Google Pixel 8a 5G mmWave Antenna Replacement - Google Pixel 8a

Step 1 | Prepare your Pixel for disassembly

Let the Pixel's battery drain below 25% before repair to prevent potential fire hazard.

Unplug all cables from the phone.
Press and hold the power and volume up buttons simultaneously to shut down the phone.

Completely power off the phone before proceeding with repairs.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Eject the SIM card tray by firmly pressing a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the hole on the left edge.

The SIM card tray should now be ejected.
Remove the ejected SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Adhesive information

Be cautious not to damage the phone's internals.

When using a tool, do not insert more than 3 mm depth around the edges.

Avoid inserting tools under the camera bump edges.

Step 4 | Insert an opening tool

Use the opening tool's flat end and position its sharp edge pointing upwards.

Insert the edge of the opening tool into a sharp corner between the back cover and frame.
This will help separate the adhesive as you proceed with the opening process.

Step 5 | Separate the perimeter adhesive

Use a opening tool to pry the back cover away from the device, starting at the bottom edge.

Step 6

Insert an opening tool into the gap at the bottom right corner.

Slide the tool along the right edge until it reaches the bottom of the camera bump.
Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

Step 7

Insert the opening tool under the top right corner of the back cover, above the camera bump.
Slide the tool along the top edge to the top left corner, just above the camera bump.
Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

Step 8

Insert opening tool at left edge of back cover, below camera bump.

Slide tool down left edge to separate adhesive.

Step 9 | Separate the camera bump adhesive

Insert an opening pick under the top left corner of the back cover until it's near the camera bump.

Make sure the pick is at least 3 mm from the camera bump before proceeding.
Slide the pick to the right along the top edge, stopping when you reach the right side of the cameras.

Step 10

Be careful not to touch any internal components.

Locate the adhesive strip beneath the camera bump on the back cover.
Insert the flat edge of an opening pick under this strip, just below the camera bump.
Repeat on the other side with a second opening pick in the same location.

Step 11

Apply even pressure with both picks to pry up the back cover.

Avoid bending the back cover during removal.
If adhesive is stubborn, rotate the cover side-to-side for better separation.

If still stuck, use a hair dryer or iOpener to soften the adhesive just below the camera bump.

Step 12 | Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.

During reassembly, test your phone by powering it on.
Verify that it works properly before proceeding.
Power down your phone and continue with reassembly.

Apply new adhesive to the back cover according to the guide provided.

Step 13 | Separate the flash unit

Be cautious of heat damage to nearby components.

Use a hair dryer, iOpener, or heat gun to gently warm the flash unit until it's slightly warm to the touch.
Avoid overheating the battery and surrounding components.

Step 14

Use a pick to carefully pry the flash away from its adhesive.

Beware of damaging the flash cable, which is easily torn.

To reattach, follow the guide for replacing the flash adhesives.

Step 15 | Unclip the logic board cover

Keep track of each screw and ensure it returns exactly to its original location.

Apply constant, downward force when using a Torx bit to avoid stripping.

Standard Torx bits work with the Pixel 8a's Torx Plus screws.

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the 15 screws securing the logic board cover:

Thirteen screws, each measuring 4.3 mm long.
Two screws, each measuring 1.9 mm long.

Step 16

Be extremely cautious not to damage spring contacts.

Insert an opening pick at the bottom right corner of the logic board cover.
Pry upwards to release the first clip.
Insert a spudger tip near the top right notch, below the screw hole.
Pry upwards to release the second clip.

Step 17

Slowly lift the logic board cover from the top edge.

Thread the flash unit through its cutout in the cover.

Secure the flash unit to prevent it from coming loose during use.

During reassembly, lower the logic board cover into place with the flash unit already threaded through its cutout.

Step 18 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Disconnect the wireless charging coil from the logic board cover.

Remove the logic board cover.

Step 19 | Disconnect the battery

Use a tweezer or your fingers to remove the metal cover on the right edge.

Lift out the metal cover.

During reassembly, secure the upper left corner under the logic board's hook before installing.

Step 20

Avoid damaging nearby components — only pry where instructed.

Insert spudger's flat end under battery press connector's right edge and pry straight up.
To reconnect, align press connector over socket and gently press down on one side, then the other until it clicks into place.

Step 21 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Careful not to damage the 5G mmWave antenna.

Insert the point of a spudger under the bottom edge of the 5G mmWave antenna press connector.
Pry straight up to disconnect it.

Step 22 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver with a 4.3 mm-long screw securing the earpiece speaker to the frame.

Step 23

Remove the earpiece speaker by lifting its bottom edge.

When reassembling, ensure the graphite film is out of the way before inserting the speaker.
To install, insert the speaker at a downward angle and push it towards the front, allowing the gasket to seat properly in its cutout.

Step 24 | Remove the antenna housing

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the two 4.3 mm‑long screws.

Step 25

Insert a pick under the left edge of the antenna housing and pry up.

Release the clips securing the housing.
Repeat on the top edge for remaining clips.

Apply firm pressure to engage clips during reassembly.

Step 26

Remove the antenna housing by lifting it up.

Step 27 | Disconnect the logic board

Careful handling is required for the rear camera lenses during the following procedures.

Pry up the press connector above the battery using a spudger or your fingernail.
Disconnect the press connector after prying it up.

Step 28

Insert the opening pick under the right edge of the front-facing camera cable and lift.

If it won't slide in, use a hair dryer or heat gun to lightly heat the cable.

Step 29

Route the battery cable and 5G mmWave cable away from the battery compartment.

Step 30

Be careful not to damage spring contacts.

Insert a spudger tip under the notch near the top right corner and pry up.
Repeat on the other side using the notch to the left of the cameras.

Step 31

The logic board is fragile — handle it carefully to avoid damage.

Ensure you have removed the SIM tray before proceeding.
Lift the top edge of the logic board from the frame.
Pull the top edge of the logic board to the right, guiding it over the vibration motor and protrusions 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.
Press the charging port down until the bottom edge sits flush with its protrusion in the frame.

Prevent trapping the flash, front-facing camera, and press connector under the frame during reassembly.

Step 32 | Prop up your phone

The logic board may fall out; hold it steady but avoid lenses or connectors.

Apply a suction handle to the left screen side, facing down.
Prop up the phone's left side so it stands upright.

If no suction handle is available, prop against a sturdy object like a heavy box or thick book.

Tilt the logic board down and lay flat, guiding the graphite sheet around cables with care.
Avoid touching thermal pads on the underside of the logic board.

Step 33

Avoid puncturing the battery.

Hold one hand above the display bracket while prying it up.
Pry up the top edge of the display cable bracket using an angled tweezers tip, taking care not to damage the logic board underneath.

Only insert tweezers enough to pry up the bracket.

Remove the bracket.

During reassembly: hook the bottom edge of the bracket into its slot and press down firmly on the top to snap it back in place.

Replace a bent display cable bracket with a new one if necessary.

Step 34

Insert the flat end of a spudger or clean fingernail under the top edge of the display cable press connector.

Careful, as the tension in this cable makes it tricky to reconnect.

Pry straight up to disconnect the cable.
To reconnect: hold the neck of the cable in place with tweezers and align it over the socket before pressing down.

Step 35 | Remove the logic board

Remove the logic board from the frame.

Step 36 | Check the front sensor gasket

Remove any remaining front sensor rubber gasket from the frame and set it aside.

During reassembly, place the gasket over the front sensor on the logic board, ensuring the smaller cutout faces upward.
Avoid touching the sensor with your fingers or tool to prevent damage.

Step 37 | Check the thermal pads

During reassembly:

Inspect the thermal pads on the bottom of the logic board or the corresponding area on the right side of the frame.
If a thermal pad is damaged and you're reusing your logic board, remove the old pad and clean the surface with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%). Apply a new pad immediately after cleaning.
Apply pre-installed thermal pads to a new logic board or install new ones if not provided.

Step 38 | Remove the mmWave antenna

Locate the 5G mmWave antenna attached to the frame with light adhesive.

Insert the point of a spudger under the lower left corner of the 5G mmWave antenna.
Pry up gently to separate the antenna from its adhesive.

Step 39

Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna from the cable.

Separate the cable from the frame.

Step 40 | Remove the 5G mmWave antenna cable

Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna cable by prying the connector away from the antenna.

Lift the 5G mmWave antenna cable upward to separate it from the antenna.
If the conductive tape rips, remove remaining pieces with tweezers or fingers.

Be careful not to touch the exposed internal components when handling the cable and antenna.

Step 41 | Prepare the cable for reassembly

Remove conductive tape from the cable head.
The remaining component is the 5G mmWave antenna.

Step 42 | Prepare your 5G mmWave antenna for reassembly

If no replacement adhesive is available, proceed no further.

Peel replacement adhesive from its large liner.
Remove the two red liners to expose adhesive's sticky side.

Step 43

Reattach the 5G mmWave antenna cable.

Align the adhesive strip with the connector head and apply its square tab.
Securely attach the long edge of the adhesive strip to the thin, upright side of the antenna.

Step 44

Remove both blue liners from the adhesive by peeling them off.