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Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement

What you need

  1. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Rear Case: step 1, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Rear Case: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Pry with a plastic opening tool, or your fingernail, in the divot to the left of the rear-facing camera, near the power button.

  2. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Lift the rear case by the corner nearest the divot and remove it from the phone.

  3. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, MicroSD Card: step 3, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, MicroSD Card: step 3, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, MicroSD Card: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of a spudger, or your fingernail, to press the microSD card slightly deeper into its slot until you hear a click.

    • After the click, release the card and it will pop out of its slot.

    • Remove the microSD card.

    • For reassembly, push the microSD card into the slot until it clicks in place.

  4. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Battery: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Insert a plastic opening tool, or your finger, into the notch of the battery compartment and lift the battery upward.

    • Remove the battery from your phone.

  5. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, SIM Card: step 5, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, SIM Card: step 5, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, SIM Card: step 5, image 3 of 3
    • Use a plastic opening tool, or your fingernail, to press the SIM card slightly deeper into its slot until you hear a click.

    • After the click, release the card and it will pop out of its slot.

    • Remove the SIM card.

    • During reassembly, push the SIM card into the slot until it clicks in place.

  6. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Midframe: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the nine 4.0 mm Phillips #00 screws securing the midframe to the display assembly.

  7. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • The midframe is secured to the display assembly by several plastic clips behind the chrome bezel of the midframe. The next few steps will guide you through separating the clips to free the midframe.

    • Starting on the volume button side of the phone, insert your plastic opening tool between the chrome bezel around the display glass and the larger chrome border piece. Look for the seam between the two.

    • Slide the opening tool along the seam, separating the plastic clips as you go.

    • Be very gentle whilst prying, and pry only enough to separate the plastic clips—there are several thin points in the midframe bezel that may crack if you bend them too much.

  8. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Continue prying around the corner of the phone.

    • Slide your opening tool along the seam between the midframe and display along the bottom of the device, releasing more of the plastic clips.

  9. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Again, pry around the corner, to the power button side.

    • Slide the opening tool along the seam.

  10. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Continue sliding the opening tool around the top of the phone, releasing the last of the clips and freeing the midframe from the display assembly.

    • At this point, you may want to run your plastic opening tool along the entire perimeter of the device again, to make sure you've released all of the plastic clips.

  11. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3
    • Remove the midframe from the display assembly.

  12. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Motherboard Assembly: step 12, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Motherboard Assembly: step 12, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Motherboard Assembly: step 12, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the USB board connector.

    • Disconnect the front-facing camera cable connector.

    • Disconnect the earpiece speaker assembly cable connector.

  13. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3
    • Disconnect the headphone jack assembly cable connector.

    • Disconnect the display/digitizer cable connector.

    • Disconnect the antenna cable connector.

  14. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the single 2.4 mm Phillips #00 screw from the motherboard assembly.

  15. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Gently remove the motherboard.

    • Hold the motherboard by its edges to prevent ESD damage. Be careful not to snag it on any cables as you extract it from the display assembly.

  16. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement, Rear Facing Camera: step 16, image 1 of 1
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the rear-facing camera connector.

  17. Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2
    • Using tweezers, or your fingers, slide the rear-facing camera out of its notch in the motherboard.

Conclusion

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

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Sam Goldheart

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11 Comments

Where do you recommend getting the new rear facing camera from?

Justin - Reply

where do you recommend to buy a new rear camera?

sujatha - Reply

Useful step by step guide, I was able to replace the cracked lens on the camera following the instructions here. Without them I wouldn't have had a clue where to start and what to unclip. The kit I used was purchased from ebay and was straight forward enough to complete that part without the need for further instruction. For a few pounds I have increased the value of my phone for trade in at next upgrade. Very pleased with this result. Thank you for the comprehensive instructions.

Jenny Miller - Reply

what a great guide! took me less than an hour to replace the camera...this success gives me the inspiration to do the bigger job of replacing the sealed battery in my sisters macbook pro 13' late 2013 model...for those asking about where to get a replacement camera, I got mine from ebay for $19 AUD including postage!

gautamgoraya - Reply

Hi, Can the same technique and part be used on the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini?

vdthaoanh - Reply

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