Nothing Phone (2a) Battery Replacement

Apply heat gradually with a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the glue holding the back panel.

• Hold the heat source at a distance and apply gentle, controlled heat.
• Avoid overheating components by monitoring the temperature and adjusting as needed.

Be careful when prying with a Jimmy or iFixit opening picks — risk of damage.

• Pry the edges of the back panel from the main body using a Jimmy or iFixit opening picks.
• Use a suction cup to ease the removal, if available.

Apply gentle heat from a hair dryer/heat gun to the sticker, allowing glue to lightly melt.

Avoid overheating components.

• Pry up an edge of the sticker using an opening pick.
• Gradually lift and remove the sticker.

Remove the top-right sticker using the same removal process.

Remove the T5 screws from the upper section using a T5 screwdriver.

Be cautious of a small sticker on each T5 screw head.

Use a 0.00 Phillips screwdriver to remove the nine Phillips screws.

• Take note of the two smaller screws located below the flash module, which differ from the other five.
• Set aside these smaller screws for later reassembly to ensure correct placement.

Locate and remove the aesthetics plate.

• Use a spudger or an opening pick to gently pry the clips around its perimeter.
• Apply light pressure to avoid damaging the component.

Be gentle when removing this panel as it has graphite paper attached and a fragile flex cable connecting it to the motherboard.

• Lift out the panel from the bottom first.
• Slide the panel carefully, taking care not to damage the graphite paper or the small flex cable that connects the Glyph interface.

Prying this metal cover can cause it to fly off — be extremely careful.

• Position a spudger under the edge of the metal cover, near the clip.
• Pry gently until the cover releases from its clipped position on the motherboard.

• Use a spudger to carefully pry off the flex cable connector from under the metal cover.
• The upper aesthetics panel will now be completely disconnected and can be set aside.

• Flex Cable Connection: Locate and isolate the connector linking the battery to the mainboard.
• Pry the connector loose with a spudger.

Remove the lower aesthetics panel by taking out the 4 T5 screws at the bottom.

Non-functional wires on this panel are decorative only.

• Set removed screws aside in a labelled container or anti-static tray, like FixMat, for easy replacement.

Apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or heat gun to loosen the sticker.

• Pry up an edge using an opening pick.
• Grab the loosened edge and carefully remove the sticker.

Be careful not to damage the surrounding area — there is a Phillips screw beneath the removed sticker.

• Locate the Phillips screw hidden under the previous sticker removal.
• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw — it can be directly applied on top of any remaining sticker.

Remove the main aesthetics panel by unclipping push fittings on sides, one at a time.

• Start with top side and work down.
• Repeat for bottom side.

Be careful when lifting the panel, as the bottom left corner is prone to sticking.

Remove the aesthetic panel at the bottom of the device.

• Pry off the push fittings around the edges using a spudger.
• Set aside the removed panel for later reassembly.

Disconnect the flex cable from the sub-board using a spudger.

Ensure the large flex cable is safely removed and out of the way.

• Remove all stickers holding the battery in place by pulling each one off.
• Starting from the right side, remove the first sticker, followed by the small tabs on the left.
• Finally, fold outwards to access and remove the topmost sticker from bottom to top.

Remove the battery by pulling it straight out from the device using the large pull tab.

• Start with the left edge of the battery.
• Mind the position of any remaining stickers, folding them away from the battery's new path.

Align the new battery so its right edge is leading.

• Fold out the sticker flaps on the old battery to prevent them from getting caught under the new one.
• Ensure all flaps are facing outward for proper installation.

Reapply the battery stickers in reverse order.

• Fold outwards stickers 1 and 2 on the left and right sides.

• Press sticker 3 down from bottom to top, ensuring proper alignment.

• Reapply stickers 2, then 1 in that order.

Reconnect the flex cable to the sub board

• Align the flex cable carefully.
• Press down until you hear an audible click.

For reassembly, deviate from the exact reverse order of disassembly.

• Reconnect the battery flex cable to the mainboard first.

Align the connector carefully and press down firmly until you hear an audible click.

• Hold the upper aesthetics panel firmly in one hand.
• Use the other hand to reconnect the Glyph flex cable to the mainboard.

Ensure correct alignment and press gently until an audible click is heard.

Replace the Glyph flex cable cover, a delicate task.

• Insert the narrower side of the cover, pointing towards the top of the phone, into the slot first.
• (Using tweezers is recommended for greater precision.)
• Click the other end down firmly, taking care not to damage the flex cable or surrounding components.

Be cautious when placing the upper aesthetics panel during this process to avoid damaging the flex cable.

Align the aesthetics panel over the main body.

• Push the top of the panel into place, making sure the small tabs fit under the frame.
• Clip in the sides last.

• Remove the aesthetics panel covering the sub board.

• Be careful when pushing panel back into place as it may require significant force.

• Align and press panel firmly into position using push fittings around its perimeter.

Replace the main panel by inserting one edge into place and ensuring the lips slot under the frame.

• Clip the other edge into position securely.

• Press firmly on the adhesive sticker in the bottom left corner to ensure proper sealing.

Find the Phillips screw marked by a small white sticker.

• Use a Phillips 00 screwdriver to replace it.

Position the sticker in the lower right-hand corner of the device.

Press the sticker firmly into place using a gentle but steady motion.

Locate the 5 Phillips 00 screws at the top of the phone.

• Use a Phillips 00 screwdriver to remove all 5 screws.
• Replace each screw and ensure the smaller one is securely seated under the flash unit.

Replace the Phillips 00 screw with a new one.

• Use a Phillips 00 screwdriver.
• The old screw has a tiny white sticker on its head.

Locate the silver alignment sticker and position it correctly.

Press the sticker firmly into place to secure it.

Replace the circular sticker surrounding the camera unit.

Press firmly to ensure a secure fit.

Rescrew the 9 T5 screws with a T5 screwdriver.

Remove all residue glue before reassembling.

• Scrape off any remaining glue using a spudger.
• The glue appears as black stringy rubber.

Wipe down all surfaces with a microfibre cloth.

• Clean the outside and inside faces of the back panel, paying extra attention to the transparent areas.
• This will ensure dust doesn't accumulate inside your phone.

Excess glue can seep through the channels and be visible on the back panel.

• Apply B-7000 Glue, a flexible adhesive for water and dust resistance, available at Amazon or phone repair shops.
• Direct the nozzle into the channel and lightly squeeze the glue as you track the frame's perimeter.

Align the back panel carefully, ensuring correct orientation and aligning camera units with lenses.

Excess adhesive may seep out; be prepared to remove it with a cloth.

• If available, use a suction cup to assist in correctly positioning the back panel.

Leave a small weight on the phone during glue drying time.

• Add the weight after placing a microfibre cloth over the phone to protect it from scratches.

Wait at least 24 hours for the glue to dry completely before handling the phone.