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LED Glyph Assembly

What you need

  1. LED Glyph Assembly, Heat the rear glass: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the rear glass for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.

    • A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

  2. LED Glyph Assembly, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Secure a suction handle to the bottom edge of the rear glass, as close to the edge as possible.

    • If the rear glass is cracked, the suction handle may not stick. Try lifting it with strong tape, or superglue the suction handle in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.

    • Lift the rear glass with the suction handle to create a small gap between the back cover and the frame.

    • If you're having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap you created.

    • Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive.

    • Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

  3. LED Glyph Assembly, Slice the adhesive: step 3, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Slice the adhesive: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge of your phone.

    • Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.

    • Leave the opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

  4. LED Glyph Assembly, Slice the adhesive: step 4, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Slice the adhesive: step 4, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Slice the adhesive: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • When you slice near the glyph, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~2-3 mm) to avoid damaging the LEDs.

    • If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. Use your iOpener for one to two minutes to reheat it.

    • Insert a third opening pick at the bottom left corner of your phone.

    • Slide the opening pick along the left edge of your phone to slice the adhesive.

    • Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

  5. LED Glyph Assembly: step 5, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Insert a fourth opening pick underneath the top left corner of your phone.

    • Slide the opening pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive.

    • Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

  6. LED Glyph Assembly: step 6, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Insert a fifth opening pick underneath the top right corner.

    • Slide the opening pick along the right edge of the rear glass to slice the remaining adhesive.

    • At this point, the rear glass should be separated from the frame. If there's still resistance around the edges of the glass, use an opening pick to separate any remaining adhesive.

  7. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the rear glass: step 7, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the rear glass: step 7, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Dust Blower
    $4.99
    Buy
    • Remove the rear glass.

    • Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

    • Since the rear glass of the Nothing Phone (1) is transparent a dust blower may come in handy for cleaning before installing a new rear glass.

    • Secure the new back cover with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. After installing the back cover, apply strong, steady pressure to your phone for several minutes to help the adhesive form a good bond—a stack of heavy books works well.

  8. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the plastic cover: step 8, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the plastic cover: step 8, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the plastic cover: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • The plastic covering the earpiece speaker is held in place by mild adhesive. If you're having a hard time removing it, apply a heated iOpener for 1-2 minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the grey plastic cover at the top edge of your phone.

    • Use your opening pick to pry up the plastic cover.

    • Remove the plastic cover.

  9. LED Glyph Assembly, Unfasten the earpiece speaker screws: step 9, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the two 4.2 mm-long screws securing the earpiece speaker.

  10. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the earpiece speaker: step 10, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the earpiece speaker: step 10, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the earpiece speaker: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the bottom edge of the earpiece speaker.

    • Use your spudger to pry up the earpiece speaker.

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the earpiece speaker.

  11. LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the flash assembly LED glyph cables: step 11, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the flash assembly LED glyph cables: step 11, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the flash assembly LED glyph cables: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Use a spudger to disconnect the flash assembly cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

    • Use a spudger to disconnect the LED glyph cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

  12. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the recording indicator light cover: step 12, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the recording indicator light cover: step 12, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the recording indicator light cover: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Insert an opening pick underneath the recording indicator light cover at the top right corner of the screen.

    • Use your opening pick to pry up the plastic cover.

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the recording indicator light cover.

  13. LED Glyph Assembly, Unfasten the motherboard cover screws: step 13, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the four 4.2 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.

  14. LED Glyph Assembly, Unfasten the daughterboard screws: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the four 4.2 mm-long screws securing the daughterboard cover.

  15. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the bottom LED glyph assembly: step 15, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the bottom LED glyph assembly: step 15, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the bottom LED glyph assembly: step 15, image 3 of 3
    • Be very careful when working on the bottom LED assembly. There's a cable running underneath its whole surface that can be damaged easily.

    • The bottom LED assembly is held in place by small pieces of adhesive.

    • Slide an opening pick underneath the right, bottom and left edge of the bottom LED assembly to carefully separate it from the daughterboard cover.

    • Do not slide the opening pick deeper than shown in the photos. Otherwise you risk damaging the LED cable.

  16. LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the bottom LED assembly: step 16, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the bottom LED assembly: step 16, image 2 of 2
    • The bottom LED assembly is still held in place by a small piece of adhesive sitting between the cable winds. Avoid straining or tearing the cable when folding the assembly over.

    • Use a pair of blunt nosed tweezers and carefully fold the bottom LED assembly over to get free access to the LED cable connector.

  17. LED Glyph Assembly, Open the connector bracket: step 17, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Open the connector bracket: step 17, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Open the connector bracket: step 17, image 3 of 3
    • The LED connector bracket sits very tight and may require some force to open it.

    • Insert one arm of a pair of tweezers into the gap at the right side of the connector bracket.

    • Push your tweezers toward the left edge of the phone to free the closure flap of the connector bracket.

    • If you're struggling to free the flap, pull the black rubber piece to the left to give the bracket more room.

    • Lift the connector bracket with your tweezers to access the LED connector.

  18. LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the LED cable: step 18, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the LED cable: step 18, image 2 of 2
    • Use a spudger to disconnect the LED cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

  19. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the bottom LED assembly: step 19, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the bottom LED assembly: step 19, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the bottom LED assembly.

  20. LED Glyph Assembly, Unfasten the daughterboard cover screws: step 20, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the five 4.2 mm-long screws securing the daughterboard cover

  21. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the plastic shield: step 21, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the plastic shield: step 21, image 2 of 2
    • The grey plastic shield on top of the daughterboard cover is held in place by mild adhesive.

    • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully separate the grey plastic shield from the daughterboard cover and remove it.

  22. LED Glyph Assembly, Fingerprint cable information: step 22, image 1 of 1
    • When prying up the daughterboard cover in the following step be very careful and avoid levering with too much force or to press your prying tool too deep underneath the cover. Otherwise, the fingerprint cable running underneath can be easily torn.

  23. LED Glyph Assembly, Pry up the daughterboard cover: step 23, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Pry up the daughterboard cover: step 23, image 2 of 2
    • Insert the pointed end of a spudger underneath the top edge of the daughterboard cover just above the black rubber guard securing the LED connector bracket.

    • Pry up with the spudger to release the daughterboard cover from its clips.

  24. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the daughterboard cover: step 24, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the daughterboard cover: step 24, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to remove the daughterboard cover.

  25. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the black rubber guard: step 25, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the black rubber guard: step 25, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the black rubber guard securing the LED connector bracket.

  26. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the connector bracket: step 26, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the connector bracket: step 26, image 2 of 2
    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the LED connector bracket.

  27. LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 27, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Disconnect the interconnect cable: step 27, image 2 of 2
    • Use a spudger to disconnect the interconnect cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

  28. LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the interconnect cable adhesive: step 28, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the interconnect cable adhesive: step 28, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the interconnect cable adhesive: step 28, image 3 of 3
    • The interconnect cable is held in place by mild adhesive.

    • Carefully slide an opening pick underneath the interconnect cable to separate it from the charging coil assembly and the loudspeaker.

  29. LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the interconnect cable: step 29, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the interconnect cable: step 29, image 2 of 2
    • During the following step do not fold the cable sharply and only bend it to avoid cable damage.

    • Use a pair of tweezers to fold the interconnect cable to the left like you'd open the cover of a book.

  30. LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the wireless charging coil adhesive: step 30, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the wireless charging coil adhesive: step 30, image 2 of 2
    • The charging coil assembly is held in place by mild adhesive.

    • Insert an opening pick underneath the bottom right edge of the charging coil assembly.

    • Slide the opening along the right edge of the charging coil assembly to separate the adhesive.

  31. LED Glyph Assembly: step 31, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly: step 31, image 2 of 2
    • Insert an opening pick underneath the bottom left edge of the charging coil assembly.

    • Slide the opening along the left edge of the charging coil assembly to separate the adhesive.

  32. LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the charging board assembly: step 32, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the charging board assembly: step 32, image 2 of 2
    • When folding the charging coil assembly over avoid straining components and cables.

    • Carefully fold the charging coil to the top edge of the phone to access the motherboard cover screws.

  33. LED Glyph Assembly, Unfasten the motherboard cover screws: step 33, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the three 4.2 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.

  34. LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the camera cover and flash assembly: step 34, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the camera cover and flash assembly: step 34, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Separate the camera cover and flash assembly: step 34, image 3 of 3
    • Return the charging coil to its original position.

    • Don't try to remove the camera cover and flash assembly all the way. Its cable runs underneath the motherboard cover and is very fragile.

    • Carefully slide an opening pick underneath the camera cover and flash assembly to separate it from the motherboard cover.

  35. LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the camera cover and flash assembly: step 35, image 1 of 2 LED Glyph Assembly, Fold over the camera cover and flash assembly: step 35, image 2 of 2
    • Avoid straining the camera cover and flash assembly cable when folding it over.

    • Use a pair of tweezers to carefully fold the camera cover and flash assembly toward the battery.

  36. LED Glyph Assembly, Unfasten the motherboard cover screws: step 36, image 1 of 1
    • Use a Torx T5 screwdriver to remove the two 4.2 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.

    • Return the camera cover and flash assembly to its original position.

  37. LED Glyph Assembly, Pry up the motherboard cover: step 37, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Pry up the motherboard cover: step 37, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Pry up the motherboard cover: step 37, image 3 of 3
    • Carefully fold the charging coil to the top edge of the phone to access the bottom edge of the motherboard cover.

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the bottom right edge of the motherboard cover.

    • Pry up with the spudger to release the motherboard cover from its clips.

    • Repeat the prying procedure for the bottom left edge of the motherboard cover.

  38. LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the LED glyph assembly: step 38, image 1 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the LED glyph assembly: step 38, image 2 of 3 LED Glyph Assembly, Remove the LED glyph assembly: step 38, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the LED glyph assembly.

Conclusion

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

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

One other person completed this guide.

Dominik Schnabelrauch

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