Disassembling Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

Unmount any micro SD card.

• Power off your device.

• Remove the back casing carefully to avoid damaging components.

• Disconnect the battery, SIM card, and microSD.

Remove the metal rings from the corners of the device.

• Use a sewing needle or similar tool to carefully remove each ring.

Do not attempt to remove the mid frame screws until this step is complete, as they may be damaged by the metal rings' removal method.

• Remove the mid frame screws. There are 12 in total.

Remove the 12 midframe screws.

Keep the screws organized and store them safely to avoid losing them.

Be extremely cautious when removing the midframe as there are 2 hidden security clips.

• Locate and gently push a flathead screwdriver or thin blade between the volume button and midframe to release one clip.
• Pry up the other clip, located directly between the SIM slot and 4-prong battery terminal, by lightly prying at the bottom of it.

When pulling the midframe off, the charging cover may detach from the phone.

• The charging cover will be separated from the phone and must be reattached during reassembly.

If you disengage the security clips incorrectly, it can cause issues when trying to reassemble the midframe.

• Now set the main frame aside temporarily while working on the midframe.

The headphone jack on the S4 Active is attached to the midframe, not the mainframe.

Be extremely careful when handling flex cables — rips and tears can be caused by careless handling.

• Insert a tool (such as a sewing needle) into the access slot to pry up the adhesive holding the flex cable in place.
• Once the flex cable is released, you can remove the attached component — in this case, the headphone jack.

Locate the white USB protector and remove the two black screws securing the daughterboard/USB charging dock.

Note: The final screw is located at the top of the motherboard, on the left side of the earpiece and rear facing camera.

Count the Midframe screws - there are 12 stainless ones.

• Note that there are also 3 board screws, which are black in color.

Total number of screws: 15.

Identify the antenna running between the motherboard and daughterboard.

• Disconnect one end of the antenna from the motherboard.
• Move to the other end and disconnect it from the daughterboard.
• Set the disassembled antenna aside.

• Pry the flex cable connector gently from the motherboard.
• Locate and pry out the two daughterboard access slots, removing the daughterboard.
• Remove the combined charging port and daughterboard by pulling the flex cable.

Insert a priy tool between the button and its housing.

• Pry gently until the button comes loose.

Be cautious not to damage the surrounding area when pushing the button back into place.

• Use a similar approach to push the button back in, but be aware that it may require more force than prying it out.

• Disconnect the SIM/SD reader from its port.
• Remove the digitizer by disconnecting it from the logic board.
• Take out the front-facing camera and set it aside.
• Disconnect the proximity sensor cable from the motherboard.
• Remove the LED status light/RGB sensor module by disconnecting its cables.

Locate the metal bracket securing the Front Facing Camera and Proximity Sensor.

• Pry the bracket loose from the right side using a suitable tool.
• Remove the Proximity Sensor and Front Facing Camera.

Gently pry the motherboard from the phone, one side at a time.

• Avoid snagging or hitting any remaining flex cables with the motherboard as you remove it.
• Touch only the edges of the motherboard to prevent ESD damage.

Failure to follow this precaution may result in fried motherboard components.

Do not attempt to remove the SIM Reader unless you intend to replace it.

• It is tightly secured and does not easily come off or go back on.
• Since the SIM Reader is attached to the Micro-SD, replacement of the entire Unit may be necessary if it's broken.

Flip the motherboard over and detach the flex cable connector.

• Place the motherboard aside in a secure location.

Remove the bracket securing the component in place.

• Identical to the previous step, use the screwdriver to release it.
• Once removed, proceed with taking out the LED Status Light/RGB Sensor.

Flex cable damage can occur due to improper removal.

• Use two prying tools for Earpiece flex cable removal.
• The adhesive has a strong bond, requiring extra care and caution.

Locate the access slot underneath the flex cable and vibrator, which is secured with a significant amount of adhesive.

• Carefully remove the vibrator from its mounting point, taking note of the underlying adhesive.

Remove the following components: Daughterboard, USB Port protector, Flex Cable Connector.

• Disconnect the Antenna, SIM card, SD Reader, and Micro-SD card from their respective slots.

Be careful not to damage any of these delicate components during removal.

Remove the USB Water Cover, Volume buttons, Power Buttons, and screws holding them in place.

• Disconnect the Front Facing Camera from its Bracket.
• Remove the Proximity Sensor and its Bracket.

Disconnect the LED Status Light and RGB Sensor Module from their respective brackets.

• Remove the Rear Facing Camera and Vibrator from their mounting points.

Disconnect the Headphone Jack and Earpiece Speaker connections.