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Featured Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

47

Time Required

                          1 - 3 hours

Sections

10

  • SIM Tray
  • 1 step
  • Back Cover
  • 6 steps
  • Motherboard Cover
  • 4 steps
  • Battery Disconnect
  • 1 step
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • 2 steps
  • Motherboard Removal
  • 8 steps
  • Loudspeaker
  • 3 steps
  • Daughterboard Removal
  • 6 steps
  • Vibration Motor
  • 3 steps
  • Screen
  • 13 steps

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Introduction

Note: This procedure is for a screen that’s pre-installed in a new frame (a.k.a. chassis). You’ll need to transplant all of your phone’s internals to the new screen. If you’re replacing the display panel by itself, follow this guide instead.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your device. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the SIM card tray
  • Insert a SIM card eject tool or a straightened paperclip into the hole adjacent to the SIM card tray.
  • Press firmly to eject the tray.
  • The SIM card may fall out.
  • Grab and remove the SIM card tray from the phone.
  • Reinsert the SIM card tray with the SIM card recess facing the screen.

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a straightened paperclip into the hole adjacent to the SIM card tray.

Press firmly to eject the tray.

The SIM card may fall out.

Grab and remove the SIM card tray from the phone.

Reinsert the SIM card tray with the SIM card recess facing the screen.

1024

Step 2

              Heat the left edge
  • Discharge your battery to 25% or lower and power off your phone before you begin.
  • Heat an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the cover for two minutes.
  • A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Discharge your battery to 25% or lower and power off your phone before you begin.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the cover for two minutes.

A hair dryer or heat gun may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 3

              Insert an opening pick
  • Apply a suction cup to the back cover, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.
  • Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the cover and the frame.
  • Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Apply a suction cup to the back cover, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.

Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the cover and the frame.

Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Step 4

              Slice the right adhesive
  • Slide your opening pick back and forth along the left edge to slice through the adhesive.
  • Leave the pick in at the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Slide your opening pick back and forth along the left edge to slice through the adhesive.

Leave the pick in at the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

              Slice the bottom adhesive
  • Insert and slide a second opening pick to the bottom right corner to slice through the adhesive.
  • Leave the pick inserted to prevent the bottom edge from resealing.
  • Repeat this process for the right and top edges of the cover.

Insert and slide a second opening pick to the bottom right corner to slice through the adhesive.

Leave the pick inserted to prevent the bottom edge from resealing.

Repeat this process for the right and top edges of the cover.

Step 6

              Dislodge the fingerprint reader
  • The fingerprint reader is connected to the motherboard by a fragile cable. You must free it before pulling the cover off.
  • Grab and lift the bottom edge of the cover.
  • As you lift the back cover, press and unstick the fingerprint reader from it.

The fingerprint reader is connected to the motherboard by a fragile cable. You must free it before pulling the cover off.

Grab and lift the bottom edge of the cover.

As you lift the back cover, press and unstick the fingerprint reader from it.

Step 7

              Remove the back cover
  • Grab and remove the back cover.
  • If your back cover is still sticking to the frame, slide the pick around the edges of the phone to slice through any remaining adhesive.
  • Reassembly notes:
  • This is a good point to test your phone before sealing it up. Follow this guide to perform a hardware test. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
  • To adhere the back cover with custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
  • To adhere the back cover with tape, follow this guide.

Grab and remove the back cover.

If your back cover is still sticking to the frame, slide the pick around the edges of the phone to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Reassembly notes:

This is a good point to test your phone before sealing it up. Follow this guide to perform a hardware test. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.

To adhere the back cover with custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.

To adhere the back cover with tape, follow this guide.

Step 8

              Reposition the fingerprint reader
  • Flip the fingerprint reader to the left, away from the phone.
  • Don’t fold or sharply bend the ribbon cable.

Flip the fingerprint reader to the left, away from the phone.

Don’t fold or sharply bend the ribbon cable.

Step 9

              Unfasten the motherboard cover
  • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the twelve 3.9 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the twelve 3.9 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.

Step 10

              Pry the motherboard cover
  • Insert the pointed end of a spudger between the bottom right corner of the motherboard cover and the frame.
  • Pry the cover upward until you can grab it with your fingers.

Insert the pointed end of a spudger between the bottom right corner of the motherboard cover and the frame.

Pry the cover upward until you can grab it with your fingers.

Step 11

              Remove the motherboard cover
  • Grab the bottom edge of the motherboard cover and remove it from the frame.

Grab the bottom edge of the motherboard cover and remove it from the frame.

Step 12

              Disconnect the battery
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the battery’s press connector.
  • To re-attach press connectors, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don’t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the battery’s press connector.

To re-attach press connectors, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don’t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 13

              Disconnect the fingerprint reader
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the fingerprint reader’s press connector.
  • The gold arrow indicates the direction to pry from.

Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the fingerprint reader’s press connector.

The gold arrow indicates the direction to pry from.

Step 14

              Remove the fingerprint reader
  • Use your fingers or tweezers to remove the fingerprint reader.
  • Be careful while handling the fragile ribbon cable.

Use your fingers or tweezers to remove the fingerprint reader.

Be careful while handling the fragile ribbon cable.

Step 15

              Disconnect the antenna cables
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the gray antenna cable.
  • Pry on the metal head of the connector only. Avoid lifting the cable itself as much as possible.
  • During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. Hold the connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place.

Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the gray antenna cable.

Pry on the metal head of the connector only. Avoid lifting the cable itself as much as possible.

During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. Hold the connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place.

Step 16

  • Repeat the previous step for the black antenna cable.

Repeat the previous step for the black antenna cable.

Step 17

              Disconnect the board cable
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the board cable’s press connector.

Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the board cable’s press connector.

Step 18

              Disconnect the display
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the display’s press connector.

Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the display’s press connector.

Step 19

              Unfasten the motherboard
  • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 2.5 mm-long screws securing the motherboard.

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 2.5 mm-long screws securing the motherboard.

Step 20

              Lift the motherboard
  • Insert the pointed end of your spudger between the bottom left edge of the motherboard and the frame.
  • Lift the motherboard from its recess.
  • Be sure the loose cables don’t catch on the motherboard as it’s removed.

Insert the pointed end of your spudger between the bottom left edge of the motherboard and the frame.

Lift the motherboard from its recess.

Be sure the loose cables don’t catch on the motherboard as it’s removed.

Step 21

              Remove the motherboard
  • Grab the motherboard by its bottom corners and remove it.
  • During reassembly, make sure no cables or connectors become trapped underneath the motherboard.

Grab the motherboard by its bottom corners and remove it.

During reassembly, make sure no cables or connectors become trapped underneath the motherboard.

Step 22

              Clean the thermal paste
  • Follow this guide to remove excess thermal paste and prepare the frame and motherboard for reassembly.

Follow this guide to remove excess thermal paste and prepare the frame and motherboard for reassembly.

Step 23

              Unfasten the loudspeaker
  • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the eight 3.8 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker.

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the eight 3.8 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker.

Step 24

              Pry the loudspeaker
  • Insert your spudger between the top right corner of the loudspeaker and the frame.
  • Pry up to release the loudspeaker.

Insert your spudger between the top right corner of the loudspeaker and the frame.

Pry up to release the loudspeaker.

Step 25

              Remove the loudspeaker
  • Grab the loudspeaker with your fingers and remove it.

Grab the loudspeaker with your fingers and remove it.

Step 26

              Disconnect the board cable
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the board cable’s press connector.
  • To re-attach press connectors, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don’t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 27

              Disconnect the antenna cables
  • Use the pointed end of your spudger to pry and disconnect the gray antenna cable.
  • Pry on only the metal head of the connector. Avoid lifting the cable itself as much as possible.
  • Free the cable from the retaining clip.
  • During reassembly, these can be tricky to reconnect. Hold the connector in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place.
  • During reassembly, be sure to secure the cable to the clip in the daughterboard.

Pry on only the metal head of the connector. Avoid lifting the cable itself as much as possible.

Free the cable from the retaining clip.

During reassembly, be sure to secure the cable to the clip in the daughterboard.

Step 28

Step 29

              Unfasten the daughterboard
  • Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2.5 mm-long screw securing the daughterboard.

Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2.5 mm-long screw securing the daughterboard.

Step 30

              Reposition the antenna cables
  • Move the black and gray antenna cables away from the daughterboard.

Move the black and gray antenna cables away from the daughterboard.

Step 31

              Remove the daughterboard
  • Grip the top edge of the daughterboard.
  • Lift and remove the daughterboard from its recess.
  • Be sure not to catch on any loose cables.

Grip the top edge of the daughterboard.

Lift and remove the daughterboard from its recess.

Be sure not to catch on any loose cables.

Step 32

              Soften the adhesive
  • Apply highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the vibration motor’s flex cable.
  • Alternatively, use a heated iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun to soften the adhesive.
  • Use caution to not overheat the battery or surrounding components.

Apply highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the vibration motor’s flex cable.

Alternatively, use a heated iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun to soften the adhesive.

Use caution to not overheat the battery or surrounding components.

Step 33

              Reposition the vibration motor
  • Insert the point of your spudger between the motor counterweight and the frame.
  • Pry the motor out of its recess and flip it over.
  • Don’t fold the flex cable.

Insert the point of your spudger between the motor counterweight and the frame.

Pry the motor out of its recess and flip it over.

Don’t fold the flex cable.

Step 34

              Remove the vibration motor
  • The vibration motor’s flex cable is very fragile. Work slowly to prevent tearing the cable.
  • Use tweezers to grab and peel the base of the flex cable from the frame.
  • If the cable feels stuck or re-adheres, apply more isopropyl alcohol or heat.
  • Remove the vibration motor from the frame.

The vibration motor’s flex cable is very fragile. Work slowly to prevent tearing the cable.

Use tweezers to grab and peel the base of the flex cable from the frame.

If the cable feels stuck or re-adheres, apply more isopropyl alcohol or heat.

Remove the vibration motor from the frame.

Step 35

              Remove the earpiece speaker
  • Insert the pointed end of your spudger between the right edge of the earpiece speaker and the motherboard.
  • Pry up on the speaker and remove it
  • During reassembly, ensure that the raised side of the connectors are toward the bottom of the device.

Insert the pointed end of your spudger between the right edge of the earpiece speaker and the motherboard.

Pry up on the speaker and remove it

During reassembly, ensure that the raised side of the connectors are toward the bottom of the device.

Step 36

              Remove the proximity sensor bracket
  • Use tweezers to grab and remove the proximity sensor bracket from its recess.
  • The rubber gasket is lightly adhered to the frame.

Use tweezers to grab and remove the proximity sensor bracket from its recess.

The rubber gasket is lightly adhered to the frame.

Step 37

              Reposition the graphite film
  • Fold the graphite heat dispersion film toward the top of the battery.

Fold the graphite heat dispersion film toward the top of the battery.

Step 38

              Soften the battery adhesive with heat
  • Heat an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the screen for about two minutes.
  • A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the screen for about two minutes.

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 39

              Soften the adhesive with isopropyl alcohol
  • Additionally, you may use highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to further loosen the adhesive securing the battery.
  • Apply the isopropyl alcohol into the gaps between the sides of the battery and the frame.

Additionally, you may use highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to further loosen the adhesive securing the battery.

Apply the isopropyl alcohol into the gaps between the sides of the battery and the frame.

Step 40

              Pry the battery
  • Place a suction handle on the center of the battery.
  • Insert an opening pick between the right edge of the battery and the frame.
  • Use a steady force to pull on the suction handle and simultaneously pry with the pick.
  • Don’t use excessive force on the battery. Slow, consistent pressure is all that is required to free it from the frame.
  • Apply more heat or isopropyl alcohol if the battery readheres.

Place a suction handle on the center of the battery.

Insert an opening pick between the right edge of the battery and the frame.

Use a steady force to pull on the suction handle and simultaneously pry with the pick.

Don’t use excessive force on the battery. Slow, consistent pressure is all that is required to free it from the frame.

Apply more heat or isopropyl alcohol if the battery readheres.

Step 41

              Remove the battery
  • Remove the battery from its recess.
  • Don’t reinstall a damaged or deformed battery, as doing so is a potential safety hazard.
  • Use this guide to install a battery with custom-cut adhesives, or use this guide to install a battery with an adhesive sheet.

Remove the battery from its recess.

Don’t reinstall a damaged or deformed battery, as doing so is a potential safety hazard.

Use this guide to install a battery with custom-cut adhesives, or use this guide to install a battery with an adhesive sheet.

Step 42

              Remove the antenna cables
  • Grab and remove the black antenna cable from its recess in the frame.
  • During reassembly, leave 5 mm of slack on the upper ends of the antenna cables.

Grab and remove the black antenna cable from its recess in the frame.

During reassembly, leave 5 mm of slack on the upper ends of the antenna cables.

Step 43

  • Grab and remove the gray antenna cable from its recess in the frame.

Grab and remove the gray antenna cable from its recess in the frame.

Step 44

              Remove the foam strip
  • Use your tweezers to peel and remove the foam strip from the bottom of the battery recess.

Use your tweezers to peel and remove the foam strip from the bottom of the battery recess.

Step 45

              Soften the board cable's adhesive
  • Heat an iOpener and apply it to the board cable for two minutes.
  • The iOpener may stick to the residue left over from the battery. Clean the surrounding surface with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to prevent this.
  • A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display is susceptible to heat damage.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the board cable for two minutes.

The iOpener may stick to the residue left over from the battery. Clean the surrounding surface with highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to prevent this.

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display is susceptible to heat damage.

Step 46

              Remove the board cable
  • Grab the upper end of the board cable.
  • Peel and remove the cable from the frame.

Grab the upper end of the board cable.

Peel and remove the cable from the frame.

Step 47

  • The screen is all that remains.

The screen is all that remains.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—be sure to transfer remaining components and remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

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                    Clay Eickemeyer

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Larry Seppala - Jan 6, 2023

Reply

Excellent presentation. After looking at my broken phone for five months after it took a hundred mile trip stuck under the car hood being smashed over and over by the wiper arm, I decided to take the plunge.

Removing the battery was my biggest challenge, I was a bit concerned about getting the battery too hot, then got real concerned when I pried a little too hard because the glue wasn’t softened enough, a little more heat gun and it cooperated.

Thanks for the concise instructions.