Google Pixel 7a Front-Facing Camera Replacement - Google Pixel 7a

Step 1 | Prepare your phone for disassembly

Do not start the repair with a high-charged lithium-ion battery — safety risk.

Allow your battery to drain below 25% charge level before proceeding.
Battery completely discharged, disconnect all cables, and fully power down your phone.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole.

Press firmly but carefully to avoid damaging the tray.
Press the SIM eject tool into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.

Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Soften the adhesive

Do not apply excessive heat as this may cause damage.

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 gentle heat; it should be just hot to the touch to avoid damaging the screen, rear cover, or battery.

Step 4 | Secure an Anti-Clamp

Using the Anti-Clamp, follow these steps:

Pull the blue handle backward to unlock the arms.
Slide the arms over the phone's bottom edge, with one cup on the rear cover and one on the screen.
Squeeze the cups together for suction.

Step 5 | Use the Anti-Clamp to create a gap

Move the blue handle forward to secure the arms.

Clockwise turn the handle one full rotation (360 degrees).
Alternatively, turn until the suction cups begin to stretch. Keep them aligned during this process.

If the cups continue to slip, remove and reinstall the Anti-Clamp or apply tape for proper grip.

Step 6 | Insert an opening pick using the Anti-Clamp

Reheat the rear cover if it cools down while setting up the Anti-Clamp.

Place your phone on an object to keep it level within the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Wait one minute or until a gap forms along the bottom edge of the phone.

If no gap appears, twist the handle clockwise and wait another minute. If still no gap, reapply heat with a hair dryer or heat gun.

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the rear cover and frame.
Remove the suction cups from the phone using their pull-tabs and set the Anti-Clamp aside.

Step 7 | Insert an opening pick using a suction handle

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 8 | Adhesive information

Locate the rear cover's adhesive on the phone's frame, particularly near the camera modules.

Use caution when prying the adhesive, as excessive force can damage the surrounding components.

Refer to the provided reference image for guidance while carefully slicing the adhesive with a tool or your fingernails.

Step 9 | Angle the opening pick

Angle the opening pick upward so its 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 and leave it in place to prevent resealing.

Step 10 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom left corner.

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

Step 11 | Soften the right edge adhesive

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

Alternatively, use a heat gun or hot plate to warm the rear cover.
Be cautious not to overheat the phone.

Step 12 | Separate the right edge adhesive

Do not insert a pick deeper than 5 mm along the right edge, risk of damaging wireless charging coil.

Measure and mark your pick with a permanent marker at 5 mm from the tip for reference.
Insert a third opening pick in the bottom right corner of the rear cover.
Slide up along the right edge to separate adhesive, stopping before reaching the camera bar.
Leave this pick in place to prevent resealing of adhesive.

Step 13 | Soften the left edge adhesive

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

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

Do not overheat the phone.

Step 14 | Separate the left edge adhesive

Do not insert your pick more than 3 mm along the left edge.

Measure and mark 3 mm from the tip of your pick with a permanent marker for reference.
Insert another pick in the bottom left corner of the rear cover.
Leave this pick in place to prevent resealing of adhesive.

Step 15 | Soften the top edge adhesive

Apply a heated 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.

Avoid overheating the phone.

Step 16 | Separate the antenna bracket adhesive

Insert a fifth opening pick into the top left corner of the rear cover, between 8 mm and 10 mm deep.

If the pick does not fit, try starting near the camera bar from the previous pick.

Slide the pick halfway across the top edge to separate the antenna bracket adhesive.
Stop at the midpoint along the top edge.

Step 17 | Separate the remaining top edge adhesive

Insert the opening pick only 3mm deep.

Move the pick to the top right corner to cut remaining adhesives.
Avoid inserting the pick deeper than 3mm to prevent damage to the antenna housing graphite tape.

Step 18 | Rotate your top edge opening picks

Angle your picks upwards, keeping them away from the frame.

Place the top edge of the pick under the rear cover with its flat edge facing down.
Position the flat edges of the picks on each side of the camera bar underneath it.

Step 19 | Pry up the camera bar

Locate the long strip of adhesive securing the rear cover below the camera bar.

Use opening picks under the camera bar to pry the top edge of the rear cover from the frame.
Pry back and forth until the camera bar loosens, taking care not to bend the rear cover.

Only pry enough to loosen the adhesive near the camera bar; excessive force may damage the rear cover.

If the adhesive feels stubborn, rotate the rear cover side-to-side to further loosen it.

Step 20 | Finish separating the adhesive

Apply the opening picks along the long edges of the rear cover to loosen any reattached adhesive.

Step 21 | Remove the rear cover

Remove the rear cover.

Power on your phone to test functionality before sealing; power down before proceeding with reassembly.

Apply new adhesive according to the provided guide.
Install the rear cover securely.

Step 22 | Soften the flash unit adhesive

Never apply excessive heat — risk of damage to surrounding components.

Apply a heated iOpener to the flash unit for 1 minute to soften adhesive.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer or heat gun on low setting to warm the flash.
Heat only until the flash is warm to the touch, avoiding battery and surrounding components.

Step 23 | Separate the flash unit adhesive

Take care when handling the flash cable — it can be easily damaged.

Insert a pick under the right edge of the flash to release its adhesive from the cover.

Step 24 | Clean the logic board cover

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

Step 25 | Remove the old copper tape

Careful not to damage the battery with your tool.

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, replace it now if you have a new part.

Step 26 | Unfasten the logic board cover

For standard Torx bits, use the T2 bit for 1IP screws and T3 bit for 3IP screws.

To remove 1IP Torx Plus screws, apply constant downward force to prevent stripping.

Use a 3IP Torx Plus driver to avoid damaging logic board cover screws.

Remove thirteen 4.3 mm screws securing the logic board cover.

Apply downward force carefully when removing 1.5 mm screw on right edge of cover using a 1IP Torx Plus driver.

Step 27 | Unclip the logic board cover

Insert an opening pick into the gap at the bottom right corner of the logic board cover and the surrounding frame.

Careful not to push too hard, as this can damage the logic board.

Pry upwards gently to release the clip holding the cover in place.

Step 28 | Free the flash unit

Slowly lift the logic board cover from the top edge.

Thread the flash unit through its cutout.

Ensure correct alignment during reassembly to avoid damage.

Lower the logic board into place, threading the flash unit back through its cutout.

Step 29 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Remove the wireless charging assembly.

Step 30 | Remove the connector cover

Remove the 1IP Torx Plus driver and unscrew the 1.5 mm connector cover screw.

Use tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the cover.

During reassembly, ensure the upper left corner of the cover is aligned with the logic board hook before securing its screw.

Step 31

For the Verizon model (G0DZQ) Google Pixel 7a, note that there's an additional cable and connector for the 5G mmWave antenna.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the rest of this guide applies to both the standard and Verizon models.

Step 32 | Disconnect the battery

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

Pry straight up to disconnect the battery press connector — risk of damage.

To reconnect, align the press connector over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place.
Then press down on the other side. It may take a few attempts for proper alignment.

Step 33 | Unfasten the earpiece speaker

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

Step 34 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Locate and lift the earpiece speaker at the bottom edge.

Pull the speaker towards the bottom of the phone to dislodge the red gasket from its cutout in the frame.
Remove the earpiece speaker.

Step 35 | Unfasten the antenna housing

Remove the 4.3 mm screws securing the antenna housing with a 3IP Torx Plus driver.
During reassembly, apply gentle pressure to secure the housing while fastening the screws.

Step 36 | Unclip the antenna housing

Insert a pick into the top left corner of the antenna housing and the frame.

Pry up to release the clips holding the housing in place.
During reassembly, keep the graphite film out of the way before inserting the housing.

Step 37 | Remove the antenna housing

Locate the bottom leg of the antenna housing.

Lift the bottom leg.
Pull the top edge out from the frame.
Remove the housing.

Step 38 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Use the spudger to carefully disconnect the 5G mmWave press connector.

Pry the connector using the pointed end of the spudger.
Once disconnected, proceed with repair.

Step 39 | Heat the front-facing camera tape

Apply a iOpener to the front-facing camera for 1 min.

Use a hair dryer or heat gun if an iOpener is not available.
Heat only until the tape feels warm to the touch.

Step 40 | Peel the front-facing camera tape

Careful not to touch the rear camera lenses.

Insert the tip of an opening pick under the front-facing camera's copper tape.
Pick up and slowly peel up the tape from the logic board.
If stuck, use angled tweezers to scrape up the edge until a pick can be inserted underneath.

Step 41 | Separate the front-facing camera cable adhesive

Do not touch the front-facing camera lens.

Insert the tip of the opening pick between the right edge of the front-facing camera cable and the frame.
If necessary, heat the cable with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive underneath.
Slide the pick underneath the cable to separate the adhesive from the frame.

Step 42 | Disconnect the logic board

Disconnect the press connector above the battery using a spudger point or your nail.

The connector controls the power button, volume buttons, flash unit, and upper microphone.
Be cautious not to touch the rear camera lenses during this process.

Step 43 | Free the top edge of the logic board

Insert a pick into the top right corner, between the logic board and the frame.

Pry upwards to release the logic board from its recess.
Insert the pick near the white antenna cable and pry up the top left edge of the logic board.

Step 44 | Free the bottom edge of the logic board

Be extremely careful not to bend the logic board as you dislodge the lower edge from the .

Lift the top edge of the logic board out of the frame.
Pull the top edge towards the right to clear the vibration motor and protrusions in the frame.
As you pull, guide the charging port out of its recess.

Do not fully remove the logic board yet, as it's still secured by the screen cable.

During reassembly, press the charging port down and push the board towards the bottom until flush with its frame protrusion.
Ensure the flash, front-facing camera, and press connector are not trapped under the frame.

Step 45 | Lay down the logic board

Hold the logic board steady, but do not grip it by camera lenses or connectors.

Risk of damage: Avoid touching thermal pads on the underside of the logic board.

Apply suction handle to left side of screen with handle facing down.
Prop up phone so it stands upright.
Or, prop against a sturdy object like heavy box or thick book.
Tilt logic board down and lay flat; move cables out of the way if necessary.

Step 46 | Remove the screen connector cover

Insert the 3IP Torx Plus driver and remove the 2 mm screw securing the screen connector cover.

Remove the cover.
During reassembly, hook the bottom edge of the cover into its slot on the logic board before installing its 2 mm screw.

Step 47 | Disconnect the screen

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen press connector.
To reconnect, hold the neck of the cable in place with tweezers and align it over the socket before pressing down to secure it.

The tension in this cable makes reconnection tricky, requiring extra care.

Step 48 | Remove the logic board

Remove the logic board from the frame.

Step 49 | Transfer the front sensor gasket

Touching the sensor can damage it.

Remove and set aside any remaining front sensor rubber gasket.
During reassembly, place the gasket over the front sensor, with small cutout facing up.

Step 50 | Replace the thermal pad

When reinstalling the logic board, inspect its thermal pad:

If reusing your logic board, replace damaged thermal pads.
If installing a new logic board without pre-installed thermal pad, apply one now.

Step 51 | Disconnect the front-facing camera

Use the point of a spudger or your fingernail to carefully pry up and release the front-facing camera press connector.

Step 52 | Remove the front-facing camera

Disconnect and remove the front-facing camera.