Replace Google Pixel Fold Fingerprint Sensor: DIY Step-by-Step Guide
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 66 Steps
Hey there! This guide is brought to you by the awesome team at Salvation Repair. While we haven’t received a thumbs up from any tech giants, we guarantee you’ll find this guide super helpful! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Welcome to the ultimate guide for swapping out the fingerprint sensor on your Pixel Fold! This little gem is connected to the power button, so when it’s time for a replacement, you’ll be switching out both as a nifty assembly. If things get tricky or you just want some extra hands, feel free to schedule a repair. Let’s dive in!
Step 2
Feel free to whip out a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate for some gentle warmth—but remember, too much heat can be a display or battery’s worst nightmare, so use caution and keep it cool!
– Place your phone gently on a clean, smooth surface with the back glass facing up, ready to be pampered.
– Grab that iOpener and give it a good heat-up before applying it to the bottom edge of the back glass for a cozy two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 3
Up next, we’ll show you how to use the Anti-Clamp, our nifty little gadget that makes opening your device a breeze. Not using the Anti-Clamp? No worries! Just hop down three steps for a backup plan.
Want to become a pro with the Anti-Clamp? Check out our detailed guide for all the tips!
Double-check that the suction cup on your inner screen is not making friends with the bezel; otherwise, it just won’t stick right.
If your phone’s surface is a bit too slick for the Anti-Clamp to grip, just grab some tape to give it a little extra hold. And if the glass is cracked, using packing tape can help those suction cups stick like glue.
– Give that blue handle a nice pull back to release the Anti-Clamp’s arms like a pro.
– Fully open your phone and gently slide the Anti-Clamp arms onto the left edge of the back glass, just below that shiny logo.
– Get those suction cups ready! Place one near the bottom of the phone’s front and the other on the back.
– Now, squeeze those cups together to create some epic suction on the area you need.
Step 4
– First up, give your phone a little support! Place a sturdy object, like a box or a stack of books, under your phone so it’s nice and level while we get to work.
– Now, let’s lock those arms in! Pull that blue handle forward to snuggle the arms around your phone.
– Ready to get things going? Turn the handle clockwise, all the way around (that’s 360 degrees!) or until those suction cups start to stretch and grip your phone.
– Keep an eye on those suction cups, making sure they’re staying in line. If they start to slip, gently detach them, realign the arms, and try again.
Step 5
Take it easy and remember: just a twist of a quarter turn at a time! Chill for a minute between those turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and a little patience do their magic for you.
If the Anti-Clamp isn’t making enough of a gap, no worries! Just add a bit more heat to the spot and give the handle a gentle quarter turn.
– Slide an opening pick into the little gap beneath the back glass and get ready to unveil the magic inside!
– Feel free to skip this next part; you’re doing great!
Step 6
If your phone’s back glass is cracked like a spiderweb, try covering it with clear packing tape. It’ll help the suction cup stick like glue. You can even try a super strong tape instead of the suction cup if you’re feeling fancy. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the back glass. It might sound crazy, but it works!
Now, depending on how old your phone is, this next part might be a bit tricky. Don’t sweat it! Just keep applying some heat to the edge and try again. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
– Grab a suction cup and stick it on the back glass, aiming for the sweet spot near the center of the bottom edge.
– Gently pull up on that suction cup with a steady hand. You’re creating a little space between the back glass and the frame, so keep that energy up!
– Now, slide an opening pick into that gap you’ve just made.
Step 7
Keep that opening pick no deeper than 3.5 mm when tackling the back glass adhesive. We want to avoid any surprise damage to those precious internal components!
– Gently glide the opening pick back and forth along the bottom edge to break that adhesive seal.
– Keep the opening pick snugly in the bottom left corner before moving on.
Step 8
– Warm up your trusty iOpener and gently place it on the left edge of the back glass for a cozy two-minute session.
Tools Used
Step 9
– Now, let’s loosen up that adhesive holding things together. Carefully slide your opening pick around the bottom left corner, gently separating the adhesive. Take your time, we’re in this together!
Step 10
– Let’s get this party started! Insert a second opening pick at the bottom left corner.
– Slide the opening pick towards the top left corner like you’re giving it a high five. We’re separating the adhesive here.
– Keep that opening pick in the top left corner, we’re gonna need it for the next step.
Step 11
– Get that phone nice and toasty! Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back glass for two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 12
– Gently twist the opening pick around the 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, just like a pro.
– Gently glide that pick toward the top right corner to break free the adhesive. You’ve got this!
Step 14
– Warm up the right edge of the back glass with a heated iOpener for a delightful two minutes. Just enough time to grab a quick snack or plan your next move!
Tools Used
Step 15
Hey there! That corner is a bit of a delicate flower. Give it some love with plenty of heat and treat it gently during this step.
– Position your pick so it hugs the back glass as closely as possible for a smooth glide.
– Gently pivot the opening pick around the top right corner to break free the adhesive.
Step 16
– Let’s get that pick in there, right in the top right corner. Feeling good? Keep going! Now, gently slide that pick down towards the bottom right corner, like you’re parting the adhesive sea. Smooth sailing, right?
Step 17
This sharp corner is super delicate! Use plenty of heat and be super gentle around the corner while you’re working here.
– Tilt your pick to keep it as close to the back glass as you can for the best angle.
– Gently spin the opening pick around the bottom right corner to break the adhesive seal.
Step 18
Hold your horses, cowboy! Don’t yank off that back glass quite yet – there’s a cable connecting it to your phone, so we gotta be careful here!
Now’s your moment! The back glass should be popping away from the frame. If it’s still clinging on tight around the edges, grab an opening pick and gently nudge it to break any last bits of adhesive.
– Lift the left side of the back glass up and over the right side of the phone like a pro!
– Carefully place the back glass to the right side of the phone before moving on.
Step 19
As you work on this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Though the Pixel Fold uses Torx Plus screws, regular Torx bits work just as well. Use the same size or go one size up (T3 or T4 Torx bits with 3IP Torx Plus screws) and apply steady, downward force to avoid stripping.
– Grab your trusty Torx Plus 3IP driver and get ready to unscrew! You’ve got two little 2.8 mm-long screws holding that middle bracket in place. Let’s remove them and keep things moving!
Step 20
– Grab your trusty tweezers or just use your fingers to nudge that middle bracket over towards the left edge of your phone and pop its clip free.
– Time to say goodbye to the middle bracket; just remove it!
– When it’s time to put everything back together, slip that middle bracket clip back under its cozy spot in the frame, making sure to line up those screw holes like a pro.
Tools Used
Step 21
To re-attach press connectors like this one, make sure the connector’s happy and lined up with its pal, then gently press down on one side till it clicks – like a satisfying puzzle piece! Do the same on the other side. Remember, we’re keeping things cool and calm, so no pressure in the middle, okay? If the connector feels like it’s fighting back, don’t push it! Misalignment can lead to bent pins, and that’s a bummer. If you need a hand, you can always schedule a repair.
– Gently use the tip of a spudger to lift and disconnect the back glass cable from the motherboard. You’re on the right track!
Tools Used
