Google Pixel 6a Earpiece Speaker Replacement - Google Pixel 6a

Step 1 | Safety Precautions

A fully charged battery can ignite in the event of damage.

Allow the battery to drain below 25% before initiating this repair.
Power down the device completely, then detach all connected cables.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bubble pack tool, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole.
Press it in to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the ejected SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Screen removal information

Do not attempt to pry at the screen seam, as this can damage the phone.

Pry carefully at the bezel seam using a plastic tool, taking care to release the plastic clips that hold it in place.

Step 4 | Anti-Clamp instructions

Use the Anti-Clamp if available; alternative method below.

For Anti-Clamp usage: see separate guide for complete instructions.
If screen is cracked, cover with clear packing tape to aid suction cup adhesion.

Never attempt to apply suction without first unlocking the Anti-Clamp's arms.

Pull blue handle backwards to unlock Anti-Clamp's arms.
Slide arms over right phone edge.
Position suction cups near middle of right edge, one on front and one on back.
Squeeze cups together for suction application.

For smooth surfaces: apply tape to create a grippier surface if necessary.

Step 5

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.

Turn the handle clockwise for 360 degrees or until the suction cups start to stretch.
Ensure the suction cups remain aligned with each other.
If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen and realign the arms.

Step 6

Apply gentle heat with an iOpener to the Anti-Clamp, positioning it on the right edge of the phone.

Use extreme caution when applying heat from a hair dryer or heat gun as high temperatures can damage the display and/or internal battery.

Allow one minute for the adhesive to release, creating an opening gap.

Insert an opening pick under the screen frame once a large enough gap is created.
If insufficient gap, reapply heat and rotate the Anti-Clamp handle clockwise by half a turn.

Do not over-tighten beyond half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns to avoid damaging the phone's components.

Step 7 | Heat the right edge

Avoid overheating the phone's display and battery.

Apply heat to the right edge of the screen using an iOpener for two minutes.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate — but keep it from getting too hot.

Step 8 | Insert an opening pick

Apply a suction cup to the center of the right edge of the screen.

Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the bezel and frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

This may be difficult depending on your phone's age. Apply more heat if needed and try again.

If the display is badly cracked, apply clear packing tape or superglue for better adhesion.

Step 9 | Reposition the opening pick

Position the pick at a steep angle.

Pivot the pick upwards while still applying suction.
Push the pick in carefully, prying it as needed, to reposition the opening pick into the bezel seam.

Insert the pick no more than 3.5 mm deep to avoid damaging internal components.

Step 10 | Release the right clips

Move the pick along the right edge to release the plastic clips.

Position the pick at the top-right edge.
Proceed to the next step.

Step 11 | Release the top right clips

Insert the opening pick into the top-right corner and rotate it to release the clips.

Leave the opening pick in place to prevent re-locking of the clips.
Ensure the pick is inserted no more than 4 mm deep to avoid damaging the internals.

Step 12 | 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 near the front camera, limit insertions to 3 mm to avoid damaging the lens.

Step 13 | Release the top left clips

Rotate the opening pick around the top-left corner of the phone to release the clips.
Leave the opening pick in place at the top-left corner to prevent the clips from re-locking.

Step 14 | Release the left clips

Insert a new opening pick into the gap you created.

Slide the pick along the left edge to release the clips.
Limit insertion depth to 3 mm to prevent damaging internals.

Repeat process for remaining edge; screen should separate from frame if done correctly. If still resistance, use an opening pick to release any residual clips.

Step 15 | Reposition the screen

Never attempt to fully remove the screen yet as it's still secured by a flex cable.

Lift the right edge of the screen upwards towards the left side of the device, similar to opening a book.
Rest the screen upside down and parallel to the frame before proceeding with further removal.

Avoid twisting or moving the screen too far from the frame, as this may damage the flex cable.

Step 16 | Remove the display cable bracket

Release the display cable bracket by bending the bottom side upwards using tweezers.

Remove the display cable bracket once released.

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

Step 17 | Disconnect the display cable

Risk of damaging tiny components around the press connector.

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

When re-attaching: carefully align and press one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other. Do not press in the middle.

Step 18 | Screen information

The Pixel's screen is extremely fragile and prone to damage from scratches or dents.

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

Step 19 | Reassembly information

Remove the screen.

During reassembly: Ensure correct alignment of the front-facing camera hole and sensor cutout on your replacement screen.

Inspect the phone for a missing proximity sensor rubber gasket; if found, replace it.

Temporarily connect the screen, power on, and verify functionality before sealing the device.
Power off the phone before continuing with reassembly.
Reinstall the display cable bracket.

Follow the guide to replace the screen adhesive.

For a new screen, follow this guide to calibrate the fingerprint sensor.

Step 20 | Remove the silver tape

Peel back the silver tape with tweezers, just enough to separate it at the bridge where the midframe meets the top speaker.

Do not remove the entire length of the silver tape.

Step 21

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

Target the two screws exposed by removing the tape.

Step 22 | Unfasten the midframe

Remove the T3 Torx using the following screws:

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

Step 23 | Release the midframe clips

Insert a spudger between the top of the midframe and the frame, near the front camera.

Pry up with the spudger to release the top of the midframe from its clips.

Step 24

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 25 | 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 at this stage.
Ensure the phone is powered down completely before proceeding with reassembly.

Step 26 | Remove the thermal paste

Scrape off the thermal paste using the flat end of a spudger.

Use isopropyl alcohol and either a coffee filter or a lint-free cloth to clean any remaining thermal paste.

Repeat the cleaning process for the midframe's thermal paste.
For reassembly, refer to the thermal paste application guide in this document.

Step 27 | Disconnect the battery

Disconnect the battery's press connector with a spudger.

Step 28 | Unfasten the 5G mmWave antenna bracket

Check if the device has a 5G mmWave antenna.

If not, proceed to "Assembly" section.
Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 2.9 mm screw securing the 5G mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 29 | Remove the 5G mmWave antenna bracket

Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna bracket's clip by pulling it towards the right edge using tweezers or your fingers.

Use this opportunity to remove the 5G mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 30 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Insert a spudger between the 5G mmWave antenna and its socket, then gently pry it up.

Note: Pressing too hard can damage the press connector.

Step 31

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

Step 32 | Remove the ultrawide rear camera

Disconnect the ultrawide rear camera's press connector using a spudger.

Ultrawide Rear Camera can be removed after disconnecting its press connector.

Step 33 | Remove the wide rear camera

Use a spudger to gently pry up the wide rear camera's press connector.

Release the connector by prying it away from its socket.
Once released, carefully lift and remove the wide rear camera.

Step 34 | Disconnect the volume and power button

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the area beside the volume and power button connectors.

Pry gently upwards on the connector to release it from its socket.

Step 35 | Unfasten the motherboard

Remove the T3 Torx screw securing the motherboard using a T3 Torx screwdriver.

Be careful not to strip the screw head.

Step 36 | Remove the motherboard

Insert spudger between motherboard and frame near front camera.

Pry up to lift motherboard slightly.
Grip motherboard with fingers.

Step 37

Release the plastic clips by tilting the top of the motherboard.

Once released, carefully lift out the motherboard.

Step 38 | Heat the earpiece speaker

Apply heat with an iOpener to the top left corner of the phone's rear for 2 minutes.

The earpiece speaker is lightly attached, so be gentle when prying.

Step 39 | Disconnect the earpiece speaker connector

Use blunt tweezers to grip the edge of the earpiece speaker connector.

Grip the square portion of the connector pad and not the cable.
Twist the tweezers away from the frame to separate the adhesive beneath the connector.

During reassembly, ensure the connector is properly aligned by inserting it into its two peg holes.

Step 40 | Remove the silver tape

Use tweezers to carefully remove the silver tape that connects the frame to the top speaker.

Step 41 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Insert a opening pick between the frame and the earpiece speaker's screw hole bracket.

Pry up gently with the pick to separate the earpiece speaker from the frame.

Step 42

Hold the earpiece speaker firmly and use your fingers to gently pull it out of its slot.

Be careful not to touch any electrical components with your bare hands.