Google Pixel 7 5G mmWave Antenna Cable Replacement
Discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your phone to reduce risk of fire if the battery is damaged during the repair, or use caution for swollen batteries.
- This guide has not been endorsed by Google and was authored by iFixit staff. Learn more about our guides here.
Caution: The Pixel 7 contains class 1 lasers, which can emit invisible infrared laser emissions during disassembly.
Note that reapplying the adhesive properly is crucial to maintaining water resistance and IP rating; replacement adhesive may be required for this repair.
Step 1 | Safety precautions
A fully charged battery poses a risk of fire if damaged during this repair.
- Allow the battery to drain below 25% charge level before proceeding.
- Power off the phone completely and disconnect all cables.
Step 2 | Screen removal information
Locate the safety frame holding the screen in place, comprised of plastic clips and adhesive.
Insert opening picks under the safety frame to avoid separating it from the screen during removal.
- Limit pick insertion depth to ~3.5 mm to prevent internal damage and interference with plastic clips.
- Be aware of multiple plastic clips surrounding the screen; if your pick becomes blocked, you've inserted it too deeply underneath the screen.
Step 3 | Anti-Clamp instructions
For alternate opening method, skip down three steps.
Refer to guide on using Anti-Clamp tool for complete instructions.
- Apply clear packing tape over cracked screen to ensure suction cup adhesion.
- Pull blue handle backwards to unlock Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Slide arms over phone edge (left or right).
Position one suction cup on front, one on back near bottom edge of phone.
If surface is too slippery, use tape for better grip before applying suction.
Squeeze suction cups together to apply adhesion.
Step 4
Hold the blue handle and pull it forward to lock the arms.
- Turn the handle clockwise until it reaches 360 degrees or the suction cups start to stretch.
- Ensure the suction cups remain aligned; if they begin to slip, loosen them slightly and realign the arms.
Step 5
Apply heat with caution to avoid damaging the display and internal battery.
- iOpener or heat tool: apply heat through the Anti-Clamp arms.
- Fold iOpener to sit on phone's bottom edge, wait one minute for adhesive release.
- Insert opening pick when gap is large enough under screen frame.
Do not crank more than a half turn at a time; rotate Anti-Clamp handle clockwise, wait one minute between turns.
Step 6 | Loosen the display adhesive
Apply gentle heat, avoiding overheating risks.
- Use a heated iOpener on the screen for at least 3 minutes to loosen adhesive.
- Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate with caution, aiming for a temperature that feels slightly too hot to touch.
Step 7 | Insert an opening pick
Make sure the screen is warm to the touch before proceeding.
- Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen for better adhesion.
- If the display is badly cracked, cover it with clear packing tape for extra grip.
If necessary, use strong tape or superglue to secure the suction cup.
- Lift the screen and safety frame using the suction handle, creating a small gap between them.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap once it's formed.
Be prepared for difficulty depending on your phone's age. Apply more heat as needed.
Step 8 | Prevent damage to your phone
Insert the pick no deeper than ~2.5 mm to prevent damaging your phone.
- Be cautious near the screen cable, located about halfway up the left edge of the phone.
- Avoid bending or damaging the numerous spring contacts along the perimeter of the phone.
Step 9 | Slice the bottom edge adhesive
Insert an opening pick at the bottom right corner of the screen and slide it along the adhesive to cut it.
Do not remove the opening pick until the repair is complete, as resealing can occur if left unattended.
Step 10
- Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.
- Slide the pick to the bottom left corner of the screen to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.
Step 11 | Release the left clips
Insert the third opening pick at the bottom left screen corner.
- Slide it along the left edge of the screen, cutting adhesive and releasing plastic clips.
- Leave the pick in place at the top left corner to prevent resealing.
Step 12 | Slice the top edge adhesive
Reheat the adhesive with an iOpener or heat gun for 1-2 minutes if it's hard to cut.
- When slicing near the front-facing camera, use only the tip of the opening pick (~2.5 mm) to avoid damage.
- Insert a fourth opening pick at the top left corner of the screen.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive, leaving it in place at the top right corner to prevent resealing.
Step 13 | Release the right clips
Insert a fifth opening pick and slide it along the right edge of the phone.
The screen is still connected via a flex cable, so do not remove the display yet.
- Slice the remaining adhesive with the fifth opening pick.
- Release the right plastic clips.
Step 14 | Open up the phone assembly
Hold the right edge of the screen and lift it upwards, towards the left side.
Avoid twisting the screen and don't move it too far from the frame to prevent damaging the flex cable.
- Rest the screen upside down, parallel to the frame, before proceeding.
Step 15 | Release the display cable bracket
Insert one tweezers arm into the opening at the upper end of the display cable bracket.
- Push the bracket inwards.
- Pry upwards to release the display cable bracket.
Step 16 | Remove the display cable bracket
Use tweezers to gently pull the display cable bracket out from under the midframe towards the camera area.
Step 17 | Disconnect the display cable
Disconnect the display flex cable by prying its connector straight up with a spudger.
- To reattach, align the connector and press down on one side until it clicks into place.
- Repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle.
Misalignment can cause pin bending and permanent damage.
Step 18 | Screen information
The Pixel's screen back is extremely fragile and prone to damage.
- Handle the screen by its edges only to avoid applying pressure to the screen surface.
- When placing the screen on a work area, ensure that nothing contacts the bottom of the screen; consider using a soft, lint-free cloth for support.
Step 19 | Separate the screen
Do not touch the screen during the calibration sequence.
- Separate the screen from the phone.
- During reassembly: Check that all screws are tightened & there are no loose parts.
- Reconnect the screen and test your phone to ensure it works.
- Power down the phone before continuing reassembly.
- Clean relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and apply new adhesive where necessary.
- Follow custom-cut adhesives instructions from a separate guide, if applicable.
- Follow pre-cut adhesive card instructions from a separate guide, if applicable.
Step 20 | Remove the black silicone pad
Avoid damaging the battery by puncturing or bending it.
- Peel the black silicone pad away from the battery using a pair of tweezers.
- Continue peeling to separate the pad from the midframe.
Step 21 | Peel off the upper graphite foil
Apply heat carefully — risk of thermal damage.
- Peel the upper graphite foil from the battery and midframe using tweezers.
- If stuck, apply a heated iOpener for two minutes to loosen the adhesive.
Step 22 | Peel off the lower graphite foil
Peel the lower graphite foil off the battery and midframe using a pair of tweezers.
If it resists, apply a heated iOpener for 2 minutes to loosen the adhesive before retrying.
Step 23 | Unfasten the loudspeaker screws
Remove the loudspeaker by using a Torx T3 screwdriver to take out the three 5.1 mm-long screws.
Step 24 | Remove the loudspeaker
Use a tweezers to carefully lift the loudspeaker out of its recess.
- Remove the loudspeaker from the recess.
Step 25 | Unfasten the midframe screws
Remove the Torx T3 screwdriver and use it to take out the nine 5.1 mm-long screws securing the midframe.
Step 26 | Remove the midframe
Use tweezers to carefully remove the midframe.
- During reassembly, inspect the thermal pad for damage.
- If damaged, proceed with caution:
Remove the old thermal pad and clean the area thoroughly using high-concentration (greater than 90%) isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber or lint-free cloth.
- Apply a new thermal pad to ensure optimal heat transfer.
Step 27 | Disconnect the battery cable
Disconnect the battery cable with a spudger, prying the connector straight up from its socket.
Step 28 | Unfasten the mmWave antenna bracket screw
Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the mmWave antenna bracket screw.
- The screw is located and is 5.1 mm long.
Step 29 | Pry up the mmWave antenna bracket
- Place a spudger under the bottom right edge of the mmWave antenna bracket.
- Pry upwards to loosen the mmWave antenna bracket.
Step 30 | Remove the mmWave antenna bracket
Remove the mmWave antenna bracket using a pair of tweezers.
Step 31 | Disconnect the mmWave antenna cable
Disconnect the mmWave antenna cable using a spudger. Pry the connector straight up from its socket.
Step 32 | Remove the mmWave antenna assembly
Use tweezers to lift the mmWave antenna (including its cable) out of its recess.
- Remove the mmWave antenna assembly.
- During reassembly, inspect the thermal pad. If damaged, proceed with caution:
Careful: Remove the pad using a suitable tool.
- Apply high-concentration (greater than 90%) isopropyl alcohol to clean the area, followed by a microfiber or lint-free cloth.
- Install a new thermal pad.
Step 33 | Disconnect the mmWave antenna cable
Disconnect the mmWave antenna cable using a spudger, prying the connector straight up from its socket.
- Separate the mmWave antenna cable from the mmWave antenna.
Step 34
The mmWave antenna cable remains disconnected.