Google Pixel 7a Earpiece Speaker Replacement - Google Pixel 7a

Step 1 | Prepare your phone for disassembly

Allow the battery to discharge to below 25% — a charged lithium-ion battery poses a safety risk.

Disconnect all external cables from your device.
Fully shut down your phone by pressing and holding the power button until it turns off.

Step 2 | Soften the adhesive

Apply heat carefully, as extreme temperatures may damage components.

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the rear cover for three minutes.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to warm the rear cover.

Only apply enough heat for the phone to be just warm to the touch.

Step 3 | Secure an Anti-Clamp

Follow these steps if using the Anti-Clamp, or skip ahead for an alternate method.
To use the Anti-Clamp, consult the dedicated guide found in our resources section.

Never use the Anti-Clamp without first reading its instructions.

Pull the blue handle backward to release the arms of the Anti-Clamp.
Slide the arms over the bottom edge of the phone, with one suction cup on the rear cover and one on the screen.
Squeeze the cups together to create a secure seal.

Step 4 | Use the Anti-Clamp to create a gap

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.

Turn the handle clockwise one full turn (360 degrees).
Alternatively, continue turning until the suction cups begin to stretch.

Make sure the stretched cups stay aligned with each other.

If they slip, remove the Anti-Clamp and apply tape for better adhesion.

Step 5 | Insert an opening pick using the Anti-Clamp

Reheat the rear cover if necessary, as it may cool down during setup.

iOpener heat may not be sufficient while setting up the Anti-Clamp; reapply heat if needed.
Support your phone with an object to ensure it remains level between the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Wait one minute for a gap to form along the bottom edge, or until adhesive separates.

If gap doesn't form after initial wait, twist handle clockwise and wait another minute.

Apply more heat using a hair dryer or heat gun if rear cover cools down.

Remove the suction cups from the phone and set the Anti-Clamp aside.

Step 6 | Insert an opening pick using a suction handle

If you have already inserted an opening pick using the Anti-Clamp, skip this step.

Apply a suction handle to the center of the bottom edge of the rear cover.
Pull up on the suction handle with a strong, steady force until a gap forms between the rear cover and frame.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.
Remove the suction handle.

Step 7 | Adhesive information

Refer to the provided picture for guidance.

Locate the areas where the rear cover meets the frame, particularly near the camera lenses.
Use the picture as a reference to carefully begin slicing the adhesive along the perimeter of the frame.

Step 8 | Angle the opening pick

Angle the opening pick so the tip faces away from the frame.

Keep all opening picks angled upward while slicing until the rear cover is fully removed.
Slide your pick to the bottom left corner of the rear cover.
Leave this pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 9 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Insert a second opening pick into the bottom left corner.

Slide it towards the bottom right corner of the rear cover, separating the bottom edge adhesive.
Leave this pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 10 | Soften the right edge adhesive

Apply a iOpener to the right edge of the rear cover for 2 minutes.

Do not apply excessive heat or use tools that can cause overheating, such as a hair dryer on high setting.

Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to warm the rear cover.
Ensure not to overheat the phone during this process.

Step 11 | Separate the right edge adhesive

Avoid damaging the wireless charging coil by not inserting your pick deeper than 5 mm along the right edge.

Measure 5 mm from the tip and mark your pick with a permanent marker for reference.

Insert a third opening pick in the bottom right corner of the rear cover.
Slide this pick up the right edge to separate the adhesive, stopping at the camera bar.
Leave the pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 12 | Soften the left edge adhesive

Apply a iOpener to the left edge of the rear cover and let it heat for 2 minutes.

Do not apply excessive heat, as this can damage your device.

Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to warm the rear cover.
Be cautious and avoid overheating the phone.

Step 13 | Separate the left edge adhesive

Never insert a pick more than 3 mm along the left edge, as it may damage the wireless charging coil and rear cover foam pad.

Measure 3 mm from the tip of your pick and mark it with a permanent marker for visual reference.
Insert a fourth opening pick in the bottom left corner of the rear cover.
Slide the pick up the left edge, stopping at the camera bar to separate the adhesive.
Leave this pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 14 | Soften the top edge adhesive

Apply a iOpener to the top edge of the rear cover for 2 minutes.

Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to warm the rear cover.

Be careful not to overheat the phone.

Step 15 | Separate the antenna bracket adhesive

Locate a thick strip of adhesive along the antenna housing.

Insert a fifth opening pick between 8 mm and 10 mm deep, in the top left corner of the rear cover, or just over halfway to the iFixit logo.
If the pick won't fit, try inserting it into the small gap near the camera bar from the previous step.

Slide the pick halfway across the top edge carefully to separate the antenna bracket adhesive without causing damage.

Step 16 | Separate the remaining top edge adhesive

Remove the opening pick from its current position.

Insert the pick at a depth of 3 mm.

Avoid inserting the pick deeper than 3 mm to prevent damage to the antenna housing graphite tape.

Slide the pick to the top right corner and slice the remaining top edge adhesive.

Step 17 | Rotate your top edge opening picks

Angle picks upward, keeping them away from the frame.

Roll the top edge pick with its flat edge under the rear cover.
Roll each side pick so its flat edge is under the camera bar.

Step 18 | Pry up the camera bar

Bend risk exists if too much force is applied.

Use opening picks under the camera bar to pry top edge of rear cover.
Pry back and forth until camera bar loosens.

Only loosen adhesive near camera bar; do not bend rear cover.

If adhesive resists, rotate rear cover side-to-side for further release.

Step 19 | Finish separating the adhesive

Slide the opening picks along the long edges of the rear cover.
This will help separate any reattached adhesive.

Step 20 | Remove the rear cover

Remove the rear cover.

Power on your phone and test it to ensure everything is working as expected.
Power down your phone before continuing with reassembly.

Apply new adhesive carefully, following the instructions in the provided guide for your rear cover installation.

Step 21 | Soften the flash unit adhesive

Avoid overheating the flash unit — risk of damage to nearby components.

Apply a heated iOpener to the flash unit for one minute to loosen adhesive.
Alternatively, warm the flash with a hair dryer or heat gun.
Target only a gentle warmth — avoid overheating, which can harm surrounding components and battery.

Step 22 | Separate the flash unit adhesive

Risk of damaging the fragile flash cable.

Insert a picks under the right edge of the flash.
Release the adhesive securing it to the cover.

Step 23 | Clean the logic board cover

Use tweezers or fingers to carefully remove any remaining black foam residue from the logic board cover.

Step 24 | Remove the old copper tape

Be careful not to damage the battery with your tool during this step.

Apply a heated iOpener to the underside of the flash for one minute.
Hold the neck of the flash cable steady and use tweezers to peel and remove the copper tape from the flash unit.
If the copper tape stayed on the logic board cover, now is the time to replace it with a new one.

Step 25 | Unfasten the logic board cover

Use standard Torx drivers if available, but be aware that T2 and T3 bits may work for Torx Plus screws.

To remove 1IP screws: Use a T2 Torx bit (if available) or try with your kit's standard Torx driver.
To remove 3IP screws: Use a T3 Torx bit (if available) or attempt with your kit's standard Torx driver.

Apply constant, downward force to prevent screw stripping during removal.

Remove the logic board cover using a 3IP Torx Plus driver for the thirteen 4.3 mm screws.
Use a 1IP Torx Plus driver for the single 1.5 mm screw securing the right edge of the cover.

Step 26 | Unclip the logic board cover

Insert an opening pick into the gap at the bottom right corner of the logic board cover and the frame.
Pry gently until the clip releases, allowing you to remove the cover.

Step 27 | Free the flash unit

Slowly lift the logic board cover from the top edge.

Thread the flash unit through its cutout in the logic board cover.

Ensure the flash unit is properly seated before proceeding with reassembly.

During reassembly, lower the logic board into place while threading the flash unit through its cutout.

Step 28 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Disconnect the wireless charging assembly.

Step 29 | Remove the connector cover

Remove the 1.5 mm screw securing the connector cover using a 1IP Torx Plus driver.

Use tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the cover.
During reassembly, place the upper left corner of the cover under the hook on the logic board before installing its screw.

Step 30

The Verizon Google Pixel 7a (model G0DZQ) has a unique feature: an additional cable and connector for the 5G mmWave antenna.

For this model, follow the rest of the procedure as described, unless otherwise specified.
The steps outlined are applicable to both standard and Verizon models, except where noted.

Step 31 | Disconnect the battery

Insert the flat end of the spudger under the top edge of the battery press connector.

Pry straight up to disconnect the battery press connector.
To reconnect: Align over socket, gently press down on one side until it clicks; then press down on other side.

It may take multiple attempts to align the connector correctly.

Step 32 | Unfasten the earpiece speaker

Remove the 4.3 mm screw using a 3IP Torx Plus driver.

Step 33 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Remove the earpiece speaker by lifting it upwards.

Pull the speaker away from the phone to release the red gasket.
The gasket will come free of its cutout in the phone's frame.
Continue pulling until the speaker is fully removed.