Google Pixel 6a 5G mmWave Antenna Cable Replacement - Google Pixel 6a

Step 1 | Safety Precautions

Make sure your battery is critically low (< 25%) before starting the repair, as a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.

Press and hold the Power button until your phone fully powers off.
Disconnect any USB cables or charging adapters from your phone.

Step 2 | Screen removal information

Avoid prying on the screen seam, as it may cause damage.

Pry at the bezel seam where the plastic bezel meets the frame, using plastic clips to guide your tool.

Step 3 | Anti-Clamp instructions

If using the Anti-Clamp, continue with these steps.
Otherwise, skip ahead three steps for an alternate method.

A cracked screen may affect suction cup adhesion; apply clear packing tape to aid in attachment.

Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Slide the arms over the right edge of your phone.

Position the suction cups near the middle of the right edge, one on the front and one on the back.

Squeeze the suction cups together to apply pressure.
If necessary, use tape for added traction due to a slippery phone surface.

Step 4

Grasp the blue handle and pull it forward to secure the arms.

Rotate the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until you notice the cups start to expand.
Verify that the suction cups remain aligned throughout. If they begin to slip, loosen them slightly and adjust the arms as needed.

Step 5

Heat an iOpener and position it on the right edge of the phone using the Anti-Clamp.

Extreme heat can damage the display and/or internal battery, proceed with care.

Wait one minute for the adhesive to release.
Insert an opening pick under the screen frame when a large enough gap is created.

If insufficient gap, apply more heat and rotate the Anti-Clamp clockwise half a turn. Repeat as necessary.

Step 6 | Heat the right edge

Avoid overheating the phone, which can cause damage to the display and internal battery.

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
Alternately, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but maintain safe temperatures.

Step 7 | Insert an opening pick

Be cautious when handling a cracked display.

Attach a suction cup to the right edge of the screen, near its center.
Pull the suction cup up with strong force to create a gap between bezel and frame.

Apply extra heat if necessary for stubborn openings.

Insert an opening pick into the created gap.
If needed, use clear packing tape to protect the display for better suction.

As a last resort, superglue the suction cup in place.

Step 8 | Reposition the opening pick

Hold the suction cup steady.

Pivot the pick upwards at a steep angle.
Carefully push the pick in while prying to reposition it.
Only insert the pick up to 3.5 mm to avoid damaging internals.

Step 9 | Release the right clips

Slide a pick along the right edge to release the plastic clips holding the bezel.
Next, position the pick at the top-right edge of the device.

Step 10 | Release the top right clips

Insert an opening pick into the top-right corner, rotating it to release the clips.

Make sure the pick is left in place to prevent re-locking.

Limit insertion depth to 4 mm to avoid damaging internal components.

Step 11 | Release the top clips

Insert a new opening pick into the gap.

Slide the pick along the top edge to release the clips.
When slicing around the front camera:
Insert the pick no deeper than 3 mm to avoid damaging the lens.

Step 12 | Release the top left clips

Insert an opening pick at the top-left corner.

Rotate the pick to release the adhesive tabs.
Leave the pick in place to hold open the clips.

Step 13 | Release the left clips

Insert a new opening pick into the gap, with tip depth limited to 3 mm.

Slide the pick along the left edge to release the clips.
Rotate and slide the procedure for the remaining edge to separate the screen from the frame.
If there's still resistance, use an opening pick to release any remaining clips around the edges of the screen.

Step 14 | Reposition the screen

Do not remove the screen completely yet as it is still connected by a flex cable.

Lift the right edge of the screen up towards the left side, similar to opening a book.
Rest the screen upside down and parallel to the frame before proceeding.
Avoid twisting or moving the screen too far from the frame to prevent damage to the flex cable.

Step 15 | Remove the display cable bracket

Careful not to short circuit when reinstalling the bracket.

Use tweezers to bend the bottom side of the display cable bracket upwards, releasing the metal clip.
Remove the display cable bracket.

During reassembly, insert the top side of the bracket first and press down the other side carefully to avoid sparks and logic board damage.

Step 16 | Disconnect the display cable

Careful: risk of damaging tiny components around press connector.

Insert opening pick under bottom right edge of display cable press connector, above screw hole.
Pry up and disconnect display cable press connector.

Re-attachment warning: align carefully and press one side at a time until it clicks into place. Avoid middle and misaligned connectors to prevent pin bending and permanent damage.

Step 17 | Screen information

Handle the Pixel's screen with care to avoid damage.

Grip the screen by its edges when handling.
Place the screen on a soft, lint-free cloth or surface to prevent bottom contact.

Step 18 | Reassembly information

Ensure all components are securely attached before sealing your phone.

Remove the screen.
During reassembly:

Verify the front-facing camera hole and sensor cutout on your replacement screen, and remove any remaining liners.
Inspect the phone for a missing proximity sensor rubber gasket stuck to the old screen, and replace if necessary.

Test your phone before sealing it up by temporarily connecting the screen and powering on the device.

Verify the phone's functionality and power off when complete.
Reinstall the display cable bracket.
Replace the screen adhesive
For a new screen, follow these steps to calibrate the fingerprint sensor: Fingerprint Calibration Guide

Step 19 | Remove the silver tape

Use tweezers to gently lift and peel back the silver tape where it connects the midframe and the top speaker.

Only remove the bridge section of tape, leaving the rest intact.

Step 20

Peel back the tape covering the USB-C port screws using a pair of tweezers.

Step 21 | Unfasten the midframe

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the following screws:

Eight 4.3 mm screws.
Five 2.9 mm screws.
Two 4.9 mm screws.
One 4.6 mm screw.

Step 22 | Release the midframe clips

Insert a spudger near the front camera.

Pry up on the midframe with the spudger to release it from its clips.

Step 23

Insert a spudger between the bottom left of the midframe and the frame.
Pry up with the spudger to release the bottom of the midframe from its clips.

Step 24 | Remove the midframe

Remove the midframe.

You may encounter some resistance due to thermal paste bonding, which is normal.

Power on your device and test all functions during reassembly.
Make sure to power down completely before continuing work.

Step 25 | Remove the thermal paste

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape off the thermal paste.

Remove any remaining thermal paste with isopropyl alcohol and either a coffee filter or a lint-free cloth.
Repeat this process for the midframe thermal paste.

When reapplying thermal paste, follow the recommended guidelines to avoid damage to your device's components.

Step 26 | Disconnect the battery

Use a spudger to pry up the battery's press connector and fully disconnect it.

Step 27 | Unfasten the 5G mmWave antenna bracket

Remove the T3 Torx screw using a corresponding driver, located at the top of the device.

Be careful not to strip the screw head.

Step 28 | Remove the 5G mmWave antenna bracket

Use tweezers or your fingers to gently pull the bracket toward the right edge of the phone.

Disengage the bracket's clip.

Be careful not to damage any surrounding components.

5G mmWave antenna bracket can now be safely removed.

Step 29 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Use a spudger to gently pry up and release the 5G mmWave antenna's press connector.

Step 30

Remove the 5G mmWave antenna with tweezers or your fingers.

Step 31 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna cable

Use a spudger to carefully release the 5G mmWave antenna cable's press connector.

Pry up the connector using a gentle prying motion.
Once released, you should see the cable come loose.

Step 32 | Only the antenna cable remains

The 5G mmWave antenna cable is the only remaining component.