Google Pixel Fold 5G mmWave Antenna Replacement
Note that this guide was authored by iFixit staff and is not endorsed by Google.
- This repair guide covers replacing the 5G mmWave antenna in a Google Pixel Fold device.
- Please be aware that some photos show varying states of disassembly, but this won't impact the overall procedure.
Step 1 | Safety Precautions
A charged battery may catch fire if damaged — avoid using a fully charged phone for repairs.
- Allow the battery to drain below 25% before proceeding.
- Fully power off your phone and unplug any cables.
Step 2 | Heat the bottom edge
Place the phone on a flat surface with the back glass facing up.
- Heat an iOpener for two minutes, then apply it to the bottom edge of the back glass.
- Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but exercise caution as excessive heat can damage the display and/or internal batteries.
Step 3 | Anti-Clamp instructions
Continue with steps 4-6 for using the Anti-Clamp, or skip ahead three steps for an alternate method.
- Consult our guide for detailed Anti-Clamp usage instructions.
- Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
- Unfold your phone completely and slide the Anti-Clamp arms over the left edge of the back glass, below the Google "G" logo.
Position the suction cups carefully: one on the front, near the bottom edge; and one on the back, avoiding contact with the bezel to ensure proper adhesion.
- Squeeze the suction cups together to apply pressure to the desired area.
If the surface is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp, use tape to create a grippier surface. For cracked glass, apply packing tape to help the suction cups adhere.
Step 4
Place a stable object under your phone, such as a box or books.
- Position the Anti-Clamp's arms over the phone, ensuring it rests level between them.
- Pull the blue handle forward to secure the arms in place.
If suction cups start to misalign, detach and realign before continuing.
Turn the blue handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups begin to stretch.
Step 5
Insert an opening pick into the gap under the back glass.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat and rotate the handle a quarter turn at a time; wait one minute between turns.
- Avoid over-cranking by limiting rotation to a quarter turn at a time.
Step 6 | Insert an opening pick
Apply a suction cup to the back glass, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
- Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back glass and the frame.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap.
If having trouble, apply more heat and try again. Old phones may be more challenging.
For badly cracked back glass, cover with clear packing tape to aid suction cup adhesion or use strong tape instead.
As a last resort, superglue the suction cup to the broken back glass.
Step 7 | Separate the bottom adhesive
Risk of damage if the opening pick exceeds 3.5 mm depth.
- Slide the opening pick back and forth along the bottom edge to break the adhesive.
- Leave the opening pick in the bottom left corner for continued use.
Step 8 | Heat the left edge
Apply a iOpener preheated according to manufacturer's instructions to the left edge of the back glass for 2 minutes.
Step 9 | Separate the bottom left adhesive
Start by rotating an opening pick in the bottom left corner to begin separating the adhesive.
Step 10 | Separate the left adhesive
- Insert a second opening pick into the bottom left corner.
- Slide it up toward the top left corner, prying the adhesive apart.
- Leave the pick in place at the top left corner for further disassembly.
Step 11 | Heat the top edge
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the back glass for 2 minutes.
Step 12 | Separate the top left adhesive
Hold the opening pick at the top left corner and rotate it to loosen the adhesive.
- The goal is to create a gap between the screen and the casing.
Step 13 | Separate the top adhesive
Insert a third opening pick into the top left corner.
- Slide the opening pick toward the top right corner to separate the adhesive.
Step 14 | Heat the right edge
Heat the iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the back glass for exactly 2 minutes.
Step 15 | Separate the top right adhesive
Be extremely cautious when approaching the sharp corner as it is prone to damage.
- Apply sufficient heat and handle the area gently around the corner.
- Ensure the pick's angle is parallel to the back glass for optimal results.
- Rotate the opening pick around the top right corner, carefully separating the adhesive.
Step 16 | Separate the right adhesive
- Insert an additional opening pick at the top right corner.
- Slide the new opening pick towards the bottom right, gently prying apart the adhesive.
Step 17 | Separate the bottom right adhesive
The sharp corner is fragile, use plenty of heat and handle with care.
- Position your pick for minimal angle against the back glass.
- Rotate the opening pick around the bottom right corner to break the adhesive.
Step 18 | Reposition the back glass
Don't remove the back glass yet, as it's still connected by a cable.
- Separate the back glass from the frame; if necessary, use an opening pick for remaining adhesive.
- Swing the left edge of the back glass up and over the right phone edge.
- Lay the back glass to the right side of the phone before continuing.
Step 19 | Unfasten the middle bracket
Keep track of each screw during this repair.
- Use a Torx Plus or standard Torx bit (T3 or T4) for the screws.
- Ensure constant, downward force is applied to prevent stripping.
Standard Torx bits work, but use caution when handling Torx Plus screws.
- Use a Torx Plus 3IP driver to remove the two 2.8 mm-long screws securing the middle bracket.
Step 20 | Remove the middle bracket
Position the tweezers on the middle bracket's clip, then gently pull toward the left edge of the phone to release it.
- Remove the middle bracket.
- Reattach during reassembly: slide the clip back under its slot in the
Step 21 | Disconnect the back glass cable
To avoid damaging the motherboard, carefully realign and secure the back glass cable.
- Pry up the back glass cable from the motherboard using a spudger.
- To reconnect, align and press down on one side of the connector until it clicks into place.
- Repeat on the other side, being careful not to press in the middle where pins can bend and cause damage.
Step 22 | Remove the back glass
Remove back glass
Step 23 | Reassembly information
During reassembly:
- Tweezers are used to remove large chunks of adhesive from the back glass perimeter.
- Repeat this process for any remaining adhesive on the frame.
- Use a lint-free cloth and >90% isopropyl alcohol to clean off adhesive residue.
If you don't have custom cut strips, use double-sided tape like Tesa Tape as a substitute for securing the back glass.
Follow this guide for replacing the back glass adhesive with custom cut strips: [insert link]
Step 24 | Reposition the graphite sheet
Be extremely gentle when peeling the graphite sheet as it is very fragile.
Risk of damage if not handled carefully.
- Peel the bottom edge of the graphite sheet towards the top of the phone to access the bottom bracket.
- Use your hands or a piece of tape with light adhesive to keep the graphite sheet out of the way.
During reassembly:
- If you completely removed the graphite sheet, refer to our guide on how to replace it.
- For non-custom adhesive strips, use double-sided tape (such as Tesa Tape) to secure the graphite sheet to the logic board.
Step 25 | Remove the screw cover
Use tweezers, or a clean fingernail, to carefully remove the black screw cover from the top screw on the bottom bracket.
Step 26 | Unfasten the bottom bracket
Remove the Torx Plus 3IP driver-secured screws.
- Locate and remove the five screws, each 3.1 mm in length.
Step 27 | Remove the bottom bracket
Use tweezers or your fingers to pull the bottom bracket toward the bottom edge of the phone and release its clip.
- Remove the bottom bracket.
- During reassembly, reinsert the bottom bracket clip under its slot in the logic board before aligning its screw holes.
Step 28 | Disconnect the base battery
Disconnect the base battery cable using a spudger by prying at its connector.
- Remove both batteries by disconnecting their respective connectors, one for each half of the phone.
Step 29 | Remove the tape
Remove the grey conductive tape from the bottom interconnect cable.
Step 30 | Disconnect the flip battery
Accidental contact with the logic board may cause damage.
- Use a point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the flip battery connectors.
- Next, disconnect the bottom interconnect press connectors using the same method.
Step 31 | Reassembly information
Remove the old conductive tape by gently peeling it away from the bottom interconnect connector.
- Conductive Tape: Peel off the new liner and apply the sticky side to the bottom interconnect connector, ensuring a bridge over the logic board.
Step 32
- Press down the conductive tape with a spudger or your fingers.
- Pull the tab away from the tape using tweezers or your fingers.
Step 33 | Unfasten the top bracket
Remove the two Torx Plus 3IP screws securing the top bracket with a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver.
- The screws are 2.8 mm long.
Step 34 | Remove the top bracket
Release the top bracket from the phone by pulling it towards the left edge.
- Remove the top bracket.
- During reassembly, insert clips under frame slots before aligning screw holes.
Step 35 | Separate the adhesive
Locate the 5G mmWave antenna on the frame.
- Spudger: Insert the point between the frame and the right edge of the 5G mmWave antenna.
- Pry up to separate the adhesive.
If your original adhesive is still intact, you can reuse it during reassembly. Otherwise, refer to this guide for replacement instructions or use double-sided tape (Tesa Tape) as an alternative.
Step 36 | Reposition the antenna
Locate and gently pull the 5G mmWave antenna toward the bottom of the phone to reveal its cable press connector.
Step 37 | Disconnect the antenna
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the 5G mmWave antenna cable press connector.
- Disconnect the cable.
- Remove the antenna.