Google Pixel 8 5G mmWave Antenna Replacement
This repair guide was written by iFixit staff and has not been authorized by Google.
- Learn more about our repair guides.
- To replace the 5G mmWave antenna in your Google Pixel 8, use this guide.
- If your phone has Wi-Fi but no cellular service, you may need to replace the 5G mmWave antenna.
- Replacement screen adhesive is required for this repair.
Step 1 | Prepare your Pixel for disassembly
Let your Pixel's battery drain below 25% before starting this repair — a charged lithium-ion battery may catch fire if damaged.
- Unplug all cables from your phone.
- Powers off your phone completely.
- Press the power and volume up buttons at the same time to access the shutdown menu.
Step 2 | Mark your opening picks
Identify the opening pick insertion point.
- Mark the pick approximately 3mm from the tip with a permanent marker.
- Alternatively, tape a coin to the pick 3mm from the tip.
Inserting the pick too far can damage your device.
Step 3 | Heat the bottom edge adhesive
Separate the screen from the frame by softening the adhesive.
- iOpener: Heat for two minutes at the bottom edge of the screen.
- Alternative methods: Use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be cautious not to damage the screen and/or battery.
Step 4 | Secure the Anti-Clamp
For alternate method, skip to step 6.
If not using Anti-Clamp, consult separate guide for instructions.
- Pull blue handle backwards to unlock Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Rest phone on object with screen up, bottom edge hanging off between arms.
- Slide arms over left phone edge for access to bottom edge.
- Position suction cups near center of bottom edge.
- Squeeze cups together to create suction.
Step 5 | Twist the handle
Lock the arms by pulling the handle forward.
- Turn the handle clockwise one full turn (360 degrees) or until suction cups begin to stretch.
- Ensure cups stay aligned during stretching, and apply tape if they continue to slip. Use Anti-Clamp as needed for secure alignment.
Step 6 | Insert an opening pick
Wait one minute for a gap to form between the screen and frame.
If adhesive remains, twist handle clockwise one quarter turn and wait another minute; apply more heat as needed.
Insert an opening pick into the gap, but not more than 3 mm deep to avoid damaging spring contacts.
- Pull blue handle backwards to unlock arms.
- Remove Anti-Clamp using pull tabs on suction cups.
Step 7 | Apply a suction cup
Attach a suction handle to the center of the screen's bottom edge.
Step 8 | Insert an opening pick
Hold the suction handle firmly and pull upwards with steady pressure.
If no gap forms, apply additional heat and attempt to create one.
- Slide an opening pick into the formed gap.
Step 9 | Prevent damage to your phone
Insert your pick no more than 3 mm deep to prevent screen damage.
- Identify the screen cable, located just below the midpoint on the left edge of the phone.
- Avoid the perimeter's many spring contacts; be cautious to prevent bending them.
Step 10 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the device.
Do not remove the pick — leave it in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 11 | Heat the right edge adhesive
Be cautious when applying heat to avoid damaging the screen and/or battery.
- Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
- Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but exercise care against extreme heat damage.
Step 12 | Separate the right edge adhesive
Insert a second opening pick under the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Slide the new pick to the top right corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's right edge.
- Leave the pick in place at the top right corner to prevent re-adhesion.
Step 13 | Leave a pick in the bottom left corner
Insert a third opening pick under the bottom edge of the screen.
- Slide it towards the bottom left corner.
- Leave the pick in place at the bottom left corner to keep adhesive from resealing.
Step 14 | Heat the left edge adhesive
Apply a iOpener to the left edge of the screen for 2 minutes.
Use caution with external heat sources like hair dryers, heat guns, or hot plates, as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.
Step 15 | Separate the left edge adhesive
Insert a fourth opening pick under the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Slide the new pick to the top left corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's left edge.
- Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 16 | Heat the top edge adhesive
Apply a iOpener to the top edge of the screen for 2 minutes.
- As an alternative, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate-but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.
Step 17 | Separate the top edge adhesive
- Insert an additional opening pick at the top left corner of the screen.
- Slide this pick up and over to the top right corner, prying loose the screen's upper adhesive bond.
Step 18 | Prop up the screen
Place a support under your phone's left side using a small box or stack of books.
- Swing the right edge of the screen upwards, as if closing a book cover.
- Be careful not to strain the screen cable.
- If the screen feels stuck, use an opening pick to remove any remaining adhesive around the perimeter.
- Prop up the screen for access to the screen cable.
Step 19 | Remove the screen cable cover
Insert an opening pick at the upper edge of the screen cable cover.
- Pry upwards gently until the cover starts to separate.
- Once loose, carefully lift and remove the screen cable cover.
Step 20 | Disconnect the screen
Insert the point of a spudger under the top left corner of the screen's press connector.
- Gently pry up and disconnect the cable.
- Caution: To reconnect a press connector, align it over its socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. Do not press down in the middle, as this can cause damage to the pins if the connector is misaligned.
Pressing down in the middle of a misaligned connector can cause permanent damage and bend the pins.
Step 21 | Screen information
The Pixel's screen is extremely fragile; minor damage can occur with just a small scratch or dent.
- Grip the screen by its edges to avoid accidental contact with sensitive areas.
- Place the screen on a soft, lint-free cloth or similar protective surface to prevent damage during work.
Step 22 | Reassembly information
If a pre-applied adhesive is present on the new screen, follow these steps instead of the standard adhesive application.
- Remove liners from front camera cutout, rear camera pad, back of screen, and perimeter adhesive using pull tabs.
- Reconnect screen cable and reattach its cover.
Test phone functionality before sealing: Temporarily power on the phone to ensure all features work as expected. Power down when done.
- Firmly press the screen into place on the frame until clips "pop" into position.
- Apply pressure around the perimeter of the screen with the new adhesive to secure it in place.
Optional: Apply consistent pressure evenly across the phone to strengthen the adhesive bond.
Refer to the fingerprint sensor calibration guide for further instructions.
Step 23 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna
Identify the 5G mmWave antenna cable. Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry it loose.
Step 24 | Heat the 5G mmWave antenna cable
Identify the 5G mmWave antenna cable secured to the midframe with adhesive in two places.
- Lay a heated iOpener on the left edge of the phone for two minutes to soften the cable adhesive.
- Alternatively, use a heat gun or hot plate, but be extremely careful not to damage the battery.
Step 25 | Separate the adhesive
- Apply a plastic pick under the lower portion of the 5G mmWave antenna cable's adhesive.
- Move the pick upwards towards the top edge of the device, prying away the adhesive.
Step 26
- Remove the upper section of adhesive by repeating the previous step.
Step 27 | Reposition the 5G mmWave antenna cable
Reposition the 5G mmWave antenna cable above the phone to avoid obstruction.
- Move the cable without folding or creasing it, just clear a path for disassembly.
Step 28 | Remove the graphite sheet
Remove the damaged graphite sheet by inserting a spudger under the top right corner.
- Lift and grip the sheet with your fingers to peel it up completely.
- If the sheet tears, grasp the torn parts and remove in sections.
Never reuse the old graphite sheet during reassembly.
Step 29 | Remove the shim
Locate the plastic shim stuck to the midframe and bottom speaker.
- Slide a thin opening pick under one end of the plastic shim.
- Gently pry up the shim until you can grasp it with your fingers or tweezers.
Step 30
Use tweezers or your fingers to carefully peel off the shim from both the midframe and the bottom speaker.
Step 31 | Unfasten the USB-C port bracket
Keep track of each screw and ensure it returns to its original position.
- For the Pixel 8, use a T3 Torx driver or a standard Torx bit to remove screws.
- Apply constant downward force when removing screws to avoid stripping.
- Remove two 5 mm‐long 3IP Torx Plus screws securing the USB-C port bracket using a T3 Torx driver.
Step 32 | Remove the USB-C port bracket
Remove the USB-C port bracket using tweezers or your fingers.
Step 33 | Reassembly information
When reassembling, replace the plastic shim that runs across the bottom of the midframe and loudspeaker.
- If no replacement is available, press the old shim back into place.
- Remove the clear liner from the shim.
- Align the left side of the shim with the midframe markings.
- Press the shim firmly into place using a spudger's flat end.
- Finally, remove the blue liner.
Step 34 | Unfasten the midframe
Remove the T3 Torx screws using a T3 Torx screwdriver.
- There are eight 5.1 mm 3IP Torx Plus screws to remove.
Step 35 | Remove the midframe
Locate the thermal pad bonded to the midframe center.
- Insert the flat end of a spudger into the bottom right corner of the midframe, between the thermal pad and the frame.
- The midframe will release once it is fully separated from the thermal pad.
Step 36
Remove the midframe from the frame.
- During reassembly, inspect the thermal pad.
- If damaged, clean the area with high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (greater than 90%) and a microfiber or lint-free cloth, then apply a new thermal pad.
Step 37 | Disconnect the battery
Remove the battery connector using a spudger.
Step 38 | Unfasten the 5G mmWave antenna bracket
Remove the 3IP Torx Plus screw using a T3 Torx screwdriver.
- The screw is secured to the 5G mmWave antenna bracket and has a length of 5.1 mm.
Step 39 | Remove the bracket
Insert the point of a spudger into the notch on the 5G mmWave antenna bracket.
- Pry up with the spudger to dislodge the bracket.
- Remove the bracket completely from its mounting location.
When reassembling, ensure proper alignment and secure the bracket by first seating its top edge at a downward angle, allowing the foam pad to settle correctly before finalizing its position.
Step 40 | Remove the antenna
Remove the antenna and its cable from the frame.
If the cable disconnects, align the cable press connector with its socket and press down firmly until it clicks into place.
Step 41 | Disconnect the cable
Use a spudger to gently pry up and release the 5G mmWave antenna cable's press connector.
Step 42 | Remove the thermal pad
Remove the 5G mmWave antenna thermal pad using a spudger, taking care not to damage it.
If damaged, the thermal pad will require replacement.
Set aside the removed thermal pad for reassembly.
- Transfer the old thermal pad to your new 5G mmWave antenna.
- Use a spudger's flat end to gently push it into place during reassembly.
Step 43 | You're left with the 5G mmWave antenna
The 5G mmWave antenna remains.