Motorola Moto Z3 Play Battery Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          30 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

Screen
13 steps
Battery
13 steps

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Introduction

Warning: Because of the strong adhesive securing the display, minimal clearance for inserting your tools, and high heat required, there’s a good chance of accidentally damaging the display during this procedure. If you’re replacing the display anyway, then you don’t have to worry—but for all other repairs, work very carefully, and be prepared to replace the display afterward if necessary.

What you need

Step 1

              Heat the Display

Power your phone off before you begin.
If possible, drain the battery before disassembly. When the battery is charged, there’s increased risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is overheated or damaged during repairs.
If your display is cracked, completely cover it with packing tape to contain the glass shards and avoid injury.
Prepare an iOpener and heat the front of the phone along its right edge for about two minutes, or until it’s slightly too hot to touch. This will help soften the adhesive securing the display.
You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the phone warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
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.

Power your phone off before you begin.

If possible, drain the battery before disassembly. When the battery is charged, there’s increased risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is overheated or damaged during repairs.

If your display is cracked, completely cover it with packing tape to contain the glass shards and avoid injury.

Prepare an iOpener and heat the front of the phone along its right edge for about two minutes, or until it’s slightly too hot to touch. This will help soften the adhesive securing the display.

You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the phone warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

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.

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Step 2

              Display Adhesive Cutting Reference

In the following steps, you will separate the display assembly from the Moto Z3 Play’s chassis.
The first image shows the back of the display assembly after it has been removed from the phone. The second image shows the front of the phone to reference where the display cable lies.
If you plan to re-use the display assembly, pay particular attention to the side edges. When slicing through the glue in this area, you must be careful to insert your tool less than ~1.5 mm, or your tool will come in contact with the LCD and damage it.
Take special care when cutting near the display cable. If you pry too deep or too forcefully, it is very easy to damage the cable. If you encounter extra resistance around this area, do not try to force the pick forward. Pull it out and reinsert it on the other side of the display cable before you continue cutting.
Playing cards are a safer, but much slower, prying tool. The soft paper cards are less likely to damage the LCD, which is good news if you plan to reuse it.

In the following steps, you will separate the display assembly from the Moto Z3 Play’s chassis.

The first image shows the back of the display assembly after it has been removed from the phone. The second image shows the front of the phone to reference where the display cable lies.

If you plan to re-use the display assembly, pay particular attention to the side edges. When slicing through the glue in this area, you must be careful to insert your tool less than ~1.5 mm, or your tool will come in contact with the LCD and damage it.

Take special care when cutting near the display cable. If you pry too deep or too forcefully, it is very easy to damage the cable. If you encounter extra resistance around this area, do not try to force the pick forward. Pull it out and reinsert it on the other side of the display cable before you continue cutting.

Playing cards are a safer, but much slower, prying tool. The soft paper cards are less likely to damage the LCD, which is good news if you plan to reuse it.

Step 3

              Cut the Display Adhesive

Apply a suction cup to the display, near the middle of the right edge.
Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the display and rear case.
If the screen is cracked, the suction cup may not stick. Try lifting it with strong tape, or superglue the suction cup in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.
This may require a significant amount of force, but you only need to open a very slight gap with the suction cup to insert your tool.
If you have trouble, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive, and try again. The adhesive cools quickly, so you may need to heat it repeatedly.
Insert an opening pick (or playing card) into the gap you opened behind the display.
Do not insert the tool more than ~1.5 mm past the edge of the display.

Apply a suction cup to the display, near the middle of the right edge.

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the display and rear case.

If the screen is cracked, the suction cup may not stick. Try lifting it with strong tape, or superglue the suction cup in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.

This may require a significant amount of force, but you only need to open a very slight gap with the suction cup to insert your tool.

If you have trouble, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive, and try again. The adhesive cools quickly, so you may need to heat it repeatedly.

Insert an opening pick (or playing card) into the gap you opened behind the display.

Do not insert the tool more than ~1.5 mm past the edge of the display.

Step 4

Slide the tool all along the right edge of the phone to slice through the adhesive securing the display.
If you plan to reuse the display, continue moving the tool in a straight line as you approach the corners of the phone—do not round the corners with the tool. The corners of the LCD come very close to the edge of the digitizer and are easy to damage.

Slide the tool all along the right edge of the phone to slice through the adhesive securing the display.

If you plan to reuse the display, continue moving the tool in a straight line as you approach the corners of the phone—do not round the corners with the tool. The corners of the LCD come very close to the edge of the digitizer and are easy to damage.

Step 5

Heat the upper edge of the display to soften the adhesive underneath.

Heat the upper edge of the display to soften the adhesive underneath.

Step 6

Slide your tool underneath the top bezel to separate the glue.
You can insert the pick slightly deeper here, but if you want to re-use the display, don’t insert the tool more than ~5.5 mm past the edge of the display.

Slide your tool underneath the top bezel to separate the glue.

You can insert the pick slightly deeper here, but if you want to re-use the display, don’t insert the tool more than ~5.5 mm past the edge of the display.

Step 7

Heat the left edge of the phone to soften the adhesive securing the left edge of the display.

Heat the left edge of the phone to soften the adhesive securing the left edge of the display.

Step 8

Slide your tool along the left edge of the phone to separate the glue securing the display.
Do not insert the tool more than ~1.5 mm past the edge of the display.
Be very careful when slicing near the bottom of the phone to avoid damaging the display cable. Refer to step two for help identifying and avoiding the display cable.

Slide your tool along the left edge of the phone to separate the glue securing the display.

Be very careful when slicing near the bottom of the phone to avoid damaging the display cable. Refer to step two for help identifying and avoiding the display cable.

Step 9

Heat the bottom edge of the phone to soften the adhesive securing the bottom of the display.

Heat the bottom edge of the phone to soften the adhesive securing the bottom of the display.

Step 10

Slice through the glue under the lower bezel.
You can insert the pick slightly deeper here, but if you want to re-use the display, don’t insert the tool more than ~4 mm past the edge of the display.

Slice through the glue under the lower bezel.

You can insert the pick slightly deeper here, but if you want to re-use the display, don’t insert the tool more than ~4 mm past the edge of the display.

Step 11

              Remove the Display

If the display remains stuck, re-heat and slice the adhesive repeatedly as needed.
Lift the display from the right edge and swing it open, away from the phone. The display is still attached to the phone chassis at the lower left edge, so do not fully remove it yet.
When you lift the display, a small plastic gasket— for the front-facing sensors—may fall out of the phone. Keep track of this gasket and make sure to reinstall it before sealing the phone.

If the display remains stuck, re-heat and slice the adhesive repeatedly as needed.

Lift the display from the right edge and swing it open, away from the phone. The display is still attached to the phone chassis at the lower left edge, so do not fully remove it yet.

When you lift the display, a small plastic gasket— for the front-facing sensors—may fall out of the phone. Keep track of this gasket and make sure to reinstall it before sealing the phone.

Step 12

Use the point of a spudger to pry up the locking tab on the display cable’s ZIF connector.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up the locking tab on the display cable’s ZIF connector.

Step 13

Gently lift the display, making sure the display cable slides smoothly out of its socket.
Remove the display assembly.
During reassembly, pause here and replace the adhesive around the edges of the display if you are reusing your display assembly.

Gently lift the display, making sure the display cable slides smoothly out of its socket.

Remove the display assembly.

During reassembly, pause here and replace the adhesive around the edges of the display if you are reusing your display assembly.

Step 14

              Remove Tape

Use tweezers to peel up the black tape covering the battery connector and battery.
If possible, avoid damaging the tape so that it can be reused.

Use tweezers to peel up the black tape covering the battery connector and battery.

If possible, avoid damaging the tape so that it can be reused.

Step 15

Use tweezers to peel off and remove the red tape covering the battery connector.
If possible, avoid damaging the tape so that it can be reused.

Use tweezers to peel off and remove the red tape covering the battery connector.

Step 16

              Disconnect the Battery

Use the point of a spudger to pry the battery connector straight up and disconnect it.

Use the point of a spudger to pry the battery connector straight up and disconnect it.

Step 17

              Remove Tape

Use tweezers to peel up and remove the black tape at the bottom of the battery.
If possible, avoid damaging the tape so that it can be reused.

Use tweezers to peel up and remove the black tape at the bottom of the battery.

Step 18

              Remove Earpiece and Sensor Assembly

There may two pieces of silver tape covering screws in the top corners of the device. If this is the case, carefully peel the tape back to access the screws, and replace it during reassembly.

There may two pieces of silver tape covering screws in the top corners of the device. If this is the case, carefully peel the tape back to access the screws, and replace it during reassembly.

Step 19

Remove six 3 mm-long T3 Torx screws securing the earpiece assembly.

Remove six 3 mm-long T3 Torx screws securing the earpiece assembly.

Step 20

Insert the point of a spudger into the small rectangular opening on the right edge of the earpiece speaker and sensor assembly.
Use the spudger to pry the assembly up and release the clips securing it to the phone chassis.

Insert the point of a spudger into the small rectangular opening on the right edge of the earpiece speaker and sensor assembly.

Use the spudger to pry the assembly up and release the clips securing it to the phone chassis.

Step 21

Remove the earpiece speaker and sensor assembly.
The earpiece speaker connector sits under the assembly and will disconnect as you lift the assembly. During reassembly, make sure to reconnect this connector.

Remove the earpiece speaker and sensor assembly.

The earpiece speaker connector sits under the assembly and will disconnect as you lift the assembly. During reassembly, make sure to reconnect this connector.

Step 22

              Disconnect the Fingerprint Sensor

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the fingerprint sensor connector straight up and out of its socket.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the fingerprint sensor connector straight up and out of its socket.

Step 23

Use tweezers to gently bend the cable toward the edge of the phone so it is out of the way of the battery.

Use tweezers to gently bend the cable toward the edge of the phone so it is out of the way of the battery.

Step 24

              Remove the Battery

Apply a freshly heated iOpener to the back of the phone directly behind the battery for two minutes to help soften the adhesive. Re-heat and reapply the iOpener as necessary.
Alternatively, apply high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery to weaken the adhesive underneath.
Let the phone sit for several minutes to allow the alcohol to penetrate and weaken the adhesive.

Apply a freshly heated iOpener to the back of the phone directly behind the battery for two minutes to help soften the adhesive. Re-heat and reapply the iOpener as necessary.

Alternatively, apply high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery to weaken the adhesive underneath.

Let the phone sit for several minutes to allow the alcohol to penetrate and weaken the adhesive.

Step 25

Insert an opening pick or a plastic card along the edge of the battery.
Apply steady, even pressure to slowly lever the battery up and out of the phone.
If necessary, use several rounds of heating or alcohol, and pressure to slowly weaken the adhesive, and the battery will begin to separate.
Try your best not to deform the battery during this process. Soft-shell lithium-ion batteries can leak dangerous chemicals, catch fire, or even explode if damaged. Do not use excessive force or pry at the battery with metal tools.

Insert an opening pick or a plastic card along the edge of the battery.

Apply steady, even pressure to slowly lever the battery up and out of the phone.

If necessary, use several rounds of heating or alcohol, and pressure to slowly weaken the adhesive, and the battery will begin to separate.

Try your best not to deform the battery during this process. Soft-shell lithium-ion batteries can leak dangerous chemicals, catch fire, or even explode if damaged. Do not use excessive force or pry at the battery with metal tools.

Step 26

Continue pulling up the battery until all the adhesive releases from the rear case.
Remove the battery.
Reusing a deformed or bent battery after it has forcefully been removed is a safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Before installing your new battery, peel up all the old adhesive and remove it from the phone.
For best results, clean the area underneath the battery with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter. This helps prep the surface so the new battery can adhere more strongly. Apply stretch release adhesive strips, double-sided tape, or pre-cut adhesive strips to install the new battery.

Continue pulling up the battery until all the adhesive releases from the rear case.

Remove the battery.

Reusing a deformed or bent battery after it has forcefully been removed is a safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

Before installing your new battery, peel up all the old adhesive and remove it from the phone.

For best results, clean the area underneath the battery with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter. This helps prep the surface so the new battery can adhere more strongly. Apply stretch release adhesive strips, double-sided tape, or pre-cut adhesive strips to install the new battery.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery: Charge it to 100%, and keep charging it for at least two more hours. Then, use it until it shuts off due to low battery. Finally, charge it uninterrupted to 100%.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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Author

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                    Tarun Thiruma

Member since: 11/20/2019

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fb100 - Jun 16, 2020

Thank you for the tutorial. I was able to successfully replace the original swollen battery and everything is working great. HOWEVER… in step 20 I was unable to pry up the sensor assembly, as it was requiring more force than I was comfortable applying. So I couldn’t disconnect the fingerprint sensor ribbon cable, and had to VERY CAREFULLY loosen the battery using heat and alcohol without breaking the ribbon.

All’s well that ends well, but is there a trick to to getting that sensor assembly out? Is there maybe some glue under it? I got all six screws out but it was flexing way too much when I tried to pry it out.

Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need