OnePlus 3 Screen and Digitizer Assembly Replacement

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paperclip into the hole between the SIM card slot and power button.

• Press firmly to eject the SIM card tray.

• Ensure the SIM card tray is properly oriented during reinstallation; it fits in only one direction.

Remove the 2.6mm T2 screws from the bottom edge of the phone.

High risk of damaging display panel if opening procedure not followed correctly.

Read through these steps before proceeding to ensure a successful removal of the rear case.

• Rear case is held by fourteen clips that must be accounted for during prying.
• Pry only at the recessed seam where plastic frame meets back cover.
• Avoid the display panel seam, as it separates and damages the display assembly if pried.

Avoid powering on the phone accidentally — resume disassembly only after turning it off.

• Position a suction cup near the display's bottom edge.
• Pull the suction cup with strong, steady force.
• Use an opening tool to press into the frame seam near the suction cup. The tool should wedge between the frame and back cover lip.

This may require substantial force due to tight tolerances. A new opening tool with a sharp edge will aid this step, but avoid using metal tools as they may crack the screen.

Slide the opening tool along the phone's bottom edge.

• Guide the tool around the left corner, keeping it within the seam.

Continue sliding the opening tool along the long edge, releasing clips as you go.

• The last clip in the top-left corner near the alert switch may be recessed and require extra care.
• Use a spudger or opening pick to help release this clip.

Wiggle the frame gently to release top and right edge clips.

• Lift up the screen and remove it.

Pause here to test your phone's functionality before proceeding with reassembly.

• Align the back cover, ensuring top clips snap into place.
• Squeeze along long edges to secure remaining clips.

Misaligned press connectors may cause pin bending and permanent damage.

• Pry up the battery connector from its socket using a spudger's pointed tip.
• Bend the connector away from the socket to prevent accidental contact.

Re-attachment:

• Align the press connector carefully and press down on one side until it clicks.
• Repeat on the other side; do not press in the middle.

• Remove the 3 mm Phillips screw holding the cable bracket.
• Take out the cable bracket.

Use the point of a spudger to gently pry up and release the interconnect flex cable from the motherboard, located above the battery.

• Repeat this process for the daughterboard flex cable, prying it loose from the motherboard as well.

Locate the interconnect flex cable on the daughterboard beneath the battery.

• Pry up the interconnect flex cable using a pointed tool, such as a spudger.
• Disconnect the cable from the daughterboard.

Remove the interconnect flex cable.

Carefully bend the still-attached daughterboard flex cable away from the battery, taking care not to damage either component.

• During reassembly, ensure that the Main connector connects to the motherboard.
• The Sub connector will fit into its socket but may cause malfunction.

Do not puncture the battery pack — risk of damage or injury.

• Use the opening tool to carefully push off any adhesive tape holding the battery to the edge of the plastic frame.
• There should be at least one strip on each side of the battery.

Peel the clear pull tab upwards from the battery.

Brace the phone frame against a stable surface.

• Pull the clear pull tab upwards with a strong, steady force until the battery loosens.
• If stuck, apply high-concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to the battery seam and wait for the adhesive to weaken.
• Remove the battery from its recess by pulling it out completely and scraping off any remaining adhesive.

Never reuse a stressed or bent battery — potential safety hazard.

• Remove the old battery.
• Dispose of the removed battery.

If your replacement battery lacks a pull tab, transfer the old tab to the new battery for easier future replacements.

During installation, briefly connect the new battery to the phone to verify proper alignment.

• For existing frames: Remove adhesive strips from a pre-cut card or cut Tesa tape and apply in designated areas.
• For new screen assemblies: Peel off the orange liner on the new battery to expose its adhesive surface.

Insert the pointed tip of a spudger under the interconnect flex cable.

Pry upwards carefully to loosen the connector and release it from the daughterboard.

Disconnect and remove the interconnect flex cable.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry up and disconnect the capacitive buttons connector from its socket.

• Locate the connector on the daughterboard, situated below the battery.
• Repeat the process for the fingerprint scanner connector to ensure both are properly disconnected.

Slide the point of a spudger under the antenna interconnect cable and gently pry up to release it from the daughterboard.

Remove the daughterboard from the frame using a Phillips screwdriver.

• Begin with two 3 mm Phillips black screws.
• Next, remove five 2.9 mm Phillips silver screws.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the loudspeaker vent.

• Gently twist the spudger to release the two plastic clips holding the daughterboard in place.
• The daughterboard should now be freed from its clips.

Remove the daughterboard.

• To reinstall, align one edge with the phone and press the other side down until the board clicks into place.
• If the daughterboard does not click in easily, check for any trapped flex cables or antenna cables.

Insert the opening tool under the fingerprint scanner cover, near the bottom edge.

• Pry up gently to release the cover from its position.
• Continue prying until the cover comes loose and can be removed completely.

Push the fingerprint scanner gently but firmly with your fingertip from the front of the display.

• The scanner should dislodge from its recess.

Peel the fingerprint scanner and its attached tape away from the frame.

• Continue to peel until the fingerprint scanner is completely removed.

Locate the antenna interconnect cable at the bottom left corner of the motherboard.

• Insert the point of a spudger underneath the cable.
• Pry up and disconnect the antenna interconnect cable.

Insert the point of the spudger between the display connector and its socket.

Careful not to damage the pins or the socket.

Gently pry up and disconnect the display connector from the motherboard.

• Remove four Phillips screws, 3 mm in length and black in color.
• Next, remove three more Phillips screws, 2.9 mm in length and silver in color.

Some of these screws may be hidden by stickers; carefully remove the stickers to access them.

Ensure the SIM tray has been ejected before proceeding.

• The motherboard is still secured with clips near the top.
• Insert the flat end of a spudger under the top left corner of the motherboard.
• Twist and lift the spudger to release the motherboard from its recess.

Remove the motherboard.

Careful: avoid trapping cables and connectors underneath during reinstallation.

Avoid damaging or tearing the black tape pieces for reuse during reassembly, if possible.

• Pry up and remove the black tape covering the volume buttons using a spudger's pointed tip on the right edge of the phone.
• Repeat the process to remove the black tape covering the power button on the left edge of the phone.

If the tape is torn, replace it with electrical tape.

• Use the flat end of a spudger to gently push the volume button board away from the frame.
• If the volume button board bends significantly, stop and change your prying angle.
• Continue prying until you loosen the volume button board from the frame.

Use a small piece of adhesive to secure the board back onto the frame upon reinstallation.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry the power button loose from the left edge of the frame.

• Cut a small piece of adhesive from the pre-cut adhesive card or a roll of Tesa tape.
• Apply the adhesive to stick the power button back onto the frame.

Insert the tweezers' point under the rectangular contact pad, located at the top left edge of the frame.

• Squeeze the tweezers' tips together for optimal grip.
• Pry upwards to loosen the contact pad from the frame.

Locate the volume flex cable and gently lift it upwards from its position.

• Remove the volume and power button assembly.
• If replacing with a new screen and digitizer, remove the blue adhesive liner on the replacement frame and press the volume flex cable onto the exposed adhesive.

Insert the tweezer tip under one earpiece speaker clip.

• Pull the tweezer point up slowly to pry out the earpiece speaker.
• If the clip bends, stop and try the other clip.

Remove the earpiece speaker.

• Ensure the gold contacts face upward in the recess.

• Place the earpiece speaker into its recess and press firmly into place.

• When transferring to a new frame, remove the adhesive liner on the replacement frame first.

Remove the two 1.9mm Phillips screws securing the frame grounding clips.

• Remove the two frame grounding clips.
• Transfer the clips to the replacement assembly, ensuring they are installed in the correct orientation.

Disconnect the antenna interconnect cable from its mounting groove.

• Transfer the disconnected cable to the new assembly's mating connector.

Compare the new bare screen and digitizer assembly with the original.

• Transfer all parts removed in previous steps to the new assembly.
• Inspect the new part for missing components, such as the LED bracket.
• Transfer any missing pieces to the new assembly.