Samsung Galaxy S21 Screen and Battery Assembly Replacement

Do not insert the SIM eject tool into a microphone hole.

• Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM card tray hole on the bottom edge of the phone.
• Press the SIM eject tool into the SIM card tray hole to eject the SIM card tray.
• Remove the SIM card tray.

If you inserted the SIM eject tool into a microphone hole, it's unlikely that you damaged the microphone.

Completely power off your phone before proceeding.

• Apply heat to the bottom edge of the back cover for two minutes using an iOpener or an alternative heat source like a hair dryer or hot plate.
• iOpener, hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate can be used, but be cautious not to overheat the phone.

Heat damage may occur on the display, internal battery, and plastic back cover if overheating occurs.

Apply a suction cup to the phone's back, near the center of the bottom edge.

• Pull up on the suction cup with strong force to create a gap between the back cover and frame.
• If this is difficult, apply more heat and try again (may be more challenging for older phones).

Only insert an opening pick up to 5 mm to avoid damaging internal components.

• Slide the pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
• Leave the pick in place to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Apply a iOpener to the back cover's left edge and heat it for 2 minutes.

Apply suction cup near left edge, center.

• Pull up with strong force to create gap between back cover and frame.
• Insert opening pick into gap, no more than 5 mm deep.

Do not cut past the area where the camera shell meets the back cover — risk of damaging the plastic.

• Slide an opening pick along the left edge towards the bottom left corner.
• The goal is to cut through the adhesive only, not to crack the plastic.
• Leave the pick in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Apply a iOpener to the back cover's right edge and heat it for two minutes.

• Attach a suction cup near the center of the phone's right edge.

• Apply strong, steady force upwards to separate the back cover from the frame.

• Insert an opening pick into the gap created, no more than 3 mm deep to avoid damaging the secondary interconnect cable.

Apply adhesive cutter at right edge of rear case, moving pick forward and backward.

Do not remove the pick, as this can cause the adhesive to reseal.

Insert the right-edge opening pick into the top-right corner of the phone and rotate it.

• Limit insertion depth to 5 mm to avoid damaging internal components.
• This technique is applicable to all corners except for the top-left where the rear-facing camera is located.

Slide the top-most opening pick against the camera shell.

• Move the left-edge pick closer to the camera housing.

Apply an iOpener to the camera shell for two minutes.

Be aware of additional adhesive to the right of the camera that will need cutting through.

• Avoid damaging the phone's flash by angling a pick downward when it gets stuck on the surrounding plate.

Rotate the back cover counterclockwise to create a gap between the camera shell and the frame.

• Insert an opening pick into the created gap.

If this method fails, proceed with caution to the next step; otherwise, skip it.

Insert an opening pick between the camera shell and the frame.

• The adhesive can be stubborn; repeat heating as necessary.

Align the opening pick's tip with your phone's flash.

• Insert the pick slowly, avoiding the flash's plate.
• The plate may feel like adhesive; angle the pick downward for stability.
• Slice the adhesive to the right of the camera.

Remove the back cover.

• If stuck, slide a pick around the edges to separate completely.

Power on your phone and test functions before reassembling; ensure it's powered down when continuing work.

Remove any adhesive chunks with tweezers or fingers; apply heat if needed for separation.

• For custom-cut adhesives, follow the dedicated guide.
• For double-sided tape, follow the dedicated guide.

Remove the motherboard bracket using a Phillips screwdriver.

• There are five screws, each 4 mm long.
• They secure the motherboard bracket to the frame.

Remove the wireless charging coil by grasping it firmly with a pair of tweezers.

Do not pull too hard, which may damage the wireless charging coil or strip its connectors.

• Once the wireless charging coil is free, unclip the motherboard bracket from the frame using a pair of tweezers.

Risk of damaging socket or surrounding components if prying incorrectly.

• Hold motherboard bracket out of the way using tweezers or fingers.
• Pry up battery press connector using a spudger, careful to pry only under edge of connector.

Do not press down on middle of connector; risk of pin bending and permanent damage if misaligned.

• Re-attach by carefully aligning and pressing one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on other side.

Hold the motherboard bracket aside with one hand.

• Use a spudger to gently pry up the wireless charging coil's press connector.

• Remove the 6 screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
• The screws are 4 mm long.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger into the notch at the top-left corner of the loudspeaker.

• Pry gently upwards on the loudspeaker to release its retaining clips.

Disconnect and remove the wireless charging coil.

Use a spudger with the flat end to carefully pry up and release the primary interconnect cable's press connector.

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the press connector and gently pry it up to release the connection.

Use a spudger to release the secondary interconnect cable's press connector.

• Pry up and disconnect the cable.
• Repeat for the main interconnect cable's press connector.

Remove both cables using tweezers or your fingers.

• Set the cables aside for later reuse during reassembly.

Remove the daughterboard's screws using a Phillips screwdriver.

• The screws are located at the base of the daughterboard, each approximately 3.5 mm long.
• Remove all three screws to release the daughterboard from the frame.

Insert the point of a spudger between the phone's case and the daughterboard.

• Pull the daughterboard upwards with your fingers.
• If resistance is encountered, it may be due to the USB-C port still being lodged in its groove. Gently wiggle the daughterboard while continuing to pull until it separates completely from the phone.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently pry up and release the press connector on the earpiece speaker cable.

• Remove the 7 x 4 mm long Phillips head screws using a Phillips screwdriver.

• Insert a point of a spudger between the right edge of the earpiece speaker and phone casing.
• Pry up with the spudger to release the clips holding the earpiece speaker in place.
• Remove the earpiece speaker using tweezers or your fingers.

Use a spudger to pry up and release the top connection on the display cable.

Remove the left 5G mmWave antenna cable's press connector using a spudger.

• Disconnect the press connector.

Repeat for the power button cable's press connector.

Folding or sharply bending cables can cause damage, handle with care.

• Use tweezers or fingers to reposition the power button cable, keeping it away from the phone.
• Bend the left-edge 5G mmWave antenna cable in a similar manner, taking care not to crease it.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up and release the front camera's press connector.

Disconnect the orange press connector using a spudger.

• The target is located adjacent to the 5G mmWave antenna cable's press connector.
• Repeat the process for the green 5G mmWave antenna cable's press connector.

Do not sharply bend or fold the cables when repositioning.

• Use tweezers or your fingers to gently push both right edge cables away from the motherboard.

Remove the motherboard-to-frame screw using a Phillips screwdriver.

Ensure the camera bracket is not obstructing access.

• Insert the spudger at the bottom-right edge of the motherboard and the frame.
• Pry up with the spudger to release the clips holding the motherboard.
• Use your fingers to carefully remove the motherboard.

Apply a iOpener to the front camera for 90 seconds, allowing it to get hot.

Insert the point of a spudger into the gap between the frame and the front camera.

• Pry up with the spudger to detach the front camera.
• If you're having trouble, apply more heat and wait for the adhesive to loosen (may take some time).
• Remove the front camera using tweezers or your fingers.

Remove the front camera's liner by peeling off the adhesive.

• Apply the exposed sticky end to the frame.
• Pull on the tab with tweezers or your fingers to expose the top layer of adhesive.

Insert the front camera and apply pressure to secure it to the frame.

Remove the three Phillips screws, each 3.5 mm long, using a Phillips screwdriver.

• The screws secure the 5G mmWave antenna brackets to the frame.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up the right 5G mmWave antenna bracket's bottom screw tab.

• Remove the 5G mmWave antenna using tweezers or your fingers.
• Set the antenna aside for reuse during reassembly.

Be careful not to damage the 5G mmWave antenna.

• Use a spudger's point to carefully pry up on the left 5G mmWave antenna bracket, starting from its top edge.
• Remove the 5G mmWave antenna using tweezers or your fingers.

The antenna should be set aside for reassembly later.

Use a spudger to gently pry up and release the display cable press connector located at the bottom of the device.

• Remove the display cable using either a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
• Set the removed cable aside for later use in reassembly.

Compare your new replacement screen and battery to the original part.

• Transfer any remaining components that were not included with the replacement.
• Remove any adhesive backings from the new screen and battery assembly.