How to Replace Samsung Galaxy S7 Screen: Step-by-Step Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 20 Steps
Heads up! The video guide might be a little different from this step-by-step guide. Don’t worry though, it’s still the same fix! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Ready to tackle that cracked or faulty OLED display on your Samsung Galaxy S7? Awesome! Just a heads up, the video guide you might find is a bit of an oldie and doesn’t exactly match the step-by-step instructions we have here. It suggests removing the battery, SIM tray, and motherboard, which isn’t necessary unless you’re going for a battery and screen swap at the same time. This guide is all about swapping out just the display while keeping your original frame, logic board, and battery intact. Keep in mind, some replacement screens come pre-installed in a fresh frame (aka chassis), which means you’d need to move over all your phone’s insides and pop in a new battery. So double-check you’ve got the right part before diving in! If the frame is a bit banged up, it’s crucial to replace it to ensure the new screen fits snugly and doesn’t get damaged from any uneven pressure. Just a friendly reminder: separating the display from the frame typically wrecks the display, so make sure you’re all set to replace it before you start. And if your screen’s a real mess, don some eye protection and consider adding a screen protector or some tape to keep those pesky glass shards contained. Happy repairing!
Step 1
You can totally use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate if you’re feeling crafty! Just remember to keep an eye on the heat—both the OLED display and internal battery can get a bit grumpy if things get too toasty.
Opening your phone will mess with its waterproof seals. Have replacement adhesive handy before you dive in, or be super careful about avoiding liquid if you reassemble without new adhesive.
You might need to reheat and reapply the iOpener a few times to get your phone warm enough. Stick to the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
– Heat up that iOpener and give a warm hug to one of the long edges of your phone for about two minutes. It’s like a cozy spa day for your device!
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Step 2
Hey there, be extra careful when removing the rear glass. You don’t want to crack it, right? Use gentle pressure and avoid prying with metal tools. If you’re feeling unsure, you can always schedule a repair.
The suction cup might struggle to stick on that curved glass edge. No worries!
If the back cover of your phone has seen better days and is cracked, the suction cup may not adhere well. Try using some sturdy tape to lift it, or you can superglue the suction cup in place and let it sit for a bit before moving on.
Remember, with that curved glass, you’re going to be pushing upwards instead of inserting parallel to the phone’s surface. Think of it like a little dance move!
If you’re having a tough time, don’t hesitate to apply more heat to soften that adhesive further and give it another go. Adhesive can be a bit temperamental and cools off quickly, so you might need to heat it up a few times.
If you’re feeling adventurous, once the pick is in, a couple of drops of isopropyl alcohol in the gap can help weaken that adhesive for the next steps. Just a little tip to keep things moving smoothly!
– When the back panel is warm, it’s time to get a grip – literally. Apply a suction cup as close to the heated edge as possible, being careful not to get too close to the curved edge.
– Now it’s time to pry open your phone. Lift the suction cup and slide an opening pick under the rear glass, working your way in. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 3
– Now that the pick is securely in place within the glass, it’s time to reheat and reapply the iOpener. This will help loosen the adhesive, making the repair process smoother. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
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Step 4
Take your time, buddy! You’re a pro, just go slow and steady so that the tip doesn’t pop out of the seam. If things get a little sticky, just heat it up again with the iOpener and try again.
– Gently work the opening pick down the side of your phone to loosen the adhesive – you’re making great progress!
– Leave that pick right where it is, and grab a second one to move on to the next step. Keeping the pick in place will help prevent the adhesive from sticking back together, making your repair a whole lot easier. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
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Step 5
– Now it’s time to repeat the heating and cutting process for the remaining three sides of your phone – you’ve got this!
– As you move on to the next side, make sure to leave an opening pick in each edge to keep the adhesive from resealing. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 6
– Go ahead and gently lift the glass off your phone and set it aside.
Step 7
Feel free to pop that back cover back on without stressing over new adhesive! Just make sure to clear away any big bits of sticky stuff that might keep the cover from fitting snugly. Once it’s on, give it a little warmth and press down to make sure it’s secure. While it may not be waterproof anymore, don’t worry—this adhesive is still plenty strong to keep things in place.
Before you seal everything up with fresh adhesive, take a moment to power on your device and check your handiwork. It’s always good to know it’s working before you fully commit!
– Ready to give your device a fresh look? Let’s get that back cover on! Just follow this guide to use the custom-cut adhesive strip and you’ll be good to go.
– If you’re cleaning the midframe with isopropyl alcohol, be careful not to get any on the wireless charging coil. A little alcohol and that coil won’t be wirelessly charging anymore! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 8
– Time to tackle those eight 3.5 mm Phillips screws holding down the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly. Let’s get them out of there!
Step 10
– Now, grab the flat end of your spudger and gently lift that charging coil assembly right out of the phone. It’s like giving it a little high-five, but with a tool! You’ve got this. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
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Step 11
– Let’s get started by using the flat end of a spudger to carefully disconnect the battery connector. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
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Step 13
You might find yourself giving the iOpener a little extra love by reheating and reapplying it a few times to warm up your phone just right. Check out the iOpener instructions to keep things cozy without going overboard.
The adhesive holding the display in place can be a tough cookie, often stickier than the glue keeping the back cover secure. If you’re having a hard time, feel free to switch it up with a hair dryer or heat gun to crank up the heat and loosen that stubborn glue.
– Grab your trusty iOpener and warm up that long edge of the phone for about 2 minutes. You’re doing great!
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Step 14
If your screen is sporting some serious cracks, the suction cup might not want to play nice. No worries! You can give it a lift with some sturdy tape, or if you’re feeling a bit crafty, superglue that suction cup in place and let it set. Once it’s ready, you’re all set to move forward!
– Now that your screen is warm, it’s time to get a grip – literally. Apply a suction cup as close to the heated edge of the phone as possible, and get ready to take it apart.
– Give the suction cup a gentle lift, and carefully slide an opening pick under the display assembly. You’re making great progress, and Salvation Repair is here to guide you through it. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 16
Be careful when prying – the display cable is located just above the midpoint on this side, so try not to dig too deep or you might hit it. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
– Gently slide the opening pick down the side of your phone to break that adhesive seal. We’re taking it slow to make sure nothing slips out unexpectedly. If you find the pick is having a tough time, just give it a little reheat and reapply the iOpener.
– Once you’ve made some progress, keep that pick safely in place and grab a second one! This way, you’ll help keep the glue you just loosened from sticking back down. Let’s keep this party going!
Tools Used
Step 17
Be careful not to go too deep on the top or bottom, or you might nick the front-facing sensors or speaker assembly on the top, or capacitive buttons on the bottom. You got this! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Now, let’s keep the momentum going! Just like before, heat things up and carefully cut around the remaining three sides of your phone.
– To keep that pesky adhesive from making a comeback, pop an opening pick on each side as you go along.
Step 20
Before you put in that shiny new display, make sure to clean up any leftover adhesive from the old one. Take your time and get rid of any tiny glass bits that might be hanging around.
If the frame is a little bent or there’s still some glue or glass stuck to it, your new display might not fit quite right and could even get damaged. So let’s get it just right! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
This step is key to getting rid of any leftover sticky stuff and getting your surface ready for the new display.
– After removing all those glue and glass bits, give the areas where the screen sticks to the frame a good clean with 90% isopropyl alcohol (or stronger) and a lint-free cloth or coffee filter. Just swipe in one direction, no going back and forth. Think of it like a fancy dance move, except for your phone.
