How to Remove the Interconnect Cables in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Step 1 | Heat the back cover

Unplug your phone and power it off before starting.

Apply an iOpener to the back cover for at least three minutes to loosen the adhesive.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate. Be cautious not to overheat and damage the display or internal battery.

Step 2 | Insert an opening pick

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

If the back cover is badly cracked, apply clear packing tape for better suction.
Alternatively, use strong tape or superglue instead of the suction cup if necessary.

Be cautious not to overheat with excessive heat application.

Lift the back cover with the suction handle to create a small gap between the back cover and the frame.

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 a second opening pick at the bottom edge of your phone.

Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive.
Leave the picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 4

Check if the adhesive has cooled down, causing it to be hard to cut.

Reheat the adhesive with your iOpener for two to three minutes.
Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right corner of your phone.
Slice the adhesive along the right edge of your phone using this new opening pick.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent resealing.

Step 5

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

Insert a fourth opening pick under the top right corner of your phone.
Slide this pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive.
Leave it in the top left corner to prevent resealing.

Step 6

Insert a 5th opening pick under the top left corner.

Slide the pick along the left edge of the back cover to cut the remaining adhesive.
When near the power button, insert just the tip (~ 3-4 mm) to avoid damaging the flex cable.

Step 7 | Remove the back cover

Power on your phone and test all functions before sealing the back cover.

Remove the back cover.
Ensure phone is powered down completely.

Use caution when handling adhesive residue — clean with high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol only.

Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
Wipe away any remaining adhesive residue with high concentration isopropyl alcohol.

For custom-cut adhesives, refer to separate guide.

For double-sided tape, refer to separate guide.

Step 8 | Slice the adhesive

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, carefully separating the assembly from the battery.

Step 9

Insert a pick under the NFC antenna, making sure not to damage.

Slide the pick along the bottom edge to pry apart the NFC assembly and loudspeaker.

Step 10 | Disconnect the charging coil

Remove the charging coil connector by carefully prying it straight up with a spudger.

Step 11 | Disconnect the NFC antenna

Use a spudger to disconnect the NFC antenna connector, prying it straight up from its socket.

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

Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly by unscrewing the five 3.9 mm Philips screws.

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

Step 15 | Unfasten the loudspeaker assembly screws

Remove the Loudspeaker Assembly using a Phillips Screwdriver.

Target and remove four screws, each measuring 3.9 mm in length.

Step 16 | Pry up the loudspeaker assembly

Insert spudger into gap between top edge of loudspeaker assembly and midframe.

Pry up loudspeaker assembly by tilting it downwards using your spudger.

Step 17 | Remove the loudspeaker assembly

Remove the loudspeaker assembly.

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

Step 18 | Disconnect the display flex cable

Ignore if replacing the motherboard or swapping the battery.

Dislodge the display flex cable's connector with a spudger, prying it upwards from its socket.

Step 19 | Disconnect the main & interconnect flex cables

Disconnect the main and interconnect flex cables using a spudger.
Pry the upper connectors straight up from their sockets.

Step 20 | Remove the interconnect flex cable

Disconnect the interconnect flex cable's bottom connector from the daughterboard using a spudger.

Pry the connector straight up from its socket.
Use your fingers or tweezers to carefully remove the interconnect flex cable.

Step 21 | Remove the main flex cable

Disconnect the main flex cable from the daughterboard by using a spudger to pry its bottom connector straight up.

Remove the main flex cable with your fingers or a pair of tweezers.