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Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement

What you need

  1. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Apply a heated iOpener: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Power off your phone before beginning disassembly.

    • Use a hairdryer, a heatgun, or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the back of the phone for about a minute to soften the adhesive underneath.

  2. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Insert an opening pick: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Apply a suction handle to the back cover.

    • Lift with a suction handle to create a gap between the back cover and the frame of the phone.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap.

    • If the glass is badly cracked, cover it in packing tape to create a surface for the suction cup to adhere to.

    • If the adhesive won't budge, apply more heat, not excessive force. Too much force could break the glass.

  3. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Cut through the adhesive: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Note that there is more adhesive along the top edge and around the camera bezel than around the rest of the phone.

    • Cut carefully around the left edge near the fingerprint sensor or you risk damaging the ribbon cable inside.

    • If, at any point, the adhesive feels stubborn, apply more heat—not more force.

  4. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Slide the opening pick: step 4, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Slide the opening pick: step 4, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Slide the opening pick: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Starting from the center, cut the adhesive up and down the right side with an opening pick.

    • Do not insert the pick more than halfway into the phone when cutting near the fingerprint sensor or cameras, or you risk damaging internal components.

  5. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Be careful near the corner, as the glass is very weak. Apply more heat at any time if the adhesive becomes stuck.

    • Leave an opening pick in the upper-right corner.

    • Use another opening pick to cut the adhesive around the bottom-right corner.

    • Leave that opening pick in the phone.

  6. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Use a heat gun or hair dryer or apply a heated iOpener to the left side of the rear panel for at three minutes to soften the adhesive underneath.

  7. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3
    • Be careful near the corners, as the glass is weakest there.

    • Insert an opening pick into the lower-left corner of the rear panel.

    • Using another opening pick, cut the adhesive along the left edge of the rear panel.

    • Don't insert an opening pick in more than halfway on the left edge near the fingerprint sensor or you may damage the ribbon cable inside.

    • It is fine if opening picks fall out as the back cover becomes separated.

  8. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Using the inserted opening pick, carefully cut the adhesive around the upper-left corner of the rear panel.

    • Finally, cut the last of the adhesive along the top of the phone.

    • Use an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun to apply more heat as needed where you are cutting the adhesive.

  9. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Separate the right side of the rear cover first.

    • Tilt the cover up along the left edge to expose the fingerprint sensor ribbon cable.

    • Do not pull out the fingerprint sensor ribbon cable yet.

    • The fingerprint sensor cover might stay attached to the midframe.

  10. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Disconnect the fingerprint sensor: step 10, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Disconnect the fingerprint sensor: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to pry the fingerprint sensor ribbon cable up and out of its socket.

  11. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the back cover.

    • To re-install the back cover:

    • Use tweezers to peel away any remaining adhesive from the phone's chassis. Then clean the adhesion areas with high concentration isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%) and a lint-free cloth to prep the surface for the new adhesive. You don't have to clear out adhesive down to the plastic but larger pieces should be removed.

    • Turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.

    • Carefully apply the new adhesive to the back cover, then line up one edge of the glass against the phone chassis and firmly press the glass into the phone.

  12. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement, Remove the fingerprint sensor: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Use a heat gun, hair dryer or apply a heated iOpener on the outside of the fingerprint sensor to soften the adhesive underneath. Heat it until it's slightly too hot to touch, as the adhesive is soft and resists tearing.

  13. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Insert an opening pick under the back of the fingerprint sensor.

    • Twist the opening pick to separate the fingerprint sensor from the back cover.

  14. Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Fingerprint Sensor Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the fingerprint sensor.

    • To instal a fingerprint sensor:

    • Use tweezers to peel off as much adhesive as you can. Then clean off the remaining adhesive with 90% isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.

    • To re-install an existing fingerprint sensor, use a pre-cut adhesive sheet to replace the original adhesive.

Conclusion

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.

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.

7 other people completed this guide.

Sam Omiotek

Member since: 02/25/19

71,951 Reputation

288 Guides authored

One Comment

Comments from people using this guide should be incorporated into the instructions as a new version. Heating up the glue is paramount to avoiding broken back glass, and the fingerprint sensor is likely not to be attached to the back case, so people should move carefully but not get thrown off if it doesn't come up attached to the back.

Mister Fixer - Reply

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