Google Pixel 8a Logic Board Replacement - Google Pixel 8a

Step 1 | Prepare your Pixel for disassembly

Allow the Pixel's battery to drain below 25% before commencing this repair.

A charged lithium-ion battery may catch fire if damaged during disassembly.

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

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Locate the SIM card tray hole on the left edge of your phone.

Firmly press a SIM eject tool, bobby pin, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole until it ejects.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Adhesive information

Do not damage your phone's internals by inserting tools too far.

Unless stated otherwise, keep tool insertion to 3 mm or less around edges.
Avoid inserting tools under the camera bump's edges.

Step 4 | Insert an opening tool

Choose the opening tool with the flat end.

Position the flat end at a sharp corner, angling it so the edge points upwards.
Insert the edge of the opening tool between the back cover and frame.

Step 5 | Separate the perimeter adhesive

Use a spreading tool to pry the back cover loose from its adhesive along the bottom edge.

Step 6

Insert an opening tool into the bottom right corner.

Guide it up along the right edge to the camera bump.
Stop at the edge of the camera bump and then remove the tool.

Step 7

Insert the opening tool under the top right corner of the back cover.

Slide the opening tool along the top edge, stopping at the top left corner.
Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

Step 8

Insert the opening tool under the left edge of the back cover.

Position it just below the camera bump.
Slide the tool down the left edge to separate the adhesive.

Step 9 | Separate the camera bump adhesive

Locate a strip of adhesive above the camera bump.

Insert an opening pick under the top left corner of the back cover.
Position the pick so that its tip is close to the top edge of the camera bump.
The opening pick can be inserted more than 3 mm along the top edge.
Slide the pick to the right until it reaches the right edge of the cameras.

Step 10

Securely remove the adhesive strip below the camera bump.

Insert a flat-edged opening pick under the back cover, just below the camera bump.
Repeat on the other side by inserting another opening pick in the same spot.

Step 11

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

Avoid bending the back cover during this process.
If the adhesive is stubborn, rotate the cover side-to-side to loosen it further.

If still stuck, lightly heat the area below the camera bump with a hair dryer or iOpener to soften the adhesive before proceeding.

Step 12 | Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.

Test your phone: power it on, verify functionality, then power it back down.
Apply new adhesive and reinstall the back cover following the provided guide.

Step 13 | Separate the flash unit

Use a hair dryer, iOpener, or heat gun to gently warm the flash unit.

Heat only until it's warm to the touch, as excessive heat can damage surrounding components and battery.

Step 14

Position a pick at the top edge of the flash and gently lift.

Take care not to damage the delicate flash cable.

For reassembly, refer to the guide on replacing the flash adhesives.

Step 15 | Unclip the logic board cover

Keep track of each screw and its location for proper reassembly.

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

Thirteen 4.3 mm Torx Plus screws
Two 1.9 mm Torx Plus screws

Apply constant, downward force to prevent screw stripping.

Step 16

Be extremely cautious when handling spring contacts around your phone's perimeter — damage can occur easily.

Insert a tool only where indicated, as damaging spring contacts is a risk.

Position an opening pick under the bottom right corner of the logic board cover and gently pry up to release the clip.
Place the tip of a spudger in the notch near the top right corner (just below the screw hole) and carefully pry up to release the other clip.

Step 17

Slowly lift the top edge of the logic board cover to access the flash unit's cutout.

flash unit through its designated cutout on the logic board cover.

During reassembly, thread the flash unit back through its cutout as you lower the logic board cover

Step 18 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Disconnect the wireless charging coil from the logic board cover.

Ensure the wireless charging coil is secure and safely disconnected to avoid damage or short circuits.

Step 19 | Disconnect the battery

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

During reassembly, position the upper left corner of the cover under the logic board hook.
Lay the cover into place once aligned.

Step 20

This guide is specific to the Verizon Google Pixel 8a model.

Identify the extra cable and connector for the 5G mmWave antenna (near the battery connector).
Ignore steps referring to this antenna cable if your device does not support 5G mmWave.

Step 21

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the right edge of the battery press connector and lift straight up to disconnect it.

To reconnect the battery press connector, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side.

Only pry where instructed to prevent damaging surface mounted components around the battery and 5G mmWave connectors.

Step 22 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Use a spudger to gently lift the 5G mmWave antenna press connector from its socket.

Position the spudger at the bottom edge of the connector.
Pry straight up to release the connection.

Step 23 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver and use it to unscrew the 4.3 mm-long screw that secures the earpiece speaker.
The screw is located where the earpiece speaker meets the frame.

Step 24

Remove the earpiece speaker by lifting its bottom edge.

When reinserting, ensure the graphite film is clear of interference.
Insert the speaker at a downward angle and push it forward, guiding the gasket into its cutout in the phone frame.

Step 25 | Remove the antenna housing

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

The screws are 4.3 mm long and secure the antenna housing.

Step 26

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

Continue on top edge to release all clips.

Firmly press around perimeter during reassembly to engage clips securely.

Step 27

Remove antenna housing.

Lift the antenna housing
Take out of device

Step 28 | Reassembly information

During reassembly:

If any rear camera conductive tape is still on the logic board, use tweezers to remove it.
Conductive Tape: Remove from plastic backing using hands or a tool.
Carefully place the conductive tape so it connects the metal tab on the bottom right corner of the camera housing to the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to firmly press the adhesive into place, securing it to the camera and logic board. Remove remaining liner.

Step 29 | Reassembly information

Remove any front-facing camera copper tape still on the logic board using tweezers.

Press the front-facing camera into its recess with your finger.
Expose the adhesive by removing the larger, clear liner from the copper tape.
Position the copper tape on the camera so the skinny end faces the bottom of the phone.

Use a spudger to firmly press the adhesive into place, securing it to the camera and logic board.

Remove both remaining liners from the copper tape.

Step 30 | Disconnect the logic board

Careful not to touch the rear camera lenses.

Pry up the press connector using a spudger point or your fingernail.
Disconnect the press connector just above the battery.

Step 31

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

If the pick cannot slide in, lightly heat the cable with a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen adhesive.

Step 32

Move the battery and 5G mmWave cables aside.

Step 33

Be extremely cautious 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 gently pry up to unclip.
Repeat on the other side, using the notch to the left of the cameras.

Step 34

The logic board is delicate — risk of damage from bending.

Ensure the SIM tray has been removed before proceeding.
Lift the top edge of the logic board from the frame.
Pull the logic board to the right, guiding the charging port out of its recess in the frame.

Do not fully remove the logic board yet — it's still connected by the screen cable.

During reassembly, push the logic board toward the bottom of the frame and press the charging port down.
Verify the flash, front-facing camera, and press connector are secure and not trapped under the frame.

Step 35 | Prop up your phone

Be cautious when handling the logic board, as it may fall out of place.

Hold the logic board steady with one hand.
Avoid touching camera lenses or connectors on the board.

Apply a suction handle to the left side of the screen, facing down:

For extra stability, prop up the phone using a heavy object or thick book.
Alternatively, use a suction handle for better control.

Tilt and lay the logic board flat carefully:

Guide the delicate graphite sheet around cables while tilting down.
Avoid touching thermal pads on the underside of the logic board.

Step 36

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

Hold one hand above the display bracket when prying it up to prevent ejection.

Pry up the top edge of the display cable bracket from the logic board using the angled tweezers' tip, being extremely careful not to damage the board under the bracket's socket.

Only pry with gentle pressure and remove the bracket when it is loose.

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

If your display cable bracket is bent or doesn't fit properly, replace it with a new one.

Step 37

Use a spudger or clean fingernail to pry up the display cable press connector.

Be cautious, as reconnecting this cable can be difficult due to its tension.

Hold the neck of the cable with tweezers and align it over the socket if needed.
Press down firmly to secure the connector in place.

Step 38 | Remove the logic board

Disconnect the logic board retaining screws.

Slide the logic board towards you.
Gently lift it out of its mounting bracket.

Step 39 | Check the front sensor gasket

Finger oils can damage the front sensor — handle with care.

Remove and set aside any remaining front sensor rubber gasket.
Place the gasket over the front sensor on the logic board, aligning small cutout with top edge.

Step 40 | Check the thermal pads

Check the condition of the thermal pads on the bottom of the logic board or corresponding spot on the right side of the frame.

If old thermal pads are damaged, remove them and clean with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%), then apply new ones.
If your new logic board doesn't come with thermal pads, install them now.

Step 41 | Remove the front-facing camera

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

Step 42

Flip the logic board over carefully.

Lift the front camera gently to peel up the copper tape.
Remove the front-facing camera.

Step 43 | Remove the rear cameras

Flip the logic board over carefully.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under one of the rear camera press connectors, then pry up to disconnect it.
Repeat this process for the other rear camera connector.

Step 44

Flip the logic board carefully, ensuring it is upside down.
Using tweezers, gently peel up and remove the small piece of conductive tape from the right edge of the rear camera housing.

Step 45

Remove the rear cameras by lifting them out of their mounts.

Step 46

The logic board remains.