Google Pixel 8a Loudspeaker Replacement

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

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

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

Continue pressing until the tray ejects.

• Remove the ejected SIM card tray.

Do not insert tools beyond 3mm into openings to avoid damaging phone internals.

Avoid inserting tools under camera bump edges.

Use the flat end of your opening tool.

• Angle it so the tool's sharp edge points upward.
• Insert the flat end between the back cover and frame, starting at a sharp corner to help separate the adhesive.

Insert your opening tool at the bottom edge and pry the back cover loose.

Insert an opening tool into the gap between the bottom edge of the device and a surrounding feature.

• Opening tool: move along the right-hand side, stopping at the base of the camera module.
• Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

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

• Insert the opening tool under the left edge of the back cover, just below the camera bump.
• Slide the opening tool down the left edge to separate the adhesive.

• Locate the adhesive strip above the camera bump and pry it loose.

• Careful not to damage the camera bump or surrounding components.

• Insert an opening pick under the top left corner of the back cover, aiming for the camera bump.
• The tip should be close to the top edge of the camera bump but does not need to be precise.
• Slide the pick to the right along the top edge until you reach the cameras' right edge.

Locate the final strip of adhesive at the bottom of the camera bump.

• Insert the flat edge of an opening pick under the back cover, just below the camera bump.
• On the other side, insert another opening pick in the same location.

Apply constant pressure to the back cover using both picks.

• Pry up simultaneously until the final piece of adhesive separates.

Avoid bending the back cover.

If adhesive is stubborn, rotate side-to-side for further loosening.

To soften adhesive, lightly heat with a hair dryer or iOpener near the camera bump if it doesn't separate easily.

• Remove the back cover.

• Power on your phone during reassembly and test that it works — do not proceed without verifying functionality.

• Power down your phone before continuing with reassembly.
• Apply new adhesive and install the back cover using the steps in this guide.

Avoid overheating the surrounding components — risk of thermal damage.

• Apply gentle heat from a hair dryer, an iOpener, or a heat gun to the flash unit.
• Warm the flash until it is just warm to the touch, avoiding overheating nearby components.

Slide your pick under the top edge of the flash and lift to separate the adhesive.

Be careful not to slip and damage the flash cable, as it is fragile.

• During reassembly, follow the guide for replacing the flash adhesives.

Keep track of each Torx Plus screw removed and ensure it returns to its original location.

• For the Pixel 8a, use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver, or a standard Torx bit will suffice.
• Apply constant, downward force when removing screws to prevent stripping.
• Remove the 15 screws securing the logic board cover:
  • 13 Torx Plus screws: 4.3 mm long
  • 2 Torx Plus screws: 1.9 mm long

Be very careful not to damage the spring contacts around your phone's perimeter.

• Insert an opening pick under the bottom right corner of the logic board cover and pry up to release the clip.
• Insert the tip of a spudger under the notch near the top right corner (just below the screw hole) and pry up to release the clip.

Slowly lift the logic board cover from the top edge.

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

Avoid damaging the logic board or surrounding components.

• During reassembly, thread the flash unit through its cutout as you lower the logic board cover into place.

Disconnect the wireless charging coil from the logic board cover.

• Remove the logic board cover by pulling it away from the device.

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

• For reassembly: Place the upper left corner of the cover under the logic board's hook.
• Lay the cover into place carefully after securing it to the logic board.

This guide is specific to the Verizon model (G8HHN) Google Pixel 8a.

• The Verizon model has an extra cable and connector for the 5G mmWave antenna, located just left of the battery connector.
• If you have a non-mmWave model, skip any steps referencing the antenna cable.

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

• To reconnect, align the press connector over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place.
• Then, press down on the other side. It may take a few tries to align correctly.

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

Locate the press connector at the base of the 5G mmWave antenna.

• Pry carefully with a spudger to release the connection.

• Pull the connector straight up to fully disconnect it.

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the 4.3 mm-long screw that secures the earpiece speaker to the frame.

Remove the earpiece speaker by lifting its bottom edge.

• When reinstalling, ensure the graphite film is out of the way.
• Insert the speaker at a downward angle and push it towards the front of the phone.

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

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

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

• Repeat on the top edge to release remaining clips.
• During reassembly, press firmly around the perimeter of the housing to engage its clips.

Remove antenna housing.

• Lift antenna housing.
• Take off antenna housing.

Be cautious when handling the rear camera lenses.

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

Use the tip of an opening pick to gently pry the right edge of the front-facing camera cable.

• If the pick can't get under the cable, use a hair dryer or heat gun to lightly warm the adhesive underneath.

• Move the battery and 5G mmWave cables aside.

Avoid damaging the spring contacts on the logic board edges.

• Insert a spudger into the top right corner notch and pry up the board.
• Repeat on the other side using the left of the cameras notch.

Handle the logic board delicately to avoid bending it.

• Ensure the SIM tray is removed before proceeding with the removal of the logic board.
• Lift the top edge of the logic board from its seated position in the frame.
• Pull the logic board towards the right, guiding the charging port out of its recess as you do so.

Do not fully remove the logic board yet, as it remains connected by the screen cable.

• During reassembly, push the logic board towards the bottom of the frame and press the charging port down.
• Maintain clearance to prevent the flash, front-facing camera, or press connector from becoming trapped under the frame.

Hold the logic board steady but avoid camera lenses and connectors.

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

Be careful not to touch the thermal pads on the underside of the logic board.

• If using a suction handle, tilt the logic board down and lay it flat.
• Gently guide the delicate graphite sheet around the cables.
• Alternative: Prop up your phone against a sturdy object, such as a heavy box or thick book.

Puncturing the battery can cause injury or damage.

• Hold the display bracket above the screen with one hand while prying it up.
• Use angled tweezers to carefully pry up the top edge of the display cable bracket from the logic board.

Be cautious not to damage the board under the bracket's socket.

• Insert the tweezers just enough to pry up the bracket, then remove it completely.
• During reassembly, hook the bottom edge of the bracket into its slot and press down firmly to snap it back into place.

If the 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 the connector.
• The cable may be tricky to reconnect; if necessary, hold it in place with tweezers and align over the socket before pressing down to secure.

Disconnect the logic board connectors.

• Lift the logic board out of its mounting points.
• Set the logic board aside, taking care not to damage it.

Touching the sensor with your fingers or tool can cause damage.

• Remove the front sensor rubber gasket if it is still on the frame or misaligned.
• Store the gasket aside for reassembly.
• Place the gasket over the front sensor with the smaller cutout toward the top during reassembly.

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

• If reusing the logic board and a thermal pad is damaged, remove it and clean with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%).
• Apply a new thermal pad to the cleaned surface.
• If installing a new logic board without pre-installed thermal pads, apply them now.

Do not pry against the battery during this step.

opening pick in the gap between the top edge of the loudspeaker and the metal protrusion on the frame.
• Making sure your tool is between the metal protrusion and the loudspeaker, not against the battery.
• Pry the loudspeaker up to separate it from the frame.

• Remove the loudspeaker.
• During reassembly, press the loudspeaker firmly back into its recess until it clicks.