DIY Google Pixel Fold Front Camera Replacement: Step-by-Step Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 37 Steps
This guide is brought to you by the amazing Salvation Repair team! Learn more about our repair guides here.
Ready to give your Google Pixel Fold a fresh face? This guide walks you through replacing the front camera for the foldable screen, step-by-step. Don’t worry if the pictures don’t match up perfectly, this guide is all about the steps and we’ve got you covered. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 1
– Alright, let’s get this party started! First things first, switch off your phone and make sure there are no cables hanging around. We want a clean slate for this repair!
Step 2
Got a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate handy? Awesome! Just keep in mind that too much heat can give your display or internal batteries a rough time, so use them cautiously. You’ve got this!
– Place your phone face-down on a clean, smooth surface with the back glass facing up.
– Warm up an iOpener and place it on the bottom edge of the back glass for a couple of minutes.
Tools Used
Step 3
Get ready to meet the Anti-Clamp! This nifty tool is here to make your opening procedure a breeze. Not using it? No worries! Just hop down three steps for a different method.
Need to master the Anti-Clamp? We’ve got a handy guide just for that.
Double-check that the suction cup on the inner screen isn’t flirting with the bezel; otherwise, it won’t stick like it should.
If your phone’s surface feels like a slip ‘n slide and the Anti-Clamp isn’t sticking, grab some tape to make it more grippy. Got a cracked glass? Use packing tape to help those suction cups stick like a champ.
– Let’s unlock those Anti-Clamp arms! Just pull the blue handle back.
– Now, get your phone all stretched out and slide those Anti-Clamp arms over the left side of the back glass. Think of it like a hug, but for your phone.
– Time to put those suction cups to work! Place one on the front and one on the back, near the bottom edge of the phone. You got this!
– Squeeze the cups together to stick them to the phone – you’re almost there!
Step 4
– Grab a sturdy object, like a box or a stack of books, and slide it under your phone to keep it nice and level while it hangs out between the Anti-Clamp’s arms.
– Give that blue handle a good pull forward to lock those arms in place.
– Now, twist the handle clockwise a full 360 degrees or until you see those suction cups starting to stretch a bit.
– Keep an eye on those suction cups to make sure they’re staying in line with each other. If they start to wander off, just detach them and realign the arms for a perfect fit.
Step 5
Take it easy and don’t twist more than a quarter turn at a time! Give it a minute between turns to let the Anti-Clamp and time do their magic. You’ve got this!
If the Anti-Clamp isn’t giving you enough space, crank up the heat on that area and give the handle a little quarter-turn. You got this!
– Slide an opening pick into that sneaky gap beneath the back glass.
– Feel free to skip the next step—you’re doing great!
Step 6
If your back glass is badly cracked, you can try to get a grip on it! Use a layer of clear packing tape to help that suction cup stick to the glass. Or, maybe some super strong tape instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the back glass. No sweat! You got this!
Depending on how old your phone is, this might be a bit of a challenge. If you’re having trouble, just keep applying heat to the edge and try again! You’ll get it!
– Stick a suction cup to the back glass, aiming for the middle of the bottom edge.
– Give that suction cup a good, strong pull upward to create a little space between the back glass and the frame.
– Slide an opening pick into that gap you just created.
Step 7
Keep your opening pick to a maximum of 3.5 mm when tackling that back glass adhesive! Going deeper could lead to some unexpected damage to those delicate internal components. Let’s keep everything safe and sound!
– Gently glide that opening pick along the bottom edge, moving it back and forth to break the adhesive seal. You’re doing great!
– Once you’ve worked that pick in, just leave it resting in the bottom left corner for a moment while you gather your next steps.
Step 8
– Let’s get this party started! Warm up the left edge of the back glass with a heated iOpener for a couple of minutes.
Tools Used
Step 10
– Pop in a second opening pick at the bottom left corner.
– Gently slide that pick toward the top left corner to break free the adhesive.
– Keep the opening pick snugly in the top left corner while you move on.
Step 11
– Warm up that back glass by applying a heated iOpener to the top edge for a cozy two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 12
– Give your opening pick a little twirl around that top left corner to break free the adhesive. You’ve got this!
Step 13
– Pop in a third opening pick at the top left corner like a pro.
– Gently slide that pick over to the top right corner to break free the adhesive. You’ve got this!
Step 14
– Heat up that right edge of the back glass for two minutes with a heated iOpener. Get that glass nice and toasty!
Tools Used
Step 15
Hey there! That sharp corner is a bit of a delicate flower. Make sure to warm it up nicely and handle it with care during this step. You’ve got this!
– Position your pick so it’s nice and flat against the back glass—like a pancake on a plate!
– Gently twist the opening pick around the top right corner to break free the adhesive. You’re doing great!
Step 16
– Alrighty, let’s work this corner magic! Tuck in a delightful opening pick in the top right space there!
– Now, with a happy little slide, move that pick towards the bottom right corner – time to unstick this thing!
Step 17
This sharp corner is super delicate. Use some heat and be super gentle around the corner during this step. No worries! We’re in this together!
– Tilt your pick at a nice angle to keep it super close to the back glass.
– Swing that opening pick around the bottom right corner to break the adhesive free!
Step 18
Hold your horses! Don’t yank off that back glass just yet; it’s still hanging out with the phone thanks to a little cable connection.
By now, the back glass should be off the frame. If there’s still some stubborn spots, grab an opening pick to gently separate any remaining adhesive.
– Alright, let’s get this party started! Swing that back glass up and over like you’re showing off your best dance moves.
– Time to give that back glass a little break. Lay it down on the right side of the phone – it deserves a rest after all that hard work!
Step 19
Keep track of your screws like they’re your best friends. Make sure they go back where they belong, no drama! 😎
Even though your Pixel Fold uses fancy Torx Plus screws, regular Torx bits will do the trick. Just use the right size or go up a size (T3 or T4 Torx bits with 3IP Torx Plus screws) and apply a steady push to avoid stripping them. You got this! 💪
– Grab your trusty Torx Plus 3IP driver and get ready for some action! It’s time to unscrew those two 2.8 mm-long screws that are keeping that middle bracket in place. You’ve got this!
Step 20
– Grab those tweezers or use your fingers to gently pull the middle bracket toward the left edge of the phone and pop that clip free.
– Say goodbye to the middle bracket – it’s time to remove it!
– When you’re putting everything back together, make sure to slide the middle bracket clip back into its cozy spot in the frame before lining up those screw holes.
Tools Used
Step 21
To re-attach those connectors, start by giving them a gentle nudge. Align one side just right and press down until you hear that satisfying click! Then, do the same on the other side. Remember, no pressing in the middle—let’s keep those pins straight and happy! If things get a bit wonky, just take a breath and realign; we want to avoid any pin mishaps that could lead to trouble down the road.
– Gently take the pointy end of your spudger and ease it under the back glass cable to carefully disconnect it from the motherboard. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
