Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Rear Camera Replacement - Samsung Galaxy S21+

Step 1 | Heat the back cover

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the back cover for at least three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.

Excessive heat can cause damage to the display or internal battery, so use caution with external heat sources like a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate.

Apply heat for at least three minutes.
Use a temperature-controlled hot plate if available to prevent overheating.

Step 2 | Insert an opening pick

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

If the back cover is cracked, try lifting with strong tape or superglue the suction handle in place and allow it to cure.
Lift the back cover with the suction handle to create a small gap between the back cover and the frame.

If you have trouble creating a gap, apply more heat but follow iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

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 resealing of the adhesive.

Step 3 | Slice the adhesive

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

Guide this pick toward the bottom right corner to cut through the adhesive.
Leave both picks in place to prevent re-adhesion.

Step 4 | Slice the adhesive

Reheat the adhesive with the iOpener for two to three minutes if it's become hard to cut.

Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right corner of your phone.
Slide the opening pick along the right edge to slice the adhesive, then leave it in place to prevent resealing.

Step 5

Insert only the tip (~4-5 mm) of the opening pick near the camera assembly to avoid damage.

Place a fourth opening pick under the top right corner of your phone.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge to cut the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to keep the adhesive from resealing.

Step 6

Insert a fifth opening pick under the bottom left corner.

Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the back cover to slice the adhesive.

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

Step 7 | Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.

During reassembly: Power on your phone and test all functions before sealing.
Ensure phone is powered down completely before continuing.
Remove adhesive chunks using tweezers or fingers.
Clean residue with high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol.

If using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, consult separate guide. If using double-sided tape, consult separate guide.

Step 8 | Slice the adhesive

Avoid puncturing or bending the battery with your tool, as this can cause chemical leaks or thermal events.

Be cautious when working around the charging coil cable; work slowly and stop if it catches.
Insert an opening pick underneath the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
Slide the opening pick along the bottom left edge to separate the assembly from the battery.

Step 9

Insert an opening pick under the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly at its bottom end.

Slide the opening pick carefully along the bottom of the assembly to detach it from the loudspeaker.

Step 10 | Disconnect the charging coil

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

Step 11 | Disconnect the NFC antenna

Disconnect the NFC antenna by prying the connector straight up with a spudger.

Step 12 | Unfasten the NFC antenna & charging coil assembly screws

Remove the five NFC antenna and charging coil screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
The screws are 3.9 mm long.

Step 13 | Remove the NFC antenna & charging coil assembly

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

Step 14 | Disconnect the battery cable

Disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up with a spudger.

Step 15 | Disconnect the display flex cable

Disconnect the display flex cable using a spudger, gently prying the upper connector straight up from its socket.

Step 16 | Disconnect the main & interconnect flex cables

Disconnect the main and interconnect flex cables from the motherboard. Use a spudger to pry their upper connectors straight up from their sockets.

Step 17 | Unfasten the earpiece speaker assembly screws

Remove the earpiece speaker assembly by using a Phillips screwdriver to take out the seven 3.9 mm-long screws.

Step 18 | Disconnect the earpiece speaker

Disconnect the earpiece speaker cable using a spudger. Pry the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 19 | Pry up the earpiece speaker assembly

Insert a spudger under the bottom left edge of the earpiece speaker assembly.
Pry up the earpiece speaker assembly with your spudger.

Step 20 | Remove the earpiece speaker assembly

Remove the earpiece speaker assembly using a pair of tweezers or your fingers.

Apply new adhesive to cleaned surfaces as needed during reassembly.
Clean relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) before applying adhesive.

Step 21 | Disconnect the front facing camera

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

Step 22 | Disconnect the power button flex cable

Do not fold the cable sharply — risk of damage.

Disconnect the power button flex cable using a spudger, prying the connector straight up from its socket.
Bend the flex cable to the side carefully with your spudger — avoid damaging it during motherboard removal.

Step 23 | Disconnect the antenna flex cable

Avoid sharp bends when handling cables — risk of damage.

Disconnect the power antenna flex cable by prying its connector straight up from its socket using a spudger.
Bend the flex cable gently to the side with your spudger during motherboard removal.

Step 24 | Pry up the motherboard assembly

Remove any loose items from the workspace.

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

Ensure cables are not tangled with the motherboard during removal to prevent damage.

Step 25 | Remove the motherboard assembly

Handle the motherboard with care to avoid damage.

Remove the motherboard assembly along with the rear cameras.

Step 26 | Disconnect the cameras

Use a spudger to pry the ultra wide camera flex cable's connector straight up from its socket.

Disconnect the ultra wide camera flex cable using a spudger.
Next, disconnect the wide and tele camera assembly by prying its connector straight up with a spudger.

Step 27 | Separate the camera assembly from the motherboard

Hold the tweezers firmly and gently grasp the edges of the camera assembly.

Separate the camera assembly from the motherboard, taking care not to touch any other components.

Step 28 | Separate the camera lenses

Separate the ultra wide angle lens from the wide and tele lens assembly using tweezers or your fingers.

Avoid applying adhesive until you've cleaned the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%). Apply new adhesive as needed during reassembly.