HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the motherboard on your HTC One M8.

Please note that your device may have a large amount of copper shielding and tape covering the back of the display assembly, as shown here. If this is the case, you'll need to gently remove it to get at the motherboard.

What you need

Step 1 SIM Card

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, SIM Card: step 1, image 1 of 2

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, SIM Card: step 1, image 2 of 2

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray, located on the upper left hand side of the phone.
Press to eject the tray.
This may require a significant amount of force.

Edit

Step 2

Remove the SIM card tray assembly from the HTC One M8.
When reinserting the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.

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Step 3 MicroSD Card

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, MicroSD Card: step 3, image 1 of 2

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, MicroSD Card: step 3, image 2 of 2

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the microSD card tray, located on the upper right hand side of the phone.
Press to eject the tray.
This may require a significant amount of force.

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Step 4

Remove the microSD card tray assembly from the HTC One M8.
When reinserting the microSD card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.

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Step 5 Rear Case

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, Rear Case: step 5, image 1 of 2

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, Rear Case: step 5, image 2 of 2

Use an iOpener or heat gun to loosen the adhesive on the upper and lower speaker grilles.
Refer to the iOpener guide for info on how to use the iOpener.

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Step 6

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

Use a plastic opening tool to gently peel up the lower speaker grille.
The adhesive is messy, and can be removed using Goo-gone.

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Step 7

Use a plastic opening tool to gently peel up the upper speaker grille.

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Step 8

Remove the two silver 3 mm Phillips #00 screws from the top.
Remove the four black 4 mm T5 Torx screws from the bottom.

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Step 9

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3

Work your way around the perimeter of the phone with a spudger and plastic opening picks to free the clips that secure the rear case to the display assembly.
A metal spudger is pictured, but it is best to use a nylon spudger to prevent marring the device.
Be careful not to lose the power button: it sits loosely in the top of the lower chassis.
Significant force may be required to pry the casing apart.

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Step 10 Motherboard

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 10, image 1 of 2

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement, Motherboard: step 10, image 2 of 2

Remove the two silver 2 mm Phillips #00 screws securing the battery connector to the motherboard.
Use a plastic opening tool to gently pry up the battery connector.

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Step 11

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

Tool used on this step:

Tweezers

$4.99

Buy

Use a spudger to disconnect the two (four) antenna cables.
Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the seven ZIF connectors.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently pull the seven ribbon cables free of the connectors.

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Step 12

Remove three silver 3mm screws using T5 screwdriver.

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Step 13

HTC One M8 Motherboard Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

Use an iOpener or a heat gun to loosen up the adhesive securing the motherboard to the display assembly.
Use a plastic opening tool to gently pry the motherboard free of the display assembly.
At this point, the bottom speaker is still attached to the motherboard. If you are only replacing the motherboard, refer to the bottom speaker guide to swap your existing speaker to the new motherboard.