DIY Samsung Galaxy S8 Screen Replacement Guide: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 24 Steps
Hey there!
If your frame has seen better days or is a bit wonky, don’t sweat it!
Ready to tackle that cracked or broken display on your Samsung Galaxy S8? You’re in the right place! Just a heads-up: this guide is all about swapping out the display while keeping your original frame, motherboard, and battery cozy in their spots. If you happen to snag a replacement screen that comes with a new frame (or as the cool kids call it, a chassis), you’ll need to roll up your sleeves for a whole different adventure—transplanting your phone’s insides and possibly installing a new battery. So, double-check you have the right part before diving in! Oh, and when it comes to removing that rear glass cover, make sure you have some replacement adhesive handy to seal things back up. If your new screen doesn’t come with adhesive, a little tape will do the trick too! If you spot any damage or bending in the frame, it’s best to replace that as well—otherwise, your new screen might not sit right and could get bruised from uneven pressure. Just a little warning: separating the display from the frame often leads to a display casualty, so only follow this guide if you’re ready to give that display a brand-new home!
Step 1
Before you dive into the repair, give your microwave a quick clean. We wouldn’t want any stubborn gunk getting cozy on the iOpener, would we?
– Make the microwave the iOpener’s cozy home, right in the center!
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Step 2
Remember to keep the iOpener’s temperature in check during your repair adventure! Getting it too hot can lead to some unexpected surprises, like a burst iOpener. So, let’s keep it below 100˚C (212˚F), alright?
If your iOpener looks like it’s been hitting the gym and is a bit swollen, steer clear! No touching until it’s back to its normal self.
If the iOpener is still too toasty to handle, don’t fret! Just hang tight and let it cool off a bit before you give it another go. A well-heated iOpener should be your warm buddy for up to 10 minutes.
– Pop that iOpener into the microwave for a quick 30-second heat session.
– Remember, if the iOpener starts feeling a bit chilly, just throw it back in the microwave for another cozy 30 seconds. Keep it toasty!
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Step 3
Watch out! The iOpener is going to be hot stuff, so handle it with care. Grab an oven mitt if you need some extra protection.
– Carefully take the iOpener out of the microwave, gripping it by one of the flat ends to steer clear of that toasty center.
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Step 4
No microwave? No problem! Just pop your iOpener into some boiling water to give it a good heat-up.
– Get a pot or pan and fill it with enough water to completely cover an iOpener – we want it fully submerged.
– Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Easy does it.
– Next, carefully place the iOpener into the hot water for 2-3 minutes. Make sure it’s fully covered in water.
– Use some tongs to carefully lift the heated iOpener out of the water.
– Now, grab a towel and thoroughly dry the iOpener. We don’t want any water hanging around.
– Your iOpener is now ready to use. If you need to heat it up again, just boil some water, turn off the heat, and soak the iOpener for 2-3 minutes. And remember, if you need help with your repair, you can always schedule a repair
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Step 5
– Warm up your iOpener and give it a cozy hug to one of the long edges of the S8 for about 2 minutes.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a heat gun handy – a hair dryer or hot plate can do the trick too! Just remember, we want to warm things up, not burn them out. Heat can be your phone’s friend, but too much of it? Not so much. Treat your OLED display and internal battery with kindness – they’re not fans of overheating. It’s all about finding that sweet spot, so take it easy on the heat and your device will thank you for it!
Before you start, keep in mind that opening your phone will affect its waterproof seals. Make sure you have some replacement adhesive on hand, or be super careful to avoid any liquid exposure if you decide to reassemble without it.
While you’re waiting for the adhesive to loosen up, go ahead and take a sneak peek at the next step to get a sense of where you’ll need to pry.
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Step 6
– Alrighty, now get ready to slice through that sticky adhesive surrounding the outer edge of the rear glass panel.
– Take a gander at the way the adhesive is laid out on the back case, just like in that first image.
– When it comes to prying, follow the pattern from the outside of the phone, as shown in this neat little guide:
Step 7
– Now that 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.
– Give the suction cup a gentle lift, and then slide an opening pick under the rear glass to start making some progress.
Step 9
Take your time and work carefully so the tool stays in the seam. If the cutting gets tough, just reheat and reapply the iOpener – and remember, if you need help, you can always schedule a repair
– Gently slide the opening pick along the edge of the phone to break the adhesive seal.
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Step 10
– Now, let’s keep the momentum going! Just like before, heat things up and carefully cut along the next three sides of the phone.
– Don’t forget to pop an opening pick on each side as you move on to the next one—this will stop that pesky adhesive from sealing back up!
Step 11
As you gently lift the glass, take a quick peek to ensure that the orange cable with the blue connector has popped free.
If the fingerprint sensor cable looks like it’s caught or stays stretched, it’s best not to push further. Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the connector before moving along.
When it’s time to give your device a little TLC, remember, the fingerprint sensor cable buddy connects your phone to the rear glass near the main camera. This tiny cable loves to tag along with the rear glass as it comes off. So keep an eye on them!
– To kick things off, use the opening picks to slice through any remaining adhesive and crack open the phone just a smidge.
– For the grand finale of reassembly, to reconnect the fingerprint sensor cable, start by angling the back cover into position until the cable connector lines up perfectly over its socket. Then, give it a smooth touchdown by using the flat end of your spudger to gently snap the connector into place.
– Time to bid adieu to the glass – let’s get it removed from the phone.
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Step 12
If you’d like, you can pop the back cover back on without swapping out the adhesive. Just make sure to clear away any big bits of glue that might stop the cover from fitting snugly. Once it’s in place, give it a little heat and apply some pressure to keep it secure. It might not be waterproof, but trust us, that adhesive is usually tough enough to do the job.
– Ready to pop on that new back cover? Let’s dive in!
– Check out this guide for reinstalling your old back cover or slipping on a brand new one without any sticky fuss.
– Don’t forget, if you’ve got a camera bezel to transfer to your shiny new part, we’ve got you covered. Just follow our camera bezel replacement guide.
Step 13
– Unscrew eleven 3.7 mm screws with your trusty Phillips #000 screwdriver. You’ve got this!
Step 14
– Go ahead and take off the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly! You’ve got this!
Step 15
Don’t worry about the battery – you won’t need to remove it for this repair. Just disconnect it and you’re all set. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 17
– Warm up your trusty iOpener and place it on one of the longer edges of the S8 for about 2 minutes. You’ve got this!
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Step 18
– Now that your screen 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.
– Give the suction cup a gentle lift and slide an opening pick under the display assembly. You’re making great progress, and if you need help, you can always schedule a repair
Step 20
Take it slow and steady to prevent any slip-ups with your tool. If you’re finding it tough to cut, simply warm up and reapply the iOpener for a smoother experience.
Right beneath the middle point on this side lies the screen’s flex cable, which might get in the way of your cutting tool.
– Now it’s time to get this phone opened up. Slide the opening pick down the side, gently breaking the adhesive seal. Take your time and work carefully – you’re making great progress! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair
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Step 21
Handle the top edge with a little extra TLC to keep those sensors and speaker happy.
– Give it another go! Warm up and slice through the remaining three sides of the phone just like you did before.
– Keep an opening pick stuck in each side as you move on to the next—this way, the adhesive won’t come back to haunt you!
Step 22
Step 24
Hey there repair hero! Before you slap on that shiny new display, make sure to give the frame a good scrub-a-dub-dub to kiss those old adhesives goodbye. Be sure to clear out any pesky glass bits too! Remember, a bent frame or leftover goo can mess up the new display’s day. If things aren’t looking so hot, don’t sweat it, just swap out the frame and keep rocking and rolling!
– Once you’ve got all that goop and glass cleared away, scrub those sticky spots with some 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a clean-as-can-be cloth or coffee filter. Go with the grain, not against it!
– To keep your new screen nice and snug, use some custom-cut double-sided tape. Stick the tape on the back of your screen, wiggle the display cable through the frame, then line up and press that screen into place like a puzzle piece!
