Google Pixel 2 Power and Volume Button Replacement

Written By: Blake Klein (and 2 other contributors)

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Google Pixel 2 Power and Volume Button Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Replacement guide for the power and volume buttons on a Google Pixel 2 smartphone.

This guide covers the external plastic buttons as well as the internal ribbon cable.

Tools

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Parts

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Step 1 Opening Procedure

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass. This also makes a smooth surface allowing the suction cup to bond.

Apply a suction cup as close to the volume button edge of the phone as you can while avoiding the curved edge.

If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping the glass. This also makes a smooth surface allowing the suction cup to bond.
Apply a suction cup as close to the volume button edge of the phone as you can while avoiding the curved edge.
The suction cup will not make a good seal on the curved portion of the glass.

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Step 2

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure and insert an opening pick between the front panel and rear case.

Do not insert the pick deeper than 1.5 mm, or you risk damaging the OLED panel.

This requires a significant amount of force and patience. If you have trouble, rock the suction cup and screen to weaken the adhesive, or apply heat with an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer.

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure and insert an opening pick between the front panel and rear case.
Do not insert the pick deeper than 1.5 mm, or you risk damaging the OLED panel.
This requires a significant amount of force and patience. If you have trouble, rock the suction cup and screen to weaken the adhesive, or apply heat with an iOpener, heat gun, or hair dryer.
The display panel is fragile. If you plan to re-use your display, take care to insert your tool only as far as necessary to separate the adhesive. Inserting the tool any further can damage the OLED panel under the glass.

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Step 3

In the following steps, extra caution is required in certain areas to avoid damage to the phone:

Do not insert the pick more than 9 mm into the bottom edge of the phone. If the pick contacts the folded portion of the OLED panel it can damage the display.

In the following steps, extra caution is required in certain areas to avoid damage to the phone:
Do not insert the pick more than 9 mm into the bottom edge of the phone. If the pick contacts the folded portion of the OLED panel it can damage the display.
Only make very shallow cuts in the upper left corner, prying deeply can damage the front-facing camera.
Inserting an opening tool deeper than 1.5 mm into the sides of the device, or 9 mm into the top and bottom can permanently damage the display.

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Step 4

In the following steps, use the flat of the opening pick, rather than a corner, to cut here. This will help prevent inserting the pick too deeply.

Slide the opening pick up the right side of the phone to separate the display adhesive.

In the following steps, use the flat of the opening pick, rather than a corner, to cut here. This will help prevent inserting the pick too deeply.
Slide the opening pick up the right side of the phone to separate the display adhesive.
Take extra care with the side bezels, which are only 1.5 mm deep.

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Step 5

Slide the opening pick around the upper-right corner and along the top edge of the phone.

Slide the opening pick around the upper-right corner and along the top edge of the phone.

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Step 6

Slide the pick around the upper-left corner of the phone and down the left edge of the phone.

Slide the pick around the upper-left corner of the phone and down the left edge of the phone.

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Step 7

Slide the pick around the bottom-left corner and along the bottom of the phone. Keep pick at a slight angle away from the screen to avoid damage to the OLED corners.

Take extra care not to insert the opening pick more than 9 mm to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

Slide the pick around the bottom-left corner and along the bottom of the phone. Keep pick at a slight angle away from the screen to avoid damage to the OLED corners.
Take extra care not to insert the opening pick more than 9 mm to avoid damaging the OLED panel.

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Step 8

Reinsert the pick at the top edge of the phone and gently pry up the display.

If the display doesn't readily lift, do some extra prying to separate the last of the adhesive. The adhesive near the upper speaker is thicker than other places.

Reinsert the pick at the top edge of the phone and gently pry up the display.
If the display doesn't readily lift, do some extra prying to separate the last of the adhesive. The adhesive near the upper speaker is thicker than other places.
Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as a fragile ribbon cable still connects it to the phone's motherboard.

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Step 9

Carefully lay the display down on top of the rear case as shown, making sure not to crease or tear the display ribbon cable.

Remove the two 4.0 mm T5 Torx screws securing the display cable bracket.

Carefully lay the display down on top of the rear case as shown, making sure not to crease or tear the display ribbon cable.
Remove the two 4.0 mm T5 Torx screws securing the display cable bracket.

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Step 10

Remove the display cable bracket.

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Step 11

Use the point of a spudger to lift the display cable connector up and out of its socket on the motherboard.

Avoid touching the motherboard with the tip of your spudger. The components surrounding the socket are fragile.

Use the point of a spudger to lift the display cable connector up and out of its socket on the motherboard.
Avoid touching the motherboard with the tip of your spudger. The components surrounding the socket are fragile.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.
If any part of your screen doesn't respond to touch after your repair re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there's no dust or other obstruction in the socket.
During reassembly, pause here and replace the adhesive around the edges of the display.

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Step 12 Midframe

Apply a heated iOpener to the proximity sensor on the top edge of the midframe for two minutes to soften its adhesive.

Apply a heated iOpener to the proximity sensor on the top edge of the midframe for two minutes to soften its adhesive.

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Step 13

Slide the point of a spudger under the proximity sensor cable, starting from the side closest to the front-facing camera.

Gently lift the edge of the sensor cable until the sensor is perpendicular to the midframe.

Slide the point of a spudger under the proximity sensor cable, starting from the side closest to the front-facing camera.
Gently lift the edge of the sensor cable until the sensor is perpendicular to the midframe.

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Step 14

Peel back the small piece of tape covering the screw below the earpiece speaker. Peel back any tape covering other screws as well.

Peel back the small piece of tape covering the screw below the earpiece speaker. Peel back any tape covering other screws as well.
Remove the following screws securing the midframe:
Eleven 3.7 mm Phillips screws
One 4 mm T5 Torx screw

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Step 15

Insert an opening tool into the notch in the midframe near the hold button.

Pry the midframe up enough to create a gap between it and the phone case. The midframe cannot yet be completely removed.

Insert an opening tool into the notch in the midframe near the hold button.
Pry the midframe up enough to create a gap between it and the phone case. The midframe cannot yet be completely removed.

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Step 16

Lift the midframe up starting from the bottom edge.

When the midframe starts to make about a 45° with the rest of the phone, lift the midframe straight up and away from the phone.

As you lift the midfame, carefully guide the proximity sensor through the small slot in the midframe.

Lift the midframe up starting from the bottom edge.
When the midframe starts to make about a 45° with the rest of the phone, lift the midframe straight up and away from the phone.
As you lift the midfame, carefully guide the proximity sensor through the small slot in the midframe.

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Step 17 Battery Connector

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the battery connector.

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Step 18 Battery

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the charging assembly connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the charging assembly connector.

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Step 19

Fill a plastic dropper or syringe with high concentration isopropyl alcohol and apply a few drops of alcohol under each corner of the battery. Give the alcohol a minute to weaken the battery adhesive.

Fill a plastic dropper or syringe with high concentration isopropyl alcohol and apply a few drops of alcohol under each corner of the battery. Give the alcohol a minute to weaken the battery adhesive.
Alternatively, apply a heated iOpener to the back of the phone over the battery for at least two minutes. Reheat and reapply the iOpener as needed until the battery adhesive is sufficiently weakened.

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Step 20

Hold the charging assembly cable out of the way and insert an opening pick along the bottom edge of the battery.

Apply steady, even pressure to slowly lever the battery up and out of the phone.

Hold the charging assembly cable out of the way and insert an opening pick along the bottom edge of the battery.
Apply steady, even pressure to slowly lever the battery up and out of the phone.
Only pry from the center of the battery to avoid damaging the delicate ribbon cables beneath either side of the battery.
Try your best not to deform the battery during this process. Soft-shell lithium-ion batteries can leak dangerous chemicals, catch fire, or even explode if damaged. Do not use excessive force or pry at the battery with metal tools.
If you are having trouble, apply some more alcohol under the battery and try again.

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Step 21

Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

Tool used on this step:

Tesa 61395 Tape

$5.99

Remove the battery.
Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
To install a new battery:
Use a spudger to scrape away any remaining adhesive from the phone, and clean the glued areas with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the phone, not directly onto the battery. The adhesive should not touch any of the cables under the battery.
Press the battery firmly into place for 20-30 seconds.

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Step 22 Motherboard

use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the charging assembly connector from the motherboard.

use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the charging assembly connector from the motherboard.

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Step 23

Insert a paperclip or SIM eject tool into the small hole on the left side of the phone and push until the SIM card tray pops out.

Insert a paperclip or SIM eject tool into the small hole on the left side of the phone and push until the SIM card tray pops out.
Remove the SIM card tray.

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Step 24

Remove the two 2.5 mm PH00 screws.

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Step 25

Disconnect two connectors at the bottom edge of the motherboard.

Disconnect two connectors at the bottom edge of the motherboard.

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Step 26

Pry up the motherboard using a plastic opening tool.

Pry up the motherboard using a plastic opening tool.
Remove the motherboard.

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Step 27

Disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable.

The motherboard is now completely detached from the phone.

Flip the motherboard over.
Disconnect the fingerprint sensor cable.
The motherboard is now completely detached from the phone.

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Step 28 Power and Volume Button

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently lift up the button ribbon cable from the phone.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to gently lift up the button ribbon cable from the phone.

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Step 29

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the power button retaining clip.

Repeat for the volume button retaining clip.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the power button retaining clip.
Repeat for the volume button retaining clip.

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Step 30

Pull both of the buttons out by gripping the metal retaining clip with a pair of blunt nose tweezers.

Remove the button ribbon cable from the phone.

Pull both of the buttons out by gripping the metal retaining clip with a pair of blunt nose tweezers.
Remove the button ribbon cable from the phone.

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Step 31

Remove the remaining button halves with a pair of tweezers.

Remove the remaining button halves with a pair of tweezers.

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Step 32

Push the external power and volume buttons out of the case with a spudger.

Push the external power and volume buttons out of the case with a spudger.

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Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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