Google Pixel XL Daughterboard Replacement - Google Pixel XL

Step 1 | Display Assembly

Do not overheat the phone as both the display and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.

Apply heat to the top edge of the display using an iOpener or alternative tools (hair dryer, heat gun, hot plate) for two minutes.

Be aware of the following regions:

Thin adhesive against the display panel.
Thick adhesive.
The OLED display panel, which is prone to damage.
The display cable, susceptible to damage during prying.

Step 2

Apply a suction cup near the warm edge.

Lift on the suction cup and insert an opening pick into the gap.

Do not insert the pick more than 13 mm (0.5 inches), as this may damage the display assembly.

Reheat if you have trouble creating a gap, or try using a playing card instead of an opening pick for initial entry.

Step 3

Slide the opening clip along the top edge to slice through the adhesive.

Do not cut deeper than 13 mm (0.5 inches), or you may damage the display.

Avoid damaging or losing the mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen.

Leave an opening pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 4

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the phone for two minutes.

Insert an opening pick near the top edge, where you previously sliced the adhesive.
Guide the pick slowly around the right corner and down the right edge, slicing through the adhesive.

Do not insert the pick more than 1 mm (1/32") along the edge to avoid damaging the display assembly.

Repeat the process for the left edge of the phone.

Step 5

Apply an iOpener to the bottom edge for two minutes.

Insert a pick near the right edge, where adhesive has already been loosened.
Guide the pick around the corner carefully.
Slide the pick along the bottom edge to cut through the adhesive.

Do not slice deeper than 8.5 mm (1/3") or you will damage the display cable.

Step 6

Carefully lift the display assembly up slightly by the right corners.

Do not remove the display assembly yet, as it is still attached by a flex cable.

Use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Step 7

Careful handling required — avoid straining the flex cable.

Lift the display assembly from the top end.
Swing it around to rest upside down on the frame.

Step 8

Remove the two 4 mm T5 screws securing the display cable bracket.

Maintain a record of each screw's location before removal.
Ensure correct placement and orientation when reinstalling the same screws.

Remove the display cable bracket.

Step 9

Do not press down on the middle of the press connector.

Pry up and disconnect the display cable from its connector using a spudger.
To re-attach, carefully align the press connector and press down on one side until it clicks into place.
Repeat this process on the other side of the connector. If misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 10

Do not apply new adhesive until you have tested your repair.

Remove the display assembly.
If a speaker grille is missing from your replacement display, transfer it from the old display using tweezers.

Completely remove all traces of adhesive residue from the frame before installing a new display.

Use a spudger or opening tool to scrape off adhesive residue.
Soak any remaining residue with high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.

Remove all adhesive residue from the panel and frame when reinstalling the same display assembly before applying new adhesive.

Turn on your phone and test the repair before proceeding.

During boot-up, do not touch the screen during calibration sequence to avoid improper touch calibration.

Step 11 | Google Pixel XL Opening Procedure

Remove seven black 4mm T5 screws.
Also remove two silver 3mm T5 screws.

Step 12

Remove the plastic clips from the edge of the back case.

Gently pry each clip away from the case using a flat tool like a spudger.
The midframe should now be free to remove without obstruction.

Step 13

Locate the small notch at the bottom left corner of the frame.
Insert an opening pick into this notch.
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge toward the bottom right corner and hold it in place.

Step 14

Due to tight tolerances, releasing the first clip can be challenging.

Insert an opening pick at the right edge of the phone near the bottom.
Pry slowly along the seam until the first clip releases. You may need significant force or try using a playing card for assistance.
Leave the pick in place to prevent resealing.

Step 15

Insert a pick into the top right corner of the phone.

Slide the pick upwards towards the top right clip, entering no more than 2 mm into the edge to avoid damaging flex cables.
Slowly slide the pick past the clip to disengage it from the frame.
Check if the midframe is free. If not, use an opening clip to gently pry along the right edge.

Step 16

Grasp the right edge of the midframe and slowly hinge it up by the corners.
Stop when the left edge feels loose and lift the midframe upwards.
Remove the midframe.

Ensure all clips snap back into position to avoid damage.

To reinstall, align the midframe and squeeze around the perimeter until all clips are secure.
The midframe should lie flat when properly reattached.

Step 17 | Charging Port

Use the pointed end of a spudger to carefully pry the battery connector away from its socket.

Bend the battery flex cable at an angle so that it cannot come into contact with the motherboard and cause damage.

Step 18

Peel up the tape at the top of the interconnect cable with tweezers.

Step 19

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable from the motherboard.

To reconnect: align the cable with the socket and press down on one side, then the other using your finger.

Step 20

Use the point of a spudger to pry up the interconnect cable from the bottom daughterboard.
Continue peeling the interconnect cable away from the daughterboard.
Remove the fully disconnected interconnect cable.

Step 21

Do not pull the connector by the wires — may break.

Use an opening tool to carefully push out the vibration motor connector from its socket.
Reinstall: use the opening tool, spudger tip for alignment, and gently push with the opening tool while using the spudger as a brace against the socket.

Step 22

Remove the two T5 screws with a head size of 3mm
The screws secure the daughterboard to the frame

Step 23

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and loosen the right edge of the daughterboard.

Swing the daughterboard to the left to move it out of its recess.

Do not attempt to remove the daughterboard; it is still attached to the frame.

During reassembly, route the white antenna cable through the daughterboard notch and wrap the black antenna cable around the screw post.

Step 24

Slowly lift the left edge of the daughterboard up.

Pull the antenna patch off of the loudspeaker.
If necessary, use an opening pick to help separate it from the loudspeaker.

If the antenna patch begins to rip, stop pulling. Risk of damage or breakage.

Apply heat to the corner using an iOpener for 1 minute.
Use an opening pick to help remove it from the loudspeaker.

Step 25

Flip the daughterboard over.
Disconnect the black antenna cable using a spudger to pry it loose.
Release the disconnected antenna cable from its retaining clip.

Step 26

Use the spudger point to carefully pry up and release the white antenna cable from its socket.

Remove the antenna cable from its retaining clip.

Step 27

Transfer the barometric vent from your old part to the new one if it does not come with a replacement.

Use an opening tool edge to gently push up and loosen the barometric vent from the board.

Be careful not to bend the vent's plastic alignment pins.

Avoid pushing too hard, as this may damage the vent or surrounding components.

Attach the vent to the new part using adhesive or double-sided tape, if necessary. Ensure the bottom vent hole remains uncovered.