Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
25
Time Required
30 minutes - 1 hour
Sections
7
- SIM Card Tray
- 1 step
- Rear Panel
- 3 steps
- Midframe
- 5 steps
- Nexus 5X Battery Disconnection
- 1 step
- Battery
- 4 steps
- Motherboard Assembly
- 4 steps
- Screen Assembly
- 7 steps
Flags
1
In Progress
This guide is a work in progress. Reload periodically to see the latest changes!
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Introduction
You will need to transfer all the parts from your old frame that weren’t included on your replacement part.
In case your display is cracked—to protect your eyes from glass shreds and to get a better grip to open the phone, tape over the screen.
Before disassembling your phone, discharge the battery below 25%. If your battery is swollen, do not heat your phone. Swollen batteries can be very dangerous, so wear eye protection and exercise due caution, or take it to a professional if you’re not sure how to proceed.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
What you need
Step 1
SIM Card Tray
- Insert a SIM card ejection tool into the hole on the SIM card tray, located on the left edge of the phone.
- Press in to eject the SIM card tray.
- Remove the SIM card tray.
Insert a SIM card ejection tool into the hole on the SIM card tray, located on the left edge of the phone.
Press in to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.
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Step 2
Rear Panel
- Place an opening pick in the opening of the SIM card tray slot and twist it sideways to release the first plastic clip that holds the rear panel in its place.
- Slide the opening pick around the top edge of the phone to release the plastic clips that secure the rear panel.
Place an opening pick in the opening of the SIM card tray slot and twist it sideways to release the first plastic clip that holds the rear panel in its place.
Slide the opening pick around the top edge of the phone to release the plastic clips that secure the rear panel.
Step 3
- Continue to slide the opening pick around all sides of the phone to release all clips that secure the rear panel.
Continue to slide the opening pick around all sides of the phone to release all clips that secure the rear panel.
Step 4
- Tilt the opening pick to lift the rear panel a little bit.
- There are two more plastic clips next to the fingerprint sensor. Release them by gently pulling the rear panel.
- Remove the rear panel.
Tilt the opening pick to lift the rear panel a little bit.
There are two more plastic clips next to the fingerprint sensor. Release them by gently pulling the rear panel.
Remove the rear panel.
Step 5
Midframe
- Remove the ten 3.6 mm Phillips screws that secure the midframe.
Remove the ten 3.6 mm Phillips screws that secure the midframe.
Step 6
- Insert an opening pick into the SIM card tray slot and twist the opening pick sideways to release the plastic clips.
Insert an opening pick into the SIM card tray slot and twist the opening pick sideways to release the plastic clips.
Step 7
- Continue sliding the opening pick around the upper part of the midframe to release the plastic clips.
Continue sliding the opening pick around the upper part of the midframe to release the plastic clips.
Step 8
- Use the plastic pick to pry open the plastic clips on the long edge of the midframe and on the bottom edge.
- Make sure the clips on the long edge are released. The midframe is prone to break here if they are not disconnected properly.
Use the plastic pick to pry open the plastic clips on the long edge of the midframe and on the bottom edge.
Make sure the clips on the long edge are released. The midframe is prone to break here if they are not disconnected properly.
Step 9
- Make sure all the clips are free.
- Carefully remove the midframe.
Make sure all the clips are free.
Carefully remove the midframe.
Step 10
Battery Disconnect
- Use the edge of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable located at the bottom right of the motherboard.
Use the edge of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable located at the bottom right of the motherboard.
Step 11
Battery
- Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the battery. Apply the iOpener on the back of the phone for at least two minutes.
Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the battery. Apply the iOpener on the back of the phone for at least two minutes.
Step 12
- Try your best not to deform the battery during the following removal 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 the flat end of a spudger under the bottom left corner of the battery and gently pry upwards.
- The adhesive is only located beneath the edges of the battery so there’s no need to pry beneath its center.
- If you are having trouble prying up the battery, the adhesive may not be loose enough. You can apply some isopropyl alcohol under each corner of the battery and allow it to penetrate for several minutes to help weaken the adhesive.
Try your best not to deform the battery during the following removal 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 the flat end of a spudger under the bottom left corner of the battery and gently pry upwards.
The adhesive is only located beneath the edges of the battery so there’s no need to pry beneath its center.
If you are having trouble prying up the battery, the adhesive may not be loose enough. You can apply some isopropyl alcohol under each corner of the battery and allow it to penetrate for several minutes to help weaken the adhesive.
Step 13
- Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the battery and gently pry upwards to loosen the remaining adhesive.
Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the battery and gently pry upwards to loosen the remaining adhesive.
Step 14
- Remove the battery.
- Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
- Before installing a new battery remove any remaining adhesive from the phone, and clean the glued areas with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
- Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the phone at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery. Press the new battery firmly into place for 5-10 seconds.
Remove the battery.
Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Before installing a new battery remove any remaining adhesive from the phone, and clean the glued areas with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the phone at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery. Press the new battery firmly into place for 5-10 seconds.
Step 15
Motherboard Assembly
- Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the rear facing camera. Place the iOpener across the top part of the phone for about 30 seconds.
Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the rear facing camera. Place the iOpener across the top part of the phone for about 30 seconds.
Step 16
- Apply the flat end of a spudger to the left side of the rear facing camera and carefully lever it up. Make sure all of the adhesive underneath is loosened.
Apply the flat end of a spudger to the left side of the rear facing camera and carefully lever it up. Make sure all of the adhesive underneath is loosened.
Step 17
- Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display flex connector.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display flex connector.
Step 18
- Grip the lower part of the motherboard with your fingers and carefully lift it upwards.
- There’s a small plastic clip next to the rear-facing camera that holds the motherboard in place.
- Gently pull the motherboard towards the bottom edge to free it from the plastic clip next to the rear-facing camera.
- Carefully lift the motherboard out of the frame.
- Be careful—the two cameras are still connected to the board.
Grip the lower part of the motherboard with your fingers and carefully lift it upwards.
There’s a small plastic clip next to the rear-facing camera that holds the motherboard in place.
Gently pull the motherboard towards the bottom edge to free it from the plastic clip next to the rear-facing camera.
Carefully lift the motherboard out of the frame.
Be careful—the two cameras are still connected to the board.
Step 19
Screen Assembly
- The power and volume buttons are held in position with small rubber feet sitting on small plastic elevations.
- Use a pair of tweezers to free the rubber feet and lift the power button upwards.
- Remove the power button.
The power and volume buttons are held in position with small rubber feet sitting on small plastic elevations.
Use a pair of tweezers to free the rubber feet and lift the power button upwards.
Remove the power button.
Step 20
- Free the rubber feet of the volume button with a pair of tweezers and lift it upwards.
- Remove the volume button.
- You can find spare button parts here if your buttons are damaged, or if you want to exchange them for cosmetic reasons.
Free the rubber feet of the volume button with a pair of tweezers and lift it upwards.
Remove the volume button.
You can find spare button parts here if your buttons are damaged, or if you want to exchange them for cosmetic reasons.
Step 21
- Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel of the tape that holds down the earpiece speaker.
- Use the tweezers to carefully lift the earpiece speaker out of its gasket.
- In case you’re having trouble removing the earpiece speaker you can use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath.
- Remove the earpiece speaker.
- Note the earpiece speaker orientation. Be sure to reinstall it the same direction.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel of the tape that holds down the earpiece speaker.
Use the tweezers to carefully lift the earpiece speaker out of its gasket.
In case you’re having trouble removing the earpiece speaker you can use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath.
Remove the earpiece speaker.
Note the earpiece speaker orientation. Be sure to reinstall it the same direction.
Step 22
- The adhesive underneath the vibration motor is strong. Use an iOpener on the top part of the screen for about 30 seconds to loosen it.
- Use a pair of tweezers to pry up and remove the vibration motor.
The adhesive underneath the vibration motor is strong. Use an iOpener on the top part of the screen for about 30 seconds to loosen it.
Use a pair of tweezers to pry up and remove the vibration motor.
Step 23
- Insert the pointy end of a spudger into the opening of the headphone jack.
- Use the spudger to lever the headphone jack up and out of its gasket by pulling it upwards.
- In case you’re having trouble removing the headphone jack, you can apply a heated iOpener on the bottom front for about 30 seconds to loosen the adhesive underneath.
- Remove the headphone jack.
Insert the pointy end of a spudger into the opening of the headphone jack.
Use the spudger to lever the headphone jack up and out of its gasket by pulling it upwards.
In case you’re having trouble removing the headphone jack, you can apply a heated iOpener on the bottom front for about 30 seconds to loosen the adhesive underneath.
Remove the headphone jack.
Step 24
- Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel off the RGB LED notification indicator.
- Remove the RGB LED notification indicator.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel off the RGB LED notification indicator.
Remove the RGB LED notification indicator.
Step 25
- Check your replacement part for any other components that need to be transferred before reassembly.
Check your replacement part for any other components that need to be transferred before reassembly.
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? Check out our Nexus 5X Answers community for troubleshooting help.
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Dominik Schnabelrauch
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