Google Pixel 3 XL Screen Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 23 Steps
Hey there! This guide was crafted by the cool cats at iFixit and isn’t an official Google endorsement. Want more repair know-how? Dive into our guides here.
Heads up! This step-by-step is for screens that aren’t already hanging out on a frame.
Note: This process is going to say goodbye to the Pixel 3 XL’s old screen.
Hey there! This repair guide comes from the awesome folks at Salvation Repair, and while it hasn’t received a thumbs up from Google, it’s packed with helpful tips! Ready to tackle that broken screen on your Google Pixel 3 XL? Let’s do this! Just a heads up, this guide is all about swapping out a screen that doesn’t come with a frame. To get started, you’ll need to pop off the back panel first to reach that sneaky screen connector. Before diving in, make sure you’ve got some replacement adhesives on hand for both the back panel and the screen. Just so you know, this process will mean saying goodbye to the original screen, as it’s a bit of a destructive adventure. Remember, OLEDs don’t play nice with oxygen or moisture, which is why they’re sealed up tight (and why those pesky cracks can turn them black). Replacing just the front glass is a tricky feat since the OLED layers are all snugly laminated to the glass. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 1
You can totally use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to get the job done, just keep an eye on the heat! Remember, too much heat can be a bummer for your phone’s display and battery—both are pretty sensitive to it. So, be cool while you heat things up! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Get ready to unlock your phone’s secrets – start by heating an iOpener and applying it to the right edge of the back cover for about a minute.
– While you’re waiting, take a closer look at the back cover and note the following areas:
– You’ll find strong adhesive near the bottom of the phone, so be prepared to use a little extra care.
– Also, keep an eye out for the fingerprint sensor cable – we don’t want you to accidentally slice through it as you pry the cover open. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Tools Used
Step 2
– Hey there, let’s heat up that edge and gently lift that back cover like a pro!
– Feeling the strong, steady force, right? Now, time to slip in that opening pick!
– Depending on your phone’s age, this might be a fun challenge. If you need a little extra heat, go for it and get that pick in there. We got this!
Step 3
– Gently glide the opening pick along the right edge to cut through that sticky adhesive.
– If the adhesive gets stubborn and hard to slice after cooling down, just warm it up a bit to make your slicing a breeze.
– Once you’ve made that cut, keep an opening pick in the seam to stop the adhesive from sealing back up.
Step 4
– Let’s get this repair started! Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom of the back cover for about a minute to loosen things up. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Tools Used
Step 5
Go slow as you slice around the corner, like a ninja. Be careful, a sharp corner might make the panel crack! If you hit a tough spot, just heat it up again. Easy peasy!
– Use an opening pick to carefully slice around the bottom right corner and keep going along the bottom edge of the phone.
– Leave a pick in the edge to keep the adhesive from sealing back up. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 6
– Keep the heat going and continue slicing along the remaining edges of your phone. You’ve got this!
– Take it easy while you slice down the left edge. If your pick feels like it’s caught near the top, it might be snagged on the fingerprint sensor. Just pull the pick back a tad and give it another go.
– Don’t forget to tackle those thick bits of adhesive near the bottom and right edge of the phone. You’ve got the skills to get through!
Step 7
– Let’s get this party started! Gently lift the right edge of the back cover.
– Use an opening pick to gently loosen any remaining adhesive holding the cover on. No need to force anything, we want a smooth operation.
Step 8
Keep that fingerprint sensor cable nice and loose, so it doesn’t get squished!
– Flip that back cover like a pro! Swing it up from the right side and let it rest on the left side of the phone.
– Time for a quick power-up check! Once you’re putting everything back together, give your phone a test run to make sure all the functions are working like a charm. Don’t forget to power it back down completely before you continue.
– Ready to get your phone back in tip-top shape? Follow these simple steps for installing the custom-cut adhesives for your back cover.
– Hey, if you swapped out that fingerprint sensor, you’ll need a little help from a software tool to get your phone recognizing its new pal. No worries, it’s easy peasy!
Step 9
– Use tweezers to gently pry up the yellow tape covering the fingerprint sensor connector. If you’re not comfortable with this step, don’t worry – you can always schedule a repair with Salvation Repair and let the pros handle it.
Tools Used
Step 10
Be gentle when handling the flex cable – avoid touching those metal contacts with your tweezers to prevent any shorting issues. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
– Grab your trusty spudger and gently lift the black lock bar on the fingerprint sensor’s ZIF socket. Easy does it!
– Now, take hold of the cable’s tab with your fingers or some tweezers and carefully wiggle that flex cable right out of the socket. You’ve got this!
Step 11
– Take off the back cover – it’s the first step to getting your device back in action.
– Now, check out our guide on how to apply new back cover adhesive like a pro. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 12
– Let’s kick things off by unscrewing those four T3 screws that are holding the metal cover bracket in place:
– As you dive into this repair, remember to keep an eye on each screw and return it to its original home when you’re done.
– Three screws that are 4 mm long
– One screw that is 3 mm long
Step 13
– Time to get started. Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry up the top right edge of the metal bracket – it’s time to set it free.
– Now that it’s loose, go ahead and remove the metal cover bracket. You’re making great progress.
Tools Used
Step 14
Be careful when disconnecting the battery – using metal tools can cause a short circuit, so let’s play it safe! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
– Let’s disconnect that battery! Gently pry up the battery connector using the tip of your spudger.
– Now, bend the battery cable just a bit so the connector can’t accidentally touch the socket. You’re doing great!
Tools Used
Step 15
– Grab your trusty spudger and gently work the tip under the display cable. With a little finesse, pry it up and disconnect it from the motherboard socket on the right edge of your phone. You’re doing great!
Tools Used
Step 16
You might need to give that iOpener a little extra love during the process.
You can also use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate, but be careful not to get things too toasty—the internal battery is a little sensitive to heat. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Turn your phone over so the screen’s facing you.
– Warm up an iOpener and place it on a long edge of the screen for two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 17
Got a badly cracked display? Don’t worry, we’ve got a trick for you. Try covering it with clear packing tape to help the suction cup stick. If that doesn’t work, you can use some super strong tape instead. And if all else fails, a little superglue can save the day and help the suction cup stay put on that broken screen.
Having trouble with this step? Don’t sweat it. It can be a bit tough, especially with older phones. Just apply some more heat and try again. If you’re still having trouble, remember that you can always schedule a repair with the pros at Salvation Repair.
– First, attach a suction cup to the heated side of the screen, getting as close to the edge as you can.
– Now, gently pull on the suction cup with steady force to create a gap between the screen and the frame – you’re making progress!
– Next, carefully insert the point of an opening pick into the gap you just created. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 18
– Gently slide that opening pick along the edge of the screen to cut through the sticky stuff holding it together.
– If the adhesive gets a bit stubborn and tough to slice after cooling down, no worries! Just give it a little heat boost to make slicing a breeze.
– Once you’ve made a nice cut along the edge, keep an opening pick in that seam to stop the adhesive from sealing back up.
Step 19
– Let’s warm things up! Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the screen for a minute.
– Now, it’s time to carefully slice through the adhesive with an opening pick.
– Keep the adhesive from sticking back together by leaving an opening pick in the seam. You got this!
Tools Used
Step 20
– Keep that heat going and glide your trusty slicing tool all the way around the edge of the phone. You’re doing great!
Step 21
The screen is still stuck to the frame by a hefty adhesive pad right in the center. Don’t worry, though; with a little patience, you’ll have it off in no time! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Grab your spudger or plastic opening card and gently slide it into the edge. Apply a little pressure to cut through that stubborn adhesive.
– Keep working your way around until the screen comes loose from the frame.
Tools Used
Step 22
Feel free to loosen and gently pull out the motherboard to create a more spacious area for your work.
If you’re not attached to the original display, snipping the cable can make it a breeze to remove!
– Turn your phone over so the motherboard is looking up at you, ready for action!
– Gently guide the display cable through its designated cutout on the motherboard. If you angle it just right, sliding one end under first, it’ll pop out with ease!
Step 23
– Let’s get started by flipping your phone over so the screen is facing up – it’s time to get a little hands-on.
– Next, carefully lift the screen away from the phone, cutting through any remaining adhesive that’s holding it in place.
– Now it’s time to remove the screen completely – you’re making great progress.
– To install the new screen, you’ll need to thread the display cable through the motherboard cutout. If you’re having trouble, don’t worry – you can always loosen the motherboard a bit to make it easier. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Take a close look at your new replacement screen and compare it to the original. You might need to transfer some components, like the speaker grille, or remove adhesive backings before installing the new one.
– For tips on how to apply adhesive to your new screen, check out our guide on applying adhesive – it’s easier than you think.
– When you’re all done and you power up your device, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Just let it do its thing – don’t touch the screen during this process, or you might end up with some touch issues.
– Before you seal everything up with adhesive, make sure to test your repairs to ensure everything is working smoothly. You got this.
