Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Vibration Motor Replacement - Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Step 1 | Heat the back cover

Unplug your phone and power it off.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the back cover for at least three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
You can also use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be cautious not to overheat your phone, as it may 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 a layer of clear packing tape or use very strong tape instead of the suction cup.

If all else fails, do not superglue the suction cup without proper safety precautions.

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 and follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
Insert an opening pick into the gap you created.

Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.

Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 3 | Slice the adhesive

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge of the phone.
Slide the new pick to the bottom right corner, slicing the adhesive.
Leave both opening picks in place; otherwise, the adhesive may reseal.

Step 4

Reheat iOpener for 2-3 minutes if adhesive is hard to cut.

Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right corner of phone.
Slide opening pick along right edge to slice adhesive.
Leave pick in 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 pick along the top edge to cut the adhesive.
Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent resealing.

Step 6

Insert a fifth opening pick under the top left corner.

Slide it along the left edge, slicing any remaining adhesive.
Near the power button, only use 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 during reassembly.

Be sure to power down completely before continuing work.

Remove adhesive chunks with tweezers or fingers.

Wipe away remaining adhesive residue using high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol.

If using custom-cut adhesives, consult the relevant guide.
If using double-sided tape, follow the associated guide's instructions.

Step 8 | Slice the adhesive

Insert an opening pick at the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Slide the opening pick along the bottom left edge to separate it from the battery.

Step 9

Insert an opening pick under the bottom of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Slide the pick along the bottom edge, separating it from the loudspeaker.

Step 10 | Disconnect the charging coil

Use a spudger to carefully pry the charging coil connector straight up out of its socket.

Step 11 | Disconnect the NFC antenna

Disconnect the NFC antenna by prying the connector straight up using 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 be removed.

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. Pry the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 15 | Unfasten the loudspeaker assembly screws

Remove the screws securing the loudspeaker assembly using a Phillips screwdriver.

The screws are 4 in total and 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.

Apply new adhesive to cleaned areas as needed when reassembling.

Clean relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) before applying adhesive.

Step 18 | Disconnect the display flex cable

Continue if skipping motherboard removal or battery replacement.

Pry the display flex connector straight up from its socket using a spudger.

Step 19 | Disconnect the main & interconnect flex cables

Disconnect the main and interconnect flex cables using a spudger.

Pry their upper connectors straight up from their sockets.

Step 20 | Remove the interconnect flex cable

Remove the interconnect flex cable using a spudger. Pry the bottom connector straight up from its socket.

Use your fingers or a tweezer to carefully remove the interconnect flex cable.

Step 21 | Remove the main flex cable

Disconnect the main flex cable's lower connector by prying it straight up with a spudger.

Remove the main flex cable using your fingers or a pair of tweezers, being careful not to damage it.

Step 22 | Unfasten the earpiece and laser AF module assembly screws

Remove the four 3.9 mm screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 23 | Disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cable

Disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cables using a spudger. Prying action should be done straight upwards on the connectors.

Step 24 | Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly

Careful handling is required to avoid damaging the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.

Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to grasp the bottom right corner of the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.
Lift the assembly upwards, then
Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.

Step 25 | Disconnect the in-display fingerprint and antenna flex cables

Bending the connectors too sharply can cause damage.

Use a spudger to pry the in-display fingerprint and antenna flex cable connectors straight up from their socket.
Bend both connectors gently to the side, freeing the motherboard from the cables.

Step 26 | Disconnect the front facing camera

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

Step 27 | Disconnect the power button flex cable

Disengage the power button flex cable using a spudger. Lift the connector directly upwards from its socket.

Bend the connector sideways to release tension on the motherboard.

Step 28 | Unfasten the camera module screw

Remove the screw securing the camera module using a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 29 | Pry up the motherboard

Careful not to damage flex cables surrounding the motherboard.

Insert an spudger under top edge of motherboard next to vibration motor.
Pry up motherboard by tilting down and twisting to one side using spudger.

Step 30 | Remove the motherboard

Exercise extreme care when removing the motherboard.

Remove the motherboard slowly and smoothly, avoiding sudden movements.
Verify that all flex cables are secured and not tangled with the motherboard to prevent damage.

Step 31 | Loosen the vibration motor adhesive

Avoid overheating the phone to prevent damage to the display and internal battery.

Apply an iOpener for at least two minutes to the screen with the front facing camera, loosening the adhesive underneath the vibration motor.
Alternatively, use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be cautious not to apply excessive heat.

Step 32 | Pry up the vibration motor

Insert one tweezers arm under the vibration motor connector.

Pry up the vibration motor using the tweezers.

Step 33 | Remove the vibration motor

Use your tweezers to carefully lift the vibration motor from its recess.

Clean the surrounding area with isopropyl alcohol (over 90%).
During reassembly, apply new adhesive as needed to ensure a secure bond.