Samsung Galaxy S8 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement - Samsung Galaxy S8

Step 1 | iOpener Heating

Clean the microwave thoroughly before proceeding to prevent residue from adhering to the iOpener.

Place the iOpener in the center of the microwave.
For carousel microwaves: Ensure the plate rotates freely, as stuck iOpener may cause overheating and damage.

Step 2

Risk of overheating and bursting; never exceed 100°C (212°F).

Heat the iOpener in a microwave for 30 seconds.
Reheat as needed throughout the repair, adding 30 seconds at a time.
Avoid touching if swollen or overheated; continue use while waiting to cool.
The iOpener should stay warm for up to 10 minutes when properly heated.

Step 3

When removing the iOpener from the microwave, hold it by a flat end only.

Hold the iOpener away from its hot center.
Use an oven mitt for added protection if needed.

Step 4 | Alternate iOpener heating method

To avoid burns, handle heated iOpener by end tabs only.

Boiling water: Fill a pot or pan with enough water to submerge an iOpener completely.
Heat the water to a boil and then turn off the heat.
Submerge an iOpener in hot water for 2-3 minutes, ensuring it's fully covered.
Use tongs to remove the heated iOpener from the pot.
Dry the iOpener thoroughly with a towel before use.

Reheat in boiling water for 2-3 minutes as needed, taking care to handle the hot iOpener by the end tabs only.

Step 5 | Back Glass Assembly

Opening your phone will compromise its waterproof seals; have replacement adhesive ready or take care to avoid liquid exposure upon reassembly.

Heat an iOpener for about 2 minutes, applying it to a long edge of the S8.
Reheat and reapply as needed to achieve sufficient warmth.

Avoid overheating by following the iOpener instructions or using alternative heat sources (hair dryer, heat gun, hot plate) with caution: they can damage the OLED display and internal battery.

Step 6

Prying may damage the fingerprint sensor, avoid this area.

Identify thick and thin sections of the rear case adhesive.
Cut through adhesive around edge of rear glass panel.

Adhesive layout: thick portions marked sometimes visible from outside.

Step 7

Apply a suction cup near the heated edge, avoiding the curved section.

The suction cup won't seal properly on the curved glass.
If the back cover is cracked, use strong tape or superglue to secure the suction cup.

Insert an opening pick under the rear glass, pushing upwards due to the curved design.

Step 8

Reinsert the iFixit opening pick and reheat the iOpener before reapplying it to the device.

Step 9

Slide the opening pick down the side of the phone, gently prying the adhesive apart.

Work slowly to avoid the tool slipping out of place.
If cutting becomes difficult, reheat and reapply the iOpener.

Step 10

Continue the process by repeating steps for the remaining three sides.

For each side, apply a heating and cutting procedure similar to the initial steps.
Leave an opening pick on each side before proceeding to the next one to prevent resealing of the adhesive.

Step 11

Locate the fingerprint sensor cable, which connects the phone to the rear glass near the main camera.

The cable is short and should disconnect as you remove the rear glass.
Peek in to confirm that the orange cable with a blue connector has disconnected before proceeding.

Use opening picks to slice through remaining adhesive and open the phone slightly, but do not proceed if the fingerprint sensor cable appears snagged or taut.

Do not attempt to force the phone open if the cable is stuck. Instead, use a spudger to carefully disconnect the connector.

During reassembly:

Angle the back cover into position until the cable connector lines up perfectly over its socket.
Use the flat end of your spudger to gently snap the connector into place by pressing it straight down.

Remove the glass from the phone.

Step 12

Peel away any remaining adhesive from the phone's chassis using tweezers.

Clean adhesion areas with high concentration isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%) and a lint-free cloth.
Remove the adhesive backing from the new rear glass.
Lining up one edge, firmly press the glass onto the phone's chassis.

Ensure your repair is complete before applying new adhesive.

Reinstall the back cover without adhesive for a temporary fix.
If desired, reapply adhesive and reseal the phone with heat and pressure.
Transfer the camera bezel if necessary (follow our guide).

Step 13 | Fingerprint Sensor

Transfer the fingerprint sensor as follows:

iOpener the fingerprint sensor on the rear glass.
Gently push the fingerprint sensor off its adhesive from the outside of the glass.
If the sensor is stubborn, use an opening pick to loosen the adhesive under the plastic backing before pushing.

The adhesive may be compromised and not reusable after loosening it.

Step 14

Never touch the new adhesive before it's fully dry — risk of skin irritation.

Remove the old fingerprint sensor adhesive with a suitable tool.
Clean the edges of the fingerprint sensor with at least 90% isopropyl alcohol.
Apply new pre-cut adhesive to the fingerprint sensor.