Google Pixel 8a Front-Facing Camera Replacement

Let your Pixel's battery drain below 25% before starting, as a charged lithium-ion battery may catch fire if damaged.

• Unplug all cables from your phone.
• Completely power off your device.
• Press the power and volume up buttons simultaneously to access the shutdown menu.

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

• The tray should eject when pressed.
• Remove the SIM card tray.

To avoid damaging internal components, do not insert tools more than 3 mm from the edge.

• Avoid inserting tools under the camera bump's edges to prevent damage.

• Use the flat end of your opening tool.
• Position the tool so its edge points upwards.
• Insert the tool's edge between the back cover and frame, starting with a sharp corner.

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

• Slide the spudger along the bottom edge to loosen the adhesive.
• Continue prying until the back cover is free.

Insert the opening tool into the bottom right corner and gently pry it up along the right edge until you reach the camera bump.

• Stop at the camera bump to avoid damaging nearby components.
• Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

• Place the opening tool under the top right corner of the back cover, near the camera.
• Slide the tool along the top edge to the left, stopping just above the camera.
• Remove the tool from its position underneath the back cover.

• Insert the opening tool under the left edge of the back cover, near the camera.
• Slide the tool down to separate the adhesive along the left edge.

Insert an opening pick under the top left corner of the back cover, positioning it near the camera bump.

• The tip should be close to the top edge of the camera bump, and you can insert more than 3 mm along the top edge.
• Slide the pick rightwards until you reach the right edge of the cameras.

• Locate the adhesive securing the back cover below the camera bump.

• Be careful not to damage the camera area

• Insert a flat opening pick under the back cover, just below the camera bump.
• Repeat on the other side with another opening pick in the same spot.

Use both picks to pry up and apply constant pressure on the adhesive securing the back cover.

• Be careful not to bend the back cover during this process.
• If the adhesive feels stubborn, rotate the cover side-to-side to loosen it further.
• If the adhesive does not separate, lightly heat just below the camera bump using a hair dryer or iOpener to soften it.

Remove the back cover.

• Test your phone before sealing it up.
• Power it on and check that it works.
• Power it back down before proceeding.
• Follow the guide to apply new adhesive and install your back cover.

Do not apply excessive heat — risk of component damage.

• Use a hair dryer, iOpener, or heat gun to gently warm the flash unit.
• Heat until the adhesive is soft and pliable, but avoid overheating.

Insert a pick under the top edge of the flash and lift to detach it from the cover.

Avoid damaging the delicate flash cable, as it is prone to tearing.

• Refer to the reassembly guide for instructions on replacing the flash adhesives.

Keep track of each screw and ensure it's replaced exactly where it was removed.

• Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the 15 screws securing the logic board cover:
• 13 x 4.3 mm Torx Plus screws
• 2 x 1.9 mm Torx Plus screws

Apply constant, downward force to prevent screw stripping.

Careful not to damage spring contacts around phone's perimeter.

• Insert an opening pick under bottom right corner of logic board cover, prying up to release clip.
• Place spudger tip in notch near top right corner (below screw hole), prying up to release clip.

Slowly lift the logic board cover's top edge.

• Thread the flash unit through its cutout in the cover.

Ensure the flash unit is properly seated and secure during reassembly.

• Lower the logic board cover into place, threading the flash unit through its cutout as you do so.

Disconnect the wireless charging coil from the logic board cover.

• Release the clips holding the logic board cover in place.
• Remove the logic board cover carefully.

Remove the metal cover from the right edge using tweezers or your fingers.

• During reassembly, align the upper left corner of the cover with the hook on the logic board.
• Lay the cover into place once properly aligned.

This guide is specific to the Verizon Google Pixel 8a with 5G mmWave capability.

• Model identification: G8HHN.
• The extra 5G mmWave antenna connector is located just left of the battery connector.

• Insert the flat end of a spudger under the right edge of the battery press connector.
• Pry straight up to disconnect it.
• To reconnect:

• Only pry where instructed, to prevent damaging surface mounted components and 5G mmWave connectors.

• Align the press connector over the socket.
• Gently press down on one side until it clicks into place.
• Then press down on the other side.

Take care not to damage the antenna or surrounding components.

• Position the point of the spudger under the bottom edge of the 5G mmWave antenna press connector.
• Pry straight up to release the connection.

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screw using the corresponding driver.

• The screw is located near the earpiece speaker.
• Measure its length: it's approximately 4.3 mm long.
• Ensure it's securing the earpiece speaker to the frame before removal.

Lift the bottom edge of the earpiece speaker and remove it.

• When reinserting, ensure the graphite film is out of the way.
• Insert the speaker at a downward angle and push towards the front, allowing the gasket to seat in its cutout.

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screws using a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver.

• The screws are 4.3 mm long and secure the antenna housing.
• There are two screws to remove in total.

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

• Release any clips securing the housing.
• Repeat on the top edge.

Press firmly around the perimeter during reassembly to engage the clips securely.

Remove the antenna housing.

• Lift the antenna housing from its mounting location.
• Set aside the removed antenna housing.

During reassembly, remove any remaining front-facing camera copper tape from the logic board using tweezers.

• Press the front-facing camera into its recess with your finger.
• Expose the adhesive on the front-facing camera copper tape by removing the larger, clear liner.

• Carefully place the copper tape onto the camera so the skinny end points toward the bottom of the phone to avoid damage.

• Firmly press the adhesive into place using a spudger's flat end to secure it to the camera and logic board.
• Remove both remaining liners from the copper tape.

Do not touch the rear camera lenses.

• Pry up the press connector near the battery using a spudger or your fingernail.

Insert the opening pick tip into the gap between the camera cable and the device's edge.

• Lift the pick to detach the camera cable.
• If detachment is difficult, apply a hair dryer or heat gun to soften adhesive.

• Disconnect the battery and move it aside.
• Temporarily relocate the 5G mmWave cable

Be careful not to damage the spring contacts on the edges of the logic board.

• Insert the tip of a spudger under the notch near the top right corner and pry up to unclip the board.
• Repeat for the other side, using the notch left of the cameras.

The logic board is delicate; handle it carefully to avoid bending.

• Ensure you've removed the SIM tray.
• Lift the top edge of the logic board from the frame.
• Pull the logic board rightward, guiding the charging port out of its recess.
• During reassembly, push the logic board toward the bottom and press the charging port down until flush with its protrusion.

• Carefully avoid trapping the flash, front-facing camera, or press connector under the frame during both disassembly and reassembly.

Hold the logic board steady but avoid gripping camera lenses or connectors.

• Apply a suction handle to the left side of the screen, facing down.
• Prop up the left side of the phone with a sturdy object like a heavy box or thick book.
• Tilt the logic board down and lay it flat, guiding the graphite sheet around cables.

Avoid touching thermal pads on the underside of the logic board.

Be extremely careful not to puncture the battery during this step.

• Hold one hand above the display bracket while prying it up, as it can easily eject.
• Use the tip of your angled tweezers to pry up the top edge of the display cable bracket from the center of the logic board. Avoid damaging the board under the bracket's socket.

Only insert the tweezers just enough to pry up the bracket.

Remove the bracket.

• During reassembly, hook the bottom edge of the bracket into its slot on the logic board and press down firmly on the top to snap it back into place.

If your display cable bracket is bent or damaged, replace it with a new one.

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

Pry straight up to disconnect, being careful not to damage the connector.

• Hold the neck of the cable in place with tweezers if necessary.
• Align it over the socket before pressing down to secure it.

Remove the logic board from its mounting frame.

Never touch the front sensor to avoid damage.

• If the front sensor rubber gasket is on the frame, remove it and set it aside.
• During reassembly, align the gasket over the front sensor with smaller cutout towards top of logic board.

Inspect thermal pads on the logic board bottom or right frame side.

• If reusing logic board, inspect pads condition; damaged pads require replacement.
• To replace, remove old pad, clean area with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%), and apply new pad.

If installing new logic board, ensure thermal pads are pre-installed or installed now.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the long edge of the front-facing camera press connector.

• Pry up to disconnect it.

Flip the logic board over carefully.

• Lift the front camera gently to peel up the copper tape
• Remove the front camera.
• If your replacement front-facing camera has a lens cover, remove it.