Google Pixel 8 Wide Rear Camera Replacement

This repair may not be applicable to all Google Pixel 8 models.

The original author of this guide is iFixit staff, though it has not been endorsed by Google. Learn more about our guides here.
This guide is for the wide rear camera replacement in Google Pixel 8 devices.
Replace the wide rear camera if your photos appear distorted or blurry, or if the camera doesn't function properly.
You'll need replacement screen adhesive to complete this repair successfully.

Note: This guide is specifically tailored for the 5G mmWave antenna model of the Pixel 8. If you have a non-mmWave version, skip any steps mentioning the 5G mmWave antenna.

Step 1 | Prepare your Pixel for disassembly

Allow the Pixel's battery to drain below 25% before proceeding, as a charged lithium-ion battery may catch fire if damaged.

Disconnect all cables from the phone.
Power off the phone completely.
Press and hold the power button and volume up button simultaneously to access the shutdown menu.

Step 2 | Mark your opening picks

Excessive insertion of opening picks can cause device damage.

Mark an opening pick by measuring 3 mm from the tip and applying a permanent marker mark.
As alternative, affix a coin to the pick using tape, positioned 3 mm from the tip.

Step 3 | Heat the bottom edge adhesive

Use caution when applying heat to prevent damage to the screen and/or battery.

Apply an iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes to loosen adhesive.
Alternately, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be gentle with extreme temperatures.

Step 4 | Secure the Anti-Clamp

Familiarize yourself with the Anti-Clamp before proceeding.

Unlock the Anti-Clamp by pulling the blue handle backwards.
Place phone on an object, screen side up, to position between the arms, leaving the bottom edge exposed.
Position suction cups as close to center of bottom edge as possible and squeeze together for suction.

Alternative method available three steps down if Anti-Clamp is not used.

Step 5 | Twist the handle

Grasp the handle and pull it forward to secure the arms.

Rotate the handle clockwise one full turn (360 degrees) until the suction cups begin to stretch.
Ensure the cups remain aligned during stretching. If they continue to slip, remove the Anti-Clamp and apply tape for proper adhesion.

Step 6 | Insert an opening pick

Wait one minute for a gap to form between the screen and frame.

If no separation occurs, twist the handle clockwise one quarter turn and wait another minute; apply more heat if the screen cools down.

Insert an opening pick into the gap, but not more than 3 mm deep to avoid damaging spring contacts.

To proceed:

Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the arms.
Remove the Anti-Clamp using the pull tabs on the suction cups.

Step 7 | Apply a suction cup

Attach a suction handle to the middle of the screen's lower border.

Step 8 | Insert an opening pick

Apply suction to the device with firm, consistent pressure.

A gap should form between the screen and frame within seconds.
If a gap doesn't appear after several attempts, reapply heat and try again.
Once a gap is visible, insert an opening pick

Step 9 | Prevent damage to your phone

Avoid damaging your phone by not inserting the pick more than 3 mm when separating the screen adhesive.

Locate the screen cable, approximately halfway up the left edge of the phone, and exercise extra caution to avoid tearing it.

Be careful in areas around the perimeter with many spring contacts; bending them can cause issues.

Step 10 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Insert the opening pick under the device's bottom edge and slide it downwards to loosen the adhesive.

Once the adhesive is loosened, remove the pick, except for a small portion left in the lower right corner.
The remaining pick will prevent the adhesive from reforming and resealing.

Step 11 | Heat the right edge adhesive

Use caution 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.
As an alternative, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be cautious not to apply extreme heat.

Step 12 | Separate the right edge adhesive

Insert another opening pick under the bottom right corner of the screen.

Slide this new pick up to the top right corner, separating the adhesive along 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 the new pick to the bottom left corner.
Leave the pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 14 | Heat the left edge adhesive

Use excessive caution when applying heat, as it may damage the screen and/or battery.

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the screen for 2 minutes.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate with care.

Step 15 | Separate the left edge adhesive

Insert a fourth opening pick under the bottom left corner of the screen.

Slide the new pick towards the top left corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's left edge.
Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent resealing.

Step 16 | Heat the top edge adhesive

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.

Alternative methods: Use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate with caution - extreme heat may damage the screen and/or battery.

Step 17 | Separate the top edge adhesive

Insert a fifth opening pick under the top edge of the screen, near the left corner.

Slide the opening pick to the top right corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's top edge.

Step 18 | Prop up the screen

Place a small box or stack of books to the left of your phone to prop up the screen.

Swing up the right edge of the screen like lifting a book cover.

Be careful not to strain the screen cable.

If the screen feels stuck, use an opening pick to separate any remaining adhesive around the perimeter.

Prop up the screen so you can access the screen cable.

Step 19 | Remove the screen cable cover

Use a pick to carefully pry up the upper edge of the screen cable cover.

Continue prying until the cover is removed.

Step 20 | Disconnect the screen

Insert the point of a spudger under the top left corner of the screen's press connector.

Pry up and disconnect the cable carefully.
Remove the screen completely.

When reconnecting a press connector, align it over its socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks, then press down on the other. Avoid pressing in the middle to prevent pin damage from misalignment.

Step 21 | Screen information

The Pixel's screen is highly prone to damage from minor scratches or dents.

Grip the screen by its edges when handling.
Position the screen on a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent contact with other objects.

Step 22 | Reassembly information

Install pre-assembled screens as follows; apply adhesive to old screens according to separate instructions.

Use pull tabs to remove liners from front camera cutout, rear camera pad, screen back, and perimeter adhesive.
Reconnect the screen cable and its cover.

Temporarily power on phone to test functionality before sealing; power down after testing.

Firmly press screen into frame until clips "pop" into place.
Secure with new adhesive by pressing firmly around perimeter.

Optionally, apply even pressure to strengthen adhesive bond.

Calibrate fingerprint sensor according to separate instructions.

Step 23 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the 5G mmWave antenna cable.
Pry upwards carefully to release the cable's connection to the logic board.

Step 24 | Heat the 5G mmWave antenna cable

Caution: Extreme heat can damage the battery.

Lay an iOpener on the left edge of the phone for two minutes to soften the adhesive.

Alternatively, use a heat gun or hot plate, but be careful not to apply excessive heat.

Step 25 | Separate the adhesive

Insert a opening pick at the bottom of the 5G mmWave antenna cable's adhesive section.

Slide the pick towards the top edge of the phone to break the adhesive seal.

Step 26

Remove and clean the upper section of adhesive as previously described.

Step 27 | Reposition the 5G mmWave antenna cable

Reposition the 5G mmWave antenna cable above the phone, keeping it from getting in the way.

Avoid folding or creasing the cable; simply relocate it to prevent obstruction during disassembly.

Step 28 | Remove the graphite sheet

Remove and discard the graphite sheet.

Insert a spudger under the top right corner of the graphite sheet.
Lift until you can grip the sheet with your fingers.
Peel up and remove the entire graphite sheet, or break it into sections if torn.

Do not reuse the old graphite sheet during reassembly.

Step 29 | Remove the shim

Locate the plastic shim stuck between the midframe and bottom speaker.

Insert the tip of an opening pick under the plastic shim.
Gently pry it loose until you can grasp it with tweezers or your fingers.

Step 30

Remove the shim from the midframe using tweezers or your fingers.

Peel off the shim on the bottom speaker.

Step 31 | Unfasten the USB-C port bracket

Keep track of each screw and ensure it's replaced exactly where it came from.

For the Pixel 8, use a T3 Torx driver to remove two 5 mm-long 3IP Torx Plus screws securing the USB-C port bracket.

Apply constant downward force with standard or Torx Plus bits to prevent stripping.

Step 32 | Remove the USB-C port bracket

Remove the USB-C port bracket using tweezers or your fingers.

Step 33 | Reassembly information

Reassembly: Replace plastic shim under midframe & loudspeaker.

Replace with new shim, or if not available, press old one back into place.
Remove clear liner from shim.
Align shim using midframe markings and press left side into place.
Use flat spudger end to firmly press down along whole shim for secure fit.

Note: Ensure proper alignment of the shim.

Step 34 | Unfasten the midframe

Remove the midframe using a T3 Torx screwdriver. The screws are eight, 5.1 mm long, and type 3IP Torx Plus.

Step 35 | Remove the midframe

Locate the thermal pad bonded to the center of the midframe.

Insert a spudger under the bottom right corner of the midframe
The midframe will loosen once it is fully separated from the thermal pad

Step 36

Remove the midframe from the frame.

Check the condition of the thermal pad.
If damaged, clean with high-concentration (greater than 90%) isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber or lint-free cloth, then apply a new thermal pad.