Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Motherboard Replacement

Prepare an iOpener by heating it according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Apply the heated iOpener to the back cover for at least three minutes, loosening the adhesive underneath.

• Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to heat the area.
• Be cautious not to overheat the phone, as the display and internal battery may be damaged by excessive heat.

Secure a suction handle to the back cover's bottom edge, as close to the edge as possible.

• If the back cover is cracked, use strong tape or superglue the suction handle in place to ensure it sticks.

Applying excessive heat can cause damage, follow iOpener instructions carefully.

Lift the back cover with the suction handle, creating a small gap between the cover and frame.

• If no gap is formed, reapply heat to soften adhesive further.

Insert an opening pick into the created gap.

• Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.
• Leave the opening pick in place to prevent adhesive from resealing.

Insert another opening pick at the phone's bottom edge.

• Move this new pick along the bottom edge and angle it towards the bottom right corner to slice through the adhesive.
• Keep both picks in place to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Hardened adhesive may indicate cooling, reheat with iOpener for 2-3 minutes.

• Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right phone corner.
• Slide the opening pick along the right edge to slice the adhesive.
• Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent resealing.

When slicing near the camera assembly, only insert the tip (~4-5 mm) of the opening pick to avoid damage or smearing.

• Insert a fourth opening pick under the top right corner.
• Slide the pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive.
• Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent resealing.

• Insert a 5th opening pick under the bottom left corner.
• Slide the pick along the left edge to slice remaining adhesive.

When approaching the power button, insert only the tip of the pick (~3-4 mm) to avoid damaging the flex cable.

Remove the back cover.

• During reassembly, power on your phone and test all functions before sealing.
• Ensure the phone is completely powered down before continuing work.
• Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove any adhesive chunks.
• Wipe away adhesive residue with high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol.

If using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow specific guidelines.

If using double-sided tape, consult the respective guide for correct application.

Do not puncture or bend the battery with your tool as this may cause a leak of hazardous chemicals or a thermal event.

• Be cautious when working near the cable beneath the charging coil.
• Work slowly and stop sliding the pick if it catches on the cable to avoid damage.
• Insert an opening pick underneath the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
• Slide the opening pick carefully along the bottom left edge of the assembly to separate it from the battery.

Slide a opening pick under the bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

• Pick is to be inserted carefully, then slid along the bottom of the assembly.
• Separate the NFC antenna and charging coil from the loudspeaker.

Disconnect the charging coil connector with a spudger, prying it straight up from its socket.

Disconnect the NFC antenna using a spudger, prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly using a Phillips screwdriver.

• There are 5 screws, each 3.9 mm long.
• Remove the screws completely to free the assembly.

Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly using a pair of tweezers or your fingers.

Disconnect the battery cable using a spudger. Prying action should be done directly upwards, targeting the connector's socket.

Use a spudger to pry the upper end of the display flex cable's connector straight up from its socket.

• Disconnect the main and interconnect flex cables using a spudger.
• Pry the upper connector straight up from its socket on the motherboard.

• Remove the earpiece speaker assembly using a Phillips screwdriver.
• Remove the seven 3.9 mm screws.

Remove the earpiece speaker cable using a spudger.

• Pry the connector straight up from its socket.

Insert a spudger under the bottom left edge of the earpiece speaker assembly.

• Pry up the earpiece speaker assembly using your spudger.

Remove the earpiece speaker assembly using tweezers or your fingers.

• For reassembly, clean affected areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
• Apply new adhesive as needed to secure the earpiece speaker assembly.

Disconnect the front facing camera cable using a spudger, prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Do not sharply fold the cable to avoid damage.

• Disconnect the power button flex cable using a spudger, prying the connector straight up from its socket.
• Bend the flex cable gently to the side with your spudger to avoid damage during motherboard removal.

Do not fold the cable sharply and only bend it to avoid damage.

• Use a spudger to disconnect the power antenna flex cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
• Bend the flex cable to the side using your spudger to avoid damaging it during motherboard removal.

Ensure all cables are isolated from the motherboard assembly to prevent damage.

• Insert a spudger under the top edge of the motherboard assembly, adjacent to the vibration motor.
• Pry up the motherboard assembly using the spudger.

Remove the motherboard assembly, including the rear cameras.

• Disconnect the ultra-wide camera flex cable using a spudger, prying its connector straight up.
• Remove the wide and tele camera assembly by disconnecting its connector with a spudger.

Careful handling required: avoid damaging components.

• Use a pair of tweezers or your finger to gently pry off the camera assembly from the motherboard.

Reassembly: Apply new adhesive where needed after cleaning with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to relevant areas.