Google Pixel 7a Rear Cover Replacement
This guide was not endorsed by Google and may affect your device's water resistance.
- Rear Cover Removal/Replacement for Google Pixel 7a requires replacement rear cover adhesive.
- Be cautious if your battery is swollen, as this can be a hazard during repair.
- This repair may compromise your phone's water resistance; proper reapplication of the new adhesive is crucial to maintaining this feature.
Step 1 | Prepare your phone for disassembly
Lithium-ion batteries pose a safety risk when fully charged.
- Allow the battery to drain below 25% charge before proceeding.
- Unplug all cables from the phone and shut it down completely.
Step 2 | Soften the adhesive
Excessive heat can cause permanent damage to the screen, rear cover, and battery.
- 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.
- Avoid overheating – it should only be warm to the touch.
Step 3 | Secure an Anti-Clamp
To demonstrate the use of the Anti-Clamp, follow these steps:
- Pull the blue handle backward to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
- 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 suction.
Step 4 | Use the Anti-Clamp to create a gap
Grasp the blue handle firmly and pull it forward to secure the arms.
- Clockwise rotation**: Turn the handle clockwise until it completes one full turn (360 degrees) or the suction cups begin to stretch.
- Ensure the suction cups remain aligned; if they continue to slip, remove the Anti-Clamp and apply tape for a secure grip.
Step 5 | Insert an opening pick using the Anti-Clamp
Reheat the rear cover if necessary, as it may cool during setup.
- Place a stabilizing object under your phone to maintain level alignment with the Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Wait one minute for adhesive separation along the bottom edge of the phone, or until a gap forms.
If no gap forms after waiting, twist the handle clockwise one quarter turn and wait another minute.
- Apply additional heat with a hair dryer or heat gun if necessary.
Remove suction cups using their pull-tabs before setting the Anti-Clamp aside.
Step 6 | 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 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.
If using an Anti-Clamp, skip this step if an opening pick has already been inserted.
Step 7 | Adhesive information
Remove the rear cover by carefully slicing along the perimeter of the frame using this reference picture.
- Slice the adhesive near the cameras.
Step 8 | Angle the opening pick
- Angle the opening pick upward, with the tip facing away from the frame.
- Continue angling the picks upward while slicing, until the rear cover is fully removed.
- Move your pick to the bottom left corner of the rear cover and leave it in place.
Leaving a pick in place prevents adhesive resealing.
Step 9 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive
- Insert a second opening pick into the bottom left corner.
- Slide it to the bottom right corner, separating the bottom edge adhesive.
- Leave this pick in place to prevent resealing.
Step 10 | Soften the right edge adhesive
Apply a iOpener to the right edge of the rear cover and let it sit for 2 minutes.
- As an alternative, use a heat gun, hair dryer, or hot plate to warm the rear cover.
Do not overheat the phone
Step 11 | Separate the right edge adhesive
Measure 5 mm from the tip and mark a pick with a permanent marker to ensure safe insertion depth.
- Insert a third opening pick in the bottom right corner of the rear cover.
Avoid damaging the wireless charging coil by not inserting beyond 5 mm along the right edge.
- Slide the pick up the right edge to separate the adhesive, stopping before reaching the camera bar.
Leave this pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.
Step 12 | Soften the left edge adhesive
Apply a iOpener to the left edge of the rear cover and let it sit for 2 minutes.
Do not overheat the device when using alternative heat sources like a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate.
- Use a hair dryer on a low setting.
- Heat the phone for short intervals and check its temperature frequently.
Step 13 | Separate the left edge adhesive
Do not insert a pick deeper than 3 mm along the left edge.
- Measure and mark 3 mm from the tip of your pick with a permanent marker.
- Insert a fourth opening pick in the bottom left corner of the rear cover.
Slide the pick up the left edge, stopping when you reach the camera bar to avoid resealing 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.
Do not overheat the phone.
Step 15 | Separate the antenna bracket adhesive
Locate a thick strip of adhesive along the antenna housing.
Be cautious not to damage the antenna or surrounding components.
Insert a fifth opening pick in the top left corner of the rear cover, positioning it between 8 mm and 10 mm (0.3-0.4 in) deep. This is roughly halfway between the tip of the pick and the iFixit logo.- If you encounter difficulties, start by inserting the pick into the small gap near the camera bar.
- Slide your pick halfway across the top edge to separate the antenna bracket adhesive. Stop at the midpoint along the top edge.
Step 16 | Separate the remaining top edge adhesive
Slide your opening pick to the top right corner to slice the remaining top edge adhesive.
Avoid inserting your pick beyond a depth of 3 mm to prevent damage to the antenna housing graphite tape.
Step 17 | Rotate your top edge opening picks
Angle picks upwards, away from the frame.
- Position top edge pick with flat edge under rear cover.
- Place picks on each side of the camera bar with flat edges underneath.
Step 18 | Pry up the camera bar
Bend risk: be gentle when prying.
- Insert opening picks under the camera bar.
- Pry top edge of rear cover from frame, working back and forth.
- Rear cover should loosen at the camera bar area.
- If adhesive is stubborn, rotate rear cover side-to-side for extra loosening.
Step 19 | Finish separating the adhesive
Using your opening picks, slide them along the long edges of the rear cover to loosen any reformed adhesive.
- Work the picks down the edges from top to bottom.
Step 20 | Remove the rear cover
Remove the rear cover.
- Pre-reassembly test: Power on phone, check functionality, then power down.
- Apply new adhesive and reinstall rear cover according to the guide below.