Google Pixel 4a Motherboard Replacement

Insert 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.

Carefully read notes before proceeding.

• Identify the two seams on the phone edge:
  • Screen seam: Pry here to remove screen.
  • Frame seam: Held by screws, do not pry here.

• Recognize these areas on the screen:

  • Screen flex cable: Do not insert pick deeper than instructed.
  • Orange ribbon cable: Susceptible to damage, insert pick carefully.
  • OLED panel: Prying beyond adhesive perimeter will cause damage.

Place a heated iOpener on the right edge of the display for one minute to loosen the adhesive.

Be cautious when using alternative heating methods, such as a hair dryer or heat gun, to avoid overheating and damaging the display or internal battery.

Apply clear packing tape or very strong tape over a cracked display to aid suction cup adhesion, if necessary.

As a last resort, superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

• 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 an opening pick into the screen seam, no more than 1 mm from the tip.

Insert the pick carefully to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

• Hold the pick at a steep angle with about 1 mm into the gap.
• Pivot the pick upwards slightly to position it just below the OLED panel.

• Stop if you feel resistance, as this may indicate the pick is pressing against the OLED panel's edge. Try again with a slight angle adjustment.

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) deep to avoid damaging the screen's flex cable.
• Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Be cautious not to damage the OLED panel.

• Try slicing with minimal heat, but if stuck, apply for one minute and try again.
• Insert an opening pick at an angle into the right edge, where a gap has formed.

Beware of a delicate cable under the bottom-right corner of the screen.

• Slide the pick around the bottom to cut adhesive, angling it downward and inserting only about 2 mm deep.
• Leave the pick in place along the bottom edge to prevent resealing.

Insert an opening pick at a gap on the bottom edge of the phone.

• Slice through the left edge using the pick.
• 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 adhesive.

Remove the mesh earpiece speaker covering from the top edge of the screen carefully.

• Do not damage or lose this component, as replacement is necessary.

• 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 of the phone to cut the adhesive.
• If the screen feels hard to slice, heat the top edge for one minute and try again.

Careful handling is required as the screen may still be attached.

• Lift the right edge of the screen like opening a book.
• Use an opening pick to carefully cut through remaining adhesive.

Careful not to apply stress to the ribbon cable.

• Lift from top edge and swing screen over bottom edge until resting glass-side down.

Peel off the black tape using a pair of tweezers.

• If the tape is still usable, set it aside for reassembly.
• If not, replace it with electrical tape.

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

• Keep track of each screw during this repair, and ensure it is replaced in its original location.

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Keep this component for reinstallation later.

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

• To reattach, align the connectors carefully and press down on one side until it clicks into place.
• Repeat on the other side; do not press the middle.

• Misaligned connector pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Remove the screen.

• Check if your replacement screen has pre-installed speaker mesh and top edge adhesive.
• If present, skip applying the top edge adhesive. If not:
• Remove larger clear liner from adhesive.
• Apply to screen, ensuring cutout lines up with speaker mesh.
• Follow guide for custom-cut adhesive application.

Do not touch the screen during boot-up calibration sequence, which may cause improper touch calibration and lead to touch issues.

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

Do not insert the opening pick more than 2 mm when slicing — risk of damage to spring contacts.

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

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover, angling it downwards at a steep angle.

• Ensure the pick does not exceed 2 mm in depth to avoid damage.
• Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the phone's back cover and midframe.

• Slide the pick around the left edge of the phone to release the plastic clips.
• The clips should be located along the left edge, securing the back cover to the midframe.

Use an opening pick to pry the remaining clips loose.

• Work the pick along the top edge of the phone.
• Continue by sliding it across the right edge.

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

Be careful not to stress the attached ribbon cables.

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

• Remove the seven motherboard bracket screws using a T3 Torx driver.
• Three 2.9 mm-long black screws.
• Three 2 mm-long screws.
• One 4.1 mm-long screw.

• Use the tip of a spudger to release the motherboard bracket at the upper-right corner.
• Repeat for the lower-right corner, taking care not to apply excessive pressure.

Remove the motherboard bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Locate the battery cable, then use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry it loose.

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

• Repeat this process for the second flex cable connecting the buttons to the motherboard.

Remove the back cover.

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

Insert an opening pick under the headphone jack and twist until released.

• Use gentle pressure to pry up the headphone jack.
• Remove the headphone jack from the midframe.

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

Remove the front-facing camera using a pair of tweezers.

Remove the Loudspeaker Assembly by using a T3 Torx Driver to take out the two 4.1mm screws.

Insert the spudger tip under the loudspeaker assembly.

Be careful not to puncture the white membrane.

Flip the loudspeaker assembly over and rest it on top of the battery.

Disconnect the antenna flex cable from the loudspeaker assembly using the tip of a spudger.

Peel the loudspeaker assembly upwards, taking care not to damage the tape underneath.

Avoid puncturing the white membrane on either side of the speaker if reusing it.

• Remove the loudspeaker assembly.

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

Remove the motherboard by disassembling the two 2.9 mm-black and one 2.1 mm-black screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Use the corner of a opening pick to carefully lift the tape covering the earpiece speaker.

Remove the tape covering the earpiece speaker using a pair of tweezers.

• No need to replace this tape during reassembly.

Insert the spudger tip under the motherboard's bottom edge, prying it up for a secure grip.

Disconnect and remove the motherboard.