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Google Pixel Battery Replacement

What you need

  1. Google Pixel Battery Replacement, Display: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Turn off the device.

    • Prepare an iOpener to heat the edges of the display and soften the adhesive underneath. Alternatively, you may use a heat gun or a hair dryer.

    • The surfaces near the speaker and microphone (top and bottom respectively) have larger adhesive sections. These areas may require slightly longer heat exposure. The display should be heated until it's slightly too hot to touch, for roughly two minutes.

  2. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • In the following steps, you will separate the display panel by slicing though the adhesive bonding the display to the Pixel's chassis.

    • For reference, the back of the display panel is shown at left. Note the narrow clearance between the side of the display unit and the OLED panel. (The bezels indicate this spacing on the front.)

    • 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.

  3. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Suction Handle
    $2.99
    Buy
    • Use a suction handle to pull up on the display and create a slight gap between the display and the phone's chassis.

    • If your display is cracked, cover it with packing tape to help the suction cup adhere and prevent glass shards from popping loose.

    • You may need to apply more heat if this doesn't come up. Don't be impatient, this will take time. Once you can gently insert a tool in the gap, move on to the next step.

  4. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Insert an opening pick or a playing card into the gap between the chassis and the display assembly.

    • Begin to slide the opening pick around the edge of the display, cutting through the adhesive that secures it.

    • Do not try to lift or pry the screen off with the pick. Simply slide it around to detach the adhesive.

    • The display panel is extremely 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.

  5. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Continue carefully separating the adhesive around the rest of the device.

    • There's a mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen. If you don’t have a replacement mesh, take care not to damage or lose this component.

    • Take extra care with the side bezels, which are only 1.5 mm deep.

  6. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)
    $4.99
    Buy
    • With the adhesive cut, slowly lift the display up from the top (the side with the speaker-grille cutout), carefully flip it over vertically toward the bottom of the device, and rest it on its face, as shown.

    • Don't forget there's sticky adhesive everywhere, so consider resting an opening pick between the screen and display, to avoid spreading the gunk!

    • Do not attempt to completely remove the display yet, as it is still connected by a fragile ribbon cable. Be careful to not to strain the cable while positioning the display.

  7. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Magnetic Project Mat
    $19.95
    Buy
    • Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two black 3.5 mm T5 screws securing the display cable connector bracket.

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

  8. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1
    • Use tweezers to remove the bracket that holds the display connector in place.

    • This is just a piece of metal, and should come up very easily. (The cable is removed in the next step.)

  9. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to pry up the display cable connector, freeing the display.

    • On reassembly, gently snap one side in, then the other.

    • Do not force this type of connector into place, as damage can occur. (You will need to feel a light snap, but force beyond this will permanently damage your connector.)

  10. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the display.

    • Some replacement displays do not come with an earpiece speaker grille. If your replacement screen doesn't have one, be sure to transfer the grille from your old display to the new one.

    • During reassembly, pause here to test the functionality of your new part and replace the display adhesive.

    • During the boot-up process after reassembly, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Do not touch the screen during this process, as it could result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

  11. Google Pixel Battery Replacement, Midframe: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the nine 3.5 mm screws securing the midframe.

  12. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • The midframe is held tightly in place by five clips. To release these clips, apply inward pressure with an opening tool as shown in the steps below.

  13. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Wedge an opening pick into the notch that is located at the bottom right corner of the phone.

  14. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the opening pick up both sides of the device in the small space between the midframe and the rear case to release the clips holding it in place.

    • Note that the clips are not released by sliding through them, but rather the inward pressure the opening pick creates as it enters the gap around them.

    • If the clasps fail to come undone, try pushing the edge you're working on inward with your hand, or using a thicker tool like a spudger.

    • Do not attempt to remove the midframe yet! There is still a fragile ribbon cable underneath connecting the earpiece speaker to the motherboard.

  15. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Use a spudger to pry the earpiece speaker cable connector straight up, disconnecting it from the motherboard.

    • Remove the mid-frame from the device.

    • During reassembly, reattach the earpiece speaker cable and insert the top side of the midframe before you snap the clips back into place.

  16. Google Pixel Battery Replacement, Battery: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Use a spudger to pry up the battery ribbon cable, disconnecting it from the motherboard.

  17. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2
    • Using tweezers, peel back the silver tape that covers the cable connecting the motherboard to the daughterboard. Peel just enough to see the connector underneath.

    • Use a spudger to pry the connector straight up and disconnect it from the motherboard.

  18. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 3 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 18, image 3 of 3
    • Peel up the sticker covering the interconnect cable on the daughterboard side.

    • Use a spudger to disconnect the cable from the daughterboard.

    • Remove the cable from the device.

    • During reassembly, make sure this interconnect cable is positioned correctly. The phone will not boot up if the cable is installed upside down.

  19. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 2 Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • The battery has a jacket that can double as a battery removal tab, pull it to remove the battery. If that doesn't work, follow the instructions below.

    • Carefully wedge an opening pick underneath the battery to break the adhesive.

    • If the battery does not come out easily, don't pry aggressively. Apply heat to the back of the phone with an iOpener or a heat gun to loosen the adhesive.

    • 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.

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

  20. Google Pixel Battery Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Tesa 61395 Tape
    $5.99
    Buy
    • Remove the battery.

    • To install a new battery:

    • Remove 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. Apply the new adhesive to the phone, not directly onto the battery.

    • Press the new battery firmly into place for 5-10 seconds.

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.

After completing this guide, calibrate your newly-installed battery.

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.

133 other people completed this guide.

Taylor Dixon

Member since: 06/26/18

66,684 Reputation

94 Guides authored

73 Comments

I doubt many people can get past step 1 without it being game over. Take special care, read the comments, and other guides as well.

Benjamin Knight - Reply

I broke mine too. Not the glass but the display panel underneath.

For those who are going to try opening theirs: pay extreme attention to the fact that the display panel extends somewhat beyond the bottom edge of the visible part of the display where the cable connects and, if that wasn’t bad enough, the bottom bezel has a !&&* of a lot adhesive on it. Don’t insert plastic opening tools on the bottom corners - if you do that, you will damage one of the unprotected corners of the panel like I did. If I had to do that again, I’d probably start from the top edge instead.

The new screen ended up costing me the equivalent of $80, and I was surprised I was able to walk into a store and buy one at all in a country where Pixel was never officially available in the first place. They didn’t have white ones in stock so I went with a black one.

Gregory Klyushnikov -

Same. Even when being warned and trying to be super careful.

Joshua Campbell -

Another trashed screen. This phone is a difficult one if you have not done one before. I would recommend not even bothering with prying under the sides and just concentrate on the top and bottom. The edges only allow about 2mm at most before you run into the LCD.

Tyler -

+1. Don’t bother trying to save the screen. Just save yourself the stress and buy a new screen on ebay for $35 before you begin. I have never botched a repair and I still managed to break my display on this. Yes, I was super careful, it took me like 45 minutes to finally get the display loose, and when I put it all back together, the display was totally dead.

Kael Shipman -

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