Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Screen Replacement
If your battery is swollen, take precautions before disassembling.
Discharge the battery below 25% to avoid thermal risks during repair.
- This guide replaces only the screen on the SM-G996B/DS (international) model.
- If you have a deformed frame, replace it for proper screen mounting and pressure distribution.
Use the correct replacement part: a standalone screen or a new chassis with pre-installed screen, depending on your purchase.
- Replace adhesive seals to maintain water protection when reassembling.
- Purchase replacement adhesives for rear glass and screen before starting this guide.
Step 1 | Heat the back cover
Prepare an iOpener by applying it to the back cover for at least 3 minutes.
- The adhesive underneath should loosen.
- If using a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate instead:
- Do not overheat the phone — risk of heat damage to the display and internal battery.
Step 2 | Insert an opening pick
Secure a suction handle to the back cover's edge, as close as possible.
If cracked, ensure adhesion or use strong tape or superglue for secure attachment.
- Lift the back cover with the suction handle to create a small gap between it and the frame.
- If trouble persists, apply more heat while following iOpener instructions to prevent overheating.
Insert an opening pick into the created gap and slide it towards the bottom left corner to cut the adhesive.
Leave the pick in place to prevent re-adhesion.
Step 3 | Slice the adhesive
Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge.
- Slide it to the bottom right to slice the adhesive.
- Leave both picks in place to keep the adhesive from resealing.
Step 4 | Slice the adhesive
Reheat the adhesive with an iOpener for 2-3 minutes if it becomes 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.
- Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent resealing.
Step 5
Insert only the tip (~4-5 mm) of an 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 slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent resealing, avoiding contact with the camera assembly.
Step 6
Insert the fifth opening pick under the bottom left corner.
- Slide the opening pick along the left edge to slice remaining adhesive.
Near the power button, only insert the tip of the opening pick (~3-4 mm) to avoid damaging the power and volume button flex cable.
Step 7 | Remove the back cover
Remove the back cover.
- Power on your phone and test all functions.
- Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
- Use high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to wipe away any remaining adhesive residue.
Make sure to power your phone back down completely before continuing work.
For Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow the specific guide.
If using double-sided tape, consult the relevant guide for proper reassembly instructions.
Step 8 | Slice the adhesive
Puncturing or bending the battery can cause a thermal event or leak hazardous chemicals.
- Be cautious of cables beneath the charging coil during disassembly.
- Work slowly and stop the pick if it catches on any cables.
- Insert the opening pick under the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
- Slide the pick along the bottom left edge to separate the assembly from the battery.
Step 9
Insert an opening pick under the bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
- Slide the opening pick along the bottom, carefully separating the assembly from the loudspeaker.
Step 10 | Disconnect the charging coil
Disconnect the charging coil by prying the connector straight up with a spudger.
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 NFC antenna and charging coil assembly using a Phillips screwdriver.
- There are five 3.9 mm-long screws to remove.
Step 13 | Remove the NFC antenna & charging coil assembly
Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly using 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 | Unfasten the loudspeaker assembly screws
Remove the six 3.9mm screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 16 | Pry up the loudspeaker assembly
Insert an opening pick into the gap between the top edge of the loudspeaker assembly and the midframe.
- Pry up the loudspeaker assembly by tilting it downwards using your opening pick.
Step 17 | Remove the loudspeaker assembly
Remove the loudspeaker assembly.
- Clean affected areas with isopropyl alcohol (90% or greater).
- Apply new adhesive as needed during reassembly.
Step 18 | Disconnect the display flex cable
Remove the display flex cable's upper connector by gently prying it straight up with a spudger.
Step 19 | Remove the display flex cable
Disconnect the display flex cable by using a spudger to pry its bottom connector straight up from its socket.
- Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully lift out the disconnected display flex cable.
Step 20 | Loosen the display adhesive
Apply a heated iOpener to the screen for at least 5 minutes to loosen adhesive.
- The display adhesive is very strong; you may need to reheat and reapply several times before proceeding.
- Alternative heating methods include a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be careful not to overheat the device.
Step 21 | Insert an opening pick
Apply a suction handle to the left edge of the screen, as close to the edge as possible.
- If your screen is badly cracked, cover it with clear packing tape for better adhesion.
- Alternatively, use very strong tape instead of the suction handle or superglue the suction cup in place.
Superglue only as a last resort to avoid any potential damage.
Lift the screen with the suction handle to create a small gap between the screen and frame.
- Insert an opening pick into the gap between midframe and screen.
- Slide the opening pick to the top left corner of the screen, using only its tip (~4-5 mm) to avoid damaging the in-display fingerprint cable.
- Leave the opening pick in place to prevent adhesive resealing.
Step 22 | Slice the adhesive
Slide a second opening pick from top-left to bottom-left, slicing adhesive.
- Keep the pick in place to prevent resealing of adhesive.
Step 23
When slicing near the front-facing camera, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~2-3 mm) to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.
- Insert a third opening pick at the top left corner of the screen.
- Slide the opening pick along the top edge of the phone to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 24
Reheat the adhesive if it becomes hard to cut.
- Use your iOpener or heat gun for 1-2 minutes.
- Insert a fourth opening pick under the top right corner of the screen.
- Slide the opening pick along the right edge to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent resealing.
Step 25
Do not attempt to remove the display entirely at this time.
- Insert an additional opening pick at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Slide the new pick along the bottom edge, carefully slicing any remaining adhesive.
Note that the display is still secured to the midframe by underlying adhesive near the center of the screen.
Step 26 | Insert a plastic card
Insert a plastic card into the gap between the midframe and display, near one of the phone's edges.
Be careful not to damage the display or midframe.
- Slide the plastic card downwards along the edge to slice through the adhesive underneath the screen.
Step 27 | Remove the screen
Remove the screen.
- Compare your new replacement part to the original part and transfer any remaining components from the old screen.
- Clean relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and apply new adhesive where needed.
- Follow this guide for reassembly if using a pre-cut adhesive card during installation.