup firmly to broken screen if all else fails.

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

Lift the suction cup with a strong, steady force.

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the screen seam no more than 1 mm deep.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Insert the pick 1 mm into the gap without damaging the OLED panel.

Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle with 1 mm of the tip in the gap.
Push the pick into the gap about 6 mm at this angle, until it slides below the OLED panel.

Stop if you feel resistance from the edge of the OLED panel. Re-angle and try again.

Step 6 | Cut the adhesive

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

Insert the pick no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you may damage the screen's flex cable.
Leave the pick in the top right corner after cutting to prevent re-sealing.

Step 7

Screen adhesive should be easily removable; if it's hard to slice, apply heat for one minute and try again.

Insert a new opening pick at an angle into the right edge of the phone, 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 not to snag the delicate cable under the bottom-right corner with your opening pick. If you feel resistance, remove and reinsert at a downward angle with minimal depth (no more than 2 mm).

Leave the pick in place along the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

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 of the phone.
If the screen feels hard, heat the left edge for one minute and try again.

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

Step 9

Take care not to damage or lose the mesh covering on the earpiece speaker.

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

Step 10

Carefully lift the right edge of the screen.

Open the phone like a book.

Do not remove the screen yet.

Use an opening pick to cut through any remaining adhesive.

Step 11 | Flip the screen over

Do not subject the attached ribbon cable to excessive stress.

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

Step 12 | Disconnect the display

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

If the tape is damaged or worn out, replace it with new electrical tape for proper reassembly.

Step 13

Remove the screen connector bracket by unscrewing the two 2.1mm T3 Torx driver screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Carefully label each removed screw with its corresponding location for reassembly.
Ensure each screw is returned to its original position to maintain the device's integrity.

Step 14

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Be careful not to damage the bracket, as you will need to reinstall it later.

Step 15

Do not press down in the middle of re-attached connectors to prevent pin bending and damage.

Use a spudger tip to disconnect the screen flex cable.
To reconnect:

Carefully align the connector, then press down on one side until it clicks.
Repeat on the other side; avoid pressing in the middle.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen from the device.

Check if your replacement screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed.
If pre-installed, proceed to reassembly; otherwise, apply top edge adhesive to the screen (not the frame) with larger cutout aligned with speaker mesh.

Do not touch the screen during boot-up calibration sequence as it may result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the back cover using a T3 Torx driver.

The eight 4.3 mm screws will be visible on the midframe.

Step 18 | Spring contact information

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

Examine the midframe components revealed by removing the back cover, as shown in this photo.

Proceed with caution when using the opening pick to avoid harming the spring contacts.

Step 19 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert an opening pick between the midframe and the back cover, angling it downwards.
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone to release the plastic clips.

Do not insert the opening pick more than 2 mm into the seam, to avoid damage.

Step 20

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

The clips secure the back cover to the midframe.

Step 21

Slide the opening pick along the top and right edges of the phone.

This will help release any remaining clips holding it in place.

Step 22

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.
Carefully place the midframe on the back cover, avoiding stress on attached ribbon cables.

Step 23 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Apply a T3 Torx driver and remove the seven motherboard bracket screws.

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

Step 24

Insert the tip of a spudger into the upper-right corner of the motherboard.
Release the motherboard bracket at this point by gently prying it away from the motherboard.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 for the lower-right corner of the motherboard.

Step 25

Remove the motherboard bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Step 26 | Disconnect the battery

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

Step 27 | Remove the back cover

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully disconnect both flex cables linking the fingerprint sensor and buttons to the motherboard.

Step 28

Remove the back cover.

Step 29 | Remove the headphone jack

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully disconnect the headphone jack cable from the motherboard.

Step 30

Use a precision opening pick to pry the headphone jack loose.

Twist the opening pick under the headphone jack to release its adhesive.
Once freed, carefully remove the headphone jack.