Samsung Galaxy S8 Active Front-Facing Camera Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 9 Steps
Ready to give your Samsung Galaxy S8 Active a fresh selfie-taking life? This guide walks you through swapping out the front-facing camera. Heads up: you’ll need to take off the back cover, so have some replacement adhesive handy for when you seal everything up again. Make sure your battery is charged below 25% before you start—if things go sideways and the battery gets poked, you’ve got less risk of wild fireworks. If you need backup at any point, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 1
- Time to get that SIM card out - grab your trusty SIM card ejector tool (or a trusty unfolded paperclip) and gently slide it into the tiny hole on the left side of the top edge of your Salvaged phone.
- Give it a gentle press to coax out the SIM tray. Don't worry, it won't put up a fight.
- Now that the SIM tray is out, carefully remove it from the device.
- Ready to put everything back together? Make sure the gold contacts on the SIM card are facing up and the notch is at the bottom right, then gently slide it back into its tray. Easy peasy.
Step 2
Cracking open the back cover of your S8 Active means those waterproof seals will wave goodbye. Grab some fresh adhesive before you dive in, or just keep your device far away from any pool parties if you skip the re-stick.
- Grab your trusty TR6 Torx Security Screwdriver and unscrew those four black 3mm screws from the outer edges of your device. These little guys are holding the rubber bumpers in place, so let’s set them free!
- Now, gently peel off the rubber bumpers from the top and bottom edges of your device. You're doing great!
Tools Used
Step 3
Warning: Heat is your friend here, but don't get too carried away. Whether you're using a heat gun, hair dryer, or hot plate, things can get pretty toasty. So, take care not to burn yourself or the device!
Remember, heat can be a bit of a double-edged sword. Overheating could damage the OLED screen, battery, or other delicate internal parts. A minute or so should be plenty to soften up that adhesive – don't overdo it!
You can use a hot plate, hair dryer, or an iOpener to gently warm up the edges.
- Gently warm up the edges of the back with a heat gun—think of it as giving the adhesive a little nudge to loosen up. This softens the glue that holds the back cover in place, making it easier to peel off later. If you need a hand with this step, you can always schedule a repair.
Tools Used
Step 4
The texture of the back cover can make it a little tricky. A suction handle just won’t grip enough to help lift it. Time to get creative with your approach!
- Slip the Jimmy tool under the edge of the back cover, nice and easy. We're just getting started!
- Once the Jimmy tool is snug under the edge, pop in an opening pick to keep that seam open. Trust us, it'll help if the tool slips or you accidentally pull it out.
- Take it slow as you cut around the top part of the device, being extra careful not to mess with the fingerprint sensor and camera cables. A gentle touch near the top is key—no need to go digging too deep.
- Now, gently slide the Jimmy tool down the sides of the device, separating the adhesive. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 5
Gently peel off the back cover to avoid any drama with the fingerprint sensor cable, which is snugly tucked near the front-facing camera. A little care goes a long way—no need for cable tears here!
Got fresh adhesive strips? Grab your Jimmy tool and clear away any leftover sticky stuff from the frame. Keep it clean, keep it classy!
- Grab the opening pick and gently slice through any leftover adhesive keeping things in place.
- Gently pry the back cover open just enough to see the fingerprint sensor flex cable connector—no need to go all the way.
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Step 6
- Gently flip the cover open and lay it down on top of the device—think of it as giving your device a little nap before the next step.
- Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully disconnect the fingerprint flex cable—no rush, just a gentle wiggle to free it up.
- Remove the back cover completely—it's like peeling off a cozy jacket from your device.
- When reconnecting the fingerprint sensor, angle the back cover so the flex cable lines up smoothly over its socket. Then, use the flat end of a spudger to gently press the cable down into place—snap it in securely and you're good to go.
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Step 7
- Grab your Phillips #00 screwdriver and unscrew eleven 3.5 mm screws—like a pro!
- Now, tackle the two tiny 2 mm screws with the same screwdriver. You're on a roll!
Tools Used
Step 8
- Gently lift out the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly with the flat end of your spudger. No need to wrestle with it—just a smooth, steady move does the trick!
Tools Used
Step 9
- Gently disconnect the front-facing camera flex cable from the motherboard using the flat end of a spudger. Then, carefully lift the camera from its slot with tweezers, taking your time to avoid any damage. If you need help along the way, you can always schedule a repair.