Samsung Galaxy S8 Front-Facing Camera Replacement
Discharging the battery below 25% is crucial to prevent a potentially hazardous explosion in case of accidental damage.
- Remove the rear glass cover using replacement adhesive for reassembly.
- This guide is for replacing or removing the front-facing camera assembly in Samsung Galaxy S8 devices.
Step 1 | iOpener Heating
Any debris on the microwave bottom could attach to the iOpener.
- Clean your microwave before continuing with this guide.
- Position the iOpener in the microwave's center.
- For carousel microwaves: Ensure the plate rotates smoothly, as stuck iOpener may cause overheating and burning damage.
Step 2
Do not attempt to heat above 100°C (212°F) — risk of iOpener bursting.
Use the iOpener briefly, as it may burst if overheated.
- Heat the iOpener in a microwave for 30 seconds.
- Reheat the iOpener every 10 minutes or when noticeably cooled during repair.
Do not touch the iOpener if it's swollen, as this may be a sign of overheating.
If the iOpener is still hot in the middle after reheating, continue using it and let it cool down gradually.
Step 3
Use extreme caution when handling a hot iOpener.
- Remove the iOpener from the microwave using one of its flat ends to avoid the center.
- Hold the iOpener with an oven mitt if necessary due to its high temperature.
Step 4 | Alternate iOpener heating method
If no microwave is available, proceed with caution.
- Fill a pot or pan with enough water to fully submerge an iOpener.
- Heat the water to a boil, then turn off the heat source.
- Submerge an iOpener in the hot water for 2-3 minutes.
The iOpener will be very hot; handle with care using only the end tabs.
- Use tongs to remove the heated iOpener from the water.
- Dry the iOpener thoroughly with a towel before use.
For reheat, repeat steps as necessary.
Step 5 | Back Glass Assembly
Opening your phone will compromise its waterproof seals.
- Prepare replacement adhesive before proceeding or be cautious with liquid exposure during reassembly.
- Heat an iOpener for 2 minutes on a long edge of the S8, reheating and reapplying as necessary to achieve the correct temperature.
- Be careful not to overheat the phone when using alternative heating methods like a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to avoid damaging the OLED display and internal battery.
Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
Use this time to prepare for prying by reviewing the next step.
Step 6
Locate the thick and thin adhesive sections around the rear glass panel.
- Identify the fingerprint sensor area where you should avoid prying.
- Apply a gentle cutting motion to separate the adhesive along the edge of the panel, following the pattern of thicker and thinner areas.
Step 7
Avoid the curved edge when applying a suction cup near the heated back panel.
- Apply a suction cup as close as possible to the heated edge, without touching it.
- If the back cover is cracked or the suction cup doesn't stick, use strong tape or superglue for extra adhesion.
- Lift on the suction cup and insert an opening pick under the rear glass, pushing upward due to the curved design.
Step 8
Reheat and reapply iOpener to soften the adhesive.
- Firmly insert the tool into the glass as needed.
Step 9
Slide the opening pick down the side of the phone, separating the adhesive.
Go slowly to prevent the tool from slipping out of the seam; if cutting becomes difficult, reheat and reapply the iOpener.
Step 10
Continue with the same heating and cutting process for the other three sides of the phone.
- Place a opening pick on each side, leaving it in place as you move on to the next side to prevent adhesive resealing.
- Repeat the heating and cutting sequence until all four sides have been separated from the phone's body.
Step 11
Do not open the phone further if the fingerprint sensor cable seems snagged or stays taut.
- Disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable before removing the rear glass.
- As you lift the glass, check that the orange cable with a blue connector has disconnected.
- Use opening picks to slice through remaining adhesive and open the phone slightly.
Carefully disconnect the connector using a spudger if it seems snagged or stays taut during disassembly.
- When reassembling, 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 rear glass from the phone.
Step 12
Remove any remaining adhesive from the phone's chassis with tweezers.
Clean adhesion areas with high concentration isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%) and a lint-free cloth before applying new adhesive.
- Peel off the adhesive backing from the new rear glass.
- Line up one edge of the glass against the phone chassis and press firmly onto the phone.
Turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.
You may reinstall the back cover without replacing the adhesive, but note that it won't be waterproof:
- Remove large chunks of adhesive to ensure proper fit.
- Apply heat and pressure to secure the back cover.
If necessary, transfer the camera bezel according to our camera bezel replacement guide.
Step 13 | NFC Antenna and Charging Coil Assembly
Remove the eleven 3.7mm screws with a Phillips #000 screwdriver.
Step 14
Remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
Step 15 | Loudspeaker Assembly
Remove three Phillips #000 screws, each 3.7 mm in length.
- Locate and remove the first screw.
- Repeat for the remaining two screws.
Step 16
Remove the loudspeaker assembly.
Step 17 | Battery Connector
- Disconnect the battery connector with the flat end of a spudger.
Note that the battery remains in place for this guide.
Step 18 | Front-Facing Camera
Use tweezers to carefully lift the front-facing camera module from its slot.
No need to remove the motherboard, as it's not involved in this process.