Google Pixel 9a Vibration Motor Replacement - Google Pixel 9a

Step 1 | Safety precautions

Discharge the Pixel's battery to below 25% before starting this repair.

Remove all external cables from the device.
Completely power down the phone by pressing and holding the power button until it turns off.

Step 2 | Remove the SIM card tray

Press the SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole on the bottom edge until the tray ejects.

Do not confuse the small mic hole next to the SIM tray.

Remove the SIM card tray.

Step 3 | Heat the rear cover

Do not apply extreme heat to your phone — risk of damage.

Use a hair dryer to heat the entire rear cover until it is just warm to the touch.

Apply gentle heat only, as excessive heat can cause damage to the screen or battery.

Step 4 | Apply a suction handle

Position a suction handle approximately in the middle of the rear cover's right edge, ideally as close to the edge as feasible.

Step 5 | Insert an opening pick

Apply firm, consistent pressure to the suction handle until space appears between the cover and frame.

Position the opening pick tip within this gap.

Step 6 | Adhesive information

Avoid damaging the wireless charging coil and its graphite film.

Reference this picture when removing the rear cover.
When separating edge adhesives, keep the pick at a depth of no more than 3 mm to avoid damage.

Step 7 | Separate the rear cover adhesive

Apply additional heat if necessary before reattempting separation.

Insert the opening pick at the right edge, guiding it up the side and around the top right corner.
Continue sliding the opening pick along the top edge to release the adhesive securing the rear cover.

Step 8

Insert an opening pick into the initial gap near the center of the right edge.
Slide the pick down the right edge, then continue to the bottom edge.
Finally, slide the pick up the left edge to separate the adhesive.

Step 9 | Separate the camera bezel adhesive

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

Twist the pick and apply constant pressure to loosen the adhesive around the camera bezel.

Step 10 | Remove the rear cover

Remove the rear cover.

If encountering resistance, re-approach the perimeter using a pick tool to carefully break free any stubborn adhesive.

Step 11 | Remove the camera bezel

Risk of damage to cameras if not handled carefully.

Insert an opening pick only 2-3 mm under the camera bezel.
Pry up gently with the opening pick to remove the camera bezel.
If stuck, lightly heat the bezel to aid removal.

Step 12 | Remove the wireless charging assembly screws

Remove the 16 Torx Plus 3IP screws: 13 x 5.0 mm and 3 x 2.2 mm.

Keep track of each screw for reassembly.

Avoid damaging your phone by reinstalling screws in their original positions.

Step 13 | Unclip the wireless charging assembly

Locate the wireless charging assembly and use the tip of a spudger to pry it loose from the two cutouts.

Pry up on the right cutout, adjacent to the charge port.
Pry up on the left cutout, below the camera.

Step 14 | Remove the wireless charging assembly

Disconnect and remove the wireless charging assembly.

Step 15 | Remove the connector cover screw

Do not risk damaging the battery with improper tool use.

Remove the screw securing the battery connector cover using a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver.

Use a precision driver to avoid cross-threading and damaging the screw.

Step 16 | Remove the battery connector cover

Remove the battery connector cover using tweezers.

Step 17 | Disconnect the battery

Use a spudger to pry up the battery cable press connector and disconnect it.

Step 18 | Remove the logic board screws

Remove the two 2.8 mm-long screws securing the logic board with a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver.

Step 19 | Lift the logic board

Careful not to smudge the cameras when handling the logic board.

Double-check that the SIM card tray has been removed.
Insert a spudger under the screw hole near the cameras, and lift until you can grip it with your fingers.

Step 20 | Free the bottom edge of the logic board

Disconnect the screen cable from the logic board.

Lift the logic board by gripping the skinny section, near the battery clip.
Pull the top edge of the board to the right until the charge port slides out.

Step 21 | Lay the logic board down

Hold the logic board steady with one hand.

Do not touch camera lenses or connectors.

Use a suction handle to prop up the screen.
Lay the logic board down flat on your work surface, taking care with the screen cable.

Step 22 | Remove the logic board connector cover

Remove the Torx Plus 3IP screw using the correct tool.

The screw is located near the screen cable cover, holding it in place.
The screw has a length of 1.7 mm.

Step 23 | Remove the connector cover

Use tweezers to carefully lift and remove the screen cable cover.

Step 24 | Disconnect the logic board

Hold the spudger firmly and use its flat end to carefully pry up and release the screen cable press connector.

Step 25 | Remove the logic board

Remove the logic board by sliding it away from the frame.

Step 26 | Lay your phone down

Disconnect the suction handle from the screen.

Lay the device face-down on a stable surface.

Step 27 | Apply isopropyl alcohol

Apply 1-2 drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to the left edge of the vibration motor.

Lift the phone's left side and position it to access the vibration motor.
Wait one minute for the adhesive to soften after applying the isopropyl alcohol.

Step 28 | Remove the vibration motor

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the vibration motor's right edge.
Pry upwards to remove the vibration motor.

Step 29 | Disassembly complete

Reassembly of your phone begins now.

First, locate all previously removed parts and ensure they are clean and free from damage.

Step 30 | Remove the old vibration motor adhesive

Use a spudger with its flat end and a pair of tweezers to carefully scrape away the old vibration motor adhesive from the frame.

Step 31 | Apply new adhesive

Remove the larger, clear liner from the vibration motor adhesive.

Align the adhesive on the bottom of the vibration motor and press it into place with a spudger's flat end.
Remove the remaining liner to expose the adhesive.

Step 32 | Install the vibration motor

Align the vibration motor in its recess, ensuring the contact pads face upwards.

Apply firm pressure onto the vibration motor to secure it using the adhesive.

Step 33 | Check the thermal pads

Check the condition of the logic board thermal pads, located on the bottom of the board or adhered to the frame.

If the pads are damaged (ripped, torn, etc.), proceed with the next steps to replace them.
If the pads appear undamaged, skip ahead five steps and continue.

Step 34 | Remove the thermal pads

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully scrape off the damaged thermal pads.

Step 35

Clean the area where thermal pads were with high-concentration ( > 90% ) isopropyl alcohol using a coffee filter.

Step 36 | Apply the thermal pads

Handle thermal pads with care: they are easily misaligned.

Remove textured liner from smaller thermal pad.
Place pad onto board carefully, referencing provided photo for alignment.
Press down lightly on entire surface using flat end of spudger or finger.

Step 37

Remove any remaining thermal pad liners from the top.

Lift slowly; if liners start to lift pads, set pads back down and re-press liners.

Step 38

Locate the thermal pad and position it in accordance with the provided reference photo.

Apply the pad over the heat sink, using gentle pressure.
Align the pad as illustrated, ensuring secure contact between the pad and heat sink surfaces.

Step 39 | Slide the logic board into place

Ensure the phone is securely held by the suction handle.

Moving the logic board, position it against the frame to align the screen cable with its connector.

Step 40 | Connect the screen cable

Press the screen cable press connector onto its socket.

Apply gentle pressure to one side using your fingertip.
Repeat for the other side until it clicks securely in place.

Step 41 | Install the screen cable cover

Hook the tweezers under the bottom edge of the screen cable cover.

Lift and guide the cover into place.
Lay the cover down flat.

Step 42

Install the 1.7 mm-long screw using a Torx Plus screwdriver.

The tool required is specifically designed for this task.

Step 43 | Flip up the logic board

Handle the logic board with care to avoid smudging the cameras.

Flip-up tool or a similar device can be used to gently flip the logic board up into its recess.
Lay your phone screen-side down on a clean surface after removing the suction cup.

Step 44 | Put the logic board into place

Ensure the battery cable doesn't get trapped beneath the logic board.

Gently bend the battery cable aside if necessary.
Insert the logic board, pressing it toward the bottom of the frame.
Press down on the charging port until it snaps into place.
Apply pressure to the center of the logic board's bottom edge.

Step 45

Locate the logic board's recess and gently push the top edge downwards.

Verify that the cameras are aligned properly, ensuring a flat installation.

Step 46 | Install the logic board screws

Install the 2.8 mm-long screws using a Torx Plus screwdriver.

Lay the logic board flat and ensure there is nothing underneath.
Tighten the screws securely in this position.

Step 47 | Remove the old adhesive

Remove the adhesive strips surrounding the rear cameras using a spudger.

Isopropyl alcohol can be hazardous if inhaled or ingested — use in a well-ventilated area.

Dampen a lint-free cloth with high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol.
Gently wipe away any remaining residue from the adhesive strips.
If necessary, use a coffee filter to absorb excess liquid and prevent damage.

Step 48 | Apply the adhesive

Remove the larger, clear liner from the inner housing adhesive.

Lay it in place around the camera holes.
Use cutouts for small silver pads to help align the adhesive.

Secure each piece of adhesive using the flat end of a spudger, pushing down firmly.

Remove the colored liner by pulling on the tab at the top edge.

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

Step 49 | Secure the adhesive

Press firmly with a spudger on each of the six inner housing adhesives.

Make sure these are securely attached as they can be easily dislodged later.

Step 50 | Connect the battery press connector

Do not force the connector — risk of damage.

Align the battery press connector over its socket with your finger.
Press down to connect, repositioning if necessary and trying again as needed.

Step 51 | Install the battery connector cover

Use tweezers to secure the left edge of the battery connector cover.
Lay the cover down flat.

Step 52

Install the 1.7mm screw using a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver.

Step 53 | Install the wireless charging assembly

Align the wireless charging assembly with the designated mounting points on the frame.

Gently press the assembly into place, ensuring secure attachment.

Step 54

Press the wireless charging assembly firmly with your fingers around its perimeter to re-engage all clips.

Step 55 | Install the wireless charging assembly screws

Apply Torx Plus 3IP to the wireless charging assembly.

Screw thirteen 5.0 mm long Torx screws in place.
Screw three 2.2 mm long Torx screws in place.

Step 56 | Remove the old rear cover adhesive

Take your time during this step as damage to the battery or surrounding components can occur if not careful.

Use a spudger to scrape off old rear cover adhesive from the phone's perimeter.
Utilize tweezers to remove any remaining adhesive pieces, carefully pulling straight and slowly in the opposite direction.

Step 57 | Clean the frame

Clean the areas with a lint-free cloth or coffee filter using high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol.

Step 58 | Find the adhesive orientation

Verify the rear cover adhesive's orientation by holding it over the frame and referencing the camera cutout in the liner.

Use this step to ensure correct placement, as misapplication requires reapplying with new adhesive.

Step 59 | Peel the liner halfway down

Expose half of the clear liner by peeling it downwards.

Do not completely remove the liner at this stage.

Step 60 | Apply the adhesive

Take your time when placing the adhesive onto the . It's very sticky and won't move once applied.

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

Step 61

Apply remaining adhesive to the , pressing firmly in place.

Pull off large backing liner as adhesive is applied.

Step 62 | Remove the top liner

Remove the large, colored liner using the .

Step 63 | Secure the adhesive

Press down firmly on the adhesive around the phone's perimeter using a spudger.

Step 64 | Remove the old camera bezel adhesive

If the rear cover came off with the camera bezel, reattach them now.

Scrape away any remaining adhesive from the camera bezel and its matching spot on the rear cover using a spudger.

Step 65 | Remove the adhesive residue

Use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) with a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to clean and remove adhesive residue from camera bezel and rear cover.

Step 66 | Apply the adhesive

Remove the large clear liner from the camera bezel adhesive.

Apply a small amount of adhesive to the top of the camera bezel, spreading it evenly.
Place the camera bezel in its original position and make sure it is secure.

Step 67

Secure the camera bezel with a spudger, pressing firmly along its edges.

Press the spudger around the perimeter of the camera bezel.
Remove the colored liner from the camera bezel adhesive, taking care to leave the second layer intact.

Step 68 | Install the camera bezel

Position the camera bezel so the square foam is near the edge.
Press the camera bezel into place using your fingers and squeeze firmly around the edges for a secure fit.

Step 69 | Remove the old rear cover adhesive

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape off old adhesive from the back cover.

Target the five small, oval-shaped adhesive pieces.
If some adhesives have stuck to the phone frame, use the spudger to gently dislodge them as well.

Step 70

Use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%) with a lint-free cloth or coffee filter to clean up and remove adhesive residues.

Step 71 | Apply the adhesive

Remove the clear liner from the back cover's inner adhesive.

Lay the adhesive onto the back cover's bottom, ensuring the cutout surrounds the camera bezel.

Step 72 | Secure the adhesive

Use a spudger or your fingers to firmly press the five small adhesives onto the back cover.

Peel up the remaining liner slowly.
If adhesives lift with liner, re-press them firmly using a spudger.

Step 73 | Remove the remaining liners

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

If the adhesive starts to pull up with the liner, immediately lay it back in place and use your spudger to secure it again.

Lift the liner at a shallow angle using the spudger's pointed tip.
Continue lifting until the liner is completely removed from the adhesive.

Step 74

Remove the final liner from the rear cover adhesive by pulling on the pull tabs.

Step 75 | Install the rear cover

Press the rear cover firmly onto the frame.

Step 76

Press firmly around the rear cover's perimeter, including areas near the camera bezel, for 2-3 minutes to secure all rear cover adhesives.

Step 77 | Install the SIM card tray

Insert the SIM card tray fully into the slot at the bottom edge of your phone.