Google Pixel 9a Rear Cover Replacement - Google Pixel 9a

Step 1 | Safety precautions

Ensure the battery is at least 25% drained to prevent potential fires from a damaged lithium-ion cell.

Completely power down your phone by pressing and holding the power button until it shuts off.
Disconnect all cables from your Pixel device.

Step 2 | Heat the rear cover

Avoid applying excessive heat that may cause damage to the rear cover, screen, or battery.

Heat the entire rear cover with a hair dryer until it is just warm to the touch.
The adhesive will soften making it easier to separate the rear cover from the frame.

Step 3 | Apply a suction handle

Position the suction handle against the right edge of the rear cover, about 1-2 cm from the edge.

Step 4 | Insert an opening pick

Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a gap between the cover and frame.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap that forms.

Step 5 | Adhesive information

Use the provided reference image to guide the removal of the rear cover's adhesive.

Separate the left edge adhesive by carefully prying it with a pick, being cautious not to insert further than 3 mm to avoid damaging the wireless charging coil and its graphite film.
Repeat the process for the right edge adhesive, taking care to avoid any damage.

Step 6 | Separate the rear cover adhesive

Apply additional heat if the adhesive is stubborn.

Insert the opening pick into the right edge of the device.
Work the pick around the top right corner and along the top edge to loosen the adhesive securing the rear cover.

Step 7

Insert an opening pick into the initial gap at the right edge of the rear cover.

Slide the opening pick down the right edge, along the bottom edge, and up the left edge to separate the adhesive.

Step 8 | Separate the camera bezel adhesive

Insert the opening pick at the top of the rear cover's left edge, near the camera bezel.

Apply constant pressure with the flat edge of the pick and gently twist it to separate the adhesive around the camera bezel.

Step 9 | Remove the rear cover

Remove the rear cover.

If you encounter resistance, go back around the edge of the cover and use a pick to carefully separate any remaining adhesive.

Step 10 | Remove the camera bezel

Risk of damage to cameras if not careful.

Slide an opening pick under the camera bezel, inserting it only a few millimeters deep.
Pry up gently to remove the camera bezel.
If stuck, lightly heat the camera bezel before reattempting removal.

Step 11 | Disassembly complete

Reassembly instructions follow.

Step 12 | Remove the old adhesive

Be extremely cautious not to smudge the rear cameras.

Wipe smudges with a clean cloth if they occur.
Remove adhesive using a spudger.
Clean area with high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and lint-free cloth (or coffee filter).

Step 13 | Apply the adhesive

Remove the larger clear liner from the inner housing adhesive.

Use cutouts for small silver pads to aid in lining up the adhesive.
Hold the adhesive in place with fingers, and use a spudger's flat end to firmly secure each piece.

Take extra care when securing adhesive near rear cameras, as it can be tricky.

Slowly remove the colored liner using the top edge pull tab.

If adhesive starts to lift with liner, gently lay it back in place and use spudger for added security.

Step 14 | Secure the adhesive

Press each inner housing adhesive firmly with a spudger.

Ensure firm contact to secure each piece.
These adhesives may lift easily when removing liners, so double-check placement.

Step 15 | Remove the old rear cover adhesive

Be extremely cautious when removing the rear cover adhesive to avoid damaging the battery or fragile components.

Use a spudger and tweezers to carefully scrape off old adhesive from the phone's perimeter.
If you can grip a large piece, slowly pull it away in the opposite direction of the adhesive, using long straight motions.

Step 16 | Clean the frame

Use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) on a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to wipe down the areas around the frame where adhesive was present.

Step 17 | Find the adhesive orientation

Verify the rear cover adhesive's position on the frame before application.

Hold the adhesive above the frame to ensure correct orientation.
Use the camera cutout in the liner for visual reference.

Step 18 | Peel the liner halfway down

Peel down the top half of the large, clear liner, exposing the adhesive.

Do not fully remove the liner at this stage.

Step 19 | Apply the adhesive

Take your time when aligning the adhesive to the frame as it's very sticky and can't be moved once applied.

Lay the exposed top edge of the adhesive onto the frame with the clear liner folded towards the bottom of the phone.
Use the lip of the frame to help align the adhesive.
Gently press down on the top corners with your fingers once aligned to secure the adhesive in place.

Step 20

Slowly apply remaining adhesive to the frame, pressing firmly while removing the large liner.

Step 21 | Remove the top liner

Remove the large, colored liner by pulling it out with the pull tab.

Step 22 | Secure the adhesive

Press down firmly on the adhesive around the perimeter with a spudger.

Be careful not to apply too much pressure, which may damage the phone or the spudger.

Step 23 | Remove all the rear cover liners

Remove any remaining plastic liners from the bottom of the rear cover

Check carefully for camera bezel and flash unit cutout; they should not be obstructed.

Step 24 | Remove the remaining liners

Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully lift and remove the plastic liners from the adhesive around the rear cameras.

If the liner starts to come loose with the adhesive, gently lay it back in place and use your spudger to secure it again.

Step 25

Remove the final liner from the rear cover adhesive using the pull tabs.

Step 26 | Install the rear cover

Place the rear cover onto the frame and firmly push it down.

Step 27

Press firmly along the rear cover's edges, especially near the camera bezel, to secure the adhesives.