Samsung Galaxy S21 Motherboard Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 39 Steps
Hey there! Just a friendly reminder to let that battery dip below 25% before you start taking apart your phone. Safety first, and we want you to have a smooth repair experience!
Kick things off by safely discharging your Galaxy S21's battery to below 25%—this keeps things cool and cozy if the battery decides to misbehave during the teardown. If your battery's looking a little puffy, take extra precautions to avoid any unwanted thermal surprises. This guide was originally tested on a Verizon model with 5G mmWave antennas, so if you're rocking a non-Verizon version, just skip those specific steps—rest assured, the rest of the process stays the same. Need a hand? You can always schedule a repair with us.
Step 1
Shut down your phone before you dive in—no surprise buzzes while you work!
You can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or even a hot plate here—just keep the heat on the gentler side. Too much can mess with your phone’s display, battery, or plastic back, and nobody wants a melty phone.
- Warm up your iOpener and give the back cover's bottom edge a cozy two-minute spa treatment.
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Step 2
- Give that back of the phone a little love with a suction cup, and aim for the center of the bottom edge—let's get it right!
- Now, pull up on that suction cup with a firm, steady hand to create a nice little gap between the back cover and the frame. You've got this!
- Slide an opening pick into that gap and let the magic happen.
Keep the pick no more than 5 mm in, or you might end up messing with some sensitive bits inside. Take it easy and stay gentle!
Depending on how old your phone is, this might get a bit stubborn. If you're running into resistance, try applying a little more heat to the edge and give it another go. Patience is key—sometimes a gentle touch makes all the difference. If you need a hand, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 3
- Gently slide a plastic pick along the bottom edge to cut through the adhesive. Keep the pick in place afterward to prevent the adhesive from sealing back up. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 4
- Give the back cover’s left edge a warm hug with a heated iOpener for about two minutes.
Tools Used
Step 5
Insert the pick-up tool no more than 5mm—going further could risk damaging those delicate internal parts. Take it slow and steady, and if you need a hand, you can always schedule a repair.
- Grab your trusty suction cup and stick it right in the center of the left edge of the back cover. It’ll give you just the right spot to get started.
- Now, pull up on the suction cup with a solid, consistent force—this is your chance to create that tiny gap between the back cover and the phone’s frame.
- Slip an opening pick into the gap you’ve made, and you’re on your way to opening it up!
Step 6
Be careful not to cut past where the camera shell meets the back cover—pushing too far might crack the plastic. Stay on the safe side, and if you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
- Glide your opening pick down the left edge, aiming for the bottom left corner to slice through that sticky adhesive.
- Keep the pick in place so the adhesive doesn't play tricks and stick itself back together.
Step 7
- Warm up that iOpener and give the right edge of the back cover a cozy two-minute hug!
Tools Used
Step 8
Be careful to only insert the pick up to 3 mm. Going further could lead to a mishap with the secondary interconnect cable that's snugly tucked along the right edge. Stay safe and happy repairing!
- Place the suction cup on the back of the phone, aiming for the center of the right edge. Get it nice and close.
- Now, give the suction cup a strong, steady pull to create a little gap between the back cover and the frame.
- Slip an opening pick into that gap you just made and get ready to move forward!
Step 9
- Glide an opening pick back and forth along the right edge of the back cover to slice through that sticky adhesive.
- Keep the pick in place so the adhesive doesn’t sneakily try to stick itself back together.
Step 10
When inserting the pick, go up to 5 mm max—going further might risk hurting some of the delicate internal parts. Take it slow and steady, and if you need a hand, you can always schedule a repair.
This procedure can be used for each corner, except the top-left where the rear-facing camera hangs out.
- Gently rotate the right-edge opening pick around the top-right corner of your phone. Take your time, it’s like guiding a mini spaceship around a tight turn – smooth and steady!
Step 11
- Scoot the top opening pick up nice and close to the camera shell—like they're old friends.
- Do the same move with the pick on the left edge. Teamwork makes this easier!
Step 12
- Warm up an iOpener and gently press it onto the camera shell for about two minutes. This helps loosen things up for the next step.
Tools Used
Step 13
Be careful to slide the pick in no more than 5 mm to keep that camera scratch-free and smiling!
If this step doesn’t do the trick, just jump to the next one for a different approach; if it works, you’re all set. Keep going until you find what fixes the issue.
- Twist the back cover gently counterclockwise to create a little gap between the camera shell and the frame.
- Slip an opening pick into that gap to start the magic.
Step 14
Take it easy with this method—go too hard and the plastic back cover might crack, which is not the vibe we're going for!
- Gently slide the two picks toward the camera shell so they slide under the corners of the back cover near the camera. Then, wiggle the picks back and forth along the seam between the back cover and the camera shell until you see a gap forming between the two parts. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 15
The frame is glued to the camera shell pretty well, so you might need to give it a few rounds of heat to loosen things up.
- Slide an opening pick between the camera shell and the frame to slice through the adhesive—think of it as giving the lens a smooth escape route.
Step 16
There's a little plate on the back cover around the phone's flash that the pick can catch on—watch out for that to keep things smooth.
- There’s some sneaky adhesive chilling to the right of the camera—slice through it with style.
- Tilt your pick downward to steer clear of any accidental camera oopsies.
Step 17
The plate's resistance can feel like sticky tape. Tilt the pick downward a bit to keep it from slipping into the plate. Keep it smooth and steady—you're doing great!
- Align the tip of your opening pick with the flash on your phone.
- Gently slide the pick in, being careful to steer clear of the flash's plate.
- Carefully slice through the adhesive to the right of the camera.
Step 18
If your back cover is still clinging to the frame, gently slide your pick around the edges of the phone until it pops free. Keep it steady and take your time—patience pays off. If you need a hand, you can always schedule a repair.
- Start by removing the back cover. When you're ready to reassemble, it's a good idea to power on your device and test all functions before sealing it up—just to make sure everything's working smoothly. Remember to shut it down completely before you proceed. Next, gently scrape away any leftover adhesive chunks using tweezers or your fingers. For stubborn residue, a swipe with some high-percentage (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol does the trick. If you're using custom-cut adhesives from Samsung, follow this guide for best results. For double-sided tape, stick to this guide. If you need help at any point, you can always schedule a repair.
Tools Used
Step 19
Keep an eye on those screws as you go—each one has a home, and mixing them up is like putting socks on your hands.
- Grab your trusty Phillips screwdriver and get ready to show those five 4 mm-long screws who’s boss! Unscrew them to liberate the motherboard bracket from its cozy spot in the frame.
Step 20
Hold off on removing that bracket completely just yet—it's still holding onto the wireless charging coil for now. Keep it in place until you're ready for the next move.
- Grab a trusty pair of tweezers and carefully lift up that motherboard bracket from the frame. You've got this!
Tools Used
Step 21
Gently pry under the edge of the connector—think of it like a friendly nudge—to avoid poking the socket or any nearby parts. Patience is key, and a light touch keeps everything safe and sound.
- Grab your trusty tweezers or fingers and gently hold the motherboard bracket out of the way. Now, take a spudger and carefully pry up that battery press connector like a pro!
- When it's time to re-attach those press connectors, make sure to align them just right. Press down on one side until you hear that satisfying click, then do the same on the other side. Remember, no pressing down in the middle! If things get misaligned, those little pins can bend, and we definitely don’t want that kind of drama.
Step 22
- With the motherboard bracket out of the way, gently use a spudger to lift and disconnect the wireless charging coil's press connector. Keep it friendly and steady—you're almost there! If you get stuck, remember you can always schedule a repair for extra help.
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Step 23
The wireless charging coil is held in place with a bit of light adhesive, so it’s pretty easy to loosen up when it’s time to replace or reposition it.
- Gently peel back the wireless charging coil from the phone using your fingers—think of it as carefully lifting a sticker without tearing it. When you're ready to put everything back together, start by tightening the motherboard bracket screws first; this helps line up the charging coil just right. Once secured, press down firmly on the rest of the coil to make sure it sticks well. If you need a hand along the way, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 24
- Gently use the tip of your spudger to lift and unplug the earpiece speaker cable's press connector. You've got this!
Tools Used
Step 25
- Grab your Phillips screwdriver and take out the seven 4 mm screws holding the earpiece speaker in place on the motherboard. You’re doing great—just keep those screws safe for reassembly!
Step 26
- Slip the tip of your spudger into the little gap by the right side of the earpiece speaker—like you're giving it a gentle nudge.
- Leverage the spudger to pop those clips loose and set the speaker free.
- Grab the earpiece speaker with tweezers or your fingers and lift it out.
Step 27
- Grab the flat end of your spudger and gently pop up the front camera’s connector—like opening a tiny treasure chest.
Tools Used
Step 28
- Grab a spudger and gently pry up the orange press connector next to the 5G antenna cable's press connector. Keep it smooth and steady.
- Do the same for the green 5G antenna cable's press connector—careful does it!
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Step 29
- Grab a spudger and gently nudge up the 5G antenna cable's press connector to disconnect it. You've got this!
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Step 30
- Grab your trusty spudger and gently pop up the power button cable’s connector—think of it as giving the cable a little high-five.
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Step 31
- Take the flat end of your spudger and gently pop up the display cable’s connector—like opening a stubborn soda can, but with way less mess.
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Step 32
- Grab your trusty spudger and gently pop up the secondary interconnect cable's press connector. It's like giving it a little handshake.
- Now give the main interconnect cable's press connector the same treatment. Quick and easy!
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Step 33
Handle cables gently—no sharp bends or folds! Bending them too tightly can cause tears, so keep it smooth and friendly.
- Gently use a spudger or your fingers to nudge that power button cable away from the phone, giving it some room to breathe.
- Now, give some love to the left-edge 5G antenna cable and repeat the same gentle bending motion.
Tools Used
Step 34
Go easy on those cables—no folding or sharp bends, or you might end up with a cable catastrophe.
- Grab some tweezers or use your fingers to gently push the orange 5G antenna cable away from the phone. Repeat the same careful move for the green 5G antenna cable to keep everything neat and safe. If you need help along the way, you can always schedule a repair.
Tools Used
Step 35
- Grab your trusty Phillips screwdriver and get ready to tackle that 4 mm screw holding down the camera bracket and motherboard to the frame. You've got this!
Step 36
- Slip a spudger between the bottom-right corner of the motherboard and the frame like you're sneaking a cookie before dinner.
- Gently pry up with the spudger to pop those clips loose and set the motherboard assembly free.
- Grab the motherboard assembly with your fingers and lift it out—mission accomplished!
Tools Used
Step 37
- Grab the point of your spudger and gently pry up the ultra wide camera's press connector from the motherboard — it’s like a little handshake between parts. Then, use tweezers or your fingers to carefully lift out the ultra wide camera. Easy does it! If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
Step 38
- Gently wedge the flat end of your trusty spudger to lift and detach the wide and telephoto camera's press connector from the motherboard. Easy peasy!
- With a little finesse, use your tweezers or just your fingers to carefully take out the wide and telephoto camera. You've got this!
Step 39
- Take a moment to compare your shiny new replacement part with the original—don’t forget to transfer any leftover components or peel off those pesky adhesive backings before you dive into the installation!
- When it’s time to put everything back together, just retrace your steps in reverse. Easy peasy!
- Once you’ve wrapped up the repair, follow this guide to give your device a little test run and make sure everything’s working smoothly.
- Got some e-waste? Don’t just toss it! Make sure to drop it off at an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
- If things didn’t go quite as planned, no worries! Swing by our Answers community for some troubleshooting tips. And remember, if you need a hand, you can always schedule a repair.
