Google Pixel 7a Vibration Motor Replacement - Google Pixel 7a

Step 1 | Prepare your phone for disassembly

A fully charged lithium-ion battery can be a potential safety hazard, so allow the battery to discharge below 25% before proceeding.

Unplug all cables from the phone.
Press and hold the power button until the device is fully powered down.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bite, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole.
Press it in to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Soften the adhesive

Heating the phone too much can 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 enough heat so the phone is just hot to the touch.

Step 4 | Secure an Anti-Clamp

If not using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.

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 5 | 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) or until the suction cups start to stretch.
As the cups stretch, ensure they remain aligned. If they continue to slip, remove the Anti-Clamp and apply tape for better grip.

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

If the iOpener's heat fades, reheat the rear cover as needed.

Place your phone on an object to keep it level under the Anti-Clamp.

Wait one minute for a gap to form along the bottom edge of the phone, or until adhesive separates.
If no gap forms, twist the handle clockwise by one quarter turn and wait another minute.

If necessary, apply more heat with a hair dryer or heat gun as you work.

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

Step 7 | Insert an opening pick using a suction handle

Skip this step if you've already applied an opening pick using the Anti-Clamp.

Attach 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 opening pick tip into the gap.
Remove the suction handle.

Step 8 | Adhesive information

The rear cover is held in place by adhesive. To remove it, refer to the provided image.

Slice through the adhesive around the perimeter of the frame using a cutting tool.
Continue slicing near the camera area as needed.

Step 9 | Angle the opening pick

Angle the opening pick upward 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 and leave it in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 10 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Insert another opening pick into the lower left corner.

Move the new pick along the bottom edge to the right, reaching the rear cover's lower right corner.
Leave this additional pick in place to prevent the adhesive from reattaching.

Step 11 | Soften the right edge adhesive

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

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

Avoid overheating the phone, which can cause damage.

Step 12 | Separate the right edge adhesive

Do not insert a pick deeper than 5 mm along the right edge to avoid damaging the wireless charging coil.

Mark your pick with a permanent marker at 5 mm from the tip for visual reference.
Insert a third opening pick in the bottom right corner of the rear cover.

Slide your pick up the right edge until you reach the camera bar to separate the adhesive, and leave it in place to prevent resealing.

Step 13 | Soften the left edge adhesive

Apply a iOpener to the left edge of the rear cover and let it sit 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 any tool more than 3 mm along the left edge to avoid damaging the wireless charging coil and rear cover foam pad.

Mark a pick 3 mm from the tip with a permanent marker for reference.
Insert an additional opening pick in the bottom left corner of the rear cover.
Slide the tool up the left edge, stopping when you reach the camera bar to separate the adhesive.
Leave this pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 15 | Soften the top edge adhesive

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

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

Do not overheat the phone.

Step 16 | Separate the antenna bracket adhesive

Locate a thick strip of adhesive on the antenna housing.

(Alternative insertion point) If initial attempt fails, start with the small gap near the camera bar from previous pick.
Insert a fifth opening pick in top left corner of rear cover at depth of 8-10 mm (0.3-0.4 in), or just over halfway between pick tip and iFixit logo.
Slide pick halfway across top edge to separate antenna bracket adhesive; stop at halfway point along top edge.

Step 17 | Separate the remaining top edge adhesive

Remove your opening pick from the device.

Reposition the pick at the top right corner of the device.

Slide the pick across the adhesive to release it, but do not insert deeper than 3 mm.

Avoid damaging the antenna housing graphite tape by not exceeding a depth of 3 mm.

Step 18 | Rotate your top edge opening picks

Angle your picks upward, keeping them clear of the frame.

Pick the top edge to sit flat under the rear cover.
Position each side pick flat under the camera bar.

Step 19 | Pry up the camera bar

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

Use opening picks under the camera bar to pry the top edge of the rear cover.
Pry back and forth until the camera bar loosens, taking care not to bend the rear cover.
Loosen adhesive near the camera bar; if stubborn, rotate rear cover side-to-side.

Step 20 | Finish separating the adhesive

Slide the opening picks down the long edges of the rear cover to loosen any adhered areas.

Step 21 | Remove the rear cover

Remove the rear cover.

Test phone functionality before sealing — power on, check it works, then power down.

Apply new adhesive and install rear cover as per guide.

Step 22 | Soften the flash unit adhesive

Beware of overheating the flash unit — risk of damage.

Apply a heated iOpener to the flash unit for one minute to loosen the adhesive.

Alternatively, use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm the flash unit, but do not overheat it.

Do not apply excessive heat to the surrounding components — risk of damage.

Step 23 | Separate the flash unit adhesive

Careful handling is required when working with the flash cable to avoid damaging it.

Position a pick at the right edge of the flash and slide it under the adhesive to loosen its attachment to the cover.

Step 24 | Clean the logic board cover

Remove any remaining black foam residue from the logic board cover using tweezers or your fingers.

Step 25 | Remove the old copper tape

Do not damage the battery with your tool.

Apply a heated iOpener to the underside of the flash for one minute.
Hold the flash cable steady and use tweezers to peel and remove the copper tape from the flash unit.

If the copper tape remains on the logic board cover, replace it now with a new piece.

Step 26 | Unfasten the logic board cover

Verify your kit's contents: standard or Torx Plus drivers.

If using standard Torx, employ T2 for 1IP screws and T3 for 3IP screws, while applying constant downward force to prevent screw stripping.
To remove the logic board cover, use a 3IP Torx Plus driver for thirteen 4.3 mm screws.
For the right edge's 1.5 mm screw, utilize a 1IP Torx Plus driver.

Step 27 | Unclip the logic board cover

Insert a opening pick into the gap between the logic board cover and the frame at the bottom right corner.

Pry carefully to release the cover clip.

Step 28 | Free the flash unit

Lift the logic board cover slowly from the top edge.
Pass the flash unit through its designated cutout.

Take care not to damage the logic board or its components during handling.

Reassembly: Lower the logic board into place while passing the flash unit through its cutout.

Step 29 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Remove the wireless charging assembly.

Step 30 | Remove the connector cover

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

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

Step 31

For the Verizon model G0DZQ Google Pixel 7a, note that it includes additional cabling and connectors for the 5G mmWave antenna.

Verify specific model details before proceeding with repairs.
The general guide procedure applies to all phone types unless otherwise stated.

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.

It may take multiple attempts to properly align the press connector when reconnecting.

When reassembling, align the press connector over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then do the same for the other side.

Step 33 | Unfasten the earpiece speaker

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

Step 34 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Lift the earpiece speaker upwards.
Pull the speaker towards the bottom of the phone, freeing the red gasket from its cutout.
Remove the speaker.

Step 35 | Unfasten the antenna housing

Use a 3IP Torx Plus driver to remove the two 4.3 mm screws holding the antenna housing in place.

To reassemble, hold the housing down while tightening the screws.

Step 36 | Unclip the antenna housing

Insert an opening pick between the top left corner of the antenna housing and the frame.

Pry up to release the clips securing the housing.
During reassembly, hold the graphite film out of the way before inserting the housing.

Step 37 | Remove the antenna housing

Lift the bottom leg of the antenna housing.

Pull the top edge out from the frame.
Remove the antenna housing.

Step 38 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

For Verizon models, use the spudger to carefully pry up and release the 5G mmWave press connector.

Step 39 | Heat the front-facing camera tape

Apply a iOpener to the front-facing camera for 1 minute to loosen the copper tape adhesive.

Heat with an iOpener, or use a hair dryer or heat gun.
Only heat until the tape feels warm to the touch, avoiding over-heating.

Step 40 | Peel the front-facing camera tape

Careful not to touch the rear camera lenses.

Insert tip of opening pick under copper tape of front-facing camera.
Pry up logic board's copper tape slowly from underneath.
If stuck, use angled tweezers to scrape edge until a pick fits underneath.

Step 41 | Separate the front-facing camera cable adhesive

Avoid touching the front-facing camera lens with your tool.

Insert the opening pick between the right edge of the front-facing camera cable and the frame.
If the pick won't slide under, heat the cable lightly with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive.
Slide your pick underneath the cable to separate it from the frame.

Step 42 | Disconnect the logic board

Be extremely cautious not to touch the rear camera lenses.

Use a spudger point or your fingernail to gently pry up and disconnect the press connector above the battery.
This connector is connected to the power button, volume buttons, flash unit, and upper microphone.

Step 43 | Free the top edge of the logic board

Insert a pick between the top right edge of the logic board and the frame.

Pry up carefully to free the logic board from its recess — be cautious not to damage nearby components.

Insert a pick in the gap 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

Handle the logic board carefully to avoid bending it.

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

Do not fully remove the logic board yet — it remains connected by the screen cable.

During reassembly, push the logic board toward the bottom of the frame and press the charging port down until the bottom edge is flush with its protrusion in the frame.

Ensure the flash, front-facing camera, and press connector do not become trapped under the frame.

Step 45 | Lay down the logic board

Logic board may fall during this step — hold steady, avoiding camera lenses and connectors.

Place suction handle on left side of screen with handle facing down.
Prop phone upright or against sturdy object (heavy box or thick book).

Tilt logic board down and lay flat, moving cables out of way if necessary. Avoid touching thermal pads underneath.

Step 46 | Remove the screen connector cover

Use a 3IP Torx Plus driver to remove the 2 mm screw securing the screen connector cover.

Remove the cover.

During reassembly, secure the cover's bottom edge into its slot on the logic board before tightening the screw.

Step 47 | Disconnect the screen

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen press connector.

If reconnection is necessary, hold the cable's neck with tweezers and align it over the socket before pressing down.

Step 48 | Remove the logic board

Remove the logic board from the frame.

Step 49 | Transfer the front sensor gasket

Remove the front sensor rubber gasket if it is still attached to the frame or misaligned.

Set the gasket aside during reassembly.
Position the gasket over the front sensor on the logic board, ensuring the smaller cutout faces upwards.

Avoid touching the sensor with your fingers or any tool to prevent damage.

Step 50 | Replace the thermal pad

Remove the old thermal pad if damaged.

Clean the surface thoroughly.
Apply a new thermal pad.

Using an incorrect or damaged thermal pad can cause overheating and damage to components.

For a new logic board, ensure it comes with a pre-installed thermal pad

Apply the provided thermal pad according to manufacturer instructions if not already installed.

Step 51 | Soften the vibration motor adhesive

Avoid overheating the vibration motor to prevent damage to nearby components.

Apply a heated iOpener or use a hair dryer/heat gun to lightly warm the vibration motor for two minutes.
Avoid focusing heat on one spot for too long, as this may cause battery and surrounding component damage.

Step 52 | Pry up the vibration motor

Insert one arm of a pair of angled tweezers between the vibration motor contact pads and the frame.
Slide the arm under the pads until it's under the body of the vibration motor, ensuring not to pry on the pads themselves.

Prying just on the contact pads can break them.

Twist the tweezers' arm to separate the vibration motor adhesive.

Step 53 | Remove the vibration motor

Remove the vibration motor.

During reassembly, press in a new vibration motor, ensuring liners are removed from its underside.
If the new vibration motor lacks adhesive, apply a thin layer of double-sided tape (e.g., Tesa Tape) to its base before pressing it into place.