Google Pixel 6a Motherboard Replacement - Google Pixel 6a

Step 1 | Safety Precautions

A fully charged battery is a fire hazard during repairs.

Charge the battery below 25% before proceeding.
Power off the phone completely and disconnect all cables.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Insert the SIM eject tool, a bit, or a straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole.
Press the inserted tool firmly to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the ejected SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Screen removal information

Do not damage the screen or its surrounding components.

Identify the screen seam, which separates the screen from the rest of the phone.
Pry at the bezel seam, where the plastic bezel meets the frame and is held by plastic clips.

Step 4 | Anti-Clamp instructions

Use the Anti-Clamp as follows:

If cracked, cover screen with clear packing tape for suction cup adhesion.
Pull blue handle back to unlock arms.
Slide arms over right phone edge.
Position one suction cup on front and one on back near middle of right edge.
Squeeze cups together to apply suction.

If phone surface is too slippery, use tape for better adhesion.

Step 5

Move the blue handle forward to secure the arms.

Clockwise turn the handle by exactly 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
Maintain correct alignment of the suction cups. If they become misaligned, loosen them slightly and adjust the arms accordingly.

Step 6

Apply iOpener heat to the right edge of the phone, or use a hair dryer/heat gun with caution.

Wait one minute for adhesive release.
Insert an opening pick under the screen frame when sufficient gap is created.
If insufficient gap, apply more heat and rotate Anti-Clamp clockwise half a turn. Wait one minute between turns.

Step 7 | Heat the right edge

Apply iOpener to the right edge of the screen for 2 minutes.

When using a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, avoid overheating, which can damage the display and internal battery.

Step 8 | Insert an opening pick

Apply a suction cup as close to the right edge center as possible.

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

May be difficult depending on phone age. Apply more heat if necessary.

For badly cracked displays, cover with clear packing tape or use strong tape instead of suction cup.

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

Step 9 | Reposition the opening pick

Apply suction as before and pivot the pick upwards at a steep angle.

Push the pick gently into the bezel seam while prying, repositioning it if needed.
Insert the pick no more than 3.5 mm to avoid damaging internal components.

Step 10 | Release the right clips

Slide a pick along the right edge to release the plastic clips holding the bezel in place.

Position the pick at the top-right edge for the next step.

Step 11 | Release the top right clips

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

Leave the pick in place to prevent the clips from re-locking.

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

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 around the front camera, limit pick insertion to 3 mm to avoid damaging the lens.

Step 13 | Release the top left clips

Insert an opening pick into the top-left corner of the phone and rotate it to release the clips.

Remove the opening pick, leaving it in place will prevent the clips from re-locking.

Step 14 | Release the left clips

Insert a new opening pick into the gap.

Only insert up to 3 mm to avoid damaging internals.

Slide the pick along the left edge to release clips.
Repeat the process for the remaining edge.

If still resistance, use an opening pick to release remaining clips.

Step 15 | 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 and slide it towards the left side, similar to opening a book.
Rest the screen upside down and parallel to the frame before proceeding further.

Avoid twisting or moving the screen too far from the frame to prevent damage to the flex cable.

Step 16 | Remove the display cable bracket

Never touch electrical components during reassembly — risk of sparks and damage.

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

During reassembly, always insert the top side of the bracket first before pressing down the other side.

Step 17 | Disconnect the display cable

Careful: risk of damaging tiny components.

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

Re-attachment: align carefully, press down on one side until it clicks, then repeat on the other. Do not press middle. Misaligned pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 18 | Screen information

The Pixel's screen back is extremely fragile and easily damaged.

Grip the screen by its edges to prevent accidental damage.
Place the screen on a soft, lint-free cloth or other protective surface to ensure nothing touches the bottom.

Step 19 | Reassembly information

Remove the screen.

If replacing the screen, inspect the front-facing camera hole and sensor cutout for liners.
Verify the proximity sensor's rubber gasket is in place; if missing, attach a replacement.

This is a good point to test your phone before sealing it up.

Temporarily reconnect the screen and power on the phone to ensure functionality.
Power off the phone before continuing with reassembly.

Reinstall the display cable bracket.

If installing a new screen, follow these steps: replace the screen adhesive and calibrate the fingerprint sensor.

Step 20 | Remove the silver tape

Use tweezers to carefully lift the silver tape bridging the midframe and top speaker.

Only partially remove the tape, leaving a small portion intact.

Step 21

Use tweezers to carefully lift the tape from over the two screws located on either side of the USB-C port.

Step 22 | Unfasten the midframe

Remove the 16 T3 Torx screws using a T3 Torx screwdriver:

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 spudger between midframe and frame near front camera.

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

Step 24

Risk of damage if not done carefully.

Insert the spudger between the bottom left of the midframe and the frame.
Pry up with the spudger to release the clips holding the midframe in place.