Google Pixel 8a Vibration Motor Replacement

Ensure Pixel's battery level is below 25% to avoid potential battery fire risk.

• Remove all cables from phone.
• Completely power off phone.
• Press and hold power and volume up buttons simultaneously for shutdown menu.

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

• Firmly press a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole.
• The SIM card tray should eject from the phone.
• Remove and set aside the SIM card tray.

Do not apply excessive force near cameras or risk damaging internal components.

• Insert tools only up to 3 mm from edges unless specified otherwise.
• Avoid inserting tools under camera mounts.

Choose a corner where the back cover meets the frame.

• Insert the flat end of the opening tool, angling it so the edge points up.
• Start with a sharp corner to help break the adhesive seal.

Slide a spudger along the bottom edge to release the back cover's adhesive.

Insert an opening tool into the bottom right corner.

• Sweep it upwards along the right edge, stopping just above the camera bump.
• Withdraw the opening tool from under the back cover.

• Position the opening tool under the top right corner of the back cover.
• Slide the opening tool along the top edge to the top left corner.
• Remove the opening tool from under the back cover.

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

• Slide the opening tool down the left edge to break the adhesive seal.

• Insert an opening pick under the top left corner of the back cover.

Be cautious with your tool placement.

• The pick should be close to the top edge of the camera bump.
• You can place it more than 3 mm along the top edge if needed.
• Slide the pick to the right until you reach the right edge of the cameras.

Locate the adhesive strip beneath the camera bump.

• Insert a flat-edged tool (e.g., opening pick) under the back cover, just below the camera bump.
• Repeat on the other side by inserting another opening pick in the same location.

Be cautious not to bend the back cover.

• Pry up the back cover simultaneously using both picks, applying constant pressure.
• If the adhesive feels stubborn, rotate the back cover side-to-side for additional loosening.
• Alternatively, lightly heat the back cover below the camera bump with a hair dryer or iOpener to soften the adhesive.

Remove the back cover.

• Power on the phone to test its functionality.
• Verify that it works properly.
• Power down the phone before continuing with reassembly.

Do not seal the back cover until you have verified the phone's functionality.

• Apply new adhesive to the back cover.
• Install the back cover according to the provided instructions.

Do not apply excessive heat, risk of damaging sensitive components.

• Heat the flash unit with a hair dryer or an iOpener to soften adhesive.
• Avoid overheating, just warm it to the touch.

Be cautious when working near the battery and other components.

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

• Avoid slipping, which could damage the fragile flash cable.
• During reassembly, refer to the guide on replacing flash adhesives.

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

• The Pixel 8a uses Torx Plus screws, but standard Torx bits will work.
• To prevent stripping, apply constant downward force when driving the screw.

To avoid damaging the logic board cover, use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the following screws:

• Thirteen screws, each 4.3 mm long
• Two screws, each 1.9 mm long

Be cautious not to damage spring contacts along the phone's perimeter.

• Use your tool only as instructed.
• Insert an opening pick under the bottom right corner of the logic board cover and pry up carefully to release the clip.
• Also, insert a spudger tip into the notch near the top right corner (below the screw hole) and pry up gently to release the other clip.

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.

• When reinstalling, thread the flash unit back through its cutout as you lower the cover into place.

Disconnect any cables from the wireless charging coil.

Be careful not to damage the wireless charging coil while removing the logic board cover.

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

• Reattach by placing the upper left corner under the logic board's hook during assembly.

Verify your phone's model; this guide uses the Verizon G8HHN. If not using the 5G mmWave version, omit related steps.

• The extra cable and connector are for the 5G mmWave antenna.
• For non-mmWave models, skip any mentions of this cable or antenna.

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

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

• Be careful not to damage nearby surface mounted components or 5G mmWave connectors — only pry where instructed.

Insert the point of a spudger into the 5G mmWave antenna press connector at its bottom edge.

• Pry the spudger straight up to release the connector.

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver secured evidence the earpiece speaker from the frame with a 4.3 mm-long screw.

• Insert the Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver into the screw head.
• Turn the driver clockwise to remove the 4.3 mm-long screw.

Lift the earpiece speaker from the bottom edge.

• Remove the speaker completely.
• During reassembly, ensure the graphite film is clear of the speaker's mounting area.
• Reinsert the speaker at a downward angle and push it toward the phone's front.

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver

• From any storage place.
• Use it to unscrew the two 4.3 mm-long screws.
• These are securing the antenna housing.

Insert an opening pick under the left edge of the antenna housing and pry up gently.

• Pry up to release the clips securing the housing.
• Repeat on the top edge to release the remaining clips.

When reassembling, press firmly around the perimeter of the housing to ensure proper clip engagement.

Remove the antenna housing by lifting it.

Avoid contact with the rear camera lenses.

• Use the point of a spudger or your fingertip to pry up and disconnect the press connector just above the battery.

Slide the tip of the opening pick under the right edge of the front-facing camera cable and lift to detach it.

If the pick can't slide under the cable, lightly heat the cable with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive underneath.

Disconnect and carefully move aside the battery and 5G mmWave cables.

Only insert your tool where instructed to avoid damaging spring contacts on the edges of the logic board.

• Pry up the logic board at the top right corner, inserting the tip of a spudger under the nearby notch.
• Repeat the process to unclip the other side of the board, using the notch to the left of the cameras.

Logic board is delicate; do not bend it while freeing lower edge from frame.

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

Do not fully remove logic board yet; screen cable still connected.

• During reassembly: push logic board toward bottom of frame and press charging port down until flush.
• Prevent flash, front-facing camera, and press connector from getting trapped under frame.

Risk of damage if the logic board falls out of place.

• Hold the logic board steady with one hand, avoiding camera lenses and connectors.
• Apply a suction handle to the left side of the screen, facing down.
• Prop up the phone or use an alternative support if you don't have a suction handle.

Avoid touching thermal pads on the logic board's underside.

• Tilt the logic board down and lay it flat, guiding the graphite sheet around cables.

Do not puncture the battery.

• Hold the display bracket above the display when prying it up to prevent ejection.
• Use the tip of an angled tweezers arm to pry the top edge of the display cable bracket from the logic board's center.
• Be careful not to damage the board under the bracket's socket. Gently insert tweezers to pry up the bracket.
• Remove the bracket.

If the display cable bracket is damaged, replace it with a new one 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.

• Pry the display cable press connector up using a spudger or fingernail.
• Be careful when reconnecting as the tension can make this tricky - hold the cable in place with tweezers if needed.

Careful: cable tension may cause damage if not properly aligned and secured.

• Align the cable over the socket and press down to secure it firmly.

Remove the logic board from its mounting points in the frame.

Remove any remaining front sensor rubber gasket from the frame.

Avoid touching the front sensor with fingers or tools to prevent damage.

• During reassembly, place the gasket over the front sensor on the logic board, aligning the smaller cutout toward the top.

During reassembly:

• Inspect the thermal pads on the bottom of the logic board or the corresponding spot on the right side of the frame.
• If any thermal pad is damaged, remove it and clean the surface with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (>90%) before applying a new one.

If you're installing a new logic board without pre-installed thermal pads, apply them immediately to prevent damage.

Prying directly onto contact pads may damage them.

• Insert one tweezers arm under the vibration motor.
• Lift to separate the adhesive, ensuring the tweezers are under the motor body.

• Remove the vibration motor.
• During reassembly:
  • Use a spudger or tweezers to remove old adhesive from the frame.
  • Remove liners from new vibration motor, then press into place.
• Apply thin double-sided tape to vibration motor if no adhesive is pre-installed, then press into place.