Google Pixel 4 Disassembly (Post-Battery Removal)

ID: 136228

Description: Prerequisite only! Use this guide to remove the...

Steps:

1. Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the SIM card tray on the left edge of the phone.
2. Press firmly to eject the tray.
3. Remove the SIM card tray.

4. Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the back panel for one minute.
5. 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.

6. Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back panel by pressing down on it to create suction, as close to the edge as possible.
7. If your back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken panel.

8. Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back panel and the frame.
9. Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you are having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
10. Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

11. Slide the opening pick across the bottom towards the left corner to slice the adhesive.
12. With the pick still inserted, slide it from the bottom left corner over to the bottom right corner to completely slice the bottom side adhesive.
13. Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

14. Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the left edge of the phone for one minute.

15. Insert a second opening pick underneath the back panel directly over the charge port.
16. Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner of the phone.

17. Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and across the left side of the phone to slice the adhesive.
18. The adhesive can be very gummy. Push the pick in and out in a sawing motion to help with slicing.
19. Stop when you reach the top left corner, near the camera, and leave the pick inserted.

20. Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the right edge of the phone for one minute.

21. With the first two opening picks still in place, insert a third pick on the lower part of the righthand side.
22. Slide the opening pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the right side's adhesive.
23. Stop when you reach the top right corner, and leave the pick inserted.

24. Slide the third opening pick around the top right corner and across the top side of the phone, slicing the final strip of adhesive.

25. Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the back cover, opening it like a book.
26. Do not try to pull the panel all the way off yet, as it is still connected to the phone.

27. Continue swinging open the back panel until you can rest it on the left edge the phone, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.
28. During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before re-sealing the back panel. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.

29. Remove the five T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:
30. Four 4.0 mm screws
31. One 2.1 mm screw
32. Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

33. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector shield.

34. Whenever you use the spudger near the battery, be very careful not to puncture the battery.
35. Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect the battery.
36. To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

37. Using the flat end of a spudger, gently fold the battery cable over so it doesn't accidentally make contact during the rest of your repairs.

38. Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 4 mm screws securing the back panel connector cover.

39. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the back panel connector cover.

40. Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry up and disconnect the back panel connector.

41. Remove the back panel.
42. During reassembly, follow this guide to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.
43. Follow this guide if you are using a pre-cut adhesive card.

44. Pull on the yellow pull tab of the adhesive strip with steady force.
45. If the adhesive becomes hard to pull, you can roll it around a spudger and continue pulling.
46. Continue firmly pulling up on the adhesive strip with constant force. If you're using a spudger, spin it every so often to keep the exposed section of the pull tab as short as possible.
47. This may take a lot of force.
48. These adhesive pull tabs are very prone to snapping in half during this process. Pull as slowly as possible.
49. If the adhesive pull tabs are not stretching, fill a plastic dropper or syringe with high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and apply a few drops under the left edge of the battery. Give the alcohol a minute to weaken the battery adhesive.
50. Continue this process for each of the three pull tabs, until all are either out or have snapped in half.

51. If the battery tabs snapped during removal, insert an opening pick on the upper right edge of the battery, slicing the adhesive underneath.
52. Even if you successfully removed all three adhesive pull tabs, using an opening pick to dislodge the battery may be helpful.
53. Don't insert the opening pick on or anywhere below the grip sensor cable, as the pick can damage the charge port flex cable located underneath the battery.

54. Do not reuse the battery if it has been deformed or damaged, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
55. Lift the battery up and away from the phone to remove it. You may need to peel the battery away from any leftover adhesive tabs.
56. If there's any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off with a lint-free cloth or allow it to air dry before installing your battery.
57. To install a replacement battery:
58. If you're using stretch release adhesive, apply them onto the battery. Otherwise, apply some double-sided tape, or pre-cut adhesive strips in the phone's battery well, being careful not to cover the charge port flex cable. Peel away any tape liners to expose the adhesive.
59. Temporarily re-connect the battery's connector to the motherboard socket. This ensures that the battery is properly positioned.
60. Lay the battery in place and press firmly.
61. Disconnect the battery connector from its motherboard socket and resume re-assembly.

62. Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 4 mm screws securing the camera connector cover.

63. Using a pair of tweezers, tilt the camera cover up and slide it out of the retaining slot on the upper right corner of the phone to remove.

64. Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the camera and sensor connectors straight up from the motherboard.

65. Disconnect the additional sensor connector.

66. Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.4 mm screws securing the front camera and sensor assembly.

67. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front camera and sensor assembly.

68. Remove the two T3 Torx screws securing the vibration motor cover:
69. One 4.2 mm screw
70. One 4.4 mm shouldered screw

71. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the vibration motor shield.

72. Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the two rear-facing camera connectors from the motherboard.
73. Disconnect the side buttons connector from the motherboard.

74. Disconnect the earpiece speaker connector from the motherboard.

75. Disconnect the left grip sensor connector from the motherboard.
76. Disconnect the charge port connector from the motherboard.

77. Disconnect the right grip sensor connector from the motherboard.
78. Disconnect the display connector from the motherboard.

79. Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the antenna connector from the charging assembly by pulling it straight up from the motherboard.

80. Disconnect the bottom microphone connector from the motherboard.

81. Slowly lift out the motherboard, being careful not to snag any ribbon cable connectors.
82. The rear-facing camera module connectors loop around the motherboard, and the camera module is not secured to the phone, so it may lift out with the motherboard during this step.
83. Completely remove the motherboard.
84. When reinstalling the motherboard, check that no ribbon cable connectors are caught underneath.

85. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera module.