Samsung Galaxy S20 Battery Replacement
Precautions are necessary for swollen batteries, and heating can cause damage.
- Discharge the battery below 25% to prevent thermal risk.
High concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol is required to loosen adhesive.
- Clean and prepare the battery area with isopropyl alcohol before disassembly.
- Replace existing adhesive with new replacement adhesive for successful reassembly.
Step 1 | Heat the bottom edge
Unplug your phone from its power source.
- Power off your device.
- Apply heat to the back cover's bottom edge using an iOpener for two minutes.
When using a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, be cautious not to overheat the phone, as the display and internal battery are susceptible to heat damage.
Step 2 | Separate the bottom edge adhesive
Avoid applying excessive force with the opening pick to prevent cracking the back cover glass.
- Apply a suction cup to the phone's back near its center, bottom edge.
- If your display is cracked, use clear packing tape or strong tape to aid suction.
- As last resort, superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
Do not apply excessive force with the pick; risk of cracking the back cover glass.
- Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and frame.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap, but be cautious of over-tightening.
Multiple attempts may be required due to tight tolerances; reheating with the iOpener and re-trying may help.
- If creating a gap is difficult, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
- Be patient, as this process can take several attempts to succeed.
Step 3
Never cut the adhesive near the phone's curved corners, as this can crack the glass panel.
- Slide a pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
- Leave the pick in the seam after removal to prevent resealing of the adhesive.
Step 4 | Heat the left edge
Apply iOpener to the left edge of the back cover for 2 minutes.
Step 5 | Separate the left edge adhesive
Apply a suction cup to the left edge, near the center.
- Pull on the suction cup with strong force to create a gap between the back cover and frame.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap, aiming for the curved edge.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts. Excessive force can crack the back cover glass.
- If stuck, apply more heat and try again.
- Alternatively, use a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol into the seam to loosen the adhesive.
Step 6
Insert the pick further into the gap while tilting it downwards.
- This will help to fully release the adhesive holding the back cover in place.
Step 7
Slide a pick along the left edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.
Be careful when reaching the ridge in the frame surrounding the volume and power buttons, as it may make the glass more prone to cracking.
- Leave the pick under the left edge of the glass near the top left corner to prevent re-adhesion.
Step 8 | Heat the right edge
Avoid overheating the phone, which can cause damage to the display and internal battery.
- Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover for two minutes.
- Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate at low temperature to prevent overheating.
Step 9 | Separate the right edge adhesive
Apply suction cup to right edge near center.
- Pull on suction cup with strong force to create gap between back cover and frame.
- Insert opening pick into gap, tilting downward as needed for full insertion under back cover.
Step 10
Slide a pick along the right edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.
Leave the pick under the right edge of the glass near the top, but be prepared for it to release and fall free as the adhesive breaks.
- Set aside any released picks if this happens.
- The bottom edge should not reseal after this point.
Step 11 | Heat the top edge
Apply a iOpener to the top edge of the back cover and heat it for 2 minutes.
Step 12 | Separate the top edge adhesive
Be gentle during this step as the curved glass near the corners of the back cover is prone to cracking.
- Gradually slide a pick from the right edge around the top right corner.
- Continue slicing along the top edge to the top left corner to fully separate the adhesive.
If slicing becomes difficult, stop and reapply heat before continuing.
Step 13 | Remove the back cover
Slowly lift the back cover and use opening picks to slice remaining adhesive.
Power on your phone after reassembly and test all functions, then power it down completely before continuing work.
- Remove adhesive chunks with tweezers or fingers, applying heat if necessary for separation.
- For custom-cut adhesives, follow the dedicated guide.
- For double-sided tape, follow the dedicated guide.
After reassembly: Remove any remaining adhesive chunks using tweezers or your fingers. Apply heat if necessary to separate them.
Step 14 | Unfasten the motherboard bracket
Remove the five 4 mm screws using a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
- Keep track of each screw to ensure proper reinstallation.
- Replace each screw exactly where it was removed from.
Step 15 | Unclip the motherboard bracket
Do not completely remove the motherboard bracket yet — it's still attached to the wireless charging coil.
- Use a pair of tweezers to gently pull up and unclip the motherboard bracket from the plastic midframe.
Step 16 | Remove the wireless charging coil
Peel the wireless charging coil away from the device with care.
- Remove the wireless charging coil.
- No connectors need to be disconnected as it's connected via spring contacts.
When reassembling, refasten motherboard bracket screws first to align the coil properly, then firmly press down on the rest of the coil to secure it in place.
Step 17 | Disconnect the battery
Be cautious when removing the battery connector as nearby surface-mounted components may come loose.
- Use a spudger to gently pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
Step 18 | Unfasten the lower midframe
- Remove the five screws with a Phillips #00 screwdriver.
- The screws are 4 mm long.
Step 19 | Remove the loudspeaker
Insert the point of a spudger or tweezers into the notch at the top left corner of the midframe.
- Pry up to release the clips holding it in place.
- Remove the loudspeaker and lower midframe.
Step 20 | Disconnect the daughterboard
Do not press down on the middle of a re-attachable connector, as this may cause pin bending and permanent damage.
- Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the main and auxiliary flex cables from the daughterboard near the bottom of the device.
- To reconnect, align press connectors with care, pressing down on one side until it clicks into place. Repeat for the other side.
Step 21 | Disconnect the main flex cables
Use a spudger to carefully pry up the main and auxiliary flex cables from the motherboard.
Step 22 | Remove the main flex cables
Remove the main and auxiliary flex cables by gently peeling them up.
Step 23 | Disconnect the main display cable
Insert a spudger between the main display flex cable and the motherboard.
- Pry up carefully to release the connector.
- Disconnect the main display flex cable completely.
Step 24 | Reposition the display cable
Peel up the display flex cable gently and bend it out of the way of the motherboard and battery.
Step 25 | Apply isopropyl alcohol
Excessive use of isopropyl alcohol may damage the display.
- Apply 1-2 drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to the top edge of the battery.
- Wait one minute for the adhesive to soften.
Step 26 | Lift the battery from its adhesive
Apply a suction handle to the center of the battery.
- Hold the device firmly against your work surface with one hand.
- Pull up on the suction handle with steady force for 15 seconds, then release and repeat as needed.
- If still stuck, apply 1-2 drops of isopropyl alcohol along the top, left, and right edges, wait 1 minute, and try again.
Loosening the adhesive takes time and repeated pulls, do not use strong force.
Step 27 | Pry up the battery
Do not proceed until the battery is lifted enough for easy insertion of an opening pick.
- Verify the battery can be easily inserted before proceeding with the repair.
Risk of piercing the battery and thermal damage if it's still firmly glued in place.
- Insert an opening pick underneath the bottom edge of the battery and gently twist to loosen the adhesive.
- Avoid applying isopropyl alcohol until the battery has been removed, as it may damage the fingerprint sensor or screen.
Step 28 | Remove the battery
Remove the battery.
- Peel up and/or scrape away remaining battery adhesive
- Clean the battery well surface with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
- If using isopropyl alcohol, wait ten minutes for evaporation before installing new battery.
Do not reuse removed battery as this may be a safety hazard.
- Apply pre-applied adhesive to the well (if not already provided with new battery)
- Firmly press new battery into place during reassembly.