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Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the NFC board in your Nexus 5.

What you need

  1. Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 1 of 3 Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 2 of 3 Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, Back Cover: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Use a plastic opening tool to free the clips on the top and each side of the back cover.

    • The bottom is secured with some adhesive foam. You should be able to finally free the back cover using an opening pick. The "snaps" at the bottom edge are more like hinges, so release all others then swing the back cover off outward from the top, and these fasteners will release without breaking.

    • It's best to avoid prying around the SIM card slot and volume controls, as the plastic in these areas is very thin and likely to break from prying.

    • When you replace the cover, there is a snap about even with the flash window that must also be attached (one of three that secure the back cover to the midframe). Qi (wireless) charging may not work if this isn't secure. Apply gentle but firm pressure over the "S" in "Nexus" and slide your thumb up towards the top, and the snap will engage.

    Edit

    Wireless QI and NFC.

    Once I have put everything together with the new battery in place, I have as last replaced the plastic back cover, snapping all the clips back around the edges of the phone. Alas, I was quick to realise the QI Wireless charging has ceased to work.

    I almost blamed the battery, or worse, me.

    QUICK TIP: there is actually another clip in the middle of the plastic back cover - just press with your thumb just above the 'S' in NEXUS emblem and, voila! Snaps back in.

    Wireless charge and NFC - works, once again.

    cwioro - Reply

    you just saved me like 30 bucks. thank you so much.

    Robert Nolan -

    + 1, had the same issue and pressing just near the S fixed it! Thanks a lot!

    nicco82 -

    Just a me too, I had to press above the S and it was quite a snap

    Erik Karlin -

    There seems to be two contacts that snap into place. One is in line with the led pretty much in the middle of the phone and the second one in line with the camera lens on the opposite side to the lens. The middle one for me snapped pretty lightly, but the side one required a bit more pressure. After that the nfc started working again. Thanks for posting this!

    Dennis Millner -

    Is it hard to remove the battery door? Worried I might damage it.

    Ash - Reply

    When I openend the back cover I damaged two clips. One about 2.5cm (1 inch) below the volume controls and one on the other side about same height. The cover fits good without those two but on one side there is a small gap where the clip broke. But I have a hard cover protector on my phone so it's not that bad.

    simonlwheeler - Reply

    The case around the sim slot is pretty thin and easy to break, best to avoid using the pry tool at this point.

    Aled Morris - Reply

    Excellent tip, should be included in the main guide.

    fprades - Reply

    Hey Author, i need to ur expert advice...i replaced my nexus 5's back cover. since the new one did not have the vibrators battery i had to take it from the old one and connect it to the new one...on removing i noticed that it was stuck to the cover by a glue

    Question: what glue to use to hold the battery to the cover?

    suwaid akbar - Reply

    Any adhesive will do. I used a hot glue gun. You shouldn't need expert advice to figure that out. Use your head.

    tjt263 -

    The case around the volume control is also pretty thin.... I broke mine prying so avoid the pry there too.

    Also my back had glue at the bottom and I haven't seen mentioned

    kornerson - Reply

  2. Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, Midframe: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the six 4.0 mm Phillips #00 screws that secure the midframe to the phone.

    • Ensure you retain all six of the 4.0mm screws! These hold the midframe securely and closely to the motherboard. The three small snaps on the back cover that attach to the midframe ensure the NFC antenna and wireless charging coil connectors contact securely with the motherboard, and work reliably.

    • To replace the LCD screen and digitizer, remove the additional four 4.0mm daughterboard cover screws with the same screwdriver. You may have to pierce through clear adhesive material to remove them.

    Edit

    I had a bit more success with the Phillips #000.

    Ross Light - Reply

    Step 4 (removing the screws in the protecting plate) needs to happen before Step 2 ( removing the connectors)

    Esteban Valles - Reply

    These were Y0 screws for me.

    Benjamin Hollway - Reply

    Same here, Benjamin

    Ítalo Masserano -

    Me three on the Y-type screw heads.

    Jamoross -

    Same for me. I had more luck with the two screws in the middle with #000.

    Rewarp - Reply

  4. Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the midframe from the phone.

    • Examine the midframe and the back cover and you'll find three very small snap attachment points for the back to the midframe. These ensure that the NFC and wireless charging antenna contacts connect with the corresponding spring connectors on the motherboard. Ensure the snaps are in good condition.

    Edit

    There's also some adhesive holding the motherboard cover plate in place, below the camera. Has to be pulled a little stronger than expected.

    tkatona - Reply

  5. Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 1 of 2 Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  6. Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement, NFC Board: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Use a plastic opening tool to disconnect the NFC board ribbon cable.

    • Although the battery is not disconnected in the photos of this step and the next, it's a good idea to disconnect it to prevent any possible damage to the motherboard and NFC board.

    Edit

  7. Nexus 5 NFC Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Gently lift the NFC board up and away from the device.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

13 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Chris Willis

Member since: 10/03/14

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Team

USF Tampa, Team 13-4, Staggers Fall 2014 Member of USF Tampa, Team 13-4, Staggers Fall 2014

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13 Guides authored

2 Comments

There seems to be a few revisions of the NFC board

My original has the part number EAX65371601_1.1

The replacement parts I received were EAX65371601_E and EAX65371601_1.1. Neither of which work. The NFC slider will not stay in the ON position. Looking at the logcat show some cryptic errors.

Has anyone had any success in replacing the NFC board, if so what version was the original and the replacement?

Paul H - Reply

My NFC slider under Settings, Wireless & networks, More… also won’t stay. The phone has taken some abuse, so not surprised if something’s awry. BUT wireless (Qi) charging does work … I wonder if the NFC Board connector carries both of these, so if NFC is bad, but Qi charging is good, it’s not the board…? Anyone troubleshot and fixed these same symptoms?

David Spalding - Reply

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