Google Pixel 5a Motherboard Replacement - Google Pixel 5a

Step 1 | Eject the SIM card tray

Do not force the SIM card eject tool — risk of damaging the frame.

Insert a SIM eject bit or use a small paperclip into the hole on the right side edge.
Press firmly until you feel the SIM card tray pop out.
Remove the SIM card tray from the phone.

Step 2 | Precautionary notes

Turn off your device before starting the repair.

Pry the screen up to remove it from the phone.

Read these notes carefully: two seams on the edge of the phone require attention:

Screen seam: do not pry here, separates screen from rest of the phone.

Bezel seam: held by plastic clips, this is where you should pry to remove the bezel.

Step 3 | Heat the right edge of the screen

Risk of heat damage to the display and internal battery.

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge for one minute to soften the adhesive.
Reapply as needed, depending on your device's adhesive strength.

Use alternative heat sources with caution: hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate.

Step 4 | Bezel removal note

Insert opening picks carefully between black clips securing bezel to midframe.

Note optimal points of entry before inserting opening picks.

Step 5 | Create a gap between the bezel and midframe

Use caution when handling cracked displays.

Apply clear packing tape or strong tape to improve suction cup adhesion.
Super Glue the suction cup to the broken screen if necessary.

Position the suction cup near the right edge of the display.

Lift the suction cup steadily with force until a small gap appears between the bezel and midframe.

Step 6 | Insert an opening pick

Locate the bezel-midframe seam and insert an opening pick, about 1.6 inches from the bottom edge.

Pry along the seam using the opening pick to detach the plastic clips.
Continue prying all along the seam until the bezel is fully detached.

Step 7

Insert the opening pick tip into the bezel seam, approximately 3-4 cm from the top edge.

Step 8

Insert the opening pick into the bezel seam at the top of the phone.

If necessary, slide the pick along the top right corner to create sufficient gap.

Step 9

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the bezel seam at the bottom of the phone.
If needed, slide the pick along the bottom right corner until enough gap is created at the bottom for the opening pick to proceed.

Step 10

Insert the tip of a repair opening pick into the bezel seam on the left side of the device, approximately 2 cm from the bottom.

Step 11

Insert the opening pick into the bezel seam, approximately 1.18-1.57 inches below the front-facing camera.

Step 12

Detach all clips and use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Hold the device open from the right side, as if it were a book.

Step 13

Remove the screw holding the screen connector bracket using a T3 Torx driver.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the screw.
Ensure each removed screw is correctly stored for reinstallation.

Step 14 | Remove the connector bracket

Remove the screen connector bracket using a pair of tweezers.

Step 15 | Remove the screen

Do not press down on the middle of the connector.

Pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable using a spudger tip.
To re-attach: align carefully and press one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other.

Step 16 | Screen information

The back of the Pixel's screen is very fragile — even small scratches or dents can cause damage.

Grip the screen by its edges when handling to prevent damage.
When placing the screen on your work area, ensure nothing touches the bottom. Use a soft, lint-free cloth for support.

Step 17

Remove the screen from the phone.

During reassembly: remove any protective liners covering the front-facing camera hole on the new screen.
Reinstall the screen connector bracket.

If using custom-cut adhesive, apply correctly following the provided guide.

If reattaching with Tesa tape, follow the provided guide for correct application.

During boot-up: allow the screen to complete its calibration sequence without touching it. Failure to do so may result in improper touch calibration and issues.

Step 18 | Remove the screws

Remove the six midframe screws using a T3 Torx driver.

Note that some screws are different lengths, so label and track each screw for correct reinstallation.

Four 4.6 mm screws
One 4.0 mm screw
One 2.0 mm screw

Step 19 | Remove the black plastic cover

Insert the pointed end of a spudger into the gap between the black plastic cover and the phone, gently prying it upwards.

Step 20

Insert the spudger's pointed end into the gap between the midframe and plastic cover.

Slide the spudger left until the plastic cover is fully separated.
Lift off the plastic cover from the midframe.

Step 21

Use a tweezers to gently lift the tape covering the two screws for the charging port bracket.

Step 22 | Remove the remaining screws

Remove three 4.6mm screws and one 4.0mm screw using a T3 Torx driver.

Step 23

Avoid damaging the battery with sharp tools — risk of chemical leakage or fire.

Use a spudger or tweezers to carefully remove the tape securing the charging port bracket.
Hold your tool flat and parallel to avoid piercing the battery.

Step 24

Accidental puncture can cause damage or explosion.

Use tweezers or your fingers to carefully peel back the graphite sheet covering the battery.
Avoid gripping the graphite sheet too hard, which may cause puncture or damage to the battery.

Step 25 | Detach the midframe

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the top right corner of the midframe.

Be careful when prying the midframe as it is secured by a black plastic clip.

Pull the midframe down using the spudger.
Then, pry the midframe up to detach it from the top of the frame.

Step 26 | Remove the midframe

Remove the midframe.

Step 27 | Replace the plastic bits

Remove two midframe clips, located at the corners of the midframe.

Do not misplace them, as they are easy to lose if not secured in place by the midframe.

When reassembling, place these clips back into their respective corner positions before securing the midframe.

Step 28 | Disconnect the battery

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

Step 29 | Remove the 16 MP Ultrawide camera

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up on the 16 MP Ultrawide camera's connector.

Continue prying until the connector comes loose, then lift it away.
Remove the 16 MP Ultrawide camera from its housing.

Step 30 | Remove the 12.2 MP Wide-Angle camera

Disconnect the 12.2 MP Wide-Angle camera's connector using the flat end of a spudger.

Be careful not to damage the camera or surrounding components.

Remove the 12.2 MP Wide-Angle camera from its housing.

Step 31 | Disconnect the headphone jack

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently pry up the headphone jack connector.

Step 32 | Remove the headphone jack

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the headphone and the socket.

Pry upwards gently until the headphone pops out.
Remove the headphone jack.

Step 33 | Disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully release the fingerprint sensor connector.

Step 34 | Disconnect the camera flash cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up on the camera flash connector.

Step 35 | Remove the motherboard screws

Remove the three 2.9 mm screws holding the motherboard in place using a T3 Torx driver.

Step 36

Check that the SIM card tray is removed.

Lift the motherboard with a spudger, starting from the top right corner.

Step 37

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the top left corner of the motherboard, and gently lift it out of the frame.

Step 38

Avoid deforming the battery during this process.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the top right screw slot on the speaker assembly.
This will dislodge the speaker from its frame.

Step 39 | Remove the motherboard

Remove the motherboard and speaker assembly.