Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Rear Camera Replacement
This guide is for replacing the rear camera on a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS). Models other than this one may have an additional antenna cable in the midframe.
- If you're not replacing the screen, removing interconnect cables will make later steps easier.
Not reattaching adhesive seals when reassembling can compromise water protection.
Step 1 | Heat the back cover
Unplug your phone and power it off before starting.
- iOpener: Apply for at least 3 minutes to loosen adhesive underneath the back cover.
- Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun or hot plate but be cautious not to overheat: display & internal battery are susceptible to damage.
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 a layer of clear packing tape to facilitate suction.
- Use a strong adhesive instead of the suction cup if necessary.
Avoid overusing superglue; it may damage surrounding components.
- Lift the back cover with the suction handle, creating a small gap between the cover and frame.
- If the adhesive resists separation, apply more heat, following the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
Insert an opening pick into the created gap.
- Slide the opening pick towards 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 into the bottom edge of your phone.
- Slide this new opening pick along the bottom edge and into the right corner to cut through the adhesive.
Leave all opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 4
Adhesive may harden during use.
- Reheat the adhesive with the iOpener for two to three minutes.
- Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right corner of your phone.
- Slide this pick along the right edge to cut the adhesive.
- Leave the pick in place to keep the adhesive open.
Step 5
When cutting near the camera, use only 4-5mm of the pick's tip.
- Insert a fourth opening pick under the top right phone corner.
- Slide the pick along the top edge to cut adhesive.
- Leave it in the top left corner to prevent resealing.
Damage or smearing near the camera is possible if not careful.
Step 6
Insert a fifth opening pick under the top left corner.
- Slide it along the left edge, slicing remaining adhesive.
When near the power button, only insert ~3-4 mm of the tip to avoid damaging the flex cable.
Step 7 | Remove the back cover
Remove the back cover.
Power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up.
Make sure to power down your phone completely before continuing.
Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
- Use high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to wipe away adhesive residue.
- If using custom-cut adhesives, follow the corresponding guide.
- If using double-sided tape, follow the corresponding guide.
Step 8 | Slice the adhesive
Insert a opening pick under the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
- Slide the opening pick along the bottom left edge of the assembly, carefully separating it from the battery.
Step 9
Locate the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
- Insert an opening pick underneath the bottom end.
- Carefully slide along the bottom to separate from the loudspeaker.
Step 10 | Disconnect the charging coil
Use a spudger to pry the charging coil connector straight up from its socket.
Step 11 | Disconnect the NFC antenna
Use a spudger to gently 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.
- Loosen the five 3.9mm screws.
Step 13 | Remove the NFC antenna & charging coil assembly
Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly using tweezers or your fingers.
Be gentle to avoid damaging surrounding components.
Step 14 | Disconnect the battery cable
Disconnect the battery cable using a spudger. Pry the connector straight up from its socket.
Step 15 | Unfasten the loudspeaker assembly screws
Remove the four Phillips screws using a Phillips screwdriver, taking care not to strip their heads.
- The screws have a length of 3.9 mm.
Step 16 | Pry up the loudspeaker assembly
Insert a spudger 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 spudger.
Step 17 | Remove the loudspeaker assembly
- Remove the loudspeaker assembly.
- For reassembly, apply new adhesive as needed. Clean the affected areas with >90% isopropyl alcohol beforehand.
Step 18 | Disconnect the display flex cable
Check if the motherboard or battery is being replaced before proceeding.
- Disconnect the display flex cable using a spudger, prying the connector straight up 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 of each cable straight up from their sockets.
Step 20 | Remove the interconnect flex cable
Disconnect the interconnect flex cable from the daughterboard using a spudger. Pry the bottom connector straight up from its socket.
- Remove the interconnect flex cable by hand or with a pair of tweezers.
Step 21 | Remove the main flex cable
Disconnect the main flex cable from the daughterboard using a spudger. Pry the bottom connector straight up from its socket.
- Use your fingers or tweezers to carefully remove the main flex cable.
Step 22 | Unfasten the earpiece and laser AF module assembly screws
Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly using a Phillips screwdriver.
- Identify the four 3.9 mm-long screws securing the assembly.
- Loosen each screw in a counterclockwise direction until removed.
Step 23 | Disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cable
- Use a spudger to carefully pry the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cable connectors straight up from their sockets.
Step 24 | Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly
Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to grab the bottom right corner of the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly and gently lift it up.
Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.
Step 25 | Disconnect the in-display fingerprint and antenna flex cables
Do not sharply fold the cables, as this may cause damage.
- Use a spudger to pry the in-display fingerprint and antenna flex connectors straight up from their socket.
- Bend both connectors gently to the side to free the motherboard.
Step 26 | Disconnect the front facing camera
Use a spudger to pry the front facing camera cable's connector straight up from its socket.
Step 27 | Disconnect the power button flex cable
Disconnect the power button flex cable using a spudger.
- Pry the connector straight up from its socket.
- Bend the connector to one side to release the motherboard.
Step 28 | Unfasten the camera module screw
Remove the screw (3.9 mm long) using a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 29 | Pry up the motherboard
Avoid damaging the flex cables around the motherboard during this process.
- Insert an spudger under the top edge of the motherboard, next to the vibration motor.
- Pry up the motherboard using your spudger, tilting it downwards and twisting it to the side simultaneously.
Step 30 | Remove the motherboard
Make no sudden motions while handling the motherboard.
- Remove the motherboard with deliberate care.
- Ensure that all flex cables remain untangled from the motherboard.
Step 31 | Disconnect the ultra wide camera
Disengage the ultra-wide camera flex cable by lifting its connector directly upwards using a spudger.
Step 32 | Disconnect the telephoto camera
Disconnect the telephoto camera flex cable using a spudger. Pry the cable's connector straight up from its socket.
Step 33 | Disconnect the wide and second telephoto camera
Use a spudger to pry the wide and the second telephoto camera flex cable connectors straight up from their sockets.
- Target the wide camera flex cable first.
- Next, disconnect the second telephoto camera flex cable.
Step 34 | Remove the rear camera assembly
Separate the motherboard from the rear camera assembly using a pair of tweezers.
During reassembly, apply new adhesive to cleaned areas after soaking them in isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
Step 35 | Unfasten the camera assembly screw
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.5 mm-long screw securing the rear camera assembly.
Step 36 | Separate the camera lenses
Use blunt tweezers or your fingers to carefully separate the triple lens assembly from the telephoto camera.
- To replace a single lens, apply a heated iOpener to loosen the adhesive and press through the frame.
- Avoid straining or tearing the camera cables.
Do not strain or tear the camera cables during this procedure — risk of damage or malfunction.
- Reassembly: Clean areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and apply new adhesive as needed.