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

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a 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

Damage to sensitive components can occur if not careful.

Pry the screen up along the screen seam, avoiding the frame seam.
Avoid pressing the opening pick into the OLED panel's adhesive perimeter or under the orange ribbon cable.

Do not insert the opening pick deeper than necessary to separate the screen adhesive and risk damaging the screen flex cable.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Avoid overheating the device, as the display and battery can be damaged.

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

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but use caution not to overheat the phone.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Avoid using clear packing tape on the display if it's badly cracked — risk of further damage.

Apply a thin layer of strong adhesive tape over the cracked area to aid suction cup adhesion, or use very strong tape as an alternative.
If necessary, superglue the suction cup directly to the broken screen.

Position the suction cup near the right edge of the screen for optimal grip.

Lift the suction cup steadily with sufficient force to create a seal.
Gently insert an opening pick into the screen seam, not exceeding 1 mm in depth.

Step 5 | Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

Insert the pick into the gap, 1 mm deep, to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle with about 1/4 inch (6 mm) remaining in the gap.
If you feel resistance, stop and re-angle the pick before proceeding.

Be careful not to press against the edge of the OLED panel.

Step 6 | Cut the adhesive

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

Insert no more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you risk damaging the screen's flex cable.

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

Step 7

Applying excessive heat is not required due to weak screen adhesive.

Apply short bursts of heat (1 minute) if screen feels hard to slice, then try again.

Insert another opening pick at an angle into the right edge, just above a formed gap, to prevent OLED damage.
Slide the pick around the bottom edge to cut adhesive, maintaining a downward angle and shallow insertion (2 mm).

Be cautious of a delicate cable under the bottom-right corner; if snagged, retract and reattempt.

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

Step 8

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

Use the pick to slice through the left edge, working carefully around any obstacles.
If you encounter resistance, heat the left edge for one minute and retry with gentle pressure.

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

Step 9

Be extremely careful not to damage or lose the earpiece speaker mesh on the top edge.

Insert a second opening pick at the left edge, angled where the gap has formed.
Slide the pick around the top edge to cut the adhesive. If it's stubborn, heat for one minute and try again.

Step 10

Carefully lift the right edge of the screen, opening the phone like a book.

Do not remove the screen yet.

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

Step 11 | Flip the screen over

Careful not to apply stress to the attached ribbon cable.

Lift from the top edge and swing the screen over the bottom edge.
Rest the screen glass-side down.

Step 12 | Disconnect the display

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

Replace if the tape is damaged or deteriorated.

If reusable, set aside for reassembly; otherwise, secure with new electrical tape.

Step 13

Remove the T3 Torx driver securing the screen connector bracket using two 2.1 mm screws.

Keep track of each screw's location and ensure it is replaced exactly where it was found.

Step 14

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Keep this part for reinstallation later.

Step 15

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

To reattach press connectors, carefully align them and press down on one side until they click into place. Repeat on the other side.

Do not press down in the middle of the connector
as this can cause pins to bend and result in permanent damage.

Step 16 | Remove the screen

Remove the screen.

Verify your new screen has pre-installed speaker mesh and top edge adhesive.
If it does, skip installing top edge adhesive.

If not, remove clear liner from adhesive and apply to screen (not frame), ensuring larger cutout aligns with speaker mesh.

Follow guide for custom-cut adhesive application.

Use third photo as reference for adhesive positioning during reassembly.

During boot-up, avoid touching the screen during calibration sequence to prevent touch issues.

Step 17 | Remove the midframe screws

Remove the eight 4.3 mm screws with a T3 Torx driver.

Step 18 | Spring contact information

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

Examine the midframe components behind the back cover in this photo.
Note the location of the spring contacts near the edge of the midframe for future reference.

Step 19 | Separate the back cover from the midframe

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

The opening pick should not be inserted more than 2 mm into the seam.
Slide the pick along the bottom edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover.

Step 20

Insert an opening pick along the left edge of the phone and gently pry the midframe from the back cover.

Step 21

Insert the opening pick into the gap at the top edge of the phone, then slide it along the top and move down to the right edge, working from the top right corner.

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.
Rest the midframe lightly on the back cover, avoiding stress on attached ribbon cables.

Step 23 | Remove the motherboard bracket

Locate and remove the seven screws securing the motherboard bracket using a T3 Torx driver:

Remove three black screws, 2.9 mm in length.
Remove three screws, 2 mm in length.
Remove one brown screw, 4.1 mm in length.

Step 24

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully release the motherboard bracket clips at the upper-right and lower-right corners.

Step 25

Remove the motherboard bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Step 26 | Disconnect the battery

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

Step 27 | Remove the back cover

Disconnect the flex cables from the fingerprint sensor and buttons using the tip of a spudger.

Step 28

Remove the back cover.

Step 29 | Remove the headphone jack

Disconnect the headphone jack cable from the motherboard using the tip of a spudger.

Step 30

Opening pick: Insert under headphone jack, twisting to loosen adhesive.
Remove headphone jack.

Step 31 | Remove the front-facing camera

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

Step 32

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

Step 33 | Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker assembly using a T3 Torx driver.

Drive out the two 4.1 mm screws holding it in place.

Step 34

Insert the spudger tip under the loudspeaker assembly.

Avoid puncturing the white membrane for future reuse.

Flip the loudspeaker assembly over to rest on top of the battery.

Step 35

Insert the tip of a spudger into the antenna flex cable and gently pull it away from the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 36

Peel the loudspeaker assembly carefully away from its adhesive.

Avoid damaging the white membrane on either side for future use.

Complete removal of the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 37 | Disconnect the loudspeaker cable

Disconnect the loudspeaker cable from the motherboard using the tip of a spudger.

Step 38 | Remove the motherboard screws

Remove the motherboard by using a T3 Torx driver to unscrew three parts:

Two 2.9mm black screws
One 2.1mm screw

Step 39 | Remove the earpiece speaker tape

Peel up the earpiece speaker cover with the corner of a repair pick.

Step 40

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

This tape will not be reinstalled upon reassembly.

Step 41 | Remove the motherboard

Insert the spudger under the motherboard's bottom edge, prying it up to a safe grip.

Step 42

Disconnect and remove the motherboard.

Step 43 | Remove the rear-facing camera

Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the rear-facing camera from the motherboard.

Remove the rear-facing camera.
Before installing your new camera module, remove any plastic spacers included with it.
Clean the lens surface thoroughly to ensure it is free of smudges and dust before installation.