Skip to main content

Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement

What you need

  1. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    SIM Card Eject Tool
    $2.99
    Buy
    • Power off the phone, by long-pressing the power button and touching Power off.

    • Remove the SIM tray using the SIM Card Eject Tool.

    • This step is required in order to remove the back case.

  2. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    T5 Torx Screwdriver
    $5.49
    Buy
  3. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Gently open the back case by prying along the edge of the cover, starting at a corner of the phone and circling around the phone using a plastic opening tool.

    • The opening process may take a few minutes. The plastic will make a light snapping noise as the back cover separates from the rest of the phone.

  4. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the two 1.8 mm Phillips screws holding down the battery connector.

    • Using a plastic opening tool, disconnect the battery cable from its socket on the motherboard.

  5. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery removal: step 5, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Battery removal: step 5, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Plastic Cards
    $2.99
    Buy
    • Remove the blue tape that secures the white antenna cable to the battery.

    • Using a spudger, carefully disconnect the white antenna cable.

    • Carefully pry the battery out with a Plastic Opening Tool, starting at the top left-hand corner and working down towards the bottom right-hand corner.

    • If necessary, you can also use a plastic card to separate the battery from the metal midframe.

    • The battery is securely glued to the phone. When reinstalling the battery, press the battery firmly against the adhesive strip.

  6. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Plastic Midframe: step 6, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Plastic Midframe: step 6, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Plastic Midframe: step 6, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the nine 4.6 mm Phillips #000 screws. Gently lift out the plastic cover.

    • The midframe is held in with two clips, one at either side. Use a plastic spudger to release each side and gently lift up and away.

  7. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Speaker: step 7, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Speaker: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the two 4.8 mm screws that hold the speaker enclosure together using the Phillips 00 screwdriver.

  8. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Gently pry the speaker up and away from the back of the phone using a plastic opening tool, and lift it out of the phone.

  9. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Audio Jack: step 9, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Audio Jack: step 9, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Audio Jack: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • Using a spudger, pop off the gray connector on the top right of the motherboard.

  10. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Gently lift the audio jack upwards and to the left to remove it from the motherboard.

  11. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2
    • The audio port will likely lift out together with the ambient light sensor rubber cap.

    • Remove the cap from the old part and move it to the new one. Ensure the cap stays in place when installing the new audio port into the phone.

  12. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Camera: step 12, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Camera: step 12, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Camera: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Gently pry the metal tab up using a spudger, and lift up the disconnected black flap.

  13. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • With a spudger, carefully pry up the black tab connecting the camera to the motherboard.

    • Lift up the camera from the socket.

  14. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 14, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 14, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the Sim Card and the Sim Card metal tray.

  15. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the white antenna interconnect cable that attaches the motherboard to the bottom right-hand corner of phone by pulling on it gently.

  16. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the tab located in the bottom right-hand corner of the motherboard attaching the motherboard to the front display assembly using a spudger.

  17. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the last tab connecting the motherboard to the front display assembly located in the upper right-hand corner of the motherboard using a spudger.

    • Once this tab is removed, the flap will be free and will spring away from the motherboard.

  18. Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 Nexus 4 Motherboard Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Using a spudger, gently lift up the motherboard from the front display assembly.

    • Carefully remove the motherboard using your hands.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

49 other people completed this guide.

Kaitlyn Jones

Member since: 01/27/13

4,952 Reputation

8 Guides authored

Team

Cal Poly, Team 3-32, Amido Winter 2013 Member of Cal Poly, Team 3-32, Amido Winter 2013

CPSU-AMIDO-W13S3G32

4 Members

8 Guides authored

4 Comments

This manual doesn't mention to take out volume and Power Buttons and removing the lower PCB with the USB port and LED!

I would edit but unfortunately I didnt take any pics

Robin Munkittrick - Reply

As Robin says, this misses out a few bits that are needed if you are trying to replace the screen and digitiser - two buttons, lower usb assembly and also a very small, mysterious, soft rubber insert that goes at the top and no doubt does something vital. Sorry also no pictures but none of these are exceptionally tricky - though the usb assembly needs gentle handling and patience. It took me a lot longer than the guide suggested but thanks to those clear instructions it all got done … and now my faithful old phone works again! Thanks a million!

tim bergel - Reply

My Nexus 4 Battery socket on the Motherboard has blown off.

How do i retrieve the Data from my phone. Please help me !!!

anthony_joypaul2222 - Reply

If you want to exchange just the MB there are some steps you can skip, i.e. step5 (removal of the battery), steps 7 & 8 (removal speaker), steps 10 & 11 (removal of the audio port, unplugging is sufficient) and step 15 (just unplug the antenna cable from the MB)

Heinrich Schmidt - Reply

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 7

All Time: 47,109