Google Pixel XL Display Assembly Replacement Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 10 Steps
Salvation Repair put together this step-by-step guide, and while Google didn’t officially endorse it, we’ve got you covered.
Be gentle with the Pixel XL’s display panel – it’s a bit fragile and could use some extra care.
This repair guide is crafted by the Salvation Repair team and hasn’t been endorsed by Google. Learn more about our repair guides here. This guide takes you through the process of removing and replacing the Google Pixel XL’s display assembly, which includes the screen and digitizer. The Pixel XL’s display panel is delicate and strongly adhered to the frame, making repairs tricky. There’s a fair chance of breaking the display, especially if it already has micro-fractures. Be sure to apply plenty of heat and be super careful during the prying stage. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 1
Feel free to use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to loosen things up. Just make sure not to get carried away with the heat—you don’t want to cook your phone’s display or battery! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Grab your iOpener and give it a nice heat-up session! Stick it to the top edge of the display for about two minutes.
– Before you dive into prying, keep an eye on these spots:
– There’s a thin adhesive hugging the display panel.
– And then there’s the thick adhesive waiting for you.
– Watch out for the OLED display panel—it’s a bit delicate!
– Don’t forget about the display cable; it might get a little cranky during prying.
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Step 2
Just a heads-up! Don’t stick the pick in more than 13 mm (0.5 inches) or you might mess up the display assembly. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, grab a playing card instead of an opening pick to help you ease into that initial entry. It’s a fun little trick to get you started!
– When the edge feels nice and toasty, grab a suction cup and pop it close to the edge.
– Give that suction cup a gentle lift and slide an opening pick into the tiny gap you’ve made.
– If you’re having a tough time making a gap, just reheat the edge a bit and give it another go.
Step 3
Just a heads up—don’t slice any deeper than 13 mm (0.5 inches), or you might find yourself with a cracked display!
Remember, there’s a mesh covering the earpiece speaker at the top of the screen. If you can’t get a new mesh, just be super careful not to snag or lose this little guy!
– Swipe the opening clip along the top to slice through that adhesive.
– Keep an opening pick in the edge to stop the adhesive from sticking back together. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 4
Careful now! Slide that pick no more than 1 mm (1/32″) along the edge, or you’ll risk damaging the display. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Warm up an iOpener and cozy it up to the right edge of your phone for a couple of minutes.
– Slip an opening pick near the top edge of your phone where you’ve already cut through the adhesive.
– Gently guide that pick around the right corner—nice and easy.
– Carefully slide the pick down the right side of your phone to keep slicing through the adhesive.
– Rinse and repeat for the left edge. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
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Step 5
Be careful not to slice deeper than 8.5 mm (1/3″) – going too far can damage the display cable. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to schedule a repair
– Warm up the bottom edge with an iOpener for about two minutes.
– Sneak a pick in near the right edge where you’ve already loosened that pesky adhesive.
– Gently guide the pick around the corner.
– Slide the pick along the bottom edge to cut through the adhesive. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
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Step 6
Hold up! Don’t yank the display assembly just yet—it’s still tethered by a flex cable.
– After you’ve made your way around the phone’s edge, gently lift the display assembly a smidge from the right corners.
– Grab an opening pick and slice through any stubborn adhesive that’s hanging on.
Step 7
Watch out for the flex cable when you swing the assembly around. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 9
To reattach those connectors like a pro, just be sure to line them up and gently press down on one side until you hear that satisfying click. Once that’s done, do the same on the other side. Remember, no need to push down in the middle! If things get misaligned, those little pins can get bent, which is a big no-no and could lead to some serious damage. So take your time and keep it smooth.
– Grab your trusty spudger and gently pop up the display cable from its connector. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
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Step 10
– Take off the display assembly.
– For full steps on putting the Pixel XL display back on, check out this guide.
– If your new display doesn’t have a speaker grille, use tweezers to gently move the adhesive grille from your old display to the new one.
– Before sticking on a new display, make sure to clean off all the adhesive from the frame. Use a spudger or an opening tool to scrape it off, and use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any leftovers.
– If you’re putting the same display assembly back on, clean off all the adhesive residue from the panel and the frame before applying new adhesive.
– Turn on your phone and test your repair before applying new adhesive and sealing the phone back up.
– When you turn on the phone after reassembly, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Don’t touch the screen during this, or you’ll mess up the touch calibration and have touch issues.
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