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Google Pixel 2 XL Charging Assembly Replacement

Written By: Adam O'Camb (and 5 other contributors)
  • Comments: 24
  • Favorites: 1
  • Completions: 21

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

32

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Sections

7

Flags

1

In Progress

In Progress

This guide is a work in progress. Reload periodically to see the latest changes!

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the charging assembly in your Pixel 2 XL. The charging assembly contains the USB-C port, microphone, and other hardware.

  1. Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray, located on the left edge of the phone, opposite of the power and volume buttons. Press firmly to eject the tray.

    • Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray, located on the left edge of the phone, opposite of the power and volume buttons.

    • Press firmly to eject the tray.

    Edit

  2. Remove the SIM card tray from the phone.

    • Remove the SIM card tray from the phone.

    • The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.

    • When reinserting the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.

    Edit

  3. If your display glass is cracked, tape over the glass to prevent bodily harm and further breakage. This also makes a smooth surface allowing the suction cup to bond. Apply a suction cup as close to the SIM slot edge of the phone as you can while avoiding the curved edge.

    • If your display glass is cracked, tape over the glass to prevent bodily harm and further breakage. This also makes a smooth surface allowing the suction cup to bond.

    • Apply a suction cup as close to the SIM slot 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.

    Edit

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

    • 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.

    Edit

    Whatever happened to “Do not heat your phone. If needed, you can use a dropper or syringe to inject isopropyl alcohol (90+%) around the edges of the back cover to weaken the adhesive.”?

    Mike Trieu - Reply

    I spent an hour trying to get the glass screen apart from the body. I tried the hairdryer etc but made no progress. However, when I used a sucker to gently pull on the glass it was easy.

    Ronald Morrison - Reply

    I used a heat gun, and the metal spatula in the iFixit kit. I broke the screen. Then, continuing with a blue plastic triangle, the screen continued to break. It seems to be quite brittle.

    Rolf Kirby - Reply

  5. In the following steps, extra caution is required in certain areas to avoid damage to the phone: Do not insert the pick more than 0.25 inches (6 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 0.25 inches (6 mm) into the bottom edge of the phone. If the pick contacts the folded portion of the OLED panel, it can damage the display.

    • Do not cut along the left edge; there are delicate display cables that can be damaged.

    • Only make very shallow cuts in the upper left corner; prying deeply can damage the front-facing camera.

    Edit

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

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

    Edit

  7. In the following steps, use the flat edge of the opening pick, rather than a corner, to cut. This will help prevent inserting the pick too deeply. Slide the opening pick around the lower-right corner and along the bottom edge of the phone. Slide the opening pick around the lower-right corner and along the bottom edge of the phone.

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

    • Slide the opening pick around the lower-right corner and along the bottom edge of the phone.

    Edit

  8. Reinsert the flat edge of the pick at the top-right corner of the phone, and slide it around the corner and the top edge of the phone. Reinsert the flat edge of the pick at the top-right corner of the phone, and slide it around the corner and the top edge of the phone. Reinsert the flat edge of the pick at the top-right corner of the phone, and slide it around the corner and the top edge of the phone.

    • Reinsert the flat edge of the pick at the top-right corner of the phone, and slide it around the corner and the top edge of the phone.

    Edit

  9. Gently lift the display from the right side of the phone, opening it like a book. If the display doesn't readily lift, do some extra prying to separate the last of the adhesive.

    • Gently lift the display from the right side of the phone, opening it like a book.

    • If the display doesn't readily lift, do some extra prying to separate the last of the adhesive.

    • Don't try to fully separate the display yet, as fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the phone's motherboard.

    • Carefully lay the display flat on the table next to the rest of the phone, keeping it close to the phone to avoid straining the display and digitizer cables.

    Edit

  10. Use the corner of an opening tool to pry up the digitizer cable connector cover. Pry carefully to avoid damaging the cable underneath, or losing the cover itself.

    • Use the corner of an opening tool to pry up the digitizer cable connector cover.

    • Pry carefully to avoid damaging the cable underneath, or losing the cover itself.

    • Remove the connector cover.

    Edit

    when it comes out, it can pop with some force and go flying. Ensure you have a clear desk/floor so you can find it after it flies away

    hamiltont - Reply

    Lol mine shot off and Ricocheted off the ceiling! Then landed on my shoulder haha

    john murfin - Reply

    It literally popped me right in the middle of the forehead. My wife is still making fun of me.

    Jordan Toews - Reply

    Mine flew off while I was laughing you guys, never too be seen again: (

    Shane Hadley - Reply

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

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

    • 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.

    Edit

    This small connector gave me fits getting it located correctly, is there a trick to getting it aligned since it’s difficult to see around edge of the connector?

    Dennis Whitsitt - Reply

  13. Use tweezers to remove any tape from the display connector cover.

    • Use tweezers to remove any tape from the display connector cover.

    Edit

  14. Insert the point of a spudger into the small hole on the edge of the display connector cover. Use the spudger to pry the cover out of its recess.

    • Insert the point of a spudger into the small hole on the edge of the display connector cover.

    • Use the spudger to pry the cover out of its recess.

    • Remove the connector cover.

    Edit

  15. Use the flat edge of a spudger to lift the display cable connector up from its socket. Remove the display.
    Edit

    BE EXTRA CAREFUL HERE, and during reassembly! There are 2 itty bitty parts directly under this ribbon cable connector that, if damaged, will render your loudspeaker unusable. The only sure way to fix it if you break it is to replace the motherboard. There are some reports of people being able to solder the spots and shorting it to make it work, and that worked for me for a time, but they’re really tiny (about 0.5 mm) and if you don’t get a secure solder, or if you bleed over, it will also mess up your top speaker.

    Joshua Parnell - Reply

  16. Remove eleven 3.8 mm Phillips screws securing the midframe.

    • Remove eleven 3.8 mm Phillips screws securing the midframe.

    Edit

  17. Insert an opening tool into the notch in the midframe near the volume buttons and pry the midframe up and away from the rest of the phone. Remove the midframe. Remove the midframe.

    • Insert an opening tool into the notch in the midframe near the volume buttons and pry the midframe up and away from the rest of the phone.

    • Remove the midframe.

    Edit

  18. Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the 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.

    Edit

  19. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing camera connector. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing camera connector.

    • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing camera connector.

    Edit

  20. Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the right Active Edge sensor connector. Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the right Active Edge sensor connector.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the right Active Edge sensor connector.

    Edit

    Also disconnect the antenna cable just to the right of the right Active Edge sensor connector

    Mark Clear - Reply

  21. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the fingerprint sensor connector. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the fingerprint sensor connector.

    • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the fingerprint sensor connector.

    Edit

  22. Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the left Active Edge sensor connector. Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the left Active Edge sensor connector.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the left Active Edge sensor connector.

    Edit

  23. 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.

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

    Edit

  24. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing sensor assembly connector. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing sensor assembly connector.

    • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing sensor assembly connector.

    Edit

  25. Make sure all the cables and connectors are clear of the board, and use the flat edge of a spudger to gently lift the bottom of the motherboard. The narrow part of the motherboard is very fragile. If it starts to bend when you lift, stop and make sure there isn't anything holding the board down. The board should lift up without any resistance. Holding the wide part of the motherboard near the SIM card slot, carefully slide the board toward the bottom of the phone while lifting it out of the phone.

    • Make sure all the cables and connectors are clear of the board, and use the flat edge of a spudger to gently lift the bottom of the motherboard.

    • The narrow part of the motherboard is very fragile. If it starts to bend when you lift, stop and make sure there isn't anything holding the board down. The board should lift up without any resistance.

    • Holding the wide part of the motherboard near the SIM card slot, carefully slide the board toward the bottom of the phone while lifting it out of the phone.

    • Remove the motherboard.

    • Try to keep the phone flat with the battery facing up after you remove the motherboard, as the front-facing camera can fall out of the phone case very easily.

    • When reinstalling the motherboard, move all the cables and connectors out of the way of the board and make sure all connectors are aligned with their respective sockets.

    Edit

    Need to take antenna connector off first, picture shows cable disconnected

    michael - Reply

  26. Slide the point of a spudger under the lower left side of the loudspeaker and slowly pry the speaker assembly up from the phone. Slide the point of a spudger under the lower left side of the loudspeaker and slowly pry the speaker assembly up from the phone. Slide the point of a spudger under the lower left side of the loudspeaker and slowly pry the speaker assembly up from the phone.

    • Slide the point of a spudger under the lower left side of the loudspeaker and slowly pry the speaker assembly up from the phone.

    Edit

    This step was very difficult, I believe I just snapped the loudspeaker to the left of silver oval piece

    C Grzymala - Reply

    I was just able to remove the loud speaker using the directions provided. The piece sprung out of the phone. The bottom of the piece is flat with pieces of metal and it appears to be slightly bent from my prying. We will see if it still works.

    C Grzymala - Reply

    I ended up using my metal silver spudger. It goes in farther without prying on the fragile plastic. I’m replacing the charging circuit anyway, so not too worried about minor damage

    Matthew Hilbert -

  27. Remove the loudspeaker from the phone.

    • Remove the loudspeaker from the phone.

    Edit

  28. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the white antenna cable to the right of the battery. Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the white antenna cable to the right of the battery.

    • Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the white antenna cable to the right of the battery.

    Edit

  29. Use a hairdryer or heat gun, or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the bottom of the back of the phone for about a minute, in order to soften the adhesive securing the charging assembly.

    • Use a hairdryer or heat gun, or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the bottom of the back of the phone for about a minute, in order to soften the adhesive securing the charging assembly.

    Edit

    Remove camera first, likely to fall out when case is inverted.

    michael - Reply

  30. Starting from the left side, slide an opening pick under the charging assembly flex cable to separate it from the phone case. Starting from the left side, slide an opening pick under the charging assembly flex cable to separate it from the phone case. Starting from the left side, slide an opening pick under the charging assembly flex cable to separate it from the phone case.

    • Starting from the left side, slide an opening pick under the charging assembly flex cable to separate it from the phone case.

    Edit

    First, remove the small plastic retainer that holds the ribbon assembly next to the power connector. Hold onto this for installation later.

    michael - Reply

  31. Gently pull the USB-C port out of its recess in the phone case. The antenna board is still adhered to the phone case. Do not remove the charging assembly or strain the flex cable connecting the antenna board and the USB-C port.

    • Gently pull the USB-C port out of its recess in the phone case.

    • The antenna board is still adhered to the phone case. Do not remove the charging assembly or strain the flex cable connecting the antenna board and the USB-C port.

    Edit

  32. Slowly slide the point of a spudger underneath the antenna board to separate the adhesive tape under the board. Pry slowly and carefully to avoid putting too much strain on the board.

    • Slowly slide the point of a spudger underneath the antenna board to separate the adhesive tape under the board.

    • Pry slowly and carefully to avoid putting too much strain on the board.

    Edit

  33. Lift the charging assembly out of the phone case.

    • Lift the charging assembly out of the phone case.

    Edit
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.

21 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Adam O'Camb

Member since: 04/11/2015

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8 Comments

Add a comment

Take your time removing the screen. I was bit impatient and cracked it :( . The screen is the most expensive part of the phone now so will be very costly for me to replace

Shan - Reply

Why do I need the Tesa 61395 Tape for this repair? I don’t see it used anywhere in the guide.

Jay Huxley - Reply

Hey Jay,

The Tesa tape is needed only necessary if you do not use the custom-cut back display panel adhesive.

Arthur Shi -

Should I apply some kind of glue around the port?

Is there any possibility to keep it waterproof?

Erik Cej - Reply

Hi Erik,

Once you have opened the phone, there is no reliable DIY way to make it water resistant.

Arthur Shi -

can I just send the phone to you for repair? I’ve worked on PC motherboards half my life but this work seems to tedious for me? Its a great demo tho!

ggarbo303 - Reply

While we fix many things at iFixit, we do not offer it as a service. Your best option would be to find a reputable local repair shop and have them fix your Pixel. Good luck!

Arthur Shi -

should we apply glue to the new battery and charging port when we replace them? what kinds of glue?

Paul Ridgway - Reply

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