Google Pixel 8a Rear Cameras (Wide and Ultra-Wide) Replacement - Google Pixel 8a

Step 1 | Prepare your Pixel for disassembly

Ensure Pixel's battery level is below 25% before proceeding, as a charged lithium-ion battery may catch fire if damaged.

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

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

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

The SIM card tray should now eject from the left edge of your phone.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Adhesive information

Inserting a tool too deeply can damage internal components.

Use tools with care, not inserting more than 3 mm beyond the edge of any opening section.
Avoid placing tools under the camera bump edges to prevent damaging surrounding components.

Step 4 | Insert an opening tool

Choose the correct side of the opening tool, featuring either the flat or curved end.

For opening, use the flat end of the tool and position it so that its edge is angled upwards, pointing towards you.
Insert the sharp edge of the opening tool between the back cover and frame at a corner, taking care to separate the adhesive.

Step 5 | Separate the perimeter adhesive

Use the opening tool to pry along the bottom edge and release the adhesive holding the back cover.

Step 6

Use your opening tool to pry along the bottom right corner, then up the right edge.
Stop prying at the bottom of the camera bump.
Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

Step 7

Insert opening tool under top right corner of back cover, above camera bump.

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

Step 8

Position the opening tool near the camera bump on the left edge.
Slowly slide the tool down this edge to break the adhesive seal.

Step 9 | Separate the camera bump adhesive

Careful not to damage the camera lenses.

Insert an opening pick under the top left corner of the back cover until the tip is near the camera bump.
Slide the pick along the top edge, stopping at the right edge of the cameras. Note: insertion depth can be up to 3mm or more.

Step 10

Locate the strip of adhesive below the camera bump.

Insert the flat edge of an opening pick just below the camera bump.
Repeat the process on the opposite side, using a second opening pick in the same location.

Step 11

Avoid bending the back cover.

Use both picks to pry up the back cover with constant pressure.
If the adhesive is stubborn, rotate the cover side-to-side for further loosening.
To separate the adhesive completely, apply gentle heat just below the camera bump using a hair dryer or iOpener.

Step 12 | Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.

Test your phone by powering it on.
Check that it works, then power it down before reassembly continues.
Reapply new adhesive and install the back cover using the guide.

Step 13 | Separate the flash unit

Apply heat from a hair dryer to soften the adhesive on the flash unit.

Alternatively, use an iOpener or heat gun to warm the flash.

Only heat the flash until it's warm to the touch — avoid overheating nearby components.

Step 14

Insert a pick under the top edge of the flash and lift carefully.

Avoid applying too much pressure to prevent damaging the flash cable.
Refer to the reassembly guide for instructions on replacing the flash adhesives.

Step 15 | Unclip the logic board cover

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

Apply constant, downward force when turning with a Torx bit to prevent screw stripping.
Remove the logic board cover using a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver.

Standard Torx bits may be used, but a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver is recommended for these screws.

Remove thirteen screws, 4.3 mm in length.
Remove two additional screws, 1.9 mm in length.

Step 16

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

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

Step 17

Slowly lift the logic board cover from the top edge.

Thread the flash unit through its designated cutout.

Ensure proper alignment to avoid damaging the logic board or surrounding components.

During reassembly, lower the cover into place and thread the flash unit through its cutout.

Step 18 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Disconnect the wireless charging coil from the logic board cover.

Be careful not to damage the wireless charging coil during removal.

Step 19 | Disconnect the battery

Remove the metal cover at the right edge using a pair of tweezers or your fingers.

During reassembly, position the upper left corner of the cover under the hook on the logic board.
Lay the cover into place with the corner secured by the hook.

Step 20

This guide was created with the Verizon model (G8HHN) Google Pixel 8a in mind.

Check if your device has an extra cable and connector for the 5G mmWave antenna.
If you have a non-mmWave model, skip any steps referring to this antenna cable.

Step 21

Use a spudger to disconnect the battery press connector: Insert its flat end under the right edge and pry straight up.

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

Only pry where instructed to avoid damaging nearby components.

Step 22 | Disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna

Position the spudger at the base of the 5G mmWave antenna press connector and gently lift upwards to release.

Step 23 | Remove the earpiece speaker

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screw that secures the earpiece speaker using a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver.

The screw is 4.3 mm long.
It is located on the frame, securing the earpiece speaker in place.

Step 24

Remove the earpiece speaker by lifting its bottom edge.

Reinsert the speaker, ensuring the graphite film is out of the way.
Insert the speaker at a downward angle and push it forward, aligning the gasket with its cutout in the frame.

Step 25 | Remove the antenna housing

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the two screws, each 4.3 mm long, that secure the antenna housing.

Step 26

Insert an opening pick under the left edge of the antenna housing and pry up.
Continue on the top edge to release all clips.

Press firmly around the perimeter when reassembling to engage the clips securely.

Step 27

Remove the antenna housing.

Lift off the antenna housing.

Step 28 | Reassembly information

Remove any remaining rear camera conductive tape from the logic board using tweezers.

Take the replacement conductive tape off its plastic backing.
Attach it to the logic board, securing the metal tab on the camera housing.

Use a spudger with the flat end to press firmly and secure the tape in place.

Remove the protective liner from the conductive tape.

Step 29 | Disconnect the logic board

Avoid touching the rear camera lenses.

Pry up and disconnect the press connector above the battery using a spudger or your fingernail.

Step 30

Use an opening pick to carefully pry the front-facing camera cable from its right edge.

If necessary, gently warm the cable with a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen any adhesive holding it in place.

Step 31

Remove the battery and gently relocate any nearby 5G mmWave cables.

Step 32

Careful not to damage spring contacts on the logic board edges.

Insert spudger tip under top right corner notch and pry up to unclip the board.
Repeat process for other side, prying up near the cameras' left-hand notch.

Step 33

The logic board is delicate; avoid bending it.

Ensure the SIM tray is removed before proceeding.
Lift the top edge of the logic board from the frame.
Pull the logic board to the right, allowing cutouts to clear vibration motor and protrusions.
Guide the charging port out of its recess as you pull.

The logic board is still connected; do not fully remove it yet.

Reassembly: push the logic board down, pressing the charging port until flush with frame protrusion.
Ensure the flash, front-facing camera, and press connector are clear of the frame during reassembly.

Step 34 | Prop up your phone

Hold the logic board steady to prevent it from falling.

Avoid touching the camera lenses or connectors.
Apply a suction handle to the left side of the screen, facing down.
Prop up the phone with the left side standing upright.

If you don't have a suction handle, prop against a sturdy object like a heavy box or thick book.

Guide the graphite sheet around cables by tilting the logic board down and laying it flat.

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

Step 35

Be careful not to puncture the battery during this step.

Hold the display bracket steady with one hand when prying it up, as it can easily eject.
Use the tweezers' tip to pry up the top edge of the display cable bracket from the logic board's center.

Only insert tweezers enough to lift the bracket and avoid damaging the logic board.

Remove the bracket carefully.

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

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

Step 36

Be careful when handling the display cable — risk of damage.

Insert the flat end of a spudger or clean fingernail under the top edge of the display cable press connector and pry straight up to disconnect it.
To reconnect, hold the neck of the cable in place with tweezers and align it over the socket before pressing down firmly.

Step 37 | Remove the logic board

Disconnect the logic board connectors and remove the logic board from the frame.

Step 38 | Check the front sensor gasket

Remove the front sensor rubber gasket if it's still attached to the frame.

Set the removed gasket aside for reassembly.
Place the gasket over the front sensor on the logic board during reassembly, with the smaller cutout facing up.

Avoid touching the sensor with your fingers or tool to prevent damage.

Step 39 | Check the thermal pads

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

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

Step 40 | Remove the rear cameras

Locate a rear camera press connector on the device.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the connector, starting from one long edge.

Be cautious not to damage the connector or surrounding components.

Repeat the process for the other rear camera press connector.

Step 41

Flip the logic board over with care.
Use tweezers to peel off the small piece of conductive tape from the right edge of the rear camera housing.

Step 42

Remove the rear camera assembly from its mounting points.

Lift the camera upwards to disengage it from the phone body.
Once lifted, pull the camera away from the phone to remove it completely.

Step 43

Transfer both rear cameras from old to new housing.

Pull both rear cameras out using your fingers.

Step 44 | Reassembly information

For dual-camera replacement, proceed to next step.
Otherwise, use tweezers to clear remaining adhesive.

Step 45

Remove any lens covers from the new rear cameras.

Step 46

Remove the liners from the replacement rear camera housing.
Firmly press the rear cameras into the housing, ensuring the cables are aligned with the metal tab and the adhesive secures them in place.