Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Front Facing Camera Replacement
This guide is for replacing the front-facing camera on a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS). Models with additional antenna cables in the midframe may have varying steps.
Reassemble without replacement adhesive seals at your own risk: device water protection compromised.
Step 1 | Heat the back cover
Unplug and power off your phone before starting.
- Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the back cover for at least three minutes.
- Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be careful not to overheat as this can damage the display and internal battery.
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 badly cracked, apply clear packing tape for better suction adherence.
- Alternatively, use strong tape instead of the suction cup or superglue it in place if necessary.
Use the suction handle to lift the back cover, creating a small gap between it and the frame.
- If you encounter trouble creating a gap, reapply heat to soften the adhesive further.
- Follow iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
Apply caution when handling heat to avoid damaging components.
Insert an opening pick into the created gap and slide it 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 the second opening pick at the bottom edge of the phone.
- Slide the opening pick towards the bottom right corner to cut the adhesive.
- Leave both opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 4
Re-heat 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 of your phone to slice the adhesive.
- Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent re-sealing.
Step 5
When slicing near the camera assembly, use only the tip of the opening pick (~ 4-5 mm) to avoid damage or smearing.
- Insert a fourth opening pick underneath the top right corner of your phone.
- Slide the opening pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent resealing of the adhesive.
Step 6
Insert a fifth opening pick under the top left corner.
Slide it along the left edge of the back cover to slice remaining adhesive.
When slicing near the power button, insert only ~3-4 mm of the tip to avoid damaging the power and volume button flex cable.
Step 7 | Remove the back cover
Power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up.
- Remove the back cover.
- Test your phone's functions by powering it on.
Ensure you power down your phone completely before proceeding.
- Use tweezers or fingers to remove any adhesive chunks.
- Wipe away adhesive residue with high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol.
- For custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
- For double-sided tape, follow this guide.
Step 8 | Slice the adhesive
Insert a pick under the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
- Carefully slide the pick along the bottom left edge to separate it 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 of the assembly, being careful not to damage surrounding components.
- The pick should separate the assembly from the loudspeaker.
Step 10 | Disconnect the charging coil
Disconnect the charging coil with a spudger by prying its connector straight up from its socket.
Step 11 | Disconnect the NFC antenna
Use a spudger to pry the NFC antenna connector straight up from its socket.
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 earpiece and laser AF module assembly screws
Remove the four 3.9 mm long screws using a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 16 | Disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cable
Use a spudger to pry the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cable connectors straight up out of their sockets.
Step 17 | Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly
Grasp the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly with a pair of blunt nose tweezers by its bottom right corner.
- Carefully lift it upwards.
- Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.
Step 18 | Disconnect the front facing camera
Use a spudger to carefully lift the front-facing camera cable connector directly out of its socket.
Step 19 | Remove the front facing camera
Remove the front camera using a pair of tweezers.
When reassembling, clean the area with isopropyl alcohol (at least 90% concentration) before applying new adhesive.